Upper Midwest Tour – Day 2, July 11th

We got an early start since we had another 340 miles to go to the next overnight spot, and anticipated some slow, winding roads up to Lolo Pass.  What we did not anticipate was the multitude of road construction projects, requiring one lane closures (stop, wait and then “follow me” vehicle) and following a painting truck (see photo).  But we made it to Homestake Lodge at 5:30 pm.  BTW, we also lost an hour for the change to Mountain time.
 
After breakfast at the hotel in Lewiston, we drove up the South Fork of the Clearwater River, going by Dworshak Dam and Dworshak National Fish Hatchery.  This is another Corps of Engineers’ project that is part of the Federal Columbia River System and provides flood control, power generation and cold water for salmon.  The park along the river where we stopped also provided a display on Canoe Camp, where the Lewis and Clark expedition stopped in 1805 to cut timber and build 5 canoes, because they had finally reached another navigable river.

Dworwshak Dam

Betsy's auto

Middle Fork Clearwater River

Our next stop was in Kooskia for picnic supplies, for a picnic we never had.

 

The drive continued some 20 miles farther along the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River.  At a small town of Lowell, the river splits and the highway follows the Lochsa River.  The other river -- Sellway River, goes off southward.  These two rivers end at their confluence and become the Middle Fork – we have no idea how rivers get their names.
 
The scenery was pleasant as we wound our way along the water, occasionally crossing over and rising from 2,200 feet up to 5,200 feet elevation at the pass.  We saw only one young man fishing.  Of course, the river flow decreased to nothing as we crested the pass.  The grade was gradual up to the last 1,500 feet.
 
But we had several road construction slowdowns/stops before reaching the Lolo Pass.  It is at the border with Montana, and we had no further construction-caused delays.  Our descent into Lolo, Mt. was swift and steep, 25+ miles farther.  We drove north to Missoula, threading our way through the city to reach the access to I-90.  We then sped east to Homestake, which is at the Continental Divide just east of Butte, Mt.

 

Our accommodation texted us midday inquiring about our arrival time, giving us detailed instructions for finding them, and suggesting that food supplies should be purchased in Butte or Bozeman (i.e., there are no services at Homestake).  So we stopped at Safeway in Butte and purchased some dinner stuff before driving the last few miles.  We were able to follow the instructions provided and after about 4 miles on a gravel road, we arrived at Homestake Lodge.  We were met by an owner and instructed on how to find the the semi-rustic Worley Cabin, our ‘room’ for the night; it is actually a stand-alone cabin with a kitchen and front porch, surrounded by fragrant wildflower meadows and pine forests.  BTW, the elevation here is 6,200 feet.

 

We strolled around the grounds seeing the rest of the property – it is a cross-country skiing destination, with numerous trails, some of which are lighted.  After our leg-stretch, we enjoyed dinner on the front porch.
 
There is no WiFi, no TV, so I had plenty of time to write this ‘wordy’ blog.  I hope to publish it tomorrow when we get back to civilization.  I am not complaining.  It is absolutely quiet and might be a good night to view stars.