July 1 - 15, 2023 Happy Independence Day! And More

July 1 - Saturday - It is the beginning of July 4th week-end! WooHoo, Here we go! After doing our routine things, Steve sprayed some weeds. We sat outside and enjoyed the morning. Tony Powell came and brought an orange Life Ring -which he and Steve mounted on a post down by the fence. He also left a stepladder and some stain for painting the life jacket sign. There were 352 cars through this place today!

July 2 - Sunday - We did all our routine things this morning and took the dogs along for a ride to haul off our trash. Today was pretty crazy. I monitored the dock and also had a pickup move in the East end of the parking lot. There were 417 cars through the area today. 

Look at this cute truck that showed up late today.

Another impressive boat!

July 3 - Monday-Today we watched everyone closely. Steve fixed a cabinet in the RV and I paid some bills. Later we went to town and had Rosa’s Pizza and stopped at the store.  There were 294 cars through our gate today. 

I got these pictures from Kristi today. Logan and his girlfriend are having a baby and this was from their shower.

Kristi and Logan - He is off to basic training for the Army National Guard at Fort Moore Georgia.

July 4 - Tuesday - For our lunch we ate leftover Pizza. We called John and wished him a Happy Birthday. We washed some black spots off our RV sunshade. Sydney came by about 1:30 and then Tony was here about 2 or 2:30 and stayed about and hour. He wants us to talk to people about an hour on the weekends when we are busy. Mainly to remind them about the parking and not to park on the side of the road with the no parking signs. We need room out on the access road for an emergency vehicle to get through if one is needed. He also talked to that kid that is diving for trash and ended up saying that kid is a smart alec. In other interesting news: I saw a lady change from swimsuit to clothes behind her towel. Some kids on mini motor bikes were here -had to warn them about their safety. 75° at 6:45 PM. 

The only 4th of July pictures I got.

July 5 - Wednesday - Some idiot was in the parking lot with a UHaul trailer and had all his clothing and bedding etc. spread out all over. We had to have a talk with him and asked him to get that cleared out, he was taking up a lot of space and also it looked bad.We drug the hose over to clean the bathroom as it was extra messy. Then we were off to town to haul off the trash and get a wire brush. Tony P called. We explained that a taller ladder is needed to paint the signs. We painted what we could reach. I helped Steve with the lower parts. We were kind of tired and so took a short nap. 

This guy took from 6:30 to 11:30 to get this mess cleaned up, loaded and out of here!

My husband being the King of the RV!

July 6 - Thursday - Tony P came here about 11 AM while were picking up trash in the parking lot. He checked our sign and we showed him the rock in the parking lot that had been moved. He took the stepladder back to the office. We went to Walmart after he left and got home about 2:30. We had a late lunch and relaxed. About 4:45 PM there was a disturbance in the east end of the parking lot. We ended up calling 911 but the guy being the disturbance left and we did not need the sheriff to come out. I wrote up a report to email to the boss. There were people in the parking lot who were very happy to give me their names and phone numbers to include in the report. This experience was a first!

Blue Cow Car Wash in Kalispell. I have been wanting to get this picture for awhile.

Poor parking!

I guess I was not impressed with this guy having a pickup bed full of trash!

Beautiful Sunset Pictures

 

July 7 - Friday - Today was calmer and we sat outside with the dogs. Also I walked the north beach and picked up trash. Steve adjusted the awning and we tidied up the shed. We went to town to pick up our mail package. The new rubber feet for our step came in and Steve put them on. 

Flowers that I see when picking up trash! I love to take pictures of flowers.

A Unicorn float!

These people are ready to have a great gathering.
 

July 8 - Saturday - Tony P was here about 11:45. He put up a sign about  the new requirement for a conservation license. To recreate on Montana FWP sites, DNRC places and other state trust land - people will now be required to get a conservation license. It costs only $10. This year they are educating people, next year is enforcement. He gave us card to hand out to people coming in. So he stayed about an hour then left. We had a little trouble at the dock and handicapped parking place. Some people are just a mess. Later two dirt bikes came through - they make me mad because they drive through fast and tear stuff up.  

