Ross Cedars and the Dirty Shame Saloon

In 1998, we took a little side trip to a place called the Ross Cedars, not knowing what to expect.  What we found were huge cedar trees that rival any of the big sequoias and redwoods, though they are not quite as big.  So when Don was planning this trip, he thought we should show Bart, Char, and Katie some of the sights we saw during our 1998 trip.

We left West Glacier a little later than normal and drove through the lovely town or Whitefish - we think we could live there - except for the winters, the fact that we don't know anybody, and such minor things as that!  We traveled along the Koocanusa Lake, went through Libby, and came to our campground near Troy.  Since we arrived early, we had time to do other things.

The first side jaunt was to the Ross Cedars.  When we were there in 98, we were the only ones in the park, but since this was a Sunday afternoon, we were not so lucky.  But that was ok - it is such a lovely, quiet, forested place, it didn't matter.  And Jordy and Nelson made their share of noise, unfortunately.  We did marvel at the size of the cedar trees and the greenery in the area, wondering why here they grew.  We did not get an answer, but we are glad the State is protecting them.

Those are some tall trees!

We tried to go to the Kootenai Falls, but the dogs could not traverse the metal stairs, so that is a trip for tomorrow.  Finally, we drove to Yaak, Montana, to go to the Dirty Shame Saloon.  Just after Don's mom and dad were married, Ken was assigned to the radar base in Yaak.  They drove their 23' trailer to Yaak, not knowing at all what to expect.  In hindsight, they said they had a year-and-a-half vacation - even in a 23' trailer.  We have no idea how they kept it warm in the winter, and we know they could not open one door because something was in the way.

Ruthie was pregnant with Don when they arrived, and when she came within two weeks of her due date, the medic at the base wanted nothing to do with delivering a baby and sent her to Bonner's Ferry  to the hospital there.  Kenny and she rented a room above a bar, and waited until Don arrived in November.  Then they brought him home to his new bed - in the chest of drawers.  He obviously survived, but I have to admit I was shocked at that story when I first heard it.

Anyway, one of their memories is the Dirty Shame Saloon.  The dance hall no longer exists, but the Saloon does, so in 98, we had a meal there.  Today we returned to toast Kenny and Ruthie.  The man who owns the saloon is a very nice guy - he has owned it for 6 years - and he loved the story about Don's parents.  We gave a toast to Kenny and Ruthie, thoroughly enjoyed our food, bought more paraphernalia than anyone should be allowed to buy, left a $1 bill to hang on the wall, and left.

Sometimes you do things, just because you can and should.  I am glad we visited Yaak one last time!