Missoula to Kalispell

May 4, 2009
Kalispell, MT

We stayed in Missoula last night, and made the short drive up to Kalispell today.

Since we knew we weren't going to make it all the way to Kalispell from Twin Falls, we pulled up short in Missoula. Since we're now the most connected motorhome in the world, with always-on internet via the Verizon Wireless card with the Wilson boost amplifier, we were able to do a quick directory search and find a park right on our route. This is the height of serendipity: call at 5:00 PM and park at 5:20 PM.

Missoula is the home of the KOA campground chain, and the people from the head office have made it their life's work to promote "no overnight parking" anywhere but in RV parks in town. I'd prefer to stay at a mom-and-pop place, in this case "Jim and Mary's RV Park".

Today, we made the 3-hour drive up to Kalispell, our last stop before crossing into Canada. We called the microwave repair guy again (no return call), and have just about given up on getting it repaired soon, although we'll a) stop by the repair place tomorrow and b) keep looking as we meander north. I hosed off the Range Rover and did a few things around the house (e.g., grease the mechanism in the read bed slideout). I put the cover on the bike (Dave, I'll let you know how it works out over the next few travel days), and tomorrow we'll find a car wash and put the cover on the front of the Rover. We've had the cover for a while but generally don't use it since it rubs and flaps while driving and this causes paint finish issues. I bought a roll of "Transit Shield" (the plastic stuff you see on new cars while they're being transported to dealers) to put under the cover, so we'll be testing that as well.

The other key project for tomorrow is to head for the Post Office to get (hopefully) our mail. This will be the last mail delivery for a while (who wants to try to get your own mail through Canadian Customs?), so I'm hoping I didn't cut it too close.

The only other thing on the agenda is to make a list of the things to declare at the border. We're over on alcohol by a bit, but have no tobacco or weapons. It's always better to declare, since I'm sure we'll be searched (we have been every other time we've crossed into Canada).

Anyway, click here for a few pictures from yesterday and today...