17 June 2014 Libby to Sandpoint

You can't choose the weather. Vacations come and go no matter what happens with the weather, but this day was really tough. Rain and cold temperatures greeted us at the start and stayed with us for the day. It was one of those days where you look for other things to do so with the never ending hope the rain stops. We made a good choice to stop for breakfast at a small restaurant we had noticed the night before. The place was pleasant and a diversion from the rain.

With breakfast done and the rain still coming, we decided to stop at a few of the sights in Libby. They elevate their transportation in this town. ;) 1957 Nash Ambassador Custom

1938 Chevy Stake Bed

I was really concerned about the cold temperatures so we stopped at a clothing store. I was skeptical, but Ali got me to stop. Inside I was surprised to see they had a serious, if limited, inventory of real outdoor apparel. I was able to find a good fleece jacket to wear inside my waterproof jacket so I was ready to conquer the rain. We stayed near to Libby hunting a few caches and even finding a few. We were delaying our trip to the first of two main goals for the day, Kootenai Falls. We were hoping for a change in weather, but eventually realized that wasn't going to happen. This stream in Libby was over its banks. We missed the find here.

A nice flower spotted during all the rain.

Despite our delay attempts, the weather did not brighten. We were going to visit Kootenai Falls in the rain because these were too super to pass by.

Is that a suspension bridge ahead?

It's long and bouncy and over a really big river.

It was outstanding. A few loose boards in the middle really made the journey.

The view was good too.

We were a little wet at the end of our visit to the falls,

We continued on our way to Sand Point, but the rain was ever present.

Our second big stop of the day was to see the Ross Creek Cedars. The weather didn't give us a break and we were both chilled beyond any level of comfort, but the cedars were a beautiful sight.

Ali standing by a majestic cedar.

16 June 2014 Creston to Libby

With only a morning available in Creston, our choices of where to cache and see the area were limited. Ali chose very well with a stop at the Creston Valley Wildlife area. It offered a nice loop hike including at a place designated as Balancing Rock. Our available time did not allow us to complete the entire loop, but it did give us a chance to take in the views and wildflowers up to Hanging Rock and back.

Ali signs the trail register at the start of the Balancing Rock Trail

The view is nice from Balancing Rock.

After our walk above, we dropped down to the wetlands nature area for a walk near the waters. The nature center was closed, but the walk was fun with lots of lilies and a few nice bird sightings. We both wished we had set aside more time in Creston with a second night at the hotel so we could explore this area including a visit to the viewing platform and explore Creston the town more, but we left the Wildlife area after just a few more caches.

On our way back to the US, we stopped for a find at a real lonely multi (last found February 2012 :O) with a first stage starting at this historical marker for the first settlers of Creston.

We returned to the states with a border crossing in Idaho. Before moving on to Montana, we made a stop at a cemetery to find a tribute cache for deceased cacher kowboyk. The cemetery was right at the border with the rear line of the cemetery along the border. Besides finding a well done tribute to a cacher who has passed, we were able to visit a unique border benchmark at the edge of the cemetery. I was also able to make my third visit to BC. ;)

This location is a great place to see the vegetation cut at the border. We didn't know there was a large path cleared bewteen the two borders until the prior Sunday when someone described it. It was very visible traveling up the mountain at this location. It is a straight line in the vegetation just to the right of the marker tip.

We made our way into Montana and stopped at a hunting area for a cache. While searching for the cache, we spotted our first orchid in Montana and saw mariposa tulips for the first time!

Our last big stop of the day was Yaak Falls. The water was awesome. I kept creeping closer, but Ali kept dragging me back. The power was amazing.

After settling in our room in Libby Montana, we headed off for dinner at a nearby Mexican restaurant and a visit to the town's neon lights, ;)