July 16 - 31, 2025 Keeping Up With Routines and Making a Sitting Deck

16-Wed-We did all our usual morning routines. After doing the chores we did some weed eating in  the triangle and parking lot. Later we sat outside with the dogs. Then we put the dogs inside  and worked on our cedar deck. I helped Steve with the deck. We had lunch and then watched some TV. After supper we went to town to get gas for the mower and weed eater and pickup. 

We saw deer on our walk this morning.

17-Thu-After completing our routine chores we headed to Kalispell today. We went to Snappy’s  but didn’t buy anything. Then we drove through the car wash to clean the pickup. Next was Walmart and we were home by 12:30. We put away the groceries and ate leftovers for lunch. We worked about three hours on our sitting deck. 

18-Fri-We were up early this morning me at 7:00 and Steve at 6 AM. We did our chores. Then we worked on mowing and weed eating in the parking lot and triangle area. After that we sat outside. We headed to town about 3 and there was lots of traffic. I mailed Austyn her birthday card today. Then we got haircuts. For supper we had grilled chicken, salad and corn on the cob. Dessert is alway berries and cool whip.

Buster striking a regal pose near our new sitting deck.

19-Sat-We were up at 8 ish this morning. We completed our walk and chores. Then we sat outside for awhile.. Tony Powell was here from 12-12:30. The Game Warden was also here about noon. We monitored the parking lot off and on through out the day. 

A squirrel on a log.

20-Sun-Well it was another routine day. We sat outside after completing our walk and chores. Kelly was here from 12-3:00 or so. There was almost a kerfuffle in the approach to the boat ramp today. But the volunteer, Susan got in between the two guys and got them settled down. Then the next thing you know, the guys were parked beside each other shaking hands. Go figure! I talked to Masha today, we usually talk daily. We monitored the parking lot and then I filled our pill boxes and fixed supper. 

This is a huge house they are building. It is across from the mailboxes on our walk.

White Flower

21-Mon-We got up and around. Then walked Buster and got Zoe out after our walk. Next we hauled off the trash then went to the laundry. I had a package to pick up. We finished these tasks and were home by noon. We put away the laundry and had lunch. It rained from noon to 5:00 PM. So the afternoon was spent indoors. We took it easy. Supper was turkey burger, chips and berries.

22-Tue-We did our routine chores and walked. It sprinkled off and on this morning. Then after lunch it rained most of the day. Supper was Canadian bacon, eggs, toast, and berries.

23-Wed-Another routine day. I paid bills and did some banking. After lunch Kelly was here. Later we went to Rosa’s Pizza for supper and the Dairy Queen for ice cream. 

Sundown 9:50 PM

These folks were leaving late.

The water is over the dock again because we have had rain.

24-Thu-We got up a little later this morning and only took a short walk. Then we loaded up the trash to haul off and headed to Walmart. We were home by 1:00. After we put away our groceries we had lunch and and watched some TV. We went outside and got the fire stuff ready. We invited Kelly and Sela here for S’mores and a visit after supper.

Our campfire

Poopsie likes the fire

A pretty cloud

25-Fri-We were up at 7:30 today. After breakfast and walking we did our chores. Then we completed some weed eating on the road. We do that about an hour or so then we sit outside and relax. The game warden was here today. I guess he is shy, he never comes to the RV to visit. We had lunch and then we checked the parking lot a few more times. Supper was a hamburger, home fries, salad and berries.

Flowers by the stump

Another pic of the house they are building

A little water on the dock

26-Sat-Another routine morning. After we finished the chores we sat outside and listened to music. Tony  was her for about an hour or so. Mike the boat volunteer was here also. I monitored the lot 2 - 3 times this afternoon. This consists of walking to a sign where I can observe the dock and parking lot. We give people the stink eye if needed or have a little visit if warranted. Sometimes we check the pit toilet in the afternoon to have an excuse to see if everyone is behaving. We talked with Tony about getting the toilet pumped, the underlayment on the shore that is being exposed due to erosion, and a dock installer. For supper we just had cheese and crackers and berries. 

