Dietz Summer Road Trip

Sunday we left Seattle and drove east (for the first time on this trip) across the state of Washington. The western portion was so green, evergreen trees everywhere. And then it seemed like all of a sudden it stopped. There was nothing around. We realized oh ok, so this is where are the wild fires would occur. It was so dry. One of the amazing parts of this trip has been driving thousands of miles across the country. When you just hop on a plan and arrive at a major city or destination you miss out of all of the gradual, and sometimes not so gradual, changes that happen to a landscape. We have driven Through parts of states that were defiantly not intended for tourists. But we have been able to see some interesting things. 

For example as we were driving across Washington there was a grass fire. You could see the wall of smoke from a few miles away and we ended up driving right past it. 

   

 

  
Later Sunday we arrived in Spokane. We had dinner at a place in town called Franks Diner. The cool thing is, the restaurant is inside an old Preaidental Rail Car. They cook the food right on the grill behind the bar. It’s apparently the best breakfast place in Spokane, we got dinner type food (turkey club and Chicken fried steak) and it was deliscious. Plus they make their own milkshakes. 

   

 

   

 

   

 
We camped at Riverside state park. It was nice and not far from downtown. We couldn’t have a fire due to the high risk. So we set up the tent and walked around for a bit. There is a “swinging bridge” here built by the CCC over the river. The park is also know as “Bowl and Pitcher” because there are rock formations that look like both in the river. 

   
  

  
  

  
 

It was warm that night and 0% chance of rain so we slept in the tent without the rain guard over it. This was the first time we were able to do this all summer and got to see the tree tops from inside our tent. 
The next day we drove across the northern part of Idaho and into Montana. 

  
The scenery changed to being absolutely beautiful. We had a few hours drive to Glacier National Park so we got to see some of the best of North West Montana. Again, it was amazing. So far this has been our favorite state with even the most “boring” drive has beautiful scenery. We stopped for lunch at one of the many Casino/Gift Shop/Restaurant locations that caters to travelers and western enthusiasts. It is to be noted that there is huckleberry everything around here. Pie, salad dressing, lotion, Chapstick, chocolate. If you name it, it comes in huckleberry flavor or scent. “Huck” pie was on the menu everywhere so we had to try it. It was great! 

  

We still had a little further to drive to get to Glacier. The landscape of Montana was just gorgeous, we still couldn’t believe we weren’t In a national park yet.  Glacier actually extendeds into Canada so they fly both flags at the park. One of the main attractions is to drive the “Going to the sun” road that traverses the park. 

  
 
We took our time driving the Going to the Sun road and we’re just in awe. We both knew glacier would be beautiful but we just didn’t realize how awesome it would be. This has defiantly been both of ours favorite park so far. Part of the reason why we liked it was just because of how rugged and beautiful it was, but also it was not packed and crowded with too many people. We were able to stop and park and walk around at the lookout points to enjoy ourselves. Here are a few pictures from the drive. 

   

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

 
Our longest stop was at the Logan Pass Visitor Center where we got out to hike to hidden lake. You get to walk away from the road and around to the base of some of the mountains. We were really hoping to see some goats. But instead we saw a lot of marmots, streams from snow melt, and glaciers. It was awesome even still. 

   

  

  

  

    

  

  

  

  

  

 
After Logan’s pass we still had some more driving to do to exit through the east side of the campground where we were staying. We stopped to eat at one of the lodges and had a great dinner. Huckleberry pulled pork and black bean burger. We met a family from our home state of Pennsylvania (the dad was wearing a Buccos shirt) and we talked about the parks and our trip. Then we saw a black bear that was outside of the lodge. We got to watch the little bear behind the comfort of thick glass while enjoying our beverages…the best way to see a bear in our opinion. 

   

  

 
We then headed to our campground, made some jiffy pop and enjoyed some of the local Montana beers we bought. Tomorrow we are headed to Yellowstone, the first national park. And we can’t wait to see what’s in store. But mark our words. We will be back to Glacier at some point!