July 9 - Sunday-We sat on the hill at the entrance from 10:45 to 1:15 handing out educational cards about the conservation license. Then we had lunch and some volunteers came to talk to people about the invasive species. Sydney drove through but didn’t hang out long. At 4:45 it was 92°. This   is to let you know that it does get hot in Montana. But the mornings and evenings are cool. 

July 10 - Monday - Routine day with rain in the evening.

July 11 - Tuesday - There was light rain when we got up. We gathered up the laundry and trash. On our way to the laundry we dumped the trash and then went to the laundry to wash our clothes. Today we had lunch at the Mexican place next to the Laundry. They charged Steve for his refill of Diet Coke. We probably won’t return there. They also don’t give you a refill on chips. We went back to the RV and put away our clothes. It was overcast all day and there weren’t too many people here.

It's a deer!

July 12 -Wednesday - Tony and Sydney were here today and finished painting the sign with a taller ladder. He wants us to tear out part of the fence between the access site and DNRC land.  He dismantled the corner part by cutting down the posts.

July 13 - Thursday- Today I went to town for a hair cut. Steve and I had lunch at the Grateful Bread. We both ordered Quiche, and it was good - but maybe not as good as we have had in past years. We also picked up a few groceries. At home we relaxed and I had a nap. Then we were totally surprised  because Kristi and Austyn showed up about 5:30 PM. They drove all the way up here and it was a true surprise!  So we all went to town and ate at Rosa’s Pizza. Then we visited. 

New Hairdo

July 14 - Friday - Kristi and Austyn had a mission to scatter Kristi’s mom’s ashes. So we did our routine things while they attended to that. Steve and I took down the fence. We just ate snacks for lunch. Then Kristi, Austyn and I went to Hungry Horse to the Huckleberry Patch and got back home about 4:00 PM. We enjoyed the drive and a little shopping. I had some yummy Huckleberry Ice Cream and got some fudge to bring home. Tonight we went to town and had great burgers and fries at Burger Town.

Squirrel!

Austyn with her new sweatshirt (b-day present)

July 15 - Saturday - Today we monitored the gate an hour and also the parking lot another hour. It was busy and required our attention. The girls were able to swim some today. We all went to town and ate supper at Split Rock Cafe. It was good. 

Austyn is swimming

Another parking lot mess - This guy knocked out someone's trailer light when he backed up! Another incident I had to make a report about. 

Jun 16 -30, 2023 The Activities at Echo Lake

June 16- Friday - We have a morning routine we follow, which includes breakfast, making the bed and walking the dogs. Then we do our chores. Today we also did some weed eating. The mornings are lovely here and so we usually sit outside and listen to the Ospreys or other birds. 

June 17 - Saturday - We  had rain overnight and part of the day. Steve and I played a couple of games of cards. Before supper we had a nice little fire and listened to music. Later we watched Longmire. 

Campfire

Pink Rock - I saw it on my walk

June 18 - Sunday - It was 57° this morning when we got up. So we were up late, about 9 AM. Then we did our routine  chores. Sydney came by about 11:15 AM. Later we hauled off the trash and went to the store for groceries. I took a nap and read my book during part of the afternoon. 

My husband had me take this picture. When you do not have a windshield wiper -improvise- use a rag!

June 19 -Monday - Another Monday has rolled around. I talked to Linda this morning and also my sisters Pam and Marsha. We did our chores and Tony P came by about noon.  Steve was having trouble with his back and I put the TENS unit on him. We also went to town to pick up mail and found out  that they were closed (Juneteenth is a Federal Holiday)! So we returned to the RV. 

This guy is in a Flathead County Truck. He is sucking water out of the lake to mix with a chemical they put on the dirt roads to keep the dust under control. I checked with our boss and he said it is OK. So these are a few of the odd things we see and I try to document them with pictures. 

June 20 - Tuesday - Today’s highlight was hauling the trash to the container site and returning to the post office. We got our package from Hazel (she sends us our mail) and also washed the pickup. I am pretty sure there was a stop at the grocery store also.

