June 1- 15, 2026 Getting Into the Swing of Things Here at Echo Lake

1-Mon-We were up at 7:30. After eating breakfast and getting dressed, we walked the dogs around the circle. Next we left for Walmart about 9:20. On our way we saw four deer. Kelly dropped off several life jackets for our loaner program. We got back to the RV by 12:15. We unloaded everything and then watched TV. We rested and relaxed most of the rest of the day. Supper was chicken soup, crackers and berries. 

2-Tue-We were up at 8:00. We did our chores then put out cones by the rocks in the parking lot on the outbound road. People have a tendency to cut the corner short and have problems at the rocks. Kelly was here and then Tony came down. He cut the tree that was blocking Echo Lake Loop Road. I think he wanted out of the office. Steve installed the battery disconnect in the pickup. We put out nine new life jackets. Supper was leftover soup.

Wild Flowers

Tony, left and Kelly. Tony cut that tree out of the road.

Wildflowers

Loaner Lifejackets

3-Wed-We were up about 8:00 today. We did our usual routine. Sydney and Seth were here - they sprayed for weeds. The game warden came out and put the buoy out in the lake for the no wake zone. Steve put jack stands under the RV. We also did weed eating in the morning. We finished our stuff and watched TV and rested. I talked to my sister a long time today. We had hamburgers, french fries and berries for supper. 

4-Thu-We were up at 8:00 this morning. We just walked around the parking lot circle this morning. Steve was waiting for a tele-health visit regarding his back procedure. When that was over, we did weed eating. Next was lunch and relaxation time. Later we hauled off the trash and bought some flowers to put in a pot. Supper was pizza and berries. 

The flower arrangement we made

5-Fri-Another routine day. We had breakfast, did our walk and chores. After eating leftover pizza for lunch we mowed and did some weed eating. 

Wild Roses

6-Sat-We were up about 8:00 AM. We did the chores. Our parking lot was full at 9:30 AM. There was also about 9 cars parked outside the gate. We did make a run to town to haul off the trash. Then we had to go to Sliter's, the UPS store and grocery store. We got back to the RV and Steve installed the headlight switch in the RV. We watched some TV and relaxed. The dust control people were here and put down more chemical for that. Supper was chicken , home fries, romaine lettuce and berries. 

The parking lot is full

More dust control was applied!

Geese

7-Sun-It was pretty routine day here. It rained a lot. We even had some small hail. The temperature was 46-50°, Weather like this does not lend itself to boating, so we were not too busy today. Kelly was here part of the afternoon. Today was my sister Nancy’s heavenly birthday. She would have been 76. She passed away in 2018 unexpectedly. I still miss her. 

For supper I made turkey bacon, eggs, sourdough toast and berries. 

Sundown

8-Mon-It was about 8:30 when I got up today. We did all the regular things. We were sitting inside the RV and a grader and truck from Flathead County pulled into the parking lot. I went to check them out and found they were just taking a break. We left about 11 and hauled off the trash. Then we went on to Kalispell to shop at Tractor Supply ( overalls for Steve) and Dunham Sporting Goods store. We also went to Walmart for supplies. We got home and put away our stuff. Then we had a snack and relaxed. I might have taken a short nap. For supper I fixed Hamburger Helper. 

Flathead County Equipment

Osprey 

Wild Roses

More Wildflowers

9-Tue-We were up and had our breakfast about 8:30. We watched TV til 11ish. It was chilly and rainy today. We checked the bathroom and it was fine. I worked on my blog and we watched TV. Supper was leftover.

10-Wed-We got up about 8:45 today. It was chilly and rainy. We got dressed and got the dogs outside. Then we gathered up the laundry and went to town. We were back to the RV by 1:00. We put away the laundry and had some lunch. We walked the dogs again. For supper I fixed grilled chicken, corn, salad and berries. 

Water is over the dock.

