3 Nights in Missoula (7/20 - 7/23)

Missoula was supposed to be a semi insignificant stop on our route between Yellowstone and Glacier National Park.  We had no significant planned tourist activities there.  It is the largest "city" we had been near since Grand Rapids, SD.  

The Missoula KOA was pretty much right off the highway and nestled conveniently in town.  This was our first KOA on this trip.  We had a short gravel pull through site with a nice shade tree and a separate spot to park the Jeep, it was a pleasant distance from the next campsite on our patio side.  As always, the KOA's tend to cater to families so there was a pool and a nightly rotating food truck for the campers.  The camp host would text you each day and let you know the food truck for the night.  Nice touch.  

Mike had pre-scoped out the local pickleball courts and we had a couple of really fun days of play on our short stay in Missoula.  We played a couple of games against a guy who introduced himself as "Jurrasic". As you may guess from the name he was a big dude.  Seemed a little "on the nose" to call himself that, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt that it was a high school or college nickname that stuck.  We had some fun games with him and his mixed doubles partner both of  which Mike and I won, not that I was keeping track....  

We found a local ad for an outdoor big band concert and local Sweet Adeline's performance in a nearby park.  The evening weather was perfect for it and we enjoyed a lovely slice of homemade pie they were selling as a fund-raiser, small town USA.  We also had a tremendous pizza from Biga Pizza for lunch one afternoon.  If you ever get to Missoula, eat there. 

Thursday evening drew us to downtown Missoula with food trucks and a free string band concert in Caras Park. The outdoor concert was lively and very well attended.  It seemed like everyone just wanted to be outside enjoying life for a bit.  We strolled through downtown Missoula and popped into Montgomery Distillery for a cocktail that was quite enjoyable. 

Missoula Carousel - cool story.

We also sampled the local BBQ, as we often do, at Notorious P.I.G. (Loved the name)  Unfortunately they were out of burnt ends at the end of the day, but Mike and I agreed the brisket was probably in our top 5 of BBQ ever and we have consumed enough to judge.  Sorry no pictures, too busy eating to snap.

We really enjoyed the whole vibe of Missoula, in the summer.  It is a good sign when you are sorry you couldn't stay longer vs. looking forward to leaving. 

Of course, everyday day in an RV is an opportunity for "Murphy" to visit.  He picked the morning of our departure day to stop by this time.  Upon examination of one of doors on the exterior of the RV that houses our massive electric cable that powers the rig at each site, Mike noticed the latch was not catching.  Actually, it was catching and felt like it was sticking to a point where he would not be able to open it the next time.  Mike was able to reach a service support person at Tiffin who gave him some limited direction on how to remove the bay door handle and try to fix the latch.  A neighbor, who happened to be a retired engineer offered his two cents, fellow campers always try to be helpful.  The tech's solution didn't really work, but Mike MacGyver'd it until a piece of stiff tubing and a small section of orange pool noodle provided an interim solution.  We will only open and close it one time per stop, hopefully the temp fix will last until the end of our trip.