Our camp site at a city park in Wolf Point, Montana.

Brooke was excited to be camping next to a park again.  Scott  shimmied up this poll and hit the bell twice, so that I could get a picture of the crazy monkey man.

The day was spent mostly driving on Route 2.  We stopped for lunch in Havre, Montana and also looked for Wifi.  Then we stopped again in Glasgow for Wifi and a playground break.  Cody was insanely sticky and gross from climbing in the tubes and along the floor, but he had a great time and even worked in a few more steps.  We also had a little bit of Wifi.  It was very slow, but it gave the kids more time to work out the wiggles.  Scott had picked Wolf Point for a stopping point since it was about 300 miles from Shelby and it also had a camp ground, at least according to our 2002 Wal-Mart map.  Fortunately and unfortunately the camp ground was non-existent and in its place was a day use boat launch, picnicking, and horseshoe park.  Once again, only because Scott was brave enough to talk to people we discovered that they let you camp at the city pool/ park if you ask.  Apparently our stop was along the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail and is often traveled by bike packers looking for a place to stay.  We arrived at the pool at 7:15 and they closed at 8:30.

Scott suggested that we shower and he cook up dinner.  He didn’t have to suggest a shower to me twice.  It was a challenge showering both kids, but Brooke is doing really well at being independent in the shower and Cody while shivering from the really cold pool sat patiently in the wet stroller smiling at all the little girls.

We didn’t get done with showers and getting dressed until just about 8:30.  At that point the kids and I downed some pizza while the last of the daylight faded and Scott raced to set up the tent.  I cleaned the dishes in the dark (not really optimum if you want clean dishes) and then raced the incredibly chewed up cuties to the tent.

Other than the occasional freight train rolling through it was a peaceful night.  Cody was still up a lot, but I think its because he has a tooth taking its sweet time to poke through.

We didn’t realize it, but Route 2 cuts right through Fort Peck Indian Reservation.  Thus the pool was also in the Reservation.  Thus we caught the curiosity of many at the pool.  For one thing, there was only one other mom in the whole facility.  There were at least a hundred kids and only one lifeguard and the facility manager watching all of those kids who were definitely being energetic kids and trying to see how far they could push things.

The local kids showed us the best showers to use (some of them you had to hold the knob on while showering) and where to get baskets for our things (no lockers).  We were also able to chat a little bit.  One little lady in particular is starting sixth grade next week. Celest used to live off of the Reservation and she liked it better.  She said that buildings are often burned and things ruined by people having a little too much fun drinking.

When I mentioned to the local kids that we were staying at the pool and that the manager called the police to let them know.  They spontaneously responded, “Yeah, because of the drunks.”

I was a little taken aback.  We had no problems though and I found our rest to be mostly peaceful.

Little Celest chatted with me for  quite a while and even helped bring things out to the van.  She was the second oldest out of six, soon to be seven all living with mom and grandma.  She said she helps her mom out and even helps her mom clean at her job.  I could tell she didn’t want to leave us, and I wish I could have let her stay with us longer.  I hope she keeps her happy helping spirit despite the challenges she is encountering at home.