What a day. It rained all night. I know because it kept me awake. In the morning it kept raining, and raining, and raining. I was hoping to wait it out. But it didn’t stop. Now the inside of the tent is wet. I shrugged and decided to not waste any more of the day. It was going to be a driving day anyway. I shoved every loose item into my sleeping back and put it in the back seat. The tent was a lazy fold and put it in the truck over a blanket so it wouldn’t get everything else dirty. Although we came in the northeast side of the park, we drove down the west side of the park. On the way out, we decided to drive through the east side. Which was great, because there were two other falls I wanted to see. Surprise, surprise.
This was a great idea, because it was the best waterfall I had seen in my entire life. Some falls are like Fairy Falls, small but a lot of character. Some are like Niagara Falls, big with a lot of power, but a little plain. These falls were the perfect hybrid of both. The Canyon Falls. Stopped at the upper falls first, which was the better of the two. An 1/8-mile hike from the parking lot to see it. When I got there, I was winded. Not because of the hike, but the beauty of the falls. I honestly couldn’t breathe. It was fast and powerful yet graceful and elegant. The water was hitting the bottom so fast that it spew out into splashes of mist. I could stay here forever. But alas, I had to move on. Saw the lower falls on the way out. They were nice, but now nothing can compare to the upper falls. The thing I did like about the lower falls location was that the views of the canyon were beautiful there.
The drive through Montana was much like the drive through Wyoming. A lot of nothingness. Perhaps I had become accustomed to the beauty of the west. The rolling hills, the forests, the wildlife… This is what everyone should see every day. It makes me dread going back to the Midwest. It seems pale, bland, and maybe even boring the scene out here. Again, the long drive gave me time to think and reflect on the past few days.
How can I write all this down again? I thought about myself and how relaxed I had become. I didn’t mind that there might be a molding rotting tent in my trunk making everything else in there stink. I didn’t mind the rain coming down all day. It was just another form of nature. I was lucky so far in the weather. I’m glad I was introduced to sleeping pads. How did I ever just sleep on the ground? Where is all this construction coming from??? This is the middle of nowhere. Sheesh. I’ve worked my car pretty hard. That’s ok, that’s what it’s for. No Honda Civic has ever been on such an adventure. Uphill, downhill, it’s all good. Although I wish my car would’ve have roared going up as opposed to whine. It’s a good car. My little bat-mobile. I desperately need a shower. It’s weird how showers have become a perk out here. I hate showers, but I miss taking one. It’s so beautiful out here. These small towns are really starting to grow on me. Maybe because they just seem so friendly.
Desired destination for the night: Kalispell, MT. Finding a hotel was difficult. Made reservations at a Motel 6. Took all my information over the phone only to take it down again once I checked in. Seriously people… Going to a Motel 6 reminded me of when I first moved the Chicago area. It was an exciting time in my life, just like this one. Got in the non-smoking room that stunk, but I was glad to be in a room. I yearned for a bed, a shower. Well, not a shower, but just to be clean, or at least feel clean. I couldn’t tell if I had acquired a tan or layers of dirt. Turned out to be a little of both. Set up the tent in the tiny room to dry, laid out all the other wet things to dry, put the laundry in a pile in the corner and took that fantastic shower that I had been looking forward to. Now the bed, a real bed, is calling. I think I’m going to answer.
08/01/11
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