Prior to heading into a rain-besotted Glacier National Park, we camped out near Bigfork for two nights. The town is situated on Flathead Lake, though with all the fog resting heavily over the area, we had not actually seen signs of a body of water … until one brief hour-long respite when we capitalized on rays of sun piercing the ominous black clouds and hopped in the car in search of a view.

SVV wanted to circumnavigate the lake—“what else do we have to do?”—but I figured that might take all day, as I’m used to lakes like Tahoe with one slow road rimming the water. SVV turned out to be right: In an hour and a half, we had driven the perimeter.

Friendly guy that he is, SVV had talked to some locals who highly recommended we head out to Kerr Dam. I know what you’re thinking—since when has a dam, other than maybe Hoover, been interesting? Well, with all the water that’s been spilled into the area this spring, I’d have to say it was quite a sight to behold.

The dam itself is made of concrete and 204 feet tall. The flow on the other side was nearly as strong as the dam.

(Not all parties involved were nearly as impressed, clearly.)

Getting down there was easy enough—a quick trail followed by 180 stairs (so said a fellow stair-climber … I didn’t actually count so I can’t be sure of the exact number). Of course, 180 stairs down does indeed mean 180 stairs back up, so we—Ella, in particular—were huffing and puffing by the time we got back out.

However, after all the time spent indoors—and huckleberries consumed—I’d say a little exercise is exactly what the doctor ordered.