Montana Trip -- Hello Big Sky Country

Billings, Red Lodge, Beartooth Highway, Cooke City, Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky, Bozeman, Lewis and Clark Caverns, Phillipsburg, Skalkaho Highway, Hamilton, Stevensville, Missoula, Polson, Bigfork, Lakeside, Glacier National Park, Whitefish, Helena, Belgrade, Livingston, and back to Billings. WHEW! Eight days and 1500 miles later -- we have seen some of the most beautiful parts of Montana and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. After saying good-bye to kids and grands, we hit the road in our Subaru Outback (of which Mister declared every car on the road was one) and began to truly enjoy the Big Sky Country. One of the reasons for the trip was to do a review of microbreweries in Montana and so 20 stops were made to write about and apparently purchase glasses from(one was out of stock, ugh) each of them. We so enjoyed the time in these breweries meeting the brewers and taking tours although Mister commented that it was way too much like a job on vacation, which in a sense it was if the website he wants to do works out right.

As we drove the state, many great photo opportunites came and along and so thought we would share a few with you. This first shot is from the top of the Beartooth Highway -- elevation around 11,000 and the view down on the winding road we drove up is breathtaking. The wildflowers were absolutely beautiful as the second shot shows and Mister was amazed at the very top as it plateaued with grassy knolls instead of rocky mountain peaks as the third picture shows.

From there, we dropped down into Yellowstone Park for a quick trip across the upper road and were treated to views of bison. We talked about a return trip either in the fall or early spring when the roads were not quite so crowded and we would have some time for exploring.

Upon leaving Yellowstone, we headed up the Gallatin towards Big Sky and the view along the drive was picture perfect and we enjoyed the clean mountain air as we opened windows along the way. The water was rushing clear and cold --- so breathtaking. After Bozeman and along the way we spent some time at the Lewis and Clark Caverns where we started out with a 3/4 mile hike up a path with switchbacks and then into the cave we went. Down a total of 530 steps to the main rooms which were incredible and the tour guide was excellent. Back out 70 steps up and into the sunlight -- all in all a great stop with only one side effect. My calves killed me for two day while Mister only dealt with one day of discomfort -- a sign that one of us is in better shape than the other.

Several days and cities later, we arrived in the Flathead Valley for time with family. Mister said he wanted to pick cherries himself rather than buy from a stand and that he wanted to eat one fresh off the tree. He got his wish and we found a delightful small orchard that we could wander and pick. It overlooked the lake and was abundant with other fruits as well in the form of raspberries, currants, peaches, pears, and apples. I caught Mister looking around and soaking it all in and warned him that he best be careful before he fell in love with Montana and it got a grip on him like it has on me.

While staying with Mom, we spent one day driving up to Glacier Park and once again the scenery was incredible. This picture is at Lake McDonald just past West Glacier and the mist in the mountains caught Mister's eye as he walked down to the waters edge for this shot. It turned out absolutely beautiful. While in Glacier we were treated to watching a mama mountain goat with her kid, a columbian ground squirrel up close and personal as well as two hoary marmots keeping close tabs on the people having a picnic in front of us.

We so enjoyed being able to spend time with family while there and snapped this picture the night before we left. Two days later, my sister and Joe took Brock and Jill to college in Las Vegas and so I'm glad to have this pic since I'm not sure when we will all be together again.



The trip came to an end all too soon and Mister flew home while I stayed and worked for several days. Rhiana was in the middle of moving and so I was able to spend lots of time with Elena and some with Hyrum as well while Becca helped her. It made for short nights though as I still had work to do --- but wouldn't give up that time with little ones for anything. We are at work in the office in this pic --- Hyrum stopped watching Finding Nemo long enough to smile for the camera and then went back to watching one of the many computer screens on the desk. True multi-tasking going on here. My days with these little ones are so treasured -- I cannot wait for each trip to see how they grow and what's new with them. Miss Elena had just started giggling and each one delighted me beyond measure. I didn't get any of the laughs on camera, but her response to someone talking to her is also fun to watch. Oh the last thing I did before heading back home was to go and get a haircut -- these are the last pictures of me in long hair for quite awhile as I was able to donate 7" to Locks for Love -- one way to lose weight.

Montana Trip - Reunion Time

Wow! After a very long flight that landed us at the hotel at 2 in the morning, we started off our trip to Montana by picking up Elena, taking her to the hotel

and heading out to the family campsite for time with kids and grands. With people converging from points east, west, and south, it was so nice to see everyone and watch the constant movement of little people. There were so many choice opportunities to watch everyone at play -- from running races as seen in this video --- such fun -- (Mister had a good time getting this ready to show, lol)

to riding 4-wheelers (Jon wanted so badly to drive without help and so being the "safety conscious" Gammy that I am --- I let him and thoroughly enjoyed the ride)

to teaching kids all about fishing compliments of Uncle Matt

to finding places to sleep (as Amanda and Trent searched for a perfect place to put their tent, I couldn't help but wonder if the thousands of mosquitos in the area would carry them off back there in the trees)

and including, of course, trips to the river to play. Jen had determined that it was time for the kids to "throw rocks in the river" and so off everyone went -- it didn't take long though for all to be wet and riding the current while screaming their heads off.

