Through Idaho and on into Montana

August 20th, 2014 Just as you drive through Newport we picked up Route 2 East and crossed over the border into Idaho. We were wondering if we could find something to do in ID that we would remember. In Sandpoint, we saw a quick Lube that looked good for our much needed oil change. Bob got the oil changed in 45 minutes for $66. Not bad for 100% synthetic oil. We also switched both our propane tanks at the local Walmart. (best price in area under $19 plus tax).

Just out of Sandpoint is Ponderay. Apparently they have a microbrewery, (Laughing Dog) but we missed it in all the excitement of getting our gas/oil/propane supplies. Picture is Riley, Pam's laughing dog. Just past that is Schweitzer Mtn. Ski area where our nephew David K. worked. We missed that also.

Finally in Bonners Ferry we saw the Kootenai River Brewery. We stopped in and had a sampler of all 10 of their offerings. They had several that were quite good. Not a bad one in the bunch. We added to our growing growler stash with their huckleberry wheat. In the upper northwest this time of year it's all about the huckleberries! Bob and their brew master Joe had a nice chat.

In just a few more miles we entered Montana. Route 2 continues right into Kalispell. It was a beautiful scenic ride. Western Montana is pretty impressive. The speed limit on most of the highway is 70 mph, but we were much more comfortable around 60. It really is narrow and wavy. There are lots of white crosses along the route indicating accident sites that resulted in fatalities. Just 10 miles west of Kalispell the town highway stretch there is under complete reconstruction. We had set our Garmin on ScottiBelli's Italian restaurant in Kalispell and headed right in. The Dugas Boys had told Bob about it. A great meal for a reasonable price. I had Fettucini Asparagi with chicken, Bob had a wonderfully tender Veal Parmigiana. The kitchen had a "back-up" and the waitress

offered us both a salad (free) to minimize the wait. It was her second day on the job there and she was a hoot! After a wonderful dinner we headed just a mile or two back up the road to Camp Walmart for another free night in relative quite.