Long Day of Driving

Sometimes we stumble on hidden little camping gems and luck out.

Today was not one of those days.

With the intention of seeing for ourselves why our friends speak so highly of camping along the Yaak River we set off.

We chose the longer route to enter the Kootenai National Forrest so as to avoid the northern access bridge. We've had the experience of not being able to cross a bridge before and played it safe.

LONG story short, we missed where we were supposed to stop and ended up doing a huge loop on some "not maintained for public access" roads (the kind that make you feel like you were run over by a truck) over a fairly steep pass only to end up at said bridge anyway.

Luckily it was easily passable and we made our way back south and found a fine little campground along the Koocanusa Lake.

Actually the flies were pretty bothersome and it was right on the highway, what made it work out was meeting some new friends. Amazing what some good company can do for an experience.

Our kids made friends with their kids before we had the parking break set. 8 year old boy and girl twins. Jillian was very hopeful they would have a little sister hidden somewhere but she was out of luck. She was however lucky enough be included in instant friendship that formed. The new little gaggle showed everyone what summer nights should be; bike riding, rodeo games, tag, s'mores, flashlight exploring, stargazing, chatter, planning and giggles.

After dinner we had gone over to introduce ourselves and give permission for the kids to accept the invitation for s'mores. The rest, as they say, is history. We sat down and didn't leave until, at 11:30, Jillian finally climbed in my lap and called Uncle.

The kids were pretty bummed the next morning when our new friends actually did leave bright and early to beat the July long weekend traffic. Jamie, ever optimistic, got up early "just in case" but sadly watched them pull out at 8:12. (Oh the accuracy of kids with watches.)

Now they can't wait to get home and start some serious pen pal writing!

Lions Little Bitterroot Campground

When it fits, it fits.

One of our new favorite places to be.

It was so peaceful and relaxing here we had to stay two nights. In hindsight we probably would have stayed more.

We moved across the drive for our second night and were right on the lake, still within a stone's throw of the playground.

The lake was so clear Robb and I borrowed the kids' goggles and did some treasure hunting. Robb was the winner when he caught a craw fish to show off.

With no cell phone service, a cool breeze and very little road noise we slept like babies! Babies that sleep well that is.

I miss it already...

Crookston Circus

"Mommy, Mommy, they're unloading camels and donkeys and miniature horses."

I woke up this morning and blearily registered Jamie by my side telling me this.

"Uh, huh. Of course." Was about all I could muster. Deluded that I might roll back over and get just a few more minutes of sleep her siblings joined in naming random animals that they were seeing outside our motorhome window.

I racked my foggy sleep dazed brain to determine that we were parked in a city park, downtown Crookston, ND. Not a zoo.

Upon investigation, armed with a strong Mate soy latte (I drink them just so I can say the name) we discovered that it was all true and more.

The circus had come to Crookston, for one night and one night only and was raising the tent right next to our camping space.

Something the park ranger might have mentioned when we checked in last night, no?

No.

Of course we had to stay another night and spent an interesting day watching the tent rise, the animals being fed, the human cannon being rolled in, and the performers mill about the park.

Now, not to burst any bubbles; this wasn't exactly a Ringling Brothers operation. I'd call in an intimate experience.
The crowd was as entertaining as the performers for some of us.

The kids, I admit, were enthralled. It was actually a perfect venue for them as they could see all that was going on and enjoy.

Given our current obsessive passtime, we were all impressed with the young hooper who spun 110 hoops successfully!

It was also a first for all of us to see someone being shot out of a cannon. The youngest human cannonball they boasted, 16 now he started when he was 6. Bobby better not get any ideas....

We fell asleep listening to the performers and crew wind down after two shows. They were packed up and gone by the time we woke up the next morning. Bet we don't forget that one!

Ashland, WI

We found such a lovely park in Ashland, WI we decided to stay again. Right on the water with a swim beach, bike path and a playground next to our rig.

Oh the bike path.

Yesterday we took a little ride to check out the marina and waterfront.
Jillian kept up the whole time and enjoyed the accolades that a three year old riding a two wheeler inevitably gets.

We discovered that the path was a 10 mile loop around the city so we went back to camp and put Jillian on the seat on Robb's bike, filled the water bottles and set off.

It was lovely, we chatted as we rode through the small town enjoying the cool but pleasant weather.

Maybe we'd stop for an ice-cream cone after our quaint little ride.

Just a bit further and we should be back on the home stretch.

Then, at one teensy-tinsey little junction where we should have turned but we went straight, we ended up on one of the many snowmobile paths which led through the swampy forest where the bugs circled our heads like ravenous birds and led us unknowingly OUT of town.

Ooops.

20 miles and one heart racing stint on the highway later we rewarded our efforts with ice-cream and local micro brew.

All's well that ends well. Speaking of ending; this is how the day ended.


Ice cream and s'mores all on one day; now you know how bamboozled we really were!!

Boy did we sleep well that night! Zucchini pancakes and some strong coffee (and a Yerba Mate Soy Latte - {say it fast it's fun} for me) and we're heading on again!

Busy Playing and Not Posting

I know I'm not the most regular poster but in my defense I have a lot of fun while I'm not blogging.

I had a perfect opportunity yesterday to blog away; I had electric and Internet and time.

Instead I went to the waterfront playground with the kids and hooped.

I'm not going to miss the party because I was busy taking pictures.

That being said I do like this record of our trip because as much as we think we will remember every second things fade and get muddled up.

So a recap of our time in Michigan:

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was fun. The kids enjoyed the Jr. Ranger program, the ranger was so impressed with the gusto the kids used in the program they earned badges AND patches; here is Jamie with her mobile. (Just what we needed three hanging mobiles in an RV :)

At Wilderness State Park we enjoyed swimming in Lake Michigan, riding our bikes, borrowing some desperately needed books from the campground book nook, and, of course, hooping.

Bobby was torn, finish the Mysterious Benedict Society or hoop; why choose?


Then up to the UP. Here is Jillian at the Saulte Ste. Marie Locks connecting the great lakes. We watched a few boats go through; very cool!

Enjoying some crazy weather. The generator is giving Robb a little attitude so in 95 degree heat on the one night we dry camped the kids and I went to sleep with cold towels on our heads to cool down. The next day's thunder storm had us pulling out rain gear, long pants and blankets!

:)

Michingan

Heading north through Michigan. Taking the long way home to Coeur d'Alene.

You can't believe everything you see/read in the news but we'll confirm the midwest heat wave everyone has been talking about.
But it's a wet heat.....

It did made our Lake Michigan time at Holland State Park, swimming and walking along the shore that much more enjoyable. Dreaming of sailboat adventures sometime in the future....

The kids needed some alone time this morning and achieved it like this:

Peek-a-boo!

South Bend

I can't even begin to describe out time at Aunt Bette and Uncle Ted's in South Bend.

It is my childhood home, where I never actually lived.

We are so lucky to have had to opportunity, once again, to gather together and show our children where we come from and offer them a little slice of unforgettable childhood memories.



For prosperity purposes I'll simply say;

Fireflies, hooping, berry picking, bottle rockets, swimming, fireworks, Lordy, Lordy Uncle Ted is 40 