Changing Course: From Wildfires to Yellow Jackets to Leavenworth

Changing Course: From Wildfires to Yellow Jackets to Leavenworth

After an incredible two weeks exploring Yellowstone National Park, our next destination was supposed to be Glacier National Park. We were eager to experience its stunning landscapes and pristine wilderness, but as often happens on the road, plans can change in an instant.

A Tough Decision: Skipping Glacier National Park

As we wrapped up our time in Yellowstone, we started hearing reports from fellow travelers about thick smoke blanketing Glacier due to ongoing wildfires in the region. Concerned, we decided to call the ranger station at Glacier National Park to get the latest information. Unfortunately, the rangers confirmed our fears—the smoke was heavy, and the forecast predicted that conditions would only worsen in the coming days.

Although we were disappointed, we decided to skip Glacier for now. It was a tough call, but we knew that the visibility wouldn’t be optimal, and we didn’t want to risk our health or miss out on Glacier’s breathtaking views. We’ve added it back to our future travel list, knowing we’ll appreciate it more when the skies are clear.

An Unexpected Detour: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

With Glacier off the itinerary, we quickly pivoted and set our sights on Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Known for its beautiful lake and scenic surroundings, it seemed like the perfect alternative. We found a promising forest service campground, and the plan was to stay there for one night while scouting out boondocking locations to settle in for the week.

However, our arrival at the campground was anything but relaxing. As soon as we got set up, we realized the area was infested with yellow jackets—not just a few, but swarms of them. They would attack and swarm around us the moment we stepped outside. This made it nearly impossible to enjoy our time there, especially with the hot weather forecasted for the week ahead.

Chasing Cooler Weather: Leavenworth, Washington

Faced with the yellow jacket invasion and the scorching temperatures, we knew we had to change plans yet again. After some quick research, we found a campground in Leavenworth, Washington, where the weather was forecasted to be much cooler. The idea of escaping the heat and enjoying some crisp, mountain air was too good to pass up, so we made the decision to push on through the night.

We spent our first night ever at a Walmart parking lot, which turned out to be a surprisingly comfortable and convenient stop. Early the next morning, we hit the road and made our way to the Thousand Trails campground in Leavenworth.

A New Adventure Awaits

While our journey didn’t go as planned, the twists and turns led us to new places and experiences. We’re excited to explore Leavenworth and see what this charming town has to offer. Stay tuned for our next update as we dive into our adventures in the beautiful Pacific Northwest!