Road Trip: Part IV

The next morning we got up early and hit the Pulaski Tunnel Trail.  This was a 4 mile round trip trail that follows part of the route that a firefighter crew followed during their escape from the 1910 fires.  The crew hid in the mine shaft when the fire surrounded them and waited until the fire died down to make their escape.

The trail was beautiful...so lush and green.

After the hike we went back and checked out of the Airbnb.  Then we drove up to Lower Glidden Lake.  I wasn't sure we were going to make it.  The dirt road got pretty rough...and wet...but we made it.  It was gorgeous but a little cold to play in the water.

Jeff wasn't discouraged by the cold and headed out on his paddle board.

Jeff set up a slack line and the kids were well entertained.

They kids also found a little hidden spot in the tress that they pretended was a fort.

Millie absolutely adores her cousin Ben.

Thanks to JB for taking this amazing photo of me and Silas.

Our next stop was at a VRBO outside of Glacier.  On our way we stopped in St. Regis for another Huckleberry shake and ran into the whole crew. 

Road Trip: Part III

Back in December/January, Sarah had the idea for us all to go to Wallace, Idaho to ride the Route of the Hiawatha trail.  The Hiawatha is part of the rail-to-trail projects.   It is over 15 miles of railroad track has been converted into a beautiful and gentle downhill biking and walking trail. There are ten tunnels, including the 1.7 mile St. Paul Pass Tunnel, and seven trestle bridges up to 230 feet high. I had seen photos of the trail when I was planning our Idaho Road Trip last summer and was more than willing to give it a shot. On the way to Wallace, Idaho  to meet up with everyone for our grand adventure, we stopped in St. Regis, Montana and got a shake at Frosty's.  Bart had been through the area the day before and highly recommended this spot.  We happened to run into Nona and Papa too.

The kids were so excited to check into our Airbnb and be reunited with their cousins.  We stayed in the cutest little place with Sarah and Joe's family.  Wallace reminded me so much of Park City.  We were in a cute house tucked right against the mountain side.

We walked down to a little park and met up with the rest of the family to celebrate Nona's birthday.

The next morning we were up bright and early and ready to hit the Route of the Hiawatha Trail.  We picked up our bikes, gear, trail and shuttle passes from Lookout Pass.  They were not super organized so it took us longer than expected to get up to the trail. James, Andrew and Phin didn't seem to mind the wait.

Rachel and Silas rode in the bike trailer together.  Joe pulled them along and called them the "Diaper Brigade."  

Millie was behind me on the Piggy-back/Tag-A-Long bike.

Phin was so excited to ride his own bike. 

 

The St. Paul Pass tunnel was at the beginning of our ride.  It was 1.7 miles of damp and dark.   

Millie was very exited to get out of that first tunnel.

We stopped at a beautiful waterfall just outside the tunnel.

 

We got a little muddy in the tunnel...

 

Phin begged to go ahead with his cousins after the waterfall...well he got going a little to fast and crashed pretty hard.  I came up on the whole group pulled over to the side and thought everyone was taking a break.  Then I recognized Phin on the ground being bandaged up by Jeff.

I am so grateful that Jeff was prepared with a first aid kit.  It took a little coaxing to get Phin back on the bike.  He was crying so hard that he had a headache.  He asked how much longer we had....we were about 2 miles into a 15 mile ride.  The first 1/3 of our ride was slow.  He was terrified every time we went down a steep section.

This was right after he was bandaged up...I don't know how he managed to smile.

We went through lots of tunnels.

I couldn't even convince Phin to come get in a picture at one of the great overlooks.

We stopped at the first trestle for a long rest. I am so incredibly grateful to Sarah and Joe and Bart for hanging back and giving Phin some encouraging words.  Bart was so patient and brought up the rear and provided the calm gentleness that Phin needed.

 

This was the turning point for Phin.  I think a longer rest helped...but we also talked about how we couldn't let one fall ruin his whole day.  He had been looking forward to this "bike ride with cousins" for months.   After this point he decided to "choose happy" and made some great memories along the rest of the trail.

Collette, Aaron, Jeff and Carver waited for us at the half way point.

I loved hearing Aaron and Phin chat as they pedaled along.  Millie was fascinated with the lights on our bikes.

We finally made it to the end and got in line for the shuttle. Millie and Kate loved picking wildflowers while we waited.

The shuttle was about 45 minutes long and took us close to the waterfall and St. Paul tunnel that we started at.

The second time through the tunnel was so relaxing that Rachel and Silas took a nap.

We made it!  So proud of my kids for sticking with it.  The trail was absolutely beautiful.  I would do it again...maybe next time without kids.

Millie got pretty muddy the second time through the big tunnel. She was so sad that her unicorn shirt got dirty.

Phin showing off his battle wounds.  The poor kid had road rash all the way up his right side.