Glacier Camping

We had a rainbow this morning

Our KOA campground at West Glacier, Montana, was very full, and so they had scheduled us for a spot which - on paper - would accommodate our truck and trailer. In fact, it looked very tight to me. I am somewhat experienced in pulling, backing and parking trailers; but this one is very large, very new, and very scary in tight places. The site was hemmed in with trees, and the access road did not seem to have enough room for me to swing the big Ford truck. Because a fifth wheel hitches over the rear truck axle, it behaves differently from a trailer which is tied to the bumper of the truck. Fifth wheels seem to need more room to swing, and I was very concerned that the spot we were to occupy for a week just didn’t have the room.

The young folks at the desk tried to convince me that it would be fine, but when the campground owner looked at the site, and at my rig, he agreed with me. So, we have moved.

West Glacier put us in touch with the KOA at East Glacier, some 80 miles away, where we got a straight pull through site. This campground has few trees, but it has a wonderful view of the mountains in Glacier National Park one mile away. We are on a windswept area known as high plains, about 6,000 feet elevation. The big trailer rocks and rolls in the 30 knot plus winds, which blow almost constantly, but it’s fine. The Boy Scout troop here in their tents are having a more difficult time.

A few passing clouds dumped a little rain on us this morning. As if the grandeur of 12,000 foot granite mountains towering above us wasn’t enough – I really feel like I’m in a cathedral – we got a magnificent rainbow to boot. It appeared very large, and very close, with sparkling colors. It was impossible to look at it and not say, “Oh, Lord, thank You!”

Today is Saturday, July 16. I think some grocery shopping, a long walk with Lacy, a few minor repairs, and re-packing the trailer are on the list. Maybe I’ll cook roast beef, biscuits, and mashed potatoes tonight.