Day 25, Saturday, August 11, 2012, Swan Lake to Seeley Lake, MT

Day 25, Saturday, August 11, 2012, Swan Lake to Seeley Lake, MT.

We left Swan Lake Trading Post around 8 AM. It was a cool morning and I chose to wear my basic warm gear: vest, arm warmers, and knee warmers.

Geno and l were energized and we charged out at a fast pace and quickly dropped the others behind. The only place our ACA map indicated having food for lunch was near the small village of Condon. Condon was about half way to Seeley Lake or about 25 miles. I stopped at a ranger station to do something, but what I cannot recall.

Jay and Bob caught up with Geno and I. Geno took off and I followed but at a more leisurely pace. The air warmed considerably and I stopped to remove my basic warm gear. A little late I noticed a sign on the road saying "Fire Activity." I rode on a little further and out of the corner of my eye noticed clouds swirling around some peaks in the Swan Range. The next time I got a clear view of the mountains I instantly realized it was not clouds, but smoke, thus "Fire Activity."

I believe the higher peak in the foreground is Van Peak at 8,052 and the peak in the background is Owl Peak, 8242 feet high.

The fire was lightening started and at this time was approximately 300 acres. We got a report from an Arden supervisor who said when it was totally contained and burned out it may grow to be 4000 acres. At this time the wind was out of the north and blowing the fire across very rocky terrain with little fuel. They had an old logging road on another side to act as a fire break, also. He viewed this as being favorable fire fighting conditions. They were using the Condon store as a provisioning center. We watched the firefighters bring out a couple large boxes filled with brown paper bag lunches. Bags of ice and cases of water were loaded into the back of the company pickups.

I reached the store, which had a deli and ordered a sandwich. While standing in line to pay I engaged a man in a fire fighter's uniform. Previously I had noticed a couple pickups pull in with Oregon plates. The name on the side of the trucks said Arden Solutions, or Arden System Solutions. The Hispanic gentleman in line with me confirmed he was part of the company fighting the fire. I happened to be wearing my Salem Velo Racing club jersey from the late 70's. When I asked him where he was from he answered Salem. I pointed at the jersey and said "this is the golden pioneer." The jersey has an imprint of the state capital on the front, all in white, including the "golden pioneer."  He turned to another, younger, fire fighter in front of us and said I was from Salem. 

I learned from this young man his name. I have forgotten his first name, but remember his last name quite well. It was Avila. I asked him if he was related to Johnny and Papice. Mr. Avila explained there were three families of Avila's in Independence and none was related to the other. He knew who Johnny and Papice were, because he was in the same grade as their older sister, Patty, whom I do not know. Johnny and Papice are friends of my oldest son, Dameon. Mr. Avila was a graduate of Central High as was I. Small world. He had been fighting fires with Arden for about 10 years. He pointed out to me the gentleman I had first engaged in conversation had been fighting fires for 25 years.

I was the last to roll out of the Condon area rest stop due to a very delicious parfait of chocolate syrup, peanuts, soft ice cream, peanuts, more chocolate syrup and huckleberry syrup over the top. I was the envy of our tour group (I'm sure). And that is why they took off with out me (I'm sure).

My experience of Highway 83 between Condon and Seeley Lake was lots of fast moving cars and trucks, OK shoulder, although it would dwindle down to just a solid white line frequently, and brief glimpses of the series of lakes through the trees, all being connected by a river or creeks. These 'brief glimpses' to the right were mitigated by my intense focus on the road ahead due to the fast moving traffic on my left.

We chose to camp at the Seeley Lake Motor Lodge. Our tents were located close to the bath house, which was a convenience. The manager provided folding chairs, supposed free unlimited shower use and towels. The showers normally were, you pay $1.75 for 6 minutes at a time, but he pulled the collection box and provided 7 quarters per shower, one collection for the men's and one collection for the women's as he didn't believe anyone else would be using either bathroom. He was wrong about others using the bathroom. By the time I took my shower there was only 9 quarters available and all were in the men's. I had set up in the women's bathroom prior to checking on the quarter situation. When I realized there were no quarters in the women's I marched over to the men's and counted out 7 quarters, leaving 2. I took my shower with no problems and left 7 quarters on top of the coin box, but told Jay and others who hadn't showered yet the situation, i.e. you may have to bring your own quarters or go to the other bathroom to acquire the needed amount. You would get your own quarters back, of course. 

The next morning, out of curiosity, I checked on the quarter situation. They had all disappeared.

We ate across the street in a casino/bar/restaurant and watched a harried young waitress try to keep up with the Saturday dinner crowd all by herself. 

I did not sleep well this night. I could not stay comfortable.  

Stats: T=  4:28, Mx= 28.9, Av= 12.6, El gain= 1820, Mx alt= 4157, ODO= 3860, D= 56.4.