Day 10 – A Quick Trip Through Reality and Beauty

Today was a day of immense beauty and a reminder that, despite the remoteness we can occasionally feel on this trip, the world keeps on going.

We woke up late in Okanogan. We really needed the rest after the backpacking in Glacier. My injuries felt a lot better. Even my face has begun to return to it’s usual appearance. We loaded up the car and decided to grab a hot meal before leaving. Continue reading “Day 10 – A Quick Trip Through Reality and Beauty”

Day 10 – North Cascades with a Side of Reality

This morning, day 10, we took slow since we had to repack everything and it had been a late night so we needed some extra sleep. Unfortunately, Robert’s bum arm keeps him from doing too much, but I don’t mind taking point on things. We got everything reorganized and packed in the car before 11 and went next door to grab a good breakfast. Then we were off to North Cascades NP.

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Day 9 – On the Road Again

This morning was frustrating. Since we had been so tired and battered last night, we didn’t take all the wet stuff (our packs mainly, which we were sick of) out of the car. So everything in the packs that might not have been wet had we taken them out, were at least damp. On top of this, the free breakfast at the Super 8 was incredibly skimpy, the only hot food options were instant oatmeal or toast (with whipped spread, not even butter!). The last one we stayed at had eggs, potatoes, and sausage, so we were rather disappointed. The bed was extremely firm as well. So FYI, the Super 8 in Kalispell, MT is not worth it! (Rates above $100/night, not what is reported on the website.)

Anyways, I spread the tent out in the back of the car to air it out while we drove up through Canada, over Idaho, and back into Washington to Okanogan

British Columbia was very cute and pretty. The Canadian Rockies were on point with a dusting of snow on the higher peaks that we could see. Most of the towns were cute and had little downtown areas similar to Manitou Springs. We stopped to get something to drink and a snack in Creston at Buffalo Trail Coffee (and to use the wifi to check in with the world).

All in all, a smooth sailing day. The border guards got a little nosy about Robert’s face, which makes sense, but they were curt and didn’t give us much trouble. The motel in Okanogan was quaint and we got pizza from a nearby joint that was delicious. They put on a nice thick, gooey layer of cheese on over the ham, pepperoni, green peppers, and onion. It was a perfect victory pizza. My stomach almost couldn’t handle it though, going from almost no food to half a pizza was maybe not the best plan.

Since the pizza, we finished laying out all the wet stuff from the packs and have been working on blog posts with South Park playing in the background.

Day 7 – Blown Away by Red Gap Pass (literally)

First off: good news, we weren’t eaten by a bear, so, woo! But today has been a day.

I was still a little sore this morning but a hike was doable. Planned is 2700ft up, 1800 ft down, so it should be easier on my knee. We left at 10 or so, and it should be a 6 hour hike, so, ideally, an early day.

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What a view from the campsite

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Day 6 – Lara is Slow and Glacier is Excruciatingly Gorgeous

We are in the backcountry, woo! What a ridiculously long day: 11 miles, 7.5 hours, 2480 feet up, 2518 feet down. The morning was frustrating because it was cold, I wanted to get up and see sunrise, the tent was wet, and we had to repack our backpacks before setting out for the trail. We still decided to stop at Johnson’s Cafe for a nice hot breakfast before setting off for the trail head to Elizabeth Lake via Ptarmigan Tunnel.

Continue reading “Day 6 – Lara is Slow and Glacier is Excruciatingly Gorgeous”

Day 6 – Into the Woods

Today is my first backpack hiking day. Let’s just start at the beginning of the day.

After a good night’s sleep, we once again wanted to be up for sunrise. I was able to get up 15 minutes before it and get out of the tent into the cold. Lara stayed in her warm sleeping bag. She had hoped (without communicating this desire to me) that I would open the rainfly so she could see it as well. Continue reading “Day 6 – Into the Woods”