June 21 - Wednesday- We woke up to a chilly 45° today. So we started out a little slow. It warmed up some and we sat outside. After lunch Sydney brought us a case of toilet paper, and a sign to post that says NO Fireworks. This is a day use area and they do not allow camping, fires, or fireworks here.  Supper was chili tonight. 

This picture was taken at 10:45 AM. I was at the end of the dock looking north. Beautiful views out here!

Just barely getting dark at 10:33 PM. 

June 22- Thursday - Today got interesting. Some people were here and trying to launch their boat. The backing up part was not going good. So they were going to circle and come back into the chute area. As they were rounding the corner, they turned too sharp and got the boat trailer hung up on the rocks. Not the first time we have seen trouble at the rocks in the east corner of the parking lot. Well, it was a rental boat, so those people came and got the boat and trailer off the rocks and launched the boat. Then they took the boat trailer to their shop to fix.This is going to cost that customer more than the $60 fee to have the boat rental company launch the boat for you. We did some mowing today after Steve sharpened the mower blades. A little excitement today! 

Buster is on guard duty!

Middle picture is the boat trail hung up on the rocks with a broken or bent axle. The third picture is the lady who did the deed.

June 23 - Friday -Well today was more of the same, we did the chores and some mowing. We visited with the boss some while he ate his lunch (which I heated up for him). Also today  the dust control people were here. We thought they didn’t put the magnesium chloride down on the incoming road - so we chased him up the road (La Brant) and he said - “I’m not done, I am coming back through.” OK, good deal. 

This is why the curb stops get moved around! Some people don't park too good. 

June 24 - Saturday- After doing the routine things we hauled the trash and went to Sliters. We also went by the post office and drove through the car wash with the pickup. And since we were in town, we made a little stop at the grocery store. Maybe we eat too much. The boss called to check on us and we told him all was fine here. Supper was Taco Salad and Berries. 

Another deer!

June 25 - Sunday -  After completing our routine items, Steve sprayed some weeds and I picked up trash on the beach area (it’s not a sand beach, all rocks). We are starting to get busy because there were 15 cars outside the gate. 

Flower - Purple

Fire!

June 26 -Monday - Today we were up a little late. But we completed our routine and gathered up the laundry. We also hauled off the trash and stopped at Sliters. We got back to the RV at 2 PM when we relaxed and had our lunch. 

June 27 - Tuesday - Today’s highlight was going to Kalispell. We went to Blue Dog RV for a part (for the toilet - foot pedal), then to Target and Walmart. We also went to Ace Hardware to buy a can crusher. We ate lunch later after we got home. Steve fixed the toilet and put screens on the refrigerator vent to keep wasps out. All this shopping wore me out. I took a short nap. We did have a nice fire tonight. 

Canola Fields and Blue Sky on the way to Kalispell

Sky at 9:20 PM - So lovely!

June 28 - Wednesday - After the chores, we cleaned up the outgoing road. Somebody had made a mess over there. We also placed a bicycle flag at the corner where people run over the rocks. We have done this before and the flag got broken and then stolen. Maybe this time we will have better luck with it. Steve also fixed the awning (it was squeaking) and a hinge on one of the cabinet doors.

June 29 - Thursday- Pretty routine stuff today. Tony P. was here about noon. He told us about this new conservation license that people need to buy to recreate on Montana State Lands. It costs $10. As far as I know the purpose is to help keep up these fishing access sites and who knows what else. This year they are educating people on it and next year it will be enforced. He had a Life Ring and mounted it down near the beach. Steve tightened bolts on the Lifejacket sign, and we put a rock back in place. I monitored the dock 3-4 times.

June 30 - Friday- Today it got up to 87° by 5:30 PM. Steve did some weed eating. Tony P was by here about 1:00 PM. I monitored the dock. There was a dirt bike through here and that is OK unless they drive bad! I had a discussion with some kid who was diving off the dock - supposedly getting out trash  from the lake. But he was kind of a smart alec. Anyway I could not get him to stop so I left it alone. We did drive to town for a few odds and ends at the grocery store.

A few of the pretty boats!

We see the moon coming up over the mountains at 10:25 PM