Sightseeing Up and Down!

Captains Log June 13 – It was a full day today!

Looking down on a piece of
the "M"

The three of us left for downtown Missoula after breakfast and the plan was to hike to the top of the “M”.  Bill wasn’t feeling good so when we exited the truck he said he’s lay down a while and catch up with us.  So we each had our backpacks and Kam had her big camera and I wasn’t going to haul any extra weigh up, I just had my cell phone.  We chose to take the straight up hike on the left side of the mountain.  About ¼ the way up, I thought this was a big mistake!  It seemed like I didn’t have any air!  We stopped a lot on the way up, hanging on to rocks, limbs and whatever what handy. 

Reaching the top was awesome!  I felt like I conquered the world!  You come out at the top of

U of M football stadium

the “M” and you can’t actually see the whole thing from up there anywhere.  We took photos of the football stadium, Bill’s tiny truck in the parking lot, and the college commons.  I took a photo on the way up of the interstate between Mountain M and Mountain L.  I went to the bottom of the “M” and took a photo of Kam at the top of it.  Bill couldn’t see us to get a photo from the bottom due to trees at the bottom blocking his view.  We sat for a while and rested for the switchback trail going down.  They are paved and have a few benches scattered along the trip down.  It was a lot longer but a lot  easier as well.  I was very excited to have

Path going up

made the trip at 67!  

View of the circle from the hilltop

We headed back to the RV for lunch and then Kam and I headed to the town of Arlee, about 30 minutes away.  We visited Ewam Garden of One Thousand Buddhas.  There were quite a few people that when we arrived.  The grounds are beautiful and it’s really hard to describe it all.  The main part of the garden is a circle divided evenly

The entrance

into 8 sections.  There are dividing walls about 3 feet tall and on them are 2 rows of Buddhas.  There are Buddha statues on the exterior  wall and other statues that are larger that have specific names   Up on the hill behind the circle is a triangular display of prayer flags that have been bought in memory of someone and blank ones that can be bought.

The garden in the circle and all around are beautiful and most of the

One of the Monks

flowers were in full bloom.  It’s a very peaceful place.  They have a coy fish pond with statues around it as well.  There is no charge to visit but there are a couple of donation stands.   You can also place coins on / at the statues and say a prayer. 

Kam and I enjoyed the sereneness of the compound, the beauty of the flowers, and the calmness you feel there. 

One of the divider rows in the circle

We went the gift shop but didn’t buy anything.  We did see the Monk, who must be in charge as he was emptying the donation stands.  Good thing, as Kam had trouble pushing in our donation as it was pretty full!

It’s a difficult place to describe.  It’s very peaceful, quiet and inspiring!

We headed back to the RV park  and later the 3 of us went to Lolo, which is sorta outside of Missoula.  Kam took us to a highly rated steak restaurant for dinner.  It was full so they took our name and we walked up the small hill behind it to the distillery there.  Kam ordered a flight of

At the center of the circle

their spirits while I ordered an Old Fashion and Bill went all out with water!  I drank one of Kam’s flight and it was great!   She bought a bottle of Huckleberry Vodka that she can’t have until I get back in the fall.  She traveled carry on so she better hope I don’t get thirsty!  By the time we got back down to the restaurant our table was ready.  We each got a different cut of steak.  The huge “grill” is right where you can see the guy cooking and Bill went to watch and ask questions.  I hope that means he’s going to do a good job of grilling for me!

Dinner was delicious!  We all had salads which were extremely fresh and crisp.  I had a white sweet potato and thought they brought me a regular potato but the server said it was a white sweet potato.  It was the sweetest that I’ve ever had so I will be watching out for those!  Kam and Bill ate all their dinner but I only got through half of my steak.  Kam and I both wanted some mini huckleberry vodkas so after Kam paid the bill we drove back up the hill and got the minis and headed back home.

It was a full day and beautiful out all day!