May 24 - 31, 2025 Getting Things Going at Echo Lake

24-Sat-We got up about 7 and had breakfast. Then we dressed and walked the dogs. After our cleanup chores we did some weed eating at the entrance to the fishing access site. We also did weed eating around the perimeter. Tony P came by about noon. We visited with him. and Mark, the boat volunteer was here. He wanted to get rid of two bikes as he was cleaning out his shed. I texted Sidney to see if she wanted them and she did. So we will keep them here for her until she can pick them up. 

25-Sun-We got up later this morning. We did our usual morning chores. Then we decided to re-position the RV. When we put out the small awning on the drivers side, we could barely get the shed door open. So that took awhile. Two boat volunteers were here today. I was in and out watching the parking lot. Steve re-positioned our mats. We were tired by 3 PM. We had Chicken, rice, mixed vegetables and berries for supper.

26-Mon-Today is the day Memorial Day is observed. We were up at 7:30 and completed our chores. We got around quickly to go to town and do some laundry. When we returned, two of the game wardens were here, Justin and Jake. We got to visit with Justin, he is very friendly and was assigned to this area the first few years we were here. Now he is in the Kalispell area. We monitored the parking lot every hour. So we had a pretty routine day.

27-Tue-Again we were up at 7:30. We completed our chores  and got the dogs walked. Then we were off to Kalispell to run errands. Our first stop was the airport to check my bag size and get a boarding pass printed. I just wanted to be sure I would be set for my plane trip. I haven’t flown in probably 30 years. Our next stop was to pick up a thermostat at the UPS office that we ordered from Amazon. Then I went to Ulta for some small hair products. We also got food and supplies at Walmart. We got home at 3:00 PM and put our stuff away. After supper I finalized my packing for the trip home. My sister, Marsha is also flying home. We will meet at the Denver airport and then fly into OKC. Her husband/s surgery was delayed and so she is flying home (Oklahoma) and we will attend our sister’s funeral together.

28-Wed-I was awake since 5:00 AM. I got up at 6:30. We had breakfast then left for the airport at Kalispell about 7:45. When I arrived, hardly anyone was at the airport except employees. I left my husband and went through security. I cleared that very easily. I have my passport, so no problems. I waited by my gate until time to board. I arrived in Denver about 1:15 PM. I found Marsha’s gate and was there to meet her when she arrived from Newark, NJ. We ate lunch at a Mexican restaurant in the airport and then hung out. Our plane was delayed by thunderstorms, so we got worried about whether we would be able to get to our rental car on time. We called them and got that settled. We finally boarded our plane about 6 or 6:30 PM and arrived at OKC about 8:00 PM. Marsha was sitting by a guy from Spokane and we all visited most of the flight. After we de-planed we found the Budget counter and waited in line to secure our car. Then we wandered around the parking lot to try to find the car in the lot. A lady finally helped us.We drove to the hotel and got to our room. We were pooped. We talked and finally went to sleep.

29-Thu-I was up at 7:00 AM.  We got dressed and went to the hotel lobby for breakfast. The world series of college softball was going on in OKC so we decided to reserve a room for Friday night. We talked to the lady at the front desk and she helped us arrange a room. Next we loaded our suitcases and drove to Woodward. We checking our hotel and then drove around Woodward. Woodward is the place where we grew up. We at lunch at Red Prairie, which used to be Big Dan’s. Then we returned to the hotel and relaxed. Then Paige’s group arrived about 4 PM We went to the funeral home to see our sister Pam and how everything looked. Next we went to Elmwood Cemetery to put some flowers on the graves of relatives there. Everyone seemed to want to go to Haskew Cemetery, where my parents and grandparents were laid to rest. Marsha and I rode with JC and Landon, Dave, Paige, Rachel and Knox rode in their car. After the cemetary we went by the old farm and things went south. There was a big blow-up between JC and Landon. Marsha and I were stuck in the car with JC because Landon got out and slammed the door. Marsha and I thought JC was going to kill us driving back to Woodward, because he drove so fast in his anger. We arrived at the hotel, JC left, we went to supper with the other group. We got back to our room and the air conditioner wasn’t working. So we moved to the room vacated by JC. Everyone stayed in our room and talked til 2 or 3 AM. Needless to say, I did not get much sleep. This has not been a restful trip. 

