Bass Creek National Recreation Area, Montana – July 2023
Wednesday July 5, 2023
We make the decision to leave Divide Bridge Campground today because of the mosquitoes. Clifford is very sensitive to insect bites, so it is not fun for him to be outside and I am looking forward to seeing family in the Missoula area. Leaving today wasn’t the plan, so I didn’t pack anything last night, but we are getting to be quite efficient with packing and are on our way by 10:00. That is when Clifford discovers that the squishy brakes he felt yesterday are due to having no brake fluid! This is not good, but luckily the RV electric brakes still work, so with great caution, we leave the campground and head to the Pilot west of Butte to buy brake fluid. Adding brake fluid seems to take care of the problem, as we drive around the parking lot testing the brakes. After getting gas, we are on our way again.
In retrospect, we think the brake line was disconnected when the repair shop in Ely replaced the bearing and when they hooked it back up, they neglected to refill the reservoir. Very dangerous for us!
It is a scenic drive to our next destination, and enjoyable except for oscillation east of Missoula. That is scary and we don’t know what caused it.
We arrive at the Charles Waters Campground in the Bass Creek National Recreation Area in the late afternoon, after a week of driving, only 750 miles, but it felt like a lot longer! The campground is quite full, but we find a site that we like.
Over the years this has been one of or favorite campgrounds. We left our last winter campground in Nevada a week ago, so it is with relief that we will stay put and relax for a few days.
My sister Nancy lives not far away, so she comes for music – she, Clifford, and I play some bluegrass tunes with her on the mandolin, me on fiddle, and Clifford on dulcimer before having nachos for dinner. It is great be to here!
For the next several days, I make a habit of walking the campground loop and visiting the creek in the morning before sitting at the picnic table with a good cup of French press coffee.
The usual activities and projects fill the day: Tai chi, texts to share photos with family and friends, emails, and editing for a couple of authors. I am glad to have cell service to take care of such.
Clifford spends a good amount of time with the ham radio, often adjusting the antenna to fit the location. He also plays dulcimer and sings outside as often as he can.
On Nancy’s day off, she comes out again and we hike the trail along Bass Creek, stopping for photos here and there. It is always fun to hike with a friend, especially a sister friend.
Back at camp, we finish the afternoon with nachos for a late lunch and playing bluegrass music. Nancy had brought her mandolin, I get out my fiddle, and Clifford always has his dulcimer ready to go.
Sometimes Clifford and I go for a walk around the campground or down to the creek, but his feet hurt, so our outings are fairly short. I am always on the lookout for wildflowers
A special treat one day, my daughter Katie and her boys, my grandsons, come to camp to visit. I haven’t seen them for awhile and it is wonderful to see how these boys have grown. They are such well-mannered teenagers and good-looking, too. Katie brought some snacks, so we sit and visit as the boys explore the woods.
Midway through our stay at Bass Creek, I drive the back roads to visit my other daughters near Alberton. My time visiting with these girls (now grown women) goes by quickly and soon it is time to return to Bass Creek. I am very grateful for the time we had together, campfires, morning coffee, an outing to a nice restaurant .
Clifford and I will be leaving Bass Creek soon, heading to Hamilton for the Hardimes Bluegrass Festival, so we take a day to get groceries and visit the laundromat in nearby Stevensville. This errand outing gives me the opportunity to get a couple photos of the lovely Bitterroot River that flows the length of the Bitterroot Valley until it joins the Clark Fork River near Missoula.
Thursday July 20 is our last day at Bass Creek, which starts with quiet time at the picnic table, but is followed by a whirlwind of activity to get ready to leave for Hardtimes. We have appreciated our time at this campground surrounded by mountains and trees, with the creek nearby. It was great visiting with my daughters, and fun having time with Nancy for short hikes and playing music. Clifford and I have enjoyed our days here, but it is time to move onto our next adventure.
