Today was all about water: rain falling from the sky, snowmelt swelling rivers in the forest, and, most cool of all, spillage released from a dam. Let’s unpack all that in today’s report.
Once again, the rain decided to stay in the picture. You can even see a drop of it on the far right of this shot taken on the road going up the west side of Flathead Lake. Still pretty views despite the excessive humidity.
Before I hit Flathead Lake, though, I tracked down the Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ just to the south. What the heck is that, you ask? It is one of the few dams owned by a tribe (the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes), who took over ownership in 2015. I debated whether to go the last half mile down an extremely rutted gravel road to get there, but figured it would be a good test of Bella’s AWD. When I saw the dam, I was SO happy I did: for the first time ever, I saw a dam releasing water!
What a fantastic sight and sound! (This is my first embedded video, so I hope it works!)
And the scenery above and below the dam was beautiful…
Up the length of Flathead Lake, a quick stop in Kalispell for gas and lunch, and then it was my first meeting to Route 2, my main route for the next several days. More than once, I pulled off to avoid the super-aggressive drivers who insisted on going 70-80F in pouring rain on rollercoaster curves. At one such point, I got lucky, with a break in the rain and a wonderful bonding experience with the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.
Before leaving the high country, I crossed the Continental Divide, which I would have missed entirely if not for the signpost. A half-hour later, I was definitely out of the mountains and onto the plains. There will be lots of plains. Lots and lots of plains. For the next three days.
Today’s quotation:
Today’s Stats
- Miles Driven: 290
- MPG: 26.1
- Side trips: (previously Kerr Dam)
- Map
Looks like you are making good time. Your package shipped today!
Best Wishes! Scott
Thanks, Scott! As always, you rock that mailroom 🙂
Annie this is amazing. You still have time to chat either tomorrow or Wednesday afternoon? If not this week no worries we can keep trying. Keep driving and posting
The embedded video worked and was awesome! Water falling is a sound and sight to behold. Good call on the aggressive drivers, let them go and get themselves into trouble. You can laugh as you pass them in the ditch!
That video of the dam was amazing! Keep on truckin’, kid!
Thanks, Connie! I could have stood there all day watching it except (1) it was cold out and (2) I had places to go!