Could this be the Caribbean or is it just Flathead Lake?

Flathead Lake, Montana
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Heading northwest out of Helena, we came into Polson, Mt. which is located at the southern end of one of the most amazing lakes we both think we've ever seen in this country! That would be Flathead Lake. Although large in size (28 miles long and 15 miles wide, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi), what impressed us more was the crystal clear color of the water: a beautiful caribbean blue/green. Honestly, you'd swear you were in the Caribbean. We drove up the west side of the lake and headed toward Kalispell where we stayed for the night, expecting to head out to Glacier National Park the next day.......NOT!

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As has been the case w/ every other national park we've visited, the weather just doesn't cooperate! We awoke Tuesday morning to overcast skies, hazy views of the mountains. We thought it was in part due to smoke from the devastating wildfires that were plaguing Washington but none the less it derailed our plans for the day. Instead we drove back down toward Flathead Lake, making a stop at the Bob Marshall Wilderness area. We ventured up this narrow, winding road up the mountainside, amazed at how far up we traveled. "Are we there yet?" was heard coming from all our mouths. The road ended at a trailhead at 5500 feet of elevation and the park guide volunteer alerted us that the hiking trails up were rather steep. We were unable to take that hike as it would have been too much on the pooches, but again another on the go back to this spot list....

Flathead Lake
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We headed back down the east side of Flathead Lake coming upon several different cherry orchards and roadside stands selling cherries. For $2 we bought a pound of bing cherries that were the best we've ever had. Check out just how much Dee enjoys the cherries in some of the photos! We had heard the Yakima had good cherries, well maybe so, but these were oh so yummy none the less.

Heading back toward Polson we were directed to check out a hydroelectric dam that was fed by the waters of Flathead Lake. Named the Kerr Dam, this magnificent dam touts that it is taller than Niagara Falls, and can provide upwards of 196 megawatts of energy. (To put it in perspective: it only takes 1 megawatt to provide energy for 750 households). A wonderful example of going green if I ever saw.  This dam is operated under joint license between the power company and two Indian tribes of the region, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Nation. Go to: http://www.pplmontana.com/producing+power/power+plants/Kerr+Dam.htm for more info.

Just check out how blue/green that water is!
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The best news of the day, though: My next assignment was confirmed for Pendleton, Or. So after Glacier tomorrow, it's off to Oregon we go!

Next stop Glacier National Park, stay tuned!!!