After the river, it was lunch time and then we played a family game that Bekah had put together in which everyone had to tell something about themselves that no one knew --- highlights for me were Jared wanting to be an ice cream man when he grew up and Scott being a ballroom dance champion. Oh, and Mister managed to make fun of Matt a little by saying that he had worked on roofs but had never fallen off.

At lunch -- we were able to snap this picture of the "cousins" having a sit down together -- oh my just oh too cute.

There was always time for a hug here and there and this one was absolutely heartwarming to me. I never lose track that this is "my baby" and always need a cuddle from her to make believe that she actually still is just that.

Having the chance to be outside and enjoy each others company is always such a treat. The fresh air makes food just taste that much better and of course --- sleep is always satisfying as well. How they did this with everyone around and playing and making noise is astonishing to say the least.

Well -- it ended all too soon, but I know that visits are coming up that are eagerly looked forward to and I, for one, simply cannot wait.

Yard Work and Results!!

The day after the peach festival Mister decided that he hadn't had quite enough of the heat and sun the day before and so was out in the yard attacking the shrubs with his earth friendly clippers. Don't ya just love the hat? In the background is the little peach tree that Mister planted last fall -- was so happy to see it make the transition and fully leaf out this spring. The results below look really nice though and I adore the crape myrtle in full bloom. The city has been absolutey full of color from whites to pinks to deep reds with this beautiful tree. Too bad that the flowers don't last all summer, but I guess if that happened then they might not seem so special. Even the bark on this tree is beautiful, especially on the more mature trees.

Peach Day!

The night before --- attempting (and I do mean attempting) to remember everything that needs to go along on a day of riding. We even tried a checklist and we still forgot to put things on the list and added four additional items to it when we returned home the next day. The really interesting part is that with my knee still on mend, this is only for one rider. Imagine the amount if both Mister and I were riding.


The day was beautiful even though we left in the dark. Mister was smiling as he started out and rode over 62 miles and still was smiling when he returned. I enjoyed the morning wandering some English gardens and a wonderful farmers market. After the ride, Mister and I endured the 105 degree heat to go to the peach festival. Peach everything --- cobblers, ice cream, pies, etc. could be found everywhere and we ducked out of the heat and into the coolest little sandwich shop where just watching the dynamics of this small town was entertainment for over an hour before braving the heat once again. Oh and yes --- the ice cream was yummy.

Enjoying Kids and Grands

What a great day at work! One of the greatest blessings in my life right now is that I get to spend time with my kids and grands each month while working and the trip is eagerly anticipated. Mother and daughter above in the office -- of course you can tell I'm working hard as those are my arms holding the little miss. Spending three days with my "girls" is such a joy and its amazing how much I treasure those times together. The smiles I was favored with were so incredible and so were the "conversations" we had. The talks my daughter and I had were equally as memorable to me and we planned her visit to see me next month -- one I am so looking forward to.

What can I say? Like father, like son. Working very hard isn't he? The office is always a buzz of activity and playing around with his sister gave me the chance to shoot this pic. They work very hard and when they have a chance to let down and get silly, its fun to watch. Having my grandson around to share in the fun made the day even more special to me. I cannot believe how quickly they are all growing up -- but this one absolutely loves to pose for the camera -- something his father always hated and is hard to believe since my son is generally full of smiles and ready to tease at a moments notice.

Happy Birthday America!!!

We spent the 4th of July up on the lake with family. Sat on a boat dock under the stars and enjoyed the display reminding us of the freedoms that we all enjoy each and every day. Mister's brother, sister-in-law, and nephew provided a wonderful barbeque and had just returned from seeing the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles hatch while on vacation. They brought back a wonderful turtle for my collection and touched my heart in doing so.

Before and After

The last weekend in June found us in another small town for a bike ride. First picture is nice and fresh, just starting out --- second one? Well, its a bit warmer out and he hit the cold shower completely dressed to try and cool off. This time Mister was riding alone and the ride started earlier -- thus, fnished earlier and we were able to hit the town for a little while. Stopped in at this great little restaurant/pub for lunch and they asked if he had partaken of the pickle juice that was along the way. He said yes, and they replied that they had supplied all of it for the riders. People started talking and wondered what a pickle martini would be like and the next thing we knew one of the owners was up mixing it and passing it around -- tasted like pickle juice, lol. They decided to call it a pickletini -- small town fun at its best. The chicken salad sandwich there was oh so good -- or were we just REALLY hungry?