Monday, August 7 and Tuesday, August 8
Shortly after I back the Best Little Trailer into our chosen campsite at Riverside Campground, Canyon Ferry Lake, Montana, the camp host appears to say hello.
He also wants to make sure I understand the reservation system.
“This is a reservation site so you have it on a one-day-at-a-time basis. In other words, don’t pay for more than one day in case someone reserves it. I don’t want you to pay and then lose your money. I can’t give refunds.”
I thank him for being considerate and add that I understand the system.
“I only plan to stay a day or two anyway.”
He responds pleasantly, “As it stands now, the site is open until Friday. Enjoy!”
Reg, Rog and I walk the path by the river to the dam.
Green vegetation grows on the water along the edge of the river. I don’t know if it is considered algae or some other kind of aquatic plant. No signs warn to keep oneself and dogs away from it. Even so, I don’t let the crew near it.
Other than a few people fishing on the opposite bank, we are by ourselves.
What little activity there is at this campground mainly takes place at the boat ramp and dock.
I wonder how long it will take for the young man who “owns” that boat to become tired of the loan payments . . . .
The camping day limit at Riverside is 14 days.
(That is, if I remember correctly!). You can see more photos of the campground in the previous post.
Amenities and other details are listed at various websites found by searching the internet for “Riverside Campground, Canyon Ferry Lake, MT.”
That reminds me of something I’ve been wanting to mention.
If you want to find one of my old blog posts or you’re interested in a topic in an archived post on this blog, simply do a web search (not the search box on this blog which is nearly useless).
Search for “RVSue + propane heater” or “RVSue + San Rafael Reef” or whatever topic/camp you want to find. Usually that does the trick!
Well, I’m not surprised this is a reservation-type campground. The “nicer,” popular campgrounds are more likely to be so.
To tell the truth I prefer the rustic campgrounds and boondocks.
I don’t mind being surrounded by weeds or brush. Enough of a clearing to make a camp, to keep the unwanted critters away and to provide room for the crew to play, and I’m happy.
The less a place is landscaped and hovered over, the more likely one sees wildlife and also the more relaxed I feel.
There’s a different atmosphere in a campground left “rough.”
I like it.
Camping in a place like Riverside is a pleasant change from rustic. Sometimes that’s what one wants, especially if a water spigot or dump station is needed.
Two days of a “nice” campground are enough for me.
Besides, by Wednesday the smoke catches up to us!
You can see the smoke in the first photo of this post and in the next one, too. (I bet you thought it was poor focus again!)
Wednesday, August 9
Since I packed up the outside stuff last night and I never unhitched the Best Little Trailer, breaking camp is quick and we’re on the road again early this morning.
We roll on Route 284 south through fields of wheat (I think it is) and hay. Next we turn west onto Route 12 to go into Townsend and then pick up Route 287 south to Three Forks, crossing the Missouri River on the way.
Notice how the mountains are blanketed with smoke in the next photo.
At Three Forks we board Interstate 90 again.
The PTV pushes east . . . past Belgrade, Bozeman, Livingston . . . We keep going until we’re out of the smoke and into a sweet, rustic campsite on the Yellowstone River.
More about the new camp coming up in the next post!
rvsue
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