A few years ago I found a fool proof recipe for perfect Thanksgiving mashed potatoes. Here are the instructions: (1) Walk into my parents’ house with a large sack of Idaho potatoes (2) In the presence of my brother, Alan, mention that you have been asked to bring mashed potatoes to Thanksgiving dinner (3) Go outside to play football in the family Turkey Bowl. Upon re-entering the house you will find a bowl heaping with picture perfect mashed potatoes.
Now I also know the fool proof formula for an ideal family vacation. Here are the instructions to follow: (1) Hang around in the room while Greg & Shannon are planning their summer vacation (2) Look very poor and pitiful (mentioning the fact that you missed the Woodford family campout because you and your children were sick) until they invite you to join them (3) Let Shannon plan all the meals (4) Let Greg bring all the gear (5) Show up, try to help out where you can, and throughly enjoy yourself.
We spent the last week camping in Glacier National Park. Greg and Shannon rented an RV for their family and we trailed along in their car and slept in our tent. Glacier National Park is beautiful! The scenery reminded me a lot of places you see when you are backpacking. The difference is that you are driving in your car or hiking just a few miles to get there. We hiked across glaciers, explored the mountainside just feet away from wild mountain goats, saw beautiful waterfalls, made fairy houses in tree stumps, roasted marshmallows, enjoyed night time thunder storms, and got caught hiking in heavy rain and hail. I was reminded again how much I love being outdoors. Somehow keeping your spirits up and looking out for your children when hiking, even in rain and snow, is much easier than wiping up the fourth glass of spilled milk and picking up the toys for the ninetieth time. Something in nature rejuvenates you faster than life can deplete you.
The girls loved every second of playing in the dirt, sleeping in the tent, and especially playing with their cousins. It was easy to get them to sleep at night because they were so exhausted from their adventures of the day. Jane called the tent her “fancy hotel.” I would tuck her in and zip up the tent and then I would hear her little voice say, “Mom?” I would say, “What Jane Jane?” “I love you,” she would say and I would walk back to the fire a happy mommy.
Kate was a great hiker. I was carrying Jane in a pack on my back, so I couldn’t carry Kate. She held my hand or her Grandma’s hand or her cousin’s hand and bravely hiked along. After two difficult hikes on consecutive days I thought she would be ready for a change of pace. We were discussing whether we should attempt a canoe trip or something a little different and she pipped in, “I want to go hiking right now!”
One day we drove up The Road to the Sun. It is a beautiful road that climbs up a glacial valley. We hopped out of the car at almost every turn to take a picture. One of the stops was right on the edge of a hundred foot drop off. Of course, Kate and Jane went right over to the stone barrier and lay on their tummies on top of it to look down (I had a firm hold on the backs of their shirts). Just ahead of where we were stopped was a stunning waterfall and then the water continued down in a stream at the bottom of the ravine. As Jane peered over the edge she got really excited and said, “I found it! I found it! A waterfall!”
The trip was a great success. Thanks to Greg and Shannon for letting us tag along and benefit from their fastidious preparations. Thanks to Mom for helping me survive without Josh. Thanks to all the cousins for entertaining my girls. And, thanks to the mountain goats for being so obliging (next time pass the memo on to the bears).
3 comments:
Loved it - cute Kate and Jane! Now you have to take me to Glacier some time!
Incredible views! Glad you guys had such a fabulous time. Aaron actually served his mission in Montana and going to Glacier is on his bucket list. I'm going to show him all the photos so we can go sooner rather than later. Thanks!
Cool pictures. We are going to glacier in a little over two weeks; I've never been there, so it's nice to hear the review from a close friend. I hope you guys are doing well.
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