27-Sun-I was up a little later today. Then we walked around the Loop. Kelly was here this morning. We did our chores and sat outside with some of the boat volunteers (Jan and Sara). I like to visit and so I enjoy sitting out with them. It was 85° at 7 PM. Supper was turkey bacon, eggs, toast and bacon. 

The pictures below are of another big house they are building on the Loop road.

28-Mon-We were up at 7:30 this morning. We did all the usual things. Then we loaded the trash and went to the grocery store at Bigfork. Use took the dogs along so they could enjoy the ride. Steve sits in the pickup with them while  I go in the store. I bought some chicken strips and potato wedges for our lunch. Then it was back to the RV for awhile. Steve picked sticks out of the ditch where we mow outside the gate. About 4:00 PM I drove us all to Krause’s Circle and Strawberry lake Trailhead. It was a very bumpy ride, with large potholes. But we enjoyed it! We got home about 6 PM. Supper was cheese and crackers and berries.

One of my favorite plant to see in Montana

Ferns

Big Leaves

A bridge over the creek at Strawberry Lake Trailhead

Beautiful views from the higher elevations.

Sun is down (wish I could paint)

Moon through the trees.

29-Tue-We completed our chores and walk. The we did some weed eating. I paid some bills and ordered our great grandaughter some birthday presents. Steve worked on cleaning the pickup seats. I fixed turkey sausage, potatoes and berries for supper. 

This makes us a little nervous- Kid in rolling walker and Dad over there fishing.

Lots of Kayakers

I can't stop taking these pictures.

30-Wed-Today was another routine day. We sat outside and then had lunch. Kelly was here today. Before supper i colored my hair. Supper was cube steak, beans, berries. 

10:45 PM Moon!

31-Thu-After we had breakfast, we called our granddaughter Austyn to wish her a Happy Birthday! Then we walked and did the chores. We left for Walmart at 9:30. The first order of business was gassing the pickup and going through the car wash. Then we went through Walmart and got home about 12:30.We put the groceries away and had lunch. Then we rested a bit. It was 89° at 4:30 PM. Supper was sloppy joes and berries.

July 1- 15, 2025 Happy 4th of July and More!

1- Tue-Today we were up about 8 or 8:30. After having breakfast and getting dressed we took our walk. Then we did the chores. We sat outside and enjoyed the morning til about 11:00. Kelly, the seasonal worker was here from 11 -1. We visited with her and then went inside for our late lunch. I talked to Hazel about our mail. I had also talked to the VA Pharmacy today. I have to make sure Steve’s medications are being mailed. It was 88° at 6:45.

2-Wed-We got up about 7:30 this morning. We did all the routine things. We left for Walmart about 9:00 AM. We have learned to go early if we can get around. The store is less crowded. Also it is supposed to get hot this afternoon. On our way to Kalispell, we hauled off our trash. We were home by about 11 AM and put away all our stuff. We are ready for the holiday week-end. After lunch we stayed inside and watched TV. We did monitor the parking lot from time to time. It got up to 90° about 4 PM. For supper we had Chicken, Romaine lettuce and chips. We ate berries after supper. We got a little rain storm with a few hail pellets about 7:30 PM.

3-Thu-We were up about 7 this morning. We did our usual stuff, breakfast, dress, make bed and walk. Then I did the bathroom while Steve started weed eating. I helped weed eat a little after the chores. We checked the north beach on the DNRC side for trash.We monitored the lot and bathroom. Supper was hamburgers, corn on the cob, romaine lettuce and berries.

Steve's contraption to keep people out of our area.

4-Fri-Happy Fourth of July! We were up about 8:15. We did all the usual things. We stayed outside and listened to music this morning. We had our lunch and then sat outside from 2 - 3. Kelly was here 3-4 PM. We did monitor the lot. It rained this evening.

Poopsie is still relaxing. She is the princess! or Queen!

These are some boats scurrying back to to dock about 1:30 when the wind came up and a little storm.

Here is Kelly - Our seasonal worker. She has a You Tube Channel-Moose Paddling

This is weird - It's about 6:00 PM on July 4th and the storm made everyone leave (I guess?) 

