Back to the boondocks

The word "boondocks" means rough, remote, isolated countryside. And the phrase "out in the boonies" came from the original word boondocks. And so the word "boondocking" came to mean RV camping out in the middle of nowhere.

Yesterday, after three nights spent in the small city of Missoula, we were due for some rough, remote, isolated countryside!

Our original plan was to head northwest on the 200 to the Idaho border. But as we turned onto the 93 to get to the 200, we saw a warning sign saying that bridge was closed just north of Thompson Falls. No detour available... the road was simply closed at that bridge.

So we pulled to the side of the road and looked at our options. We decided to continue to our planned overnight stop for Wednesday night in Lolo National Forest, then take route 28 north. It would't really make any difference since everything we are seeing is new to us anyhow!

A wildlife bridge on highway 93.

We haven't really seen much in the way of wildlife since we left Yellowstone Park! A deer or two at the side of the road and that's about it!

Really nice scenery along this route. 

And not much traffic. 

The Flathead River.

Scenery along the way.

As I said, really pretty route along the highway 200 Flathead River Valley. Kind of a shame that it's closed further northwest of here.

We turned onto route 135 that runs through Lolo National Forest. There is a campground on the opposite side of the road from the river, but it's a pay campground at $10 USD ($13.70 CAD) per night with no services.

Only a couple of miles further on is a free campground with views of the river. We can't figure why anybody would pay the $10 when there is a free one so close. 

Sherman's free campsite out in the boondocks.

GPS 47.31416, -114.85477

There were several good free spots that were vacant.

We went out for a walk. It was probably less than a mile to walk on the road around the camping area, but Ruth had seen a forest service road on the opposite side of the highway so we went over to check it out. 

Hiking on the forest service road.

It was so green!

Unfortunately, we hadn't planned on going out of the campground area so we didn't have our bear spray or water with us. So we turned around after only a short distance. We ended up doing only 3 miles (5 kms).

Great spot, but we are realizing that our time in Montana is passing quickly! It is June 18th already, so we've got less than two weeks before we start heading east. We've still got some things we want to see, so unless we find a great overnight spot that ticks all the boxes, we'll be moving a little bit every day.

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Record low deal on this Echo Show 5 and Blink Mini Security Cam Bundle.

And in Canada the Echo Show 5 is also at a record low!