Deer

11-Thu-I got up late today about 9:15. Steve was up at 7:00. We completed our routine morning tasks and took a short walk. Kelly was here and stayed almost two hours. We had a snack and Tony showed up about 30 minutes after Kelly left. He pulled out the dock and left us some 4x4 posts. Steve is going to use them to build steps down to the lake from our site. Supper was turkey kielbasa, home fries, and berries for dessert.

 

It's so pretty out here!

12-Fri-It was a sunny morning and the afternoon was overcast. Steve and I walked around the loop after breakfast. Marsha (my sister in NJ) had an EGD and there was no need for dilation of her esophagus. We did our chores and mowed and weed eated out on the road. After lunch it was overcast and breezy. It rained some. The temperature was 59°. The electricity was out for about 45 minutes this evening. We were glad it came back on quickly! We had cube steak, potatoes, salad and berries for supper.

13-Sat-We completed our morning ritual. After checking the bathroom we walked the loop. Then we sat outside for a bit with the dogs. The mornings here are pretty peaceful. We did some more weed eating by the side of the road. Then Steve sawed down a big brushy plant by the sign. We finished by 11:45. Steve worked on the window shade by the couch. Supper was turkey bacon, eggs, toast, berries.

14-Sun-Well today was pretty much a repeat of yesterday. We trimmed more weeds and Steve took down another big bushy weed on the DNRC side. About 2:30 there was a boat jam out in the parking lot. They finally got unjammed and got on their way. Supper was a turkey burger, rice and mixed vegetables. 

15-Mon-We got up at 7:45. We completed all our chores. Then we loaded the trash and hauled if off. We also went to the post office. The next stop was Walmart and we were back home by 1:15. We put away all our stuff and had a snack. The rest of the day was a bust. Supper was Hamburgers, Ranch Style Beans, salad and berries.

View of the mountains from the trash container site

Sunset at Echo Lake

May 16- 31, 2024 Starting off the Season at Echo Lake Montana

16-Thu-After we did all the usual things, we just hung out. It was windy today, which is unusual most of the time here. Sydney came by and stayed about 30 minutes. We had our lunch and then watched TV. I did some work on the computer. Later we walked the dogs around he parking lot. We don’t do this unless few people are here because our dogs are not social.

17-Fri-Another routine morning. It was wind and it rained on us a little during our walk. Steve thought he saw two (2) snowflakes. Then we completed Steve’s genius idea of putting this strong tape down on the bed foam and mattress pad to keep them from shifting so much. Some of these things drive him crazy, me I don’t notice much. We had lunch and Tony P was here. He had me sign a paper for the volunteer stipend money. We get $25/week this year. It is a stipend, no taxes. This is the first year for this here. We just hung out and took it easy because it was windy, and chilly with rain off and on.

10:00 PM Sundown

18-Sat-After the morning routine we did some weed eating in the east corner of the parking lot and the triangle at the top of the road. Steve worked on trying to fill the holes in the road where the trailer hit the shed and then dug into the road to get out. Next we were just relaxing and watching some TV. I made Chili for supper, Yum!

Tiny Yellow Flowers

These boys circled the parking lot. They are skateboards with motors and one wheel

Wild turkeys

19-Sun-We got up at 9 this morning it was 41, yikes! That’s a little too cold. So we stayed in until it warmed up the  we walked. I did fix my hair and we went to town to haul off the trash  and go to the grocery store. Our luck was chili nachos, which were yummy! I talked to Marsha and did some other routine chores. Supper was soup. When it is cold/chilly I love to make soup or chili. 

Deer

I sent this pic to our boss. I had on my long underwear. I told him we call this winter in Oklahoma.

Swans swimming by the causeway

Moonrise

20-Mon-We were up at 8AM and it was 41° again. So we relaxed awhile before we took our walk and completed the chores. Later we put up our perimeter rope to keep people out of our site. Sometimes it works, and sometimes they come through anyway. But not many do that. A guy wanted to know if we had diesel I said not. We offered to give him a ride to the gas station but he said he was OK. Then we dumped our tanks and putzed.