5-Sat-We got up and had breakfast. It rained! So we stayed inside til about noon. Then we putzed around. We even took the dogs for a drive. We did not have very many people here today. We watched Longmire, part of the day. We had chicken, rice, mixed vegetables and berries for supper. I was worried about this holiday week-end, but so far it has not been bad at all. 

It's a beautiful night (10:30 PM)

6-Sun-We were up at 8:15. We did all the usual things. Then sat outside from 10-noon while Kelly was here. It was not too hot today. We kept an eye on the parking lot and monitored the action to make sure everyone was behaving. 

7-Mon-We got up lat this morning . We checked the bathroom and took a short walk. Then we loaded the trash and the laundry and headed into town. We finished our laundry and stopped by Harvest Foods for a few groceries. We were home by 1:15 and had lunch. then we relaxed, a nap might have been taken. Sara donated two life jackets to our fishing access site. Supper was ham, eggs and toast. 

These little flowers are so delicate.

8-Tue-We did all the routine things today. Steve dumped our black and gray tank. Then he was up on the roof to check the vent for the toilet. Kelly was here from 11- 12:45. We had lunch after Kelly left. I talked to Marsha. Then we took it easy and monitored the parking lot. Supper was cube steak, baked beans and berries. 

9-Wed-We were up at 7:45. We had breakfast and dressed. Then we checked the bathroom and took a short walk. We left for Walmart at 9:30 AM. The trip to Walmart is better if you go earlier in the day. We were back by noon and put our stuff away. Then we had lunch. We relaxed a while. Tony Powell was here from 2:30-3:00 PM. We watched TV and putzed later. Supper was turkey kielbasa, home fries and berries. 

10-Thu-We were up at 8:00 and had breakfast. We got ready and checked the bathroom.Then we took a walk and did the chores. There was no one in the parking lot when we got up. That is nothing short of a miracle. After lunch we went to town to mail a check to our yard guy. Then we had a nice drive up Crane Mountain Road. Supper was turkey burgers, chips and berries.

An empty parking lot at Echo Lake Fishing Access site is a rare site. This was taken about 9:00 AM.

The Osprey on its nest.

Steve is doing some figuring.

Pictures from our drive up Crane Mountain.

11-Fri-Up at 8 ish. We did all the routine things. It was a beautiful day and we sat outside to 12:30 or so. We went inside to have lunch and then it was back outside. We monitored our parking lot every hour. There were quite a few people here.

I just had to include this picture, since we deal with an outdoor toilet.

12-Sat-Up at 8:00 and then we had breakfast and completed our walk. Next we did our chores. We sat outside on the hill to make sure people knew where to park, and then had lunch. The boat volunteers were here today. We had lot of people here today- no nap. It was 88° at 5:30 PM. Supper was chicken, rice mixed vegetables and berries.  

13-Sun-We did all the routine things this morning. Kelly was here from 10:30 to 1;00 and we sat outside. It was hot. There were lots of folks here today. A few boat volunteers were here and I visited with them also. 

Some guy came to the RV door and knocked. He said he hit a trailer getting out of his parking spot, but he put a note on the guy's pickup to let him know. He wanted to let us know also even thought it was outside the gate. 

Sun going down about 8:50 PM

14-Mon-After we got dressed we walked up on the loop. Then we completed our chores. We also hauled our trash and went to Sliter’s Lumber. We bought some lumber to make us a sitting deck by our fire pit. We also made a stop at Harvest Foods. I picked up their wonderful chicken strips for us to have at lunch. After lunch we worked on the deck project from 1 - 3 and then 4- 5. We also went back to Sliter’s for more furring strips. For supper we ate cheese and crackers followed by berries. Our electricity went off about 8 PM- so we fired up the generator. It got to 90° by 5:30 PM. 

This is me!

This is for sale! Boat in back for summer and snowplow in front for winter!

15-Tue-We got up and discovered that its raining. So we watched TV, a day of reruns. We like to watch The Closer, Major Crimes, Gunsmoke, and Andy Griffith. I made chili for lunch. The rain finally let up and we walked the dogs and checked on our chores. Supper was chili nachos and berries for dessert.