Missoula and Jerry Johnson Hotsprings

Well ladies and gentlemen, it was another fabulous day on the road. We woke up in Missoula Montana, a little chilly so I started a small fire to warm us up as we ate breakfast and got things packed up to head out. I did not feel well this morning, so i was a little concerned about how the day would go. We got kind of a late start, but we finally got on the road. We had decided to make a detour off our path to Glacier National Park, and head just accross the Lolo Pass into Idaho to get into some natural hotsprings we had read about. It was about an hour drive up, down, and around the mountain pass. Most of the way you could see the river winding right along side the road. It was beautiful, and unlike most things in the US, the Lolo National Park was free. We stopped at where we thought was Weir hotsprings. We hiked back into the woods, and off the beaten path, and deeper into the woods then we proably should have and were unable to find the Weir hotsprings. So we head back slightly to where Jerry Johnson, or Warm Springs trail head was. It was only about a one and a half mile hike back to the hotsprings. We made it back to the first stop and were informed that there were two more pools up ahead. We decided to check out all of our options. So we came to the second pool where there was a man drinking beer, and giving beer to what looked like his 15 year old brother or buddy, while a ten year old boy played near by. We did not care for the man's energy. We quickly walked the short distance to the third hotspring and decided to return to the first hotsprings we had seen. It was a steep walk down. The hot water ran down to the river from up above forming small falls that emptied into these pools where you could just sit and relax. The water from the mountain was about 114 degrees, but when mixed with the freezing creek water, it was the perfect temperature. You can stand under the falls if you can stand the heat and just let the water massage your back. The thing that drew us out of our way to sit in these hotsprings were that they were all natural, they were free, and clothing was optional = ) Anyone is welcome to sit and play naked around these hotsprings...and yes we took the opportunity to be completey raw and free out in nature = ) At these hot springs we met Kelly and Chris, a very nice young couple from Missoula, and we met George a 73 year young man that could probably write a book about the hotsprings in the US. Visiting the US hotsprings and soaking in them have become one of his many hobbies since retirement. At one point the group of three (the beer drinking fellow) came down to where wer were and tried to talk to us again. He continued to try and get us engaged in a converasation with him and when we did not give him the response he wanted he continued to be inappropriate, but as he walked away. Thank God he did not get in with us. After soaking for at least three and a half hours (in and out of hot water, the falls, and the cold creek) George walked us out. On our hike back he tried to help us spot Moose, he showed us huckleberries and let us try them, as well as other animal and plant identification. He was just an amazing spirit and one we both feel very blessed to have met!!! As we got to our van George gave us both a hug and we parted ways. Sandy drove us back to Missoula while a i made Turkey Sandwiches in the back of the van. Around those curves...well it was tricky = ). We are now back in Missoula and have found the area of the downtown where all the college students spend their time. We are in a little Cafe on Higgins Ave. We are drinking coffee and just feeling warm and relaxed from the days events!!!! We love and miss you all!