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

June 1 - 15, 2025 Doing Our Summer Volunteer Duties

1-Sun-Well it was good to be back to the RV and my normal routine. We sat outside this morning after doing our chores. We discovered that a squirrel (or some other varmint) had chewed up the seat in one of our director chairs. Kelly (the seasonal worker) came by and visited. Then we ate cheese and crackers for lunch. Water is over the dock so our boss will have to pull it out when he is here next. Some people cannot wait to get their boat on the lake. We saw a pontoon boat on a trailer and one tire was missing, so the back axle was tied up with a strap. Got to love human ingenuity! On Sundays I get our medications in order for the week. I made turkey bacon, eggs and toast for supper.

When you want to go to the lake - go ahead and tie up your axle! LOL

The dock is underwater. Will call the boss so he can pull it out.

Dock under water

We think a squirrel chewed up my chair

Wild roses we see on our walk.

2-Mon-We did all our regular chores and then did weed eating around the big rocks in the parking lot. Tony Powell was here and had me sign some paperwork. He was in a hurry so we didn’t visit much today. I made chili for supper.

We found a carton of eggs in the parking lot. Nope - we did not eat them!

3-Tue-We were up at 7:45 this morning. We did our chores and walked the dogs. Steve worked 45 minutes trying to get the old mower started. He finally got it going. So we mowed down in the parking lot. After that we sat outside with the dogs. Tony and Kelly got here about 11:30 and pulled the dock out. We made chili nachos out of our leftovers. Later I worked on bills and the blog. Steve worked on the gas heater. Of course he cut his finger and I had to bandage it up for him. The people came out and put on the chemical for dust abatement. We did rest later, because we were tired. 

4-Wed-We got up about 7 this morning. Marsha called me, she is still concerned about the extra charge on the Budget car rental. It was cool and we did not go outside until about 10 AM.  We hauled off the trash to the container site and went to town for a few groceries at Harvest Foods. After lunch my sister, Marsha called again,Tony’s (her husband) surgery is tomorrow. We checked the parking lot. Tony Powell (our boss) called us about 6:30, I told him thank you for giving us a park pass. He had given it to Steve when I was gone and Steve just found it and remembered to show me tonight. Supper was Chicken, Salad, chips and berries.

5-Thu-We were up at 7 AM again this morning. We did our chores and walked this morning. Then we made sure the dogs got their business done outside. We got around and went to Walmart. We were home before noon. When we got back the kids from the nearby school were here. They rode their bikes, but did not do kayaking this year. We put our stuff away and sat outside after lunch. I talked to my sister and Tony (her husband) is doing well after his knee replacement surgery. 

Flowers

 

6-Fri-We did all the routine things this morning. We also did more weed eating in the parking lot and outgoing road. Sydney (last year’s seasonal worker) came by and picked up the free bikes we snagged for her. It was nice to visit with her. Steve worked on the lawnmower blade. Sean (FWP maintenance manager) came by to check the dust control job. Kelly came by around 2 PM. After she left we went to town to get the mail package. We talked to Kristi this evening.

7-Sat-We completed our morning routines and monitored the lot. After lunch we sat outside on the hill from 1:30 to 2:30 to make sure people know about parking outside the gate. They aren’t supposed to park on the side with the No Parking Signs. You would think that would be clear, but evidently , people do not read or mind signs. We also monitored the parking lot every hour. There were lots of folks here today.

Not sure what this is but it came floating up.

Big pontoon boat

Another picture of the wooden floating thing (possibly an old dock)

Ospreys in their nest

The children have decided to use the wood thing to hang out on

A view of the shoreline with our visitors

Moonrise at 10:31 PM

8-Sun-It was a routine morning. We sat outside with Kelly for quite awhile. We monitored the parking lot frequently and sat on the hill to educate people about parking.

This is the house we see on our daily walk. They started it last year and now it is almost finished.

Flowers

9-Mon-We did all our routine morning things today. We also had to drag the hose over to the bathroom - because it was a little extra messy. We monitored the parking lot and noticed some  cars were on the wrong side of the road. Sometimes people just won’t follow rules. We hauled off the trash. Later someone turned in a phone. Our supper was turkey kielbasa, potatoes and berries. About 10 PM the phone that was turned in rang. So the owner will come and get it tomorrow. Yea!

10-Tue-Guess who showed up at 6:30 AM? The girl came early to pick up her lost phone. We completed our chores and gathered up the laundry. We completed our laundry in 2.5 hours. Then we stopped at the grocery store. Tony P. was here today. Kristi called and wanted to borrow my car. Later Steve talked to her to get her through starting the car. She had to re-connect the battery and use the charger. So they needed Steve’s expert help. There was a thunderstorm about 1:15 to 2:00 PM. Today was busy!  We had breakfast foods for supper.

Sun starting to set at 9:30 PM

11-Wed-We were up at 7:30. We completed the routine things. Then Steve mowed and I did the bathroom and picked up the trash. We finished about 11 AM. Kelly was here. We had a late lunch. Then watched TV and took a nap. We were surprised later. The maintenance man, Sean brought us a brand NEW lawnmower. That made us so happy. Supper was a hamburger, home fries and diet pudding. 

12-Thu-We were up at 7:30. It rained until 9:30. When it stopped we completed our chores. After putzing around we headed to Kalispell and went to Bish’s RV and Walmart. Then it was back home to unload our supplies and relax. Supper was Chicken, Corn on the cob, salad and berries.

13-Fri-Today was a routine day. We did our chores and walked. We monitored the site. Then it was more putzing around.

We watched this boy catch his fish and then throw it back. He was excited!

14-Sat-I was up in the middle of the night with Poopsie (our dachshund). She had a tummy ache. It rained overnight. We got up and around about 8:45. Then made our bed and walked. We did our chores and more weed eating and lawn mowing. We monitored the site. The game warden was here about 5 ish. Supper was turkey bacon, eggs, toast and berries.

I love this flower. I think it is fireweed.

Steve is loving this new lawnmower!

15-Sun-We got up about 9 AM this morning. Kelly was here. She replaced a post for a sign. We did our chores and worked on the pickup sun visor. We sat up on the hill about an hour and a half. Monitored the lot. Supper was Pork loin chop, beans, berries.

We took our pickup into the lot, I guess we had the mower & weed eater in it to do a little more work on the grass.

The beautiful flower I love. I think it is amazing that it grows right out of the rocks.