Good night – almost too warm with a thermal layer at 1100 m altitude.
We got up around 07:30. I had another shower since you never know when the next opportunity will present itself here. Compared with European campsites, where showers are almost guaranteed, the one thing you can count on here is a fireplace at every single tent site.
We took our time for breakfast. Our mission for today was driving all day up to Glacier National Park. While packing up, we had a nice chat with our friendly camp neighbour Bill. Also the campground’s cat paid us a visit.
We filled up our water canisters and hit the road. Marius piloted the van, while I navigated and prepared the resupply side-quest by writing a shopping list and setting an intermediate stop at Helena after half the distance.
We needed gas for the camping stove, blankets against the cold, food, and of course beauty products for Marius’ girlfriend at home.
Most of the time I spent going through pictures and creating last day’s blog entry, while mile by mile went by.
We stopped for gas and window-cleaning at Choteau.
The last town before going off the grid internet-wise was Browning. We already heard of it as it is a Native American settlement of the Blackfeet, whose Reservation is East of Glacier National Park. We went off our route and through the town.
The place looked a bit run-down and stray dogs patrolled the streets. Before leaving, we got ourselves some cash at an ATM and used the mobile data connection for some last minute research on our destination, especially camp sites. It was uncertain whether or not the Many Glaciers campground would be filled already or not. Around this time of the year it is first come first served, no reservations possible. It was late but we decided to give it a try. Along the road to the park entrance, Lake Sherburne dominates the landscape.
The sky was somewhat cloudy and we got a little rain every now and then. The forecast does not look promising.
Our targeted campground was full. The closest alternative, St. Mary, was half an hour away. While going there we saw signs for smaller camping spots at the road and tried the “Leaning Tree Cafe and Campground” establishment only 2.5 km away.
The office was closed, but it was run by a family living at the other end of the parking space. The rates were 20 $ for a tent site and 5 $ for a shower, cash, no further questions asked.
It was around 20:00 when we started preparing wraps with a vegetable filling for dinner.
Before going to sleep we upgraded our sleeping setup with our 6 $ “Great Value”-blankets from Walmart.
Altitude is 1400 m. It is going to be cold.
P.S. Mobile data connectivity and WiFi are scarce in and around Glacier National Park. We’ll keep writing, but uploading the posts might be delayed.