Each year (more or less), Lorette and her sisters get together for a sibling bonding experience and include spouses. This year the rendezvous point was a log house in Montana just outside Glacier National Park. It has been a long time since we have had a real road trip so we decided to drive. One night on the road going over, a week at the ‘chalet’, and two nights coming home. In the next couple of posts, I’ll include some photos of the adventure.
If they still made steamer trunks, I’m sure we would have several. But since we don’t, why not use as many suitcases and miscellaneous bags as possible?
Hope the cat isn’t in here somewhere
First night’s stop was in Spokane. In order to prepare for a rustic Montana experience, we stayed at the Davenport Hotel, a nicely renovated gem from the early 1900s.
Inside, a photo of the Palm Court on the main level. Not pictured: Martinis to celebrate driving the first leg of our trip with no incidents (and no cat stowaways).
Spokane turned out to be a great spot for the first stop. Several of the Walla Walla and Columbia Valley wineries have tasting rooms there so we dropped into Cougar Crest for a little sample before dinner at Wild Sage.
Wild Sage Tapas Platter
Duck
Upon returning to the hotel after dinner we found Mr. Lewis Davenport, the hotel’s original owner, in the lobby reading his newspaper. Turns out he enjoys knitting so he and Lorette struck up a friendship.
Knitting Buddies
The next day was nice and sunny as we drove into Montana.
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A spaceship disguised as a cloud?
No road trip would be complete without exploring diners along the way. Heather’s Country Kitchen in Plains, MT makes a killer hamburger: handmade patty, grilled onions and mushrooms covered by melted swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato, with a side of hand cut fries.
Think: Jimmy Buffett singing the cheeseburger song
On to Glacier Park. We picked up Diane and Jack at the Kalispell airport and drove to our home in the woods where we met Linda and Larry who had driven from North Dakota. Lodging for the next seven days: a log house on the North Fork of the Flathead River just outside the park entrance at West Glacier.
Home Sweet Home
Here are two views taken from the front deck: one looking north; the other, looking south. The park boundary is right across the water.
North
South
And what better way to end our first day at the cabin than with dinner on the deck?
Cheers!