30-Fri-We got up around 7 or 8 and got dressed. Today is the day of my sister Pam’s funeral service. We had breakfast in the hotel lobby. Then e went back to the room to rest a bit. We decided where we should sit at the service. Then we finalized getting dressed and packed our suitcases. We went to the Dollar Store and back to Elmwood Cemetery so Marsha could pay her respects to her 1st husband. I was able to drive right to the grave site. Then we went to the funeral home form noon to 2:00 for visitation with family and friends. The boys, Landon and Parker conducted the service and then we were back to the grave site. After the ceremony we went to the restaurant as a group and visited with a few more of our relatives. Marsha and I did not eat because we were on a schedule to leave by 4:30 or 5:00 PM to get back to Oklahoma City before dark. I did not want to drive in the dark. We arrived in OKC about 7:15 PM and ate at Chili’s. Then we gassed up the rental car and checked into the hotel (La Quinta). Marsha was still very upset and we were up talked til 10:30 or 11:00. I wasn’t able to get to sleep until 12:15. 

31-Sat-We were up at 5:30 AM. We got dressed and packed our suitcases. Then we loaded the car and left the hotel at 6:30 AM. We returned the car and rode the shuttle to the airport. The rental cars are not at the airport, they are offsite which necessitates riding a shuttle between the airport and rental car pickup spot. We rode the elevator to the second floor and went through security. We did not have any problems with security. I had to take my shoes off, but if you are over 75, you don’t. Next was a stop at the bathroom and then we ate a leisurely breakfast at the airport. We waited for my flight to board and then said our good-byes. My plane left at 9:15, right on time. We arrived at the Denver airport early but were stuck on the tarmac waiting to get a gate so we could unload. It left me very little time to make my connecting flight. So glad I had the United app that showed me exactly how to get through the Denver airport. You walked all the way through concourse B and down the escalator to catch a train to concourse A and then up the escalator again to get the boarding gate. I made it on time. You better believe I hot-footed it through the airport. I arrived back to Kalispell airport on time and Steve was waiting for me. Boy was I glad to see him and get back to our summer home.We stopped at Wendy’s for a hamburger and ice cream. Then we drove to Echo Lake and I got to take it easy.

May 16 - May 23, 2025 On the Road to Montana

16-Fri-we were up at 7:00.we had our breakfast and made the bed. Then we walked the dogs. We were on the road by 8:30 after getting gas. We took US 287 to Limon, CO.Our GPS kept trying to re-route us off US 287.But we used our road map and stayed on it. US 287 is a good two lane road, so we were fine to stay on it. We joined up with I-70 at Limon and then I-25 through Denver. It was stop and go traffic but we made it safe. We did stop at Wellington, CO for gas and Steve took a little nap, about an hour. We started driving again and drove to Douglas, WY. It was windy through Wyoming, but I always enjoy that drive because we see pronghorns. We got to Douglas, WY about 6:30 PM. We got parked and set up . Then walked the dogs again. Supper was turkey bacon and eggs, bagel and berries. We watched TV and then hit the bed. 

17-Sat-We were up at 7:45 this morning. It was cold, 35° at Douglas, WY. We had our breakfast and walked the dogs. Then we prepped to leave. It did warm up eventually.  We got gas at Evansville, Wy (near Casper), then kept moving up I-25 til we met up with I-90. We arrived at Billings KOA about 4:30 PM. Steve accidentally put a lot of water in the fresh water tank when he hooked up the water. Anyway we got that taken care of and ordered pizza for supper.

