Here is an updated SPOT Adventures page for our trip, but we still recommend watching our SPOT Shared page if you would like to watch where we are in near real time. Enjoy and stay tuned for some great photos.

CDR2011 Shadow of the Rockies

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CDR Day 6

Leaving Holland lake we traveled on mostly forest service roads and trails through the mountains to the south. Spectacular scenery. The views are breathtaking. Some of the trails were no more than a two track road not traveled much. Just what we like.

Unfortunately we found trail closures and had to back track a bit.

Since we had been using rivers and lakes for our personal hygiene needs we decided to get a motel when we arrived back in Missoula. Hot showers and getting our laundry done has refreshed us and we will be ready to hit the trail again.

CDR Day 5

Day 5 is our first official day of the CDR. We are headed south and will continue till we arrive at the US/Mexico border. We made it to Holland Lake just south of Flathead Lake and found a nice campground at Larch Loop.

We read the signs and paid our $15.00 to camp there but the camp host came around and told us that it was $15.00 "per tent". We have three tents. He saw his way to waive the extra money and wished us well on our trip.

He mentioned that a bear cub had been sighted about 100 yards away and to look out for mother bear. We didn't see either the time we were there.

CDR Day 4 continued

The border station where we were at is not manned by anyone. Vacant. The only way you can tell it is the US/Canadian border are the signs and a gate. All of the buildings that at one time were used to inspect incoming traffic now stand deserted.

It was karma or a stroke of luck that as were standing at the border gate, a Canadian gentleman and his wife drove up to the gate from the Canadian side. They were doing the same as us but in Canada. This is a handshake across the border.

That night we camped along the Flathead river on an island between the US and Canada. We were no more than 20 yards from Canada. The border was marked by an overhead cable.

This campsite was the most remote so far. Probably no one around for 30 miles or more.

CDR Day 4

Day 4 had us traveling from Seeley Lake to the US/Canadian border on the west side of Glacier national Park. The border station was not open and hadn't been in operation for a couple of years

CDR Day 3

1200 hundred miles so far...........

Our third day was really interesting account the distance we drove. We made it to Seeley Lake, MT, which is about 50 miles south of Kalispell, MT.

The countryside changed from farm ground to mountain areas and the cool air in the mountains is great after a hot day.

The first photo shows the group on an overlook at Marshall Pass which is the first of many times we will cross the Continental Divide.

This expedition is turning into a more enjoyable time than we had planned. Tomorrow we will slow down the trip a lot. The trip up here has been fast because we want to get on the CR as soon as we can.

Tonight will be our first cooked meal in camp. We are having corn tortillas filled with seasned rice, green beans and something to drink.

More tomorrow, stay tuned.

Tom

CDR Day two

Day two of the CDR. We left Douglas, WY early and headed for Billings, MT. We found out that northern Wyoming and Southern Montana are beautiful and yet desolate. As you can see from the photos, you can see a long ways. Not much out there.

Day three will have us traveling from Billings with the intention of making Kalispell, MT, which is about an hour from the Canadian border. We plan to camp in that area and stage for our start of the CDR the next day.

Stay tuned for more.................

First day of CDR-August 25

Departed Lincoln/Seward Ne. at about 0800 and pushed hard to get to Douglas, WY.

We were able to set up camp along side a river in a small campground located there.

Tomorrow we will depart Douglas and head to Billings, MT where we will meet up with the 4th member of the team.

Finally!

Well, after some last minute technical issues with Matt's Jeep "Blue", the CDR team will finally be leaving for Montana on the morning of Thursday, 25 August. At least we beat the "No Later Than" by one day. Obviously, SPOT won't be tracking our progress until tomorrow. But, please keep an eye on this blog and the SPOT Adventures web page!

I would like to extend a thanks to John and Nick at Daily Driver Auto Repair here in Lincoln NE. They were able to expedite the replacemnt of my steering box for this trip while I was trying to wrap up preparations. Thanks a ton, guys!

Greetings All!
I must say that the upcoming day of our departure is finally coming! We will be setting forth from Nebraska on Wednesday, 24 August. The vehicles are ready and there is only last minute clothing to be packed. We can hardly contain ourselves, and Tom has had his Jeep packed for weeks if that's any indication. Be sure to follow us closely here on the blog as we update our progress and at Spot Adventures:

CDR 2011- Shadow of the Rockies

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We are near to having all of the details completed and we are planning on a departure date the week of the 22nd to the 26th of August.

Check the "Expedition Vehicles" page for new photos.

The excitement level is building daily.

As we get closer to our departure date, the excitement is building. Matt has been working on Blue the Jeep like a madman and is about done with the details on that.

We might be looking at August 20 for when we take off from Lincoln. We will get together and talk about the date.

My TJ now has new rear springs, 2" wafers in the front and new shocks on all four corners. It was lifted about 1 1/2 inches over what it was. Sitting well. Doesn't bottom out on bumps when it is loaded.

Tom