Kootenai Campground Came to the Rescue

Note: Did you notice something different? Earlier this week, Easin’ Along suffered a malware attack that required hours to sort out.  Just as I made my way through most of the problems, WordPress discontinued the Theme I have been using for five years and I am using a default theme that is not to my liking.  With internet connections that are spotty at best, I am not going to try to make changes in our current location, but please know that changes will be made soon, and real change will come when we return home.  For now, please join us in Troy, Montana for a relaxing time fifty miles below the Canadian border.

When we planned our trip to the Northwest, we had two objectives. First, we wanted to join up with our kids and grandchildren in Wyoming and deliver a trailer to our son, Justin. After that, we wanted to visit Banff National Park in Canada and camp alongside Lake Louise. We accomplished one out of two.

About a week before the date of our reservation in Canada, an email arrived, notifying us that the border was closed to international travelers, including US citizens. COVID-19 had changed our plans once again, and we had five days on our schedule with no place to camp.  What now?

My first step was to turn to our favorite trip planning website and search for a suitable site within a reasonable driving distance of Hungry Horse, Montana, to spend those five days. We found Kootenai River Campground in Troy, Montana.  The reviews were excellent, and a location next to a river offered another opportunity for fishing. Fortunately, they had a site available for the blank spot on our schedule.

We arrived and received a warm welcome from Marcie and Chris, the campground owners.  Chris led us to a very lovely pull-thru campsite under the shade of some large cedar trees, complete with firewood in the campsite fire pit.

The next morning, I rode my bicycle down to the Kootenai (pronounced Koot-nee) to try my hand at fishing.  The river is beautiful and large and FAST. The water runs so swiftly that it is difficult to venture out very far, so I had to work hard to get a fly out far enough to reach the pools. I ventured in, holding on to my wading staff tightly, and sent out a long cast toward the river’s middle. After a few casts, I began to feel comfortable with the current racing around my waders and settled down.  The weather was glorious, and I was just happy to be there.

The fish were comfortable with me there too. After about thirty minutes, I realized that I had not “matched the hatch” with my fly assortment and biked back to Lucy empty-handed. I enjoyed the experience, nonetheless.

While camping at Hungry Horse, the couple in the trailer next to our campsite, suggested that we hike two Troy, Montana trails. She said we had to see the giant Cedar Trees at Ross Creek and hike the Kootenai River Falls trail.  We made plans to do both the next day.

Ross Creek Cedars, about ten miles from our campground, proved to be a real treat.  Enormous cedar trees created a canopy of quiet standing high above a fern-lined forest floor. Helen and I almost had the area to ourselves. The mile-long hike was just what we needed to stretch the legs before the long drive on the following day.

We weren’t ready to quit, however. Kootenai Falls Park lay between us and the campground, and we stopped there on the way back from the Cedars. The crowd was a little more substantial at the Falls. The trail to the Falls started downhill to a swinging bridge then out to a viewpoint.  Unfortunately, this is about the place where the battery on my camera decided to die.  Thankfully, Helen took some pictures of the Falls and the scenic Kootenai River with her Iphone. The picture turned out well.

Battery notwithstanding, we were grateful for the opportunity to spend some time in Troy–even if it was a second choice.  The area is beautiful, and the Kootenai River Campground is undoubtedly worthy of a return visit. We are delighted Chris and Marcie came to our rescue.  Now, if someone would be willing to rescue us from this swinging bridge, we would be forever grateful…We need to be Easin’ Along.