Well… you get the idea. “Go west retired folks in your RV” didn’t seem like a catchy title.
After months of planning, we finally embarked on our 2025 Pacific Northwest Adventure on July 8th. We’ve already covered more than 1,700 miles, traversing North Dakota, Montana and northern Idaho. Lack of good internet access has kept me from posting thus far; this post will catch you up on two weeks of travel.
To begin, here’s a map of our entire western trip.
Shortly after entering Montana, we camped at Fort Peck State Park along the Missouri River. We toured the two powerhouses of the dam, marveling at the engineering minds that designed this facility in the mid 1940’s. I can only imagine the moment they first flipped a switch to start the water flow, crossing all fingers and toes and saying a prayer!
Thus far, we’ve enjoyed three Harvest Hosts, our favorite being a goat ranch in Chinook, Montana. We met our hosts, Rob and Mary, who moved to MT a year ago to begin a new chapter in their lives making goat milk soaps and lotions. We got to see how they milk their goats. We met some of their adorable kids as well.
We were just eight miles south of the Canadian border while camping at our next stop in Eureka, MT. Our campground was splendid with gorgeous views and great walking trails. One day we hiked in the Kootenai National Forest. We walked mostly in silence, soaking in the serene beauty.
The drive from Eureka to Farragut State Park in northern Idaho was stunning. The aqua green color of the still water draped by a mountainous backdrop was magical. We hugged the eastern edge of Lake Koocanusa, which was formed by the damming of the Kootenai River. Along the drive, we made a quick stop at the Libby Dam, visited the Kootenai Falls, crossed the suspended bridge over the Kootenai river, and visited the cute town of Sandpoint.
Next stop – visiting Farragut State Park which was important and quite nostalgic for Skip. In 1969, he and his troop attended the National Boy Scout Jamboree. Skip recalls crowding around a black and white TV with other scouts on July 21st to witness the moment Neil Armstrong famously proclaimed: “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” In addition to hiking and relaxing, we visited the Brig museum at the park, which hosted fabulous displays of the park’s roll as the Navy boot camp training facility during World War II, a prison for wayward navy sailors, as well as a POW camp for German prisoners.
For our next stop, we “mooch docked” with dear SOWER friends in Hayden, ID near Coeur d’Alene. Engaging with friends after our long trek west enlivened our spirits. We enjoyed delicious meals, played lots of card games, and most notably, spent an afternoon touring Lake Hayden on Hank and Lori’s boat. Skip and I also spent a half day exploring the Panhandle National Forest in a UTV with a guide. We fell in love with northern Idaho.
Now, we’re putting a pin in our western adventures in order to fly to Boston tomorrow to celebrate our niece’s wedding … such joy!
We’ll resume our adventures next week, visiting the North Cascade mountains which are often called the American Alps due to their rugged mountains with snow-capped peaks. Hope you’ll come along for the ride!
Such a beautiful part of creation! My young adult years were in Spokane. My brother lives there still. Big part of my heart. Thx for sharing!
Lori… come look at this… We made the cut… we made the cut!!!!
We’re famous!!!!!
Thanks for the story and pictures.
I enjoyed my first blueberry kefir tonight. Thanks for sharing.
Safe travels you guys.
You are famous! haha 🙂
Thank you for a fabulous visit!
Oh Skip & Anne, what a wonderful trip for you!! Of course we will come along with you when you get back from the wedding. Such an adventure you have planned. I love your pictures & style of writing. I would be really interested in how you plan your trips. “See you soon”.
Wow, thanks for sharing your newest adventure. The scenery is amazing. I cannot wait to see the next part of your overland adventure.
Safe, and fun travels… Pat and Lynne
Enjoy, Anne! Travel well.
Can’t wait to see you in Boston! How fun we get to celebrate such a special wedding together! Those mountains and that beautiful blue/green water steal my heart every time! I sure do miss my camping trips up in the mountains, but now I have a new itch to travel back to Montana for some hikes and views! Wow!
Wow!! All those photos bring back so many memories of places I’ve traveled and really not sure I’ll be seeing many of them again. However, the joy I felt in remembering times spent in those areas was priceless this morning. Thank you, Gary S.
You are so welcome. Glad our pictures stirred some joyful memories, Gary!
Always fun to read your blog!
Thanks for sharing!
You two look younger and healthier on each trip! So glad to have the opportunity to peek into your adventures.
It’s so fun to read about your travels and see some of the photos. I love your descriptions of the beautiful scenery and your fabulous photos.
I’m sure your trip to Boston will be very special. I look forward to hearing about that side trip and the rest of your adventure!
You are in the most beautiful parts of the States. Love the pictures. Mountains are my favorite type of landscape along with the trees. You are seeing at all. Have a safe flight and enjoy the change of pace for the wedding. Then come on back to the wilderness beauty. Goats are so funny, too. Thx for sharing. You are in our prayers. Roxanne
Really lovely, as ever. Stay safe!
So fun to hear the stories of your travels. I feel like I get to appreciate the locales without having to do the work of traveling.
Looking forward to your adventures! This is a great way to document your travels and also organizes your pics for future reminiscing. I will be in Oregon in late August with friends. Let me know if our schedules coincide. I see you are taking a pass on Cali 🙁 wonderful to see you and Skip enjoying yourselves!
I’m late in the game in reading this post. As always, God’s beauty is always displayed wonderfully in your pictures. The history is always so enjoyable. I loved everything about this update. Thank you. Thank you❤️❤️❤️