Yaak Album

 

I don't know if I'd survive living a winter in the Yaak, but, in the summer, the area in Northwest Montana is stunning and definitely worth visiting. 

Clean, neat, pristine, remote---all apply when trying to describe virtually every mile of the Yaak River Road, which branches off and heads north from HWY 2 west of Troy, Mont.

Probably the only disappointment Bill and I experienced yesterday was the absence of berries on huckleberry bushes through our entire trip. 

We drove to the town of Yaak where folks on motorcycles and 4-wheelers had congregated.  In fact, one of my former students, La Rae, was among those we saw inside the Mercantile. 

La Rae was taking the day off from the Silver Spur Restaurant in Troy, which she now owns.

The historic Dirty Shame Saloon across the street, which is undergoing a complete makeover, sits closed until bureaucratic stuff is worked out, according to the folks who run the mercantile. 

On the way up the drop-dead scenic highway, we also stopped at the awesome Yaak Falls where we spotted a couple beating the heat and relaxing in their camp chairs just above the falls. 

North of Yaak, we stopped by a bridge where Bill pulled out his fly rod and caught three brook trout.

 While he fished, Foster and I walked down the road past the old ranger station. 

Later, we drove back through Yaak, stopped again at the Mercantile and picked up a couple of bags of Carolina Kettle cooked chips, which were tasty and reasonably priced. 

South of Yaak about five miles or so, Spread Creek Road heads west, taking travelers to Canuck Basin and eventually down the mountains through Deer Creek and on to Bonners Ferry. 

So, we took that road and parked in the shade by Spread Creek where we enjoyed some tasty sandwiches we had purchased earlier from the Bread Basket Bakery north of Bonners Ferry. 

Bill again did some fishing, hooking three more trout. 

We saw no cars on the road from Spread Creek to Canuck Basin.  So, we basically had that gorgeous area all to ourselves. 

On down the road into Deer Creek, we did see encampments where berry pickers stay during huckleberry season.  They must know where the berries are cuz we saw none. 

That was okay because there was enough beauty for miles to keep our eyes locked on the scenery. 

Twas a good day's getaway and a wonderful escape from the heat, thanks to air conditioning. 

Upon returning home, we learned of a tragic train-car accident on West Selle Road where three members of a family of four were killed earlier in the day. 

The community mourns for this loss.  So sad. 

Happy Sunday.  Be safe.