{"id":23093,"date":"2026-08-25T17:36:41","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T23:36:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/?p=23093"},"modified":"2026-08-25T17:42:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T23:42:41","slug":"columbia-falls-again-8-25-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/2026\/08\/columbia-falls-again-8-25-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Columbia Falls again!  8\/25\/2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As noted in the previous post, I had booked 6 nights back in Columbia Falls to keep an appointment.  After arriving, I started thinking about next steps because of Labor Day holiday.  Short story is that I extended here in Columbia Falls until September 8 (leaving on the 9th).  That gets me past the holiday and into hopefully cooler weather as well as most park fees drop to &#8220;off season&#8221; rates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I arrived in Columbia Falls on Saturday, 8\/22 to a forecast of severe afternoon thunderstorms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2046-1024x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23094\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2046-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2046-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2046-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2046-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2046-960x960.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2046-40x40.jpeg 40w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2046.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not severe, but thunder, lightning and thankfully a lot of rain with the storm so no new fire starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2047-1024x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23095\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2047-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2047-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2047-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2047-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2047-960x960.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2047-40x40.jpeg 40w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2047.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And then sun and bits of blue sky with lovely fresh air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2049-1024x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23096\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2049-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2049-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2049-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2049-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2049-960x960.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2049-40x40.jpeg 40w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2049.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Per usual, my traveling companions were exhausted&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2050-1024x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23097\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2050-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2050-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2050-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2050-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2050-960x960.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2050-40x40.jpeg 40w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2050.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I had to move sites the next day. Not a surprise, I had booked my favorite site and then realized I messed up days but couldn&#8217;t get that site the day of arrival. But, I was right behind my fav site, so a short, easy move. We got settled in the new spot on Sunday and then I just took it easy knowing I am here for a bit and can get local stuff done at an easy pace. I do have to move sites again on Friday, but then will be in that spot until I leave on 9\/9. It is still an end spot with lots of shade plus the park is lots quieter now.  It will probably be busy around Labor Day weekend, but I am a bit out of the fray.  When I booked the extension, the manager warned me that if I stayed in my favorite spot I would be in the middle of a group rally with lots of kids &#8230; hence my move :) !!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I have had a task on my list since late May: defrosting my freezer. I accidentally left the door ajar overnight which started things off and my RV freezer is NOT frost free anyway. I brought my EcoFlow Glacier Frig\/Freezer as I had room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"786\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EFFrig4686-786x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23098\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EFFrig4686-786x1024.jpg 786w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EFFrig4686-230x300.jpg 230w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EFFrig4686-115x150.jpg 115w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EFFrig4686-768x1000.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EFFrig4686-31x40.jpg 31w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EFFrig4686.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I knew I&#8217;d want to defrost on occasion AND since I did have room it is an easier procedure to have the Glacier set up as all freezer to hold things while defrosting the rv freezer. Also, if I come across a sale of something I&#8217;d like to buy in bulk, I have the extra room. The unit is a bit bulky and heavy which is partly why I procrastinated on getting it out&#8230; But, like most things, once I got going it was fine and I am so happy to have done it as well as knowing it is not a big deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2052-1024x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23099\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2052-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2052-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2052-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2052-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2052-960x960.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2052-40x40.jpeg 40w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2052.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So much better!  There was about 1\/4 inch of frost on the sides, back and top of the freezer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2053-1024x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2053-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2053-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2053-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2053-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2053-960x960.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2053-40x40.jpeg 40w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2053.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can get an idea of the age of the unit &#8230; that door compartment which I have full of salmon is actually a juice can holder.  It has been a long time since I bought frozen juice.  I don&#8217;t really buy fresh juice either :) .   It works well to contain certain items except I must have overloaded and broke the top bit.  The freezer was missing one of the veg pockets and I found one on eBay.  I was thinking it would be harder to find the juice can holder but eBay again &#8211; yea!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2056-1024x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23103\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2056-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2056-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2056-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2056-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2056-960x960.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2056-40x40.jpeg 40w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2056.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2057-1024x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23104\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2057-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2057-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2057-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2057-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2057-960x960.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2057-40x40.jpeg 40w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2057.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Glacier in one of my basement bays.  I can open to put stuff inside, the controls are on the front and once on, I can control from the EcoFlow app.  I have a battery installed which runs it for 8 hours but the cords are stowed in the corner and I can plug it in without too much trouble.  All in all, I am happy I had room to bring it along!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, Tuesday August 25, started with laundry after Emmett&#8217;s first walk.  Laundry was done before 8:00 :) &#8230;  then breakfast, shower,  2nd walk and it was wonderfully cool and breezy!  Some inside cleaning chores and then a trip to the storage locker in Bigfork and a walk at Wayfarer&#8217;s park.  Home by 1:00 and it was getting hot!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A couple of birthday treats &#8230; to me from me &#8230; arrived just before we got back.  More on them later but they entailed some shuffling of stuff which occupied me this afternoon. All is arranged and I am very pleased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2055-1024x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23105\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2055-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2055-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2055-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2055-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2055-960x960.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2055-40x40.jpeg 40w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2055.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I jumped the gun slightly &#8230; about 4:52 as I sipped on a glass of wine and watched @Kennyofalltrades camping in Wyoming &#8230; Emmett on the sofa (you can see a bit of his tail) and Oscar by his cave bed napping in afternoon sunshine.  It has been smoky today, hit 86F but an excellent day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What to do when I leave on September 9.  I don&#8217;t need to or want to make definite plans but I am thinking of doing the trip to Colorado that I intended when I took off in May &#8230; nearly 4 months ago. We&#8217;ll see &#8230; so far, my plans have not gone according to plan. I&#8217;m not complaining really. In hindsight, all has worked well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, 2 more HOT days per NOAA and then a bit of a cool down.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As noted in the previous post, I had booked 6 nights back in Columbia Falls to keep an appointment. After arriving, I started thinking about next steps because of Labor Day holiday. Short story is that I extended here in Columbia Falls until September 8 (leaving on the 9th). That gets me past the holiday [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23093","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-front-porch-musings"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23093","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23093"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23093\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23107,"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23093\/revisions\/23107"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}