2017 Summer LookyLookyForTheHalibuti

28-July-2017 Nanaimo Harbor, British Colombia The last time we went to Canada we piloted a 16' Boston Whaler up the Richelieu River into Ontario from Lake Champlain. The border crossing procedure was a wave from a friendly RCMP on the bank of the river. Times have changed. Apparently one needs a passport to get into Canada We did not have ours. Some smooth talking a couple of NC drivers licenses and promises to be good (just kidding) and we were in. The Gunship Rolls! So we blasted west to the coast, saw the Pacific Ocean, and jumped on a ferry to Vancouver Island Captain A.D. Venture

27-July-2016 North Cascades National Park New Halem Campground 2 days camping and hiking in the Cascades Park. Consuming hoppy goodness in the form of local micro-brewed IPA's A definite nod of approval to the Elysian Space Dust IPA. More sweat, more photos, more fun No trip is complete without a little mycelium  Check out the baby under her wing Odonates Everywhere....

25-July 2017 Electric City, Washington Seriously ... that's the name of the town No doubt many saw the PBS documentary on the greatest irrigation project ever. Nevertheless the Grand Coulee Dam is a pretty neat feat of engineering and movement of concrete. Its like looking at the Gaillard Cut in the Panama Canal & imagining the work accomplished so long ago. We rolled through the wheat belt of Washington including the Palouse Valley. We also saw a smashed up semi-trailer blocking traffic on our way down the road. We were assured no humans or animals were harmed in the event. Many, MANY apples gave all they had and were sacrificed. Holy pomace Batman! Enough  The Gunship Rolls!    Miss Sciency by the Grand Coulee

25-July-2016 Grand Coulee Dam Casino (not kidding) Wa We have spent the last 3 days with Carol's  great Aunt Lee. We arrived Clarkston Wa, had some cocktails & dinner, chatted till late & went to bed. Next day we were up and at the crack of 1:39 pm we headed south to McCall. The family has a cabin and we spent the next couple of days kicking back near the shores of Payette Lake. Good food, extra long happy hours and lots of laughs were pretty much the order.' We even managed a couple hikes, one at the nearby park and the other out of town near Louie Lake. It was tough to fire up the gunship this morning after 3 days of fun, but halibuttin' we must go lookin' Payette Lake Cabin in the woods On the trail Waiting to get our "Huck" on !! The three Musketeers 

21 July 2017  Clarkston Washington Rolled down the hill all the way from Lolo Hot Springs to Clarkston Washington. Hiked a Few short trails. Still looking for a moose. Here we go  Snowshoe trail sign! Such a big Stump

21-July-2017 Clarkston,  Washington The gunship has covered some ground the last couple of days.Hard to believe we were in Yellowstone just 2 days ago. We made Dillon Mo where we found a great taco truck and local brew of the IPA variety.  Very tasty. From there we went on the road less travelled to Polaris, up the Pioneer Mountains Senic ByWay Weise River to Sula. North through Hamilton in the Bitterroot Range to Lolo. We dodged the Lolo fire and found a campsite, enjoying a good nights sleep in the gunship The famous beaverslide hay baling machine

19-July 2017 EarthQuake Lake Montana As we entered the Visitors center at EarthQuake Lake (an amazing story itself) Miss Sciency was informed she had won a prize. The Nobel, finally???? At least a MacArthur Genius Award? Perhaps a lifetime supply of paper products. No it turns out she was the 20,000 visitor to the visitor center so far this year. She got a pin for her hat and a couple of post cards.' But it so felt like winning!!! And no acceptance speech to write. We celebrated at a taco truck and a brewery.' All good UDATE INFO: Photo of pin added for maximum reader enjoyment

19-July-2017 Dillon Montana We entered Yellowstone this morning under cover of darkness from the northeast side. We were determined to get as far though the park as we could before all the people showed up. Yellowstone is an extremely busy place in the summer. We started  through Lamar valley and found a group of wolves. Not close to us but using the spotting scope and a camera, I managed a few shots. They do look mostly like fuzzy dogs. Such is life Pretty much the same story on the elk cow calf herd. Just too far away. Down the valley & around the great loop we went. Geysers, sulphur pots, wildlife and plenty of other tourists. We hit all the big spots we could handle in a day. Headed out the west gate before mid afternoon We took the road less travelled through Enis (a trout fishing Mecca apparently) and ended up in Dillon.' We'll hit the trail again in the morning