Thursday July 14, Noxon, MT

A quiet start to the day, decided not to rush as seemed to have had a longer day yesterday. Able to get online so easily now with the Verizon Modem and prepaid plan, so caught up on emails and blog over breakfast. Had a chat with all the grandies last night, we do enjoy keeping in touch with them on Skype and hearing what they have been up to.

Quite a cold start, only 14 degrees when we set out and had a few showers, but pleased we are not in NZ as hear they have had quite a bit of snow and cold, wet weather.

Today we have been following the Pend Oreille River and then onto the Pend Oreille Lake. Quite confused as the river flows north before joining the Columbia, felt it was going the wrong way! The river has many cabins dotted along the shores, and there are small clearings with little farmlets and old barns, probably settled in the late 1800’s. Stopped for a wander around in Newport and gathered a few supplies then a lunch stop and walk at the Albeni Falls Dam.

Over the border into Idaho, and the panhandle, a narrow piece of country between Washington and Montana. Stopped in the main town of Sandpoint, a rather nice older town with some little galleries, before continuing on. Had planned to find a camp on the shore of the lake but nothing really appealed so continued west and before long we had crossed into Montana and time to put the clocks forward an hour as we cross into Mountain Time.

Came across this fantastic little National Forest Camp just west of Noxon, with sites right beside a slow moving river, and seemed to be the right place to stop for the night, especially at $10 for the night and free firewood. These are dry camping spots with no facilities except for a campfire and camp table and seats.