Winterizing Accomplished

I spent the morning with our friend Hal winterizing our RVs. So, Tiger II (the name of our RV) is officially winterized. It is always sad when we arrive at the end of our regular RV season. But it won't be for long. JoAnne and I are thinking of heading to Florida for the months of January and February. Hal would like us to join them in Tucson in March.... Can't wait.

Tomorrow…but first today

Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Today we had a “catch-up” day cleaning, throwing out, and resting…but…we did have time to fit in a short Geocaching quest. Rick led us on a short expedition to find a Geocache. What is Geocaching? Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called Geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment. We signed the log, and placed it in its secret hiding place for another Geocacher to discover. Lois & Hal were amazed with the process and the concept - This was their first adventure with Geocaching.
If you were wondering if our Anthem friends made it across the Going-to-the Sun Road - - - YES - - - they did and sent me a text saying

“We have conquered. Ty, Jane, Judi, Ken, Janis and Doug.”

Wahoooooooooo and congratulations to them!!!!!!!
Yep, tomorrow Thursday the 27th of August we will be heading home. We leave behind some marvelous surroundings, but we’re able to enjoy outstanding memories! Some of the memories Lois and Hal will take will be the Norris Geyser area in Yellowstone National Park, the beautiful waterfalls, enjoying lunch at the marina, JoAnne laughing so hard wine came out of her nose, and Lois trying to spit out a cherry pit with the car window still closed! LOL JoAnne and Rick will bring home memories of the bear sightings (Ahhhhhhhhh…TWO bear sightings), lots of laughs, good wine, the stunning sites, and fun times with good friends.

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Glacier National Park…and more!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Rick & I made the decision not to take Sandy to Glacier National Park, and not feeling right about leaving her in the RV all day, we had checked out some kennels on Monday, finding the Lost Creek Kennel in Kalispell - A beautiful, caring, and neat as a new pin kennel for her to stay. After dropping her off at 8:00AM we headed towards the park.
Arriving at West Glacier, we had a light breakfast, and drove on to Going-to-the Sun Road (Factoid: the road is a National Civil Engineering and National Historic Landmark). Along the way there were so many exceptional picturesque vistas which gave us spectacular photo opportunities. In 2010 Glacier National Park will celebrate their 100th anniversary, and currently there is an 8-year, 14 million dollar construction project under way in the park so it led to some minor delays.
About 11:30AM, we arrived at the Rising Sun boat dock where we were met up with some of our Anthem friends, (Jane & Ty Fouchey, Janis Lievens and Doug Snyder, and Judi & Ken Besse), for a St. Mary’s Lake cruise. Our friends are there to ride the Going-to the-Sun Road on their bikes, along with their Denver Bicycle Club on Wednesday.
We had fun on the cruise and it was a magnificent way to see the park. Half way through the cruise we docked, and walked up to see Virginia Falls. After the cruise we went to lunch in St. Mary’s and started our trip back. Some of the views seemed even more spectacular due to the lighting and time if day…AND…as we were rounding a curve in the road…a black bear ran across the road!!! Of course we stopped and Rick ran out to take some phenomenal photos of the bear playing in the water, eating some huckleberry’s, and hanging around the lakes coastline until it decided to wander back into the forest.

MUST SEE TODAY'S PHOTOS!
Continuing on, we stopped at the Apgar Visitor Center, (which is on the foot of McDonald Lake), had some coffee, and then were back on the road to pickup Sandy. We ended our fun day sitting around camp, and talking about the adventures of the day along the shore of the Flathead River.

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Relaxing today…

Monday, August 24, 2009
This morning we started our “down day” with a wonderful, delicious, and fun riverside breakfast at our campsite provided by Lois & Hal. Sandy has a new boyfriend – Max – the yellow lab. The only agenda item was to check out various kennels in the area for Sandy as we do not want to leave her an entire day alone in the RV or in the car when we are visiting Glacier National Park. Then we are going to “kick back” and just hang out and relax. We completed our mission!

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Inaugural Cruise

Sunday, August 23, 2009
Remember the story from yesterday about stopping at the sports store? Well…the official launching and inaugural cruise of the Leslie & Morgan camping flotillas happened this afternoon at 1:30PM. The location couldn’t have been more perfect – White Fish Lake, Montana.
With a backdrop of forests, mountains, Glacier National Park, and the pristine glacial waters, with slightly overcast conditions –

the launch and cruise were flawless!
Upon return to our campsite our Anthem Ranch friends, Jane & Ty Fouchey, also members of the Denver Bicycle Club, stopped by for a celebratory glass of wine and some yummy appetizers. The biking group is going to ride Going to the Sun Road in the national park.
Just another fun day enjoying the beauty of this fabulous country!

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Reconnoiter…

Saturday, August 22, 2009
Today was a perfect day to reconnoiter the area. Hal drove us for a tour around Flathead Lake (factoid: which is the largest fresh water lake west of the Mississippi). Along the east bank our first stop was Bigfork an absolutely charming little village. The small boutique stores helped to make it a wonderful place to stop and shop, and just sit with, and enjoy with a cup of coffee.
The Flathead Lake area is filled with cherry orchards, so we had to stop and buy 2lbs of totally amazing, wonderful, spectacular, delicious cherries. Continuing our tour around the lake, we went to the west side which provided us with beautiful vistas. Lunch was at Lakeside Village where they were having an antique boat show packed with mahogany hulled lake boats – Really beautiful!
Upon arriving back at Kalispell, and “according to Hal”, not having spent enough money today, and “according to Lois” we still had room in the RV’s, and “according to Rick” we needed more toys…we stopped at a sporting goods place and purchased two inflatable kayaks. That wasn’t too bad…until we needed all of the accessories; such as paddles, life vests, pumps, and a duffle bags to carry it all. LOL
To complete our fun and adventurous day Lois prepared her famous Cioppino dinner stuffed with shrimp, scallops, clams, cod, and lots of wonderful spices. Rick made a salad, and after having very, very FULL tummies, we played a game of Dominos and called it another magnificent day!

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Travel Day

Friday, August 21, 2009
Today we traveled to our final destination - Kalispell and Glacier National Park, while we had anticipated a rather mundane trip - what a surprise -

The scenery was absolutely breath-taking!
We traveled through several beautiful valleys that were home to many of Montana’s wheat farmers and ranchers.

Then hit "lake" country - the mountain lakes were spectacular, as were the snow covered mountains and the backdrops...whew
truly a drive filled with sensory overload.
We arrived in Kalispell in mid-afternoon. While we are camping in a commercial campground (our home for the next 6 days) it is right on the Flathead River with million dollar views. (Rick is also happy because we have good cell and Wi-Fi service for the first time.)
The rest of the afternoon was hitting the local Wal-Mart and grocery stores replenishing our supplies.

Hal and Rick shopped some local sports store…and even washed the Jeep!! :-)
After a very relaxing dinner on the bank of the Flathead River, we are all looking forward to a week of exploring Glacier National Park and driving the Highway to the Sun, fishing, hiking, kayaking and just kicking back.