18-Sun-We were up at 6:45. We did all the normal morning routines. We left at 8:30 AM. We gassed up at Columbia, MT, and it was raining. We made it over Bozeman and Homestake pass. We stopped at Indian Creek RV park. We did a couple of loads of laundry and I made chicken vegetable soup for supper. It was chilly, 46°. The gas heater in the RV worked and then stopped! We were able to get the electric heat to work. So we were fine. 

19-Mon-We were up about 8:00. We got dressed and made the bed. We walked the dogs, but it was chilly. We left the park about 9:15 AM.Then we drove to Echo Lake and arrived at 2:00 PM. We parked the RV in our summer spot and ran the water 30 minutes. We hooked up the electricity and then rested. We will do more tomorrow. It was chilly and overcast. We were pooped and ate leftover chicken soup for supper.

20-Tue-Paige (my niece) texted me about 6 AM that the nursing home called and told them that Pam (my sister) had gotten much worse. Steve & I did our usual morning routine. Tony Powell (boss) and his seasonal helper, Kelly were by about 10:30 or 11:00. I explained the situation to Tony, that my sister who has been ill with Alzheimers for the last fours years has also now been diagnosed with cancer and it has spread. They are expecting her to pass away today. I told him that my plan was to fly back home for the funeral. I was on the phone off and on with Marsha, Linda and Hazel most of the day. I was so worried about my sister passing and trying to figure out travel arrangements. I got final word that Pam passed away about 3:30 today. It has been three weeks and 1.5 days after the CT scan finding the Cancer.  We drove to Walmart at Kalispell for supplies from 4-6:15. Supper was chili, chips and berries. What a sad day. I know my sister’s suffering is over, but it is so sad that she passed away. 

21-Wed-We were up at 8ish. We had breakfast and dressed. We made the bed and did our chores. Kelly was here about 10:30. We visited her and told her we will be here this weekend. The funeral is Friday, May 30, 2025. Then Steve & I arranged my flight and car rental plans. This took us until about 1:00 PM.. We ate leftover chili. We walked th dogs. It rained and was chilly. Now the pickup won’t start. What a mess! Steve worked with the code reader. He did not have any luck. We called a mobil mechanic and he will come tomorrow. Supper was peanut butter on a bagel and some berries. 

22-Thu-We were up at 7:00. After breakfast we did our chores and walked the dogs. We called the mobil mechanic. He arrived here about 10:00 AM. He worked and used his code reader. He thinks it needs a new battery. That did not fix the problem. This was Aaron from Integrity Mobil Service. He worked til 3 or 4 PM He wasn’t going to take any money. We paid him for the battery and gave him $40 cash for his effort. We check on towing with our road side service. We mulled over what to do.We went ahead and put out our mats and got out our chairs. We sat outside a lot. I was on the phone with Marsha a lot. Supper was turkey kielbasa, home fries and berries.

23-Fri-I was awake since 5:45 AM. I am worried about the pickup, packing for my trip, luggage, rental car and everything else  I can worry about. My sister’s husband Tony D. got a CT scan today for his upcoming  knee replacement surgery. We cleaned the bathroom and picked up the trash in the parking lot. We called another mobil mechanic, Auto Emergency. He came today and fixed the pickup for $150 (service call) It was a fuse out of place and one burned out.  It was something simple but unable to be detected and figured by Steve and the other mobil mechanic. We let the pickup run for 15 minutes. Then we drove to Bigfork to haul the trash, got to NAPA and Harvest Foods. We left the Pickup running just in case we had trouble. We got back to the RV, and the pickup seems fine. I had lots of calls between Marsha and others. Sydney, the seasonal helper from last year came by and visited. We were glad to see her. She has a full time job with Montana FWP Maintenance. It may not have been exactly what she wanted, but she got a full time job which is the most important thing. She said she is learning lots of new skills. Supper was turnkey bacon, eggs, bagels and berries.