Nate / Libby Montana

So…we left Bozeman this morning.  Dad stopped at a breakfast coffee shop called Freshee’s and had a breakfast burrito and a raspberry blueberry iced scone.  He seemed pretty pleased and enjoyed his cold brew coffee…it is really hot here.  But the highlight of breakfast…at least for me…was fresh baked peanut butter dog treats.  I could have made a meal out of them but Dad fed them to me in staggered amounts.  Oh…and he is none the worse from his Bourbon experience last night.  We did a leisurely pack up and then Dad grabbed a much needed shower while I waited in the car.  Im starting to get tired of the back seat of the truck…although I would never tell dad…no need to know and I dint think it would make any difference anyway.  We drove from Bozeman to Libby Montana…and had to stop 6 or 7 times for road construction.  But the scenery was spectacular…Dad took some photos while we were waiting for clearance to drive forward.  The road to Libby was beautiful…valleys and rivers with a wall of mountains on both sides covered with trees…just beautiful.  We were off the freeway and passed through some really cute little towns on our way.  After a little confusion, we met up with Dad’s friend Nate who also works at Rock Creek.  Nate is doing a Fire Fighter internship with the National Park Service…and is a tad bit frustrated with the Government bureaucracy. Dad just smiles…he was in the Air Force for 20 years so he understands how frustrating bureaucracy can be.  We set up camp in a National Park…everything is put together…Dad can set up the tent in less than 5 minutes…pretty impressive.  Nate had to go back for a meeting so Dad fed me and then prepped for dinner tonight with Nate…Ribeye Steaks, Green Beans and slim pathetic looking corn on the cob which he bought at Whole Foods yesterday.  We have a fire going in the Solo Stove and Dad is enjoying a beer while waiting for Nate to return. 

Steaks were fabulous and the solo stove/griddle performed wonderfully.  The diameter is a little smaller than the firewood I had but the coals burned down nicely and Nate and I enjoyed the Medium Rare (Sorry Donald) Steaks cooked with olive oil, Bosari salt and Tony Chacherie’s Cajun Seasoning.  Nate and Dad stayed up late chatting over beer and bourbon.  Nate headed out for the night but returned the next morning.  Dad and Nate feasted on Sour Cream Pancakes courtesy of Nate and some fabulous thick Maple Bacon from WF…the corn was good but picked over but the steaks and bacon were as expected.  Nate had errands to run…he is leaving shortly for a return to Chattanooga…so Dad and I drove into Kalispell.  They have an outdoor store we have visited before and liked but, after Dad working at Rock Creek and me getting to know the store…it was severely lacking in everything including dog treats.  Did not love Kalispell as I have before…it really is small although the proximity to Glacier NP is nice…and it was God awfully HOT!  Dad and I (well, actually Dad) ate lunch on the patio of a local BBQ place called the Desota Grill in and old building called the Forge.  Dad had a brisket sandwich with potato salad and a beer and was very happy!  I, on the other hand, got nothing.  They had a collection of antiques inside…old cars and stuff and the interior was like a barn…nice people/wonderful food.  We returned to our campground outside Libby.  Nate returned in the early evening with Dad’s laundry…they sat around and chatted over beer and bourbon and then we packed everything up for an early start to Jasper…and off to bed…