21-Tue-Today we were not busy. We went to town and did laundry after lunch. We were home by 3 PM. Then it was rest and TV. Supper was sloppy joes and chips. 

This is our view as we cross the causeway. There are three swans if you look hard.

22-Wed-Today it rained most of the day. After breakfast, I returned to bed and finished reading a book. Then it was hang out and do a few short walks for the dogs. When it is raining too much they don’t like to go out. So we put out the awning for them. Poopsie sometimes goes under the RV to do her business. She figured that out all on her own. 

23-Thu-It was a beautiful sunny morning. We did all the morning routines, like breakfast, make the bed, dress, walk and chores. Then we gathered the trash up and headed to Walmart at Kalispell. They have container sites here  (so bears can’t get the trash) that have 6 four chain link fences around them with barbed wire. So we drop our trash off there when headed that way. We got him and had lunch. The trip to Walmart and unloading the groceries is tiring. Later we watched TV. It rained the afternoon and evening. Supper was cheese and crackers and berries. We love Tilamook cheese and you can alway find it here in Montana.

24-Fri-It was raining most of last night and this morning. After breakfast we watched TV and listened to the rain. we didn’t get dressed until about noon. We walked the dogs and checked the bathroom. It was all good. Later we went to Bigfork to get paint for the trim board and gas for the mower. I also bought some flowers and a bucket to plant them in. I really like having some flowers to take care of while we are here. 

There used to be a huge tree here. It needed cut down. So they carved a goat on top of the stump.

Our pretty scenery

25-Sat-Well it was raining again this morning. It did get sunny about 11 AM. so we did not hurry to get around. We straightened out the speed bump, fixed the one way sign and Steve worked on the potholes in the road a little more. If you don’t know, May and June are usually pretty rainy. But sometimes it is very light rain, like mist and sometimes it gives away to sun.

26-Sun-Again another chilly rainy day. We did our usual routine and then stayed inside most of the day. We did venture into town to the Dairy Queen where we got chicken strip baskets and ice cream. The dogs joined us and took part in the supper. 

A pickup with a kayak in the back almost hit the sign when he backed in to park!

27-Mon-Well it’s Memorial Day! We did all the usual things. Then we noticed a pickup parked taking up lots of space, we we put a note on it to see the camp host. I watched the parking lot from 10:30 to 12:30. Steve painted the trim board that goes on the shed and made a stand for a no parking sign. We monitored the happenings. I was able to talk to the guy who parked wrong. He was older and said it was his first time here. I explained we would get busy and he needs to park in the boat trailer parking. He was agreeable and did not cause a problem.

This is the guy who took up a bunch of parking places.

My flowers I potted.

28-Tue-We were up at 8:30 or so. After breakfast we took a short walk. Steve gave the trim boards another coat of paint. I finished the chores and then we had lunch. Later we did wed eating around the rocks in the parking lot. Steve got the trim board nailed on and it looks great! About 7:45 PM we had a thunderstorm with wind! 

Flowers - Lupine I think

Trim on shed replaced! It looks great!

29-Wed-Another cool, slightly windy day. We did a shorter walk today and completed the chores. I called the boss to let him know we would be headed to Kalispell. We went to Lowes and Walmart. When we got home we put away the groceries and had lunch.Then we took the dogs on a drive. Later I listened to the Glacier Book Club.

As the water comes up in the lake it goes over the dock. Then we let our boss know and he comes and pulls it out.

The no parking sign mad by Steve to replace the one Tony borrowed.

30-Thu-It was a routine morning. It was breezy and cool. We put up a good smelling scent thing in the outdoor bathroom. Most of the day we were inside because it was cool and breezy. Of course I had a nap. I made chili again for supper. It is an easy thing for me to make and it’s always good. 

31-Fri-After we finished our walk Steve tweaked his back. So I did the bathroom chores and parking lot pickup myself. He used heat and ice to try to make it feel better. We also put out the life jackets.