Day 7 - Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves



 Bozeman, MT to Glacier, MT

Breaking camp in the morning was made easier simply by the fact that I had more hands to chip in. Many hands makes light work and all that, right? Well, with each member of our rolling rabble assigned a job, even six-year-old Charlie, we were packed, loaded, unhooked, and stowed in no time and headed out on the road to continue our journey North. But not before breakfast, of course.

As we pulled out of the campground and began making our way toward the highway, we noted a sign...

"Montana Wheat Cafe - Best Breakfast in Montana!"

Intrigued, we pulled in and parked the RV alongside several other trailer campers, RVs, and fifth-wheels, figuring now this was a must stop for our traveling ilk - those being the campers and road-warriors. Walking into the establishment we noted they either had excellent advertising or the breakfast was as advertised because the place was absolutely packed. Though crisis struck when Charlie realized that they didn't have pancakes and indeed, the place was more of a bakery and deli than a traditional greasy spoon...

Just as she was about to get really upset that the only available food items in her limited six-year old diet would be a strip or two of bacon, we made our way to the bakery counter where there was an iced cinnamon roll that was literally the size of her head. I pleaded with her to try it, that it's just like a donut (which she loves), only with a touch of cinnamon, which was what she was unsure of most. Well, after reluctantly trying a nibble of this amazing pastry, she decided it was her new favorite thing and then set about devouring it all. She also ate a few pieces of bacon a a couple of pickles and I wondered if it may be the most eclectic breakfast I've ever seen!

Crisis averted, and down the road we went.

The drive to Glacier from just outside Bozeman was a measly four-and-a-half hours which, by comparison to the prior five days, was a walk in the park. But that four and a half hour ride would be one of the most magnificent, most memorable drives I've ever had, and that is absolutely saying something. 

We drove hard down lonesome two-way highways through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, careening through severe elevation changes whereby Big Booty Judy would struggle and whine to make the crest of a hill only to be met by a 7% grade descent when the mighty RV would coast down into the valley like a flying brick on wheels. Still, the mountains well off in the distance created a view of what can only be explained as the biggest sky I've ever seen and those mountains never seem to get any closer in spite of driving right at them. 

Of note, of all the places I've been in this country and frankly, the world, the Montana natives come across as the most cantankerous I've known. Because the lumbering RV would lose so much speed on the inclines and our travel taking us mostly down two lane highways, I was flipped off twice and had horns blasted at me three times as folks passed us doing 80 to 90 mph... Each vehicle had a Montana tag and I guess I just assume these folks are simply hardened from the cold and have absolutely no sympathy for out-of-staters driving a lunk of an RV with Georgia tags (which is where I rented the RV from).

Never the less, we made the campground in the late afternoon, setup per usual, and then took advantage of the 70 degree temperatures knowing we would have temps in the 50's the following day with long periods of rain. We made our way to the pool and the massive hot tub that sits deep in the park looking up at the mountains and plateaus, taking in the sights and relaxing a bit before heading back and cooking beer-brats with sauteed onions, hot dogs, and potato chips. A proper Fourth of July fireside meal. Though when the rain came, we all retreated into the belly of the beast, abandoning our fire and huddling to keep warm.

Today we're going to attempt to hike a few waterfalls around an area of the valley called Two Medicine, a tip given to us by a rabble of Minnesotans, thankfully, because assuredly I wasn't going to ask a Montana-native.

Soggy days will not dampen our spirits! Because frankly, nothing should... This roving band of gypsies, tramps, and thieves. 



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