Packer Meadows

Our day off this week turned out to be beautiful, sunny and clear, a perfect day for a trip. We had been encouraged to travel up to Lolo Pass, the border between Montana and Idaho on Hwy 12, to see the summer crop of camas flowers. On the way we got a great shot of Lolo Peak, elevation 9,143. From Wikapedia: The name "Lolo" probably evolved from "Lou-Lou", a pronunciation of "Lawrence," a French-Canadian fur trapper killed by a grizzly bear and buried at Grave Creek. The first written evidence of the name "Lolo" appears in 1831 when Hudson's Bay Company fur trader John Work refers in his journal to Lolo Creek as "Lou Lou." In an 1853 railroad survey and map, Lieutenant John Mullan spelled the creek and trail "Lou Lou." However, by 1865 the name was shortened to Lolo and is currently the name of a national forest, town, creek, mountain peak, mountain pass and historic trail in west central Montana.

After a quick stop at the Lolo Pass Visitor Center for directions, we found our way, on a dirt road, to Packer Meadows, a gorgeous field bursting with the lovely camas flowers as well as many other kinds of wildflowers. We gazed at a sea of blue in every direction!

Learning that the Nez Perce Indians depended on the camas flower, I looked up the use of the plant. It was sought out by many native peoples in the western U.S. and Canada. The bulb looks and tastes somewhat like a baked sweet potato, but sweeter. When dried, the bulbs can be pounded into a flour. Camas bulbs contributed to the survival of members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1805 and 1806. It would fun to have a taste, but I realize digging wildflowers is not allowed in an historical place!

Another view of these gorgeous flowers.

An additional treat for us, as we traveled slowly along a 7 mile, very primitive road to the south of the Pass, was seeing what seemed like millions of spectacular bear grass blooms. They were covering the hillsides along the way. We had an amazing day, filled with not only these two delightful species, the camas and the bear grass, but also many other lovely wildflowers amidst high country forests. We live in a magnificent country!

Round About Missoula

 One week has passed since we arrived in Missoula and got our 5th wheel all set up and ready for the summer season. Mr. Keith and I have gone for a couple of drives, remembering where we liked to go when we were last here working at the KOA three years ago.

A favorite drive is up on the hill overlooking the city. This scene looks down on the University area, the reddish buildings to the right. As you can see, the hills are still snowy, and the trees are not quite filled out with their summer lushness. It is a beautiful sight!

Overlooking the valley is Lolo Peak, bright with its winter snow. We can see the peak out our living room window from our spot at the KOA.

Driving from the hill down towards the University of Montana we are always awed by the old city streets lined with trees. In another month each street will seem like a tunnel as the leaves come into their fullness, bending the branches into a canopy. Up ahead is one of many "round abouts", giving me the title for this blog post.

The Garden City is well known for the "M" up on the hill above the University of Montana campus. We actually climbed up there last time we were here! On most spring, summer and fall days hikers can be seen slogging up the zig zag trail. Some are plodding along, as we did, and others can be seen almost running up the gravel trail. I know one gal who does it every day just to stay in shape!

This "M" can be seen from quite a way off as one drives along I-90 heading east. As we approach the city and see the "M" we say, "Ah, at last, we're there!" It was fun to see that Bozeman also has an "M" on the hillside above town. It stands for the Montana State University. The trail up to that "M", however, is much steeper and more difficult to climb. We did not attempt that one last summer when we worked at the KOA there!

A quick shot of the entrance to the University. One day I will plan to get pictures of the stately and beautiful buildings on campus. We have many places to go and sights to see now that we are back in this lovely part of Montana!