June 27 - July 10, 2022 Summer is Here and We are Busy!

 Monday (Jun 27) We started the week out with a trip to Walmart after we did all the routine things. On Tuesday (28), Steve did weed eating after all our routine things were done. Then he cleaned out the back of the pickup and an RV Bin. Our excitement today was running off two kids on mini dirt bikes. They are not allowed to ride through the access site on them. Plus they were not being safe! They asked about returning on their regular bikes and I said that would be ok. Then two other kids on the mini dirt bikes came through. Steve and I stopped them and as we had them stopped a Deputy sheriff who was out here fishing stopped and flashed his badge at the kids and told them they could not ride them here.  Boy were we glad to have his support! Some guys from FWP (Fish Wildlife & Parks) were here studying the fish. We let them do their thing! Also the dust control truck came through today. It was an eventful day. Wednesday (29) we woke up and it was cool - so we stayed in bed a little longer. We did more mowing and weed eating today. Later we drove to town to mail a check to Stetson for our yard mowing and a birthday card to John. I listened to the Glacier Conservancy Zoom meeting on Historical Lookouts this evening. The high today was 65 degrees! 

Thursday (30) Today everything was pretty routine. There were some guys here who unloaded a dock system. We took a couple of pictures, but didn't bother the boss because there is really no game warden assigned here who can check them out. We did go to town and eat at Burgertown. 

Dock Systems

Grass after being mowed. It looks great! Like a park.

Friday (Jul 1) And it is here! The 4th of July Weekend! The people started showing up big time about 7:00 PM.  Saturday (2) Today I was outside a lot! Tony (our boss) was here about 2:45 or 3:00 PM. He said his eyes were opened! We are doing a good job he said. The place was packed!  There were 48 cars and pickups with trailers outside the gate! The parking lot was full also! A game warden and one in training were here about 7 PM. It was a madhouse with the parking, but most of the people behaved pretty good. 

Dock going in

A beach that is not sandy- it is rocks! But the people love it!

Sunday (3) it rained in the early morning. Today we walked and did all our chores. We also picked the north beach. We took a few minutes to go into town and  pick up stuff at the grocery store. We were back to the RV by noon. The place was packed again! The boss checked on us and we told him everything was OK. I think I got a smart remark from someone - but I try hard to let them go. 

Jul 4th pics 

Moon Shot (3rd)

Monday (Jul 4th) Happy Fourth of July! The high today was 69°! We did all our usual things and putzed around some. Tony P was here at 1:30 and pulled the dock out again. The Game Warden was here about 4:30 - 7:30 PM. He said someone called in a wake complaint. We watched some fireworks over the lake and went to bed. They have been setting off fireworks around the lake for a few days - so no big deal! Tuesday (5) The highlight of today was going to Walmart. This usually tires us out and we rested after eating lunch and putting away our stuff. There is a rodeo in Bigfork over the 4th of July weekend - we never go - because we are too busy at the Lake. We saw this great stagecoach on our way to Kalispell and we made a stop to get pictures. It just looks so pretty against that big, blue Montana sky!

Wednesday (6) We gathered up our laundry after all the chores were done. Then we went to town and finished it. After finishing the laundry we ate lunch at the Mexican place next door. We put away all our nice, clean laundry and then took a nap. Tony P called about 5 PM to check on us. We saw this very pretty Jeep pickup in the parking lot while doing chores. I talked to the lady who owned it and she said it was a wrap. I love that color!

We also took a little drive up a forest road and you can see Echo Lake and Flathead Lake from there.Thursday (7) The dogs were slow to get around this morning - so we did our chores first. Then we took them for a walk. The high today was 74° - very nice. A lot of time when we complete our walk or chores we sit outside and admire the beauty of Echo Lake. We had lunch and and Steve worked on the hinge of the RV hood. It is a little wonky. He had to use JB Weld to fix it. Our boss called and told us he is camping this week-end, starting tonight. Friday (8) Steve was up with Poopsie overnight. I am not sure how long he was awake with her. But we went back to sleep. Then we checked the bathroom and picked up the trash in the parking lot. After lunch I monitored the parking lot and dock pretty close. Saturday (9) I was outside a lot today. I monitored the parking lot and the dock. I had to run people off the dock. I stood outside and talked to Mark, one of the boat education volunteers. They educate people about invasive species. While we were chatting I happened to be looking at the chute where someone was preparing their boat to launch and saw a guy fall down flat on his back. He was about 4 feet in the air loading stuff on the boat and his foot slipped. I was so scared for him. I went to the parking lot to check on him and his wife had already called 911. Then I stayed with him and his family until the ambulance arrived. Steve walked to the stop sign to help keep the traffic away and guide the ambulance in. They had to come in on the outgoing road because the parking lot was so full! It took about 20 minutes for the ambulance to arrive from town. The man was able to move all extremities, but he was in a lot of pain. I felt really bad for all of them. I also fell down and skinned my left knee. We also had a hailstorm and that seemed to clear out the people! Today was a pretty eventful day! 

 

This is the unassuming rock I tripped on!

Sunday (9) We did  our chores and sat outside until about 1:00 PM. We had lunch and then I re-checked the bathroom and talked to the boat volunteer. Tony Powell called and I told him about the accident in the parking lot. We still had 18 outside the gate at about 6 PM. Every day that is sunny, we are BUSY! The causeway is below our parking lot about 1/4 of a mile. There were people parked from our gate all the way down here. All were enjoying the lake!

Fox

Deer

Most every morning we check our game camera and see our nightly visitors! There is usually the fox and one or more deer! FUN!

June 16 - June 26, 2022 We Have Company!

Logan, Kristi and John across the lake

June 16 -Thursday - We were up and around in good time this morning. There was a mix up on the Kayak delivery - So we got everybody around and drove to Glacier National Park. Steve took pictures of Logan for his Senior announcements. It was a beautiful day, 71 ° and mostly sunny.  After our tour and the picture taking was over we ate at the Dairy Queen in Columbia Falls. There aren’t many options for eating out when you end your evening late. On our return from Glacier - we saw a huge herd of elk. 

Gateway to Glacier NP

Lake McDonald

Krisit, Poopsie  and John

Lake McDonald 

Water over Dock

Lake McDonald

Steve & Logan 

Elk herd we saw on our way home. Called the 206 herd. 

John & Kristi

June 17 - Friday - We did all the usual things for our morning routine. The kids came out from the camp site in Wayfarer State park. Kristi cooked breakfast on the Blackstone griddle. Later they floated in inner tubes. Logan and I went into town to get some more fest maps and a few groceries. I could not for the life of me find the forest maps that I thought I brought from home. Oh well. We had sandwiches for lunch.We just relaxed during the afternoon. The kids tried to hike the Echo Broken Leg trail - but it was flooded - so that was a no go. For supper we went to Burger Town in Bigfork ! They have the best hamburgers. Some of us also got huckleberry shakes! It rained overnight!

Kayaking

Our dock is underwater

The kayaks were delivered

June 18 -Saturday- We were up at 8 AM. I texted Tony P. about the dock being under water. The kids paddled their kayaks all around the lake. Tony came down to pull the dock out. Chuck the game warden drove through = but didn’t get out of his vehicle. It was pretty busy, but there were no big problems. Supper tonight was at the Split Rock Cafe. Then we returned to the RV and had a lovely campfire and S’mores. 

Logan at the Campfire

June 19- Sunday - Today we woke up to rain. It was Father’s Day. Steve and Logan took apart Kristi’s car. It is leaking due to the rain. Logan and Kristi did some kayaking. Mainly we just hung out at the RV. Supper was Hamburgers and chips at home. 

Kristi & Logan kayaking

Steve

June 20 - Monday - It rained all day! Kristi John and Logan left at 8:30 and drove to Polebridge. Steve and I hibernated in the RV most of the day. When the got got back we all napped and stayed inside. They brought us a Huckleberry Bear Claw. It is the best! If you are ever near Glacier - do not miss the trip to Polebridge for a Huckleberry Bear Claw! It is worth the drive! The kids also went shopping at the Huckleberry Store in Hungry Horse. John bought 5 packages of Huckleberry Coffee, which he loves! Tonight’s supper was tacos!

June 21 - Tuesday - It rained this morning. We stayed in the RV until the rain let up. The rain finally stopped about 11 AM and we got the dogs out. Poopsie doesn’t feel good. I think the rainy weather makes here old joints hurt like the rest of us. Kristi and John wen to Holland Lake to hike to the falls. John proposed at the falls and Kristi accepted! So now they are officially engaged! WooHoo. Steve and Logan worked to repair the step on the RV. About 3 PM Kristi and John got back - and it started raining again. They left for the hotel and supper out. They ate at Pesca- which has some fancy food. Kristi didn’t think we would like it. I guess we aren’t sophisticated enough. She said the food was really good there. Steve and Logan finished the step. Later we took Logan for Pizza at Rosa’s!

June 22- Wednesday - It was 55 ° when we got up this morning. We did our walk and the chores. I put the TENS unit on Steve because his back was hurting. Everybody hung out this afternoon until supper. Kristi, John and Logan started getting their stuff together (packing) for the trip home. We went to Sliter’s for plumber’s putty, hauled the trash and got a Huckleberry Smoothie. That was good also! We went to the Flathead Lake Brewing Company for supper. Then we had ice cream at the RV!

Flathead Lake View from the Parking lot of the Restaurant

June 23 - Thursday - We all got up and after getting things around we walked the dogs. Then we went to town for breakfast. This morning we went to PocketStone Cafe.  It was another great meal with wonderful company. We said our good byes and see ya laters and then the kids left us to head back home. We returned to the RV. I started Poopsie on Glucosamine to see if she can start feeling better. 

Logan & Stege

Flower

John, Logan, Kristi, Mary, Steve and the Bigfork!

June 24 - Friday We were up at 8:15 and did our regular routing. It was 49 ° and cloudy when we got up. We gathered up all the laundry and went to town to complete it. Tony P was here for awhile after we got back from the laundry. He gave us some No Fireworks signs to put up. We did weed eating in the afternoon.

June 25 Saturday - We woke up to a sunny day! So after all the routine tasks, we started weed eating. We did it most of the morning. We did most of the weedeating on the road side outside the gate. Then we ate lunch and rested. Tony didn’t come down today. We had a mess at the east end of the parking lot. Today was very busy! Some days I don’t know where all these people come from.

June 26 - Sunday - We got up at 9:15. After the routine stuff I was outside a lot! It was like herding cats! I was telling people not to park on the outgoing road. We had greater than 50 vehicles outside the gate and 35 inside the parking lot. It was very BUSY! There were lot of folks here.Our dog Poopsie was doing better today.That makes us happy.