Just arrived here in Whitefish at about 6pm local time and wanted to give everyone a quick update. Well definetley a very interesting update from us .
Jen and Doug dropped us off in Eureka on Saturday and immediately it started raining. It didn't stop until this morning but we had some adventures along the way. We comtemplated spending the night just outside of Eureka at a campground since it was pouring and we didn't think it would be smart to continue. We waited it out for about an hour and it slowed up to the point that we could continue. The sun came out breifly as we crossed the Whitefish Divide at about 5300'. From there we descended down to Tuchuck Campground, around a 34 mile day. The next morning we awoke to a deluge and sat in the Origami until about 12. We emerged to pump some water out of the creek behind us and as we got back, an ATV pulled up. The gentleman said we looked like "two frozen birds" (it was 48 degrees out and pouring) and asked us if we would like to come back to his place to warm up. We decided that would be a good idea since everything from socks to sleeping bags were drenched and we were quite cold. We rode about 10 miles down the road to his cabin and were able to sit by the fire for a bit. He made us coffee and grilled cheese and said that the place that we were planning on staying the night, Red Meadow Lake, has fresh snowfall from the previous night. He told us of a little spot called Polebridge that was about 6 miles off our route and about 17 miles down the road. He said they had an inexpensive hostel that would be more then willing to take us in and let our stuff dry for the night. We figured this would be a good idea as our stuff would not dry in the snow!
Polebridge turned out to be one of the coolest places on the trip so far. They have the hostel as well as a saloon and mechantile (country store). We pulled up to the hostel and walked in soaking wet. We were met by Oliver, the excellent manager, and Jodi. We asked if they had a spot for us and they told us we could have the upstairs to ourseleves to let stuff dry out. Oliver also mentioned a homemade hot tub out front that he had just fired up. We hosed off all our gear and quickly jumped into the tub for about a half hour or so. It was great to finally feel warm again. Then we got our things laid out and walked down to the merchantile to get some spaghetti sauce for dinner. As soon as we walked in the smell of fresh bread and cookies met us full on. It turns out they have a full bakery with some of the best cookies I have ever tasted. They also made sandwiches which we picked up this morning (also amazing). We went back to the hostel to start making dinner and as soon as we walked in the kitchen, Jodi offered us some hot cocoa and Baileys to warm us up. Man we must have looked cold!! Jodi is working up in Glacier and living in the hostel so she had some fun stories to tell and about how amazing the park is. We made dinner and then decided we should hit up the saloon. It is a one room log cabin with 4 taps of nice cold beer. We grabbed a seat and ordered up a Mason jar full of beer. After about an hour some folks from Indiana came over to chat with us. Turns out they were staying at the hostel as well and we quickly made friends with them. We went outside to enjoy a breath of fresh air and when we returned, there were musical instruments everywhere. Someone was playing piano while a few acoustic guitarist strummed along and there was even a hand drummer keeping beat. They jammed out for a little bit and then the drummer turned to Nat and said "I heard you play, would you mind?". Well for those that don't know Nat, he played in a band for a couple of years as the hand drummer and has been talking about how he wished he could have brought a drum along. He jumped at the chance to play and played 3-4 songs with the rest of the musicians there and then handed the drum back with a smile.
In case there is any question, we would recommend Polebridge to anyone riding the trail or even passing through Montana in a heartbeat!!!
It was definetley an experience that neither of us will forget and I hope to have pictures up soon of our little adventure! I am not sure the next time I will be able to write will be but pray for some more nice weather for us as we leave Whitefish and head south!
Jen and Doug dropped us off in Eureka on Saturday and immediately it started raining. It didn't stop until this morning but we had some adventures along the way. We comtemplated spending the night just outside of Eureka at a campground since it was pouring and we didn't think it would be smart to continue. We waited it out for about an hour and it slowed up to the point that we could continue. The sun came out breifly as we crossed the Whitefish Divide at about 5300'. From there we descended down to Tuchuck Campground, around a 34 mile day. The next morning we awoke to a deluge and sat in the Origami until about 12. We emerged to pump some water out of the creek behind us and as we got back, an ATV pulled up. The gentleman said we looked like "two frozen birds" (it was 48 degrees out and pouring) and asked us if we would like to come back to his place to warm up. We decided that would be a good idea since everything from socks to sleeping bags were drenched and we were quite cold. We rode about 10 miles down the road to his cabin and were able to sit by the fire for a bit. He made us coffee and grilled cheese and said that the place that we were planning on staying the night, Red Meadow Lake, has fresh snowfall from the previous night. He told us of a little spot called Polebridge that was about 6 miles off our route and about 17 miles down the road. He said they had an inexpensive hostel that would be more then willing to take us in and let our stuff dry for the night. We figured this would be a good idea as our stuff would not dry in the snow!
Polebridge turned out to be one of the coolest places on the trip so far. They have the hostel as well as a saloon and mechantile (country store). We pulled up to the hostel and walked in soaking wet. We were met by Oliver, the excellent manager, and Jodi. We asked if they had a spot for us and they told us we could have the upstairs to ourseleves to let stuff dry out. Oliver also mentioned a homemade hot tub out front that he had just fired up. We hosed off all our gear and quickly jumped into the tub for about a half hour or so. It was great to finally feel warm again. Then we got our things laid out and walked down to the merchantile to get some spaghetti sauce for dinner. As soon as we walked in the smell of fresh bread and cookies met us full on. It turns out they have a full bakery with some of the best cookies I have ever tasted. They also made sandwiches which we picked up this morning (also amazing). We went back to the hostel to start making dinner and as soon as we walked in the kitchen, Jodi offered us some hot cocoa and Baileys to warm us up. Man we must have looked cold!! Jodi is working up in Glacier and living in the hostel so she had some fun stories to tell and about how amazing the park is. We made dinner and then decided we should hit up the saloon. It is a one room log cabin with 4 taps of nice cold beer. We grabbed a seat and ordered up a Mason jar full of beer. After about an hour some folks from Indiana came over to chat with us. Turns out they were staying at the hostel as well and we quickly made friends with them. We went outside to enjoy a breath of fresh air and when we returned, there were musical instruments everywhere. Someone was playing piano while a few acoustic guitarist strummed along and there was even a hand drummer keeping beat. They jammed out for a little bit and then the drummer turned to Nat and said "I heard you play, would you mind?". Well for those that don't know Nat, he played in a band for a couple of years as the hand drummer and has been talking about how he wished he could have brought a drum along. He jumped at the chance to play and played 3-4 songs with the rest of the musicians there and then handed the drum back with a smile.
In case there is any question, we would recommend Polebridge to anyone riding the trail or even passing through Montana in a heartbeat!!!
It was definetley an experience that neither of us will forget and I hope to have pictures up soon of our little adventure! I am not sure the next time I will be able to write will be but pray for some more nice weather for us as we leave Whitefish and head south!
7 comments:
hey, hope you get this. Doug and jen will be at the bike shop in whitefish tomorrow (tues the 19th) from 10-11.just passing along the message. i emailed you too.
Sounds like a brilliant time in Polebridge! I have vivid images of the hostel, the saloon and the mercantile from your eloquent description. It's cool not to see photos straight away and use my imagination instead.
Keith, you sound like you're having the most amazing time. All I can say is that i'm extremely jealous and so happy you were able to do this. I miss montana and wyoming from my trips so hearing your accounts make me so happy. Have fun, stay safe!
Ps, if i were to send a package, any requests?
-Arley
thanks so much for the updates. we all love reading them here at the nuun office...quite the bit of fresh air we all need. we hope you all are doing well and are a bit bummed to hear about jen. (jen get well soon!) know you have quite the cheering squad here in seattle. looking forward to the next post.
Keith and Nat,
I sent your package to Lincoln today by both priority mail and tracking added to it. They said it should only take 2-3 days to get to Lincoln.
I spent the past 2 days in Rutland Vt. but back in NH yesterday. Nat's dad came by for a "Sammy" last night. He'e getting ready for his 100 mile bike ride along the Upper Valley of NH and VT for charity. He plans to ride the bike to the cottage this weekend to help him prepare for the big ride.
The town of Polebridge sounded like a paradise. It must have been difficult to leave. Keep warm. Love,
Dad and Mom
Jim and Steve said:
Keith, we came out to Concord for Molly's coming-out ball and were astounded to learn of your badge of courage march via Divideide going through chunks of underpopulated North America and meeting up with so many saints of the Outdoor World. Molly's event was a marvelous mini family reunion with the hopitality and fun at 12 F.A. overwhelming. We wish God's blessings on you, your comrades, and suppoters. We stand in awe of what you are doing, and hope you'll somehow hook-up with Uncle Bob and Aunt Pat in New Mexico. (Bob is an old fighter pilot out of World War II who would savor what you have been doing.)
Jim and Steve said:
Keith, we came out to Concord for Molly's coming-out ball and were astounded to learn of your badge of courage march via Divideide going through chunks of underpopulated North America and meeting up with so many saints of the Outdoor World. Molly's event was a marvelous mini family reunion with the hopitality and fun at 12 F.A. overwhelming. We wish God's blessings on you, your comrades, and suppoters. We stand in awe of what you are doing, and hope you'll somehow hook-up with Uncle Bob and Aunt Pat in New Mexico. (Bob is an old fighter pilot out of World War II who would savor what you have been doing.)
Post a Comment