Family Fun in Montana

July was a big month. But August has been even busier. There's so much to catch up on and write about and pictures to share! I just don't know where to start.

My parents came to visit Paul and I in July and we had the best time while they were here. Instead of hanging around Helena, we took a trip to one of our favorite places in the state...Flathead Lake. My mom found this awesome little house to rent right on the water with it's own dock and fire pit and porch overlooking the water and mountains. It wasn't far from Kalispell and Whitefish and most importantly Glacier National Park. We spent 4 nights in our little house and had tons to do while we were there.

We spent our first day driving to a hidden gem near Libby, MT. The park is called Ross Creek Cedars and it's one of the coolest forests I've ever been to. The drive there was wonderful, crossing mountain lakes and rivers. The trees are HUGE and so amazing to look at. I can't quite describe how enormous and majestic the trees are. After we left this park, we headed to Kootenai Falls for a short hike and spectacular views of the raging river and falls. After some huckleberry ice cream and lemonade, we headed back to our house for supper on the back porch and a quick swim in Flathead Lake. We ended every night with a bonfire and marshmallows before we headed off to bed.

The next day, Paul and my dad went fishing on Flathead Lake while mom and I shopped around Whitefish. The boat dropped the men off right at our dock and we ate fresh lake trout for supper. Another swim, another fire, another wonderful night on the lake.

On Sunday, we went to Glacier National Park. Now, I'd never heard of this park before we moved out here but I think I've found my absolute favorite place in Montana. We hadn't been yet, so it was everyone's first time. I cannot explain the beauty that is within this park's perimeter. Words can't do it justice and pictures really can't either. The mountains, the snow, the glaciers, the animals, the rivers and the lakes are amazing. We spent the whole day there, taking in the beauty of it all.

Overall it was one of the best trips we've ever taken. We were sad to see my parents go but after having visitors twice in one month, I was ready to get back to a normal schedule and back into our own bed (since all we have is an air mattress in our guest room).

Love and Happiness,
Bethany

Caverns and Boat Tours

Paul's parent's came to visit Montana at the beginning of July. In efforts to be good hosts we planned a trip to the Lewis and Clark Caverns and took a boat tour down the Missouri River. Paul and I hadn't done either of these things, so it was new for everyone.

The caverns were very interesting and we learned a lot as we climbed underground into the many rooms of the cave. It was completely different than anything we'd seen in Montana so far, and it was definitely worth the drive.

The boat tour, not far from Helena, takes you through "the gates of the mountains", named by Meriwether Lewis. We saw bald eagles, pictographs and spectacular views of the river and canyon cliffs from the inside.

There's lots to see and do around Helena, which has been great this summer, but the list seems never-ending. I don't think we could see it all no matter how hard we try.

Love and Happiness,
Bethany

Weekend of Waterfalls

I love waterfalls. I'm intrigued by the power of the falling water, the sound of the cascades and the cool breeze that radiates from the surface. I could sit and watch a waterfall for hours. We've managed to find a couple of waterfalls near us that have been beautiful. We visited these two waterfalls, Lost Creek Falls and Skalkaho Falls, on a day trip around the area.

There's just something about a waterfall. They get me every time. 

Love and Happiness,

Bethany

A Weekend Full of Scenic Driving

Summertime in Montana is busy, fast paced and lots of fun! Paul and I have been keeping ourselves occupied since my last post with weekend trips, 2 family visits, our first rodeo, kayaking days and some fishing. Summer doesn't last very long here, so we are trying our best to fit in all that we can. We haven't seemed to slow down in months!

I'll pick up where I left off and go all the way back to the beginning of June. Paul's been doing lots of traveling for his job and has gotten to see all sorts of beautiful places around Montana. He'd come home and tell me about all the wonderful things he's seen on the road and I, of course, was green with envy. I wanted to see the snow-capped mountains near Glacier National Park. I wanted to see the rivers rushing with icy-blue snow melt. I wanted to spend the day driving around beautiful Flathead Lake. 

So, that's what we did. We packed up the car and hit the road. We spent a couple days just driving around, enjoying each others company and taking lots of pictures. The mountains were perfect; rugged and snow capped with a touch of spring green in the valley. It was like driving in a postcard. During our trip we stumbled across a little waterfall and walked along the banks of Flathead Lake. It was a perfect weekend to enjoy nature's beauty. 

On our way home, we stopped at The National Bison Range (which I've been wanting to do for a while) and got to see lots of wildlife and more spectacular scenery. I still can't get enough of the beauty around us.

Antelope

Elk

Montana continues to amaze us. I'll be updating my blog soon with more of our summer adventures!

Love and Happiness,

Bethany

Another Moose and a Mountain Goat

Of all the animals we've seen out here, I think moose are my favorite. There's just something about a moose. They're huge, and kind of beautiful and very elusive. We've seen thousands of deer since we've been here. And that's pretty cool, but we have deer back in Alabama. Moose? Not so much.

And that's why I was super excited when we saw another moose on Memorial Day, coming home from Idaho. Paul spotted it down in a river by the highway. He pulled over and we walked back up the road to take a look. At first, he was in the water but then he climbed out and ran across an open field towards some trees. They are surprisingly fast for such a big animal and I'm sure he could run faster if he wanted.

We've also seen mountain goats...those big, white, hairy ones. They were really far away on a cliff but I tried to get a picture anyways. Paul has seen some up close, so hopefully I'll get to see one closer sometime, too.

Kinda hard to tell, but it's a mountain goat. I promise.

Now, I'd like to see a moose with antlers! And maybe a bear. I've never seen a bear in real life. Here's to hoping!

Love and Happiness,
Bethany

Memorial Day in Idaho

When I was about 10 years old, my family took a Christmas vacation to Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Idaho. For me, it was the best vacation we ever took. It was the first time I'd really seen snow, like that at least, and the beautiful Rocky Mountains. It was also the first time I ever went skiing and snowmobiling. I fell in love with it all, back in the 5th grade.

Fast forward 9 years, when Paul and I got engaged, and my sole inspiration for our honeymoon originated from that one Christmas vacation. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I think snowy mountains and fireplaces are super romantic. Anyways, fast forward oh, let's see, to day 2 of our honeymoon. That's when Paul and I started talking about moving "out west". And, you know how the story goes...fast forward about 1 year and 8 months and here we are.

So, for Memorial Day weekend Paul and I planned a trip to the place that started it all...Idaho! We planned on camping for 3 nights in Coeur d'Alene, just 20 minutes from the Washington/Idaho state line. From there, we were only about an hour from the ski resort my family stayed at back 13 years ago.

Now, we were excited to kick off summer with some warm weather and blue skies but oh, were we wrong! It rained the first day, and I mean a downpour, just after we got our tent put up. Everything stayed dry inside but damp, 50 degree weather, no sun and a strong wind makes for an unhappy camper. It got into the 30's at night and I slept with a toboggan and 4 layers of clothes on. Definitely not end of May weather that we're use to! Turns out, I'm a big wimp and Paul, being a kind and loving husband, offered to get a hotel for our last night. I accepted his offer and we only camped 2 nights.

While we were there, we took a hike around the lake, walked across the world's longest floating boardwalk, drove the scenic byway, ate wonderful food, indulged in an enormous Reese's sundae, visited Schweitzer Mountain Resort and took a sunset dinner cruise around Lake Coeur d'Alene. We packed a lot into our long weekend and had a wonderful time!!

On the world's longest floating boardwalk

View from our table

Sunset dinner cruise, a little windy!

Another wonderful weekend down, many more to come! Paul surprised me with an offer to go spend this weekend in Kalispell! Now, how could I turn that offer down!?

Love and Happiness,
Bethany