Terry and Kathy Living Our Dream: Blacktail Mountain, Kootenai Falls & Swinging Bridge

We were becoming very comfortable in Flathead Lake country. The weather was so nice and the scenery around the lake was the kind that you just didn't get tired of seeing.

After passing the sign several times to Blacktail Mountain Ski Area in Lakeside, Montana we decided it was time to make the trip up the mountain. We did not meet many vehicles on our way up or down but did see deer. There are so many deer in the area they are considered a nuisance. One local gentleman told us that it is not a matter of if you are going to hit a deer but rather how many will you hit. There are several ATV trails on the mountain and a ride that bicyclist seem to enjoy.

Rollins being such a small rural town one might think there is not enough to do to keep from being bored. Well that was not the case as long as we were willing to fuel up the jeep and go for a ride. One of those rides took us to the Polson Classic Car Show. It seems like we can always find a car show when we are out traveling. Another trip we made was to buy some of the best tasting jerky we have ever bought from the Montana Jerky Company in Columbia Falls, Montana. I intentionally did not say the best we have ever eaten because the best we have eaten comes right out of our smokehouse at home. This is the Grand Champion jerky of Montana and after the first piece you definitely know why.

Kootenai Falls and the Swinging Bridge near Libby, Montana was another long day trip we made with Kathy & Mike Wilson. It was 270 miles after we made the scenic loop and came back through Eureka. The Kootenai Falls was the setting for the filming of the movie " Wild River" and a scene from the movie " The Revenant. Crossing the Swinging Bridge may not be for everyone especially those that are afraid of heights but the scenery is some of the best in Montana from the middle of the bridge if you can stand the swaying.

We made a quick stop at the Libby Dam and after crossing the Koocanusa Bridge we spotted an eagle in flight. We were able to watch it for awhile after it landed in a treetop. This bridge is the longest and highest bridge in Montana and provides the only crossing of the lake in the Montana. The lake Koocanusa was named for the treaty formed by the Kootenai Indians and the Canadian and USA governments.

We drove the 67 mile route that connects Libby and Eureka known as Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway via Hwy 37. It was about time for a break to get out of the vehicle and stretch before making the return trip back to Rollins when we found a small ice cream stand selling homemade ice cream in Eureka. A scoop of ice cream for each of us and we were ready to navigate back the campground.

A view of Flathead Lake from Blacktail Mountain. The sky was beautiful that day.

That is one large golf ball. The cell phone service was great at the top of the mountain.

View from the top of Blacktail Mountain.

Sure to find a Corvette at any of the Classic Car Shows. Great looking car.

Another one of our favorite cars to see at the shows.

Nice car

This was a really cool car.

This is The Heroes Truck and the paint job on it is remarkable.

It took over 2000 hours to paint this truck.

Look closely at all the details in the paint job.

I read the owner has over $650,000 in the truck.

There was always someone getting a close look at the truck.

Check out the detail on the mirror.

This little fellow was determined to ring the bell at the top of the wall.

It did not take Mom long to climb the wall when she thought he was in trouble.
He finally rang the bell.

The cars and the hanging baskets of flowers looked good
they could be seen all over Polson.

We made it to Libby, MT. the City of Eagles. Read about the artist that builds
these type of eagles here. He has built one that was shipped to New Orleans.

Plaque read " Dedicated to all the children"

Kootenai Falls- it is a short hike from the highway to get to the falls. The trail is rocky so good shoes are a necessity.

Hearing the power of nature from the Kootenai River as it flows over the falls.

The river drops over 90 feet in less than a mile.

The falls are scared to the Kootenai Indians who once lived in the area.

Seeing the power of nature.

Taking it all in.

The view from the Swinging Bridge.

We had to hold on to the sides when crossing the bridge because of it swaying.

Look at all the different colors in the water. The water is so clear you can easily see the rocks under water.

The bridge sits 100 feet above the river and is 210 feet long. It was built by the Forest Service
to allow them better access to forest fires across the river. Would you cross it?

Terry always waiting for me while I stop to take pictures.
This picture shows the rocky dirt trail that goes through the forest.

A glimpse of the river from the trail.

It's time to climb back up to the top.

The first and the last step. # 1 and #64.

We stopped for lunch at the Cabinet Mountain Brewery in Libby.

Inside the brewery

Can't say that we enjoyed the local brew. First time I have had a slice of orange served in a beer.

The Libby Dam - 422 feet tall, 3055 feet long and holds back 90 miles of water in Lake Koocanusa. It is one of the most strongest and massive types of dam built today. It was built to withstand an earthquake of 6.5 on the Richter scale without any structural damage.

48 miles of the reservoir are in the US borders and 42 miles are in Canada.

The lake offers many types of recreation from boating to fishing, hiking and camping or just come enjoy the day looking to spot a bald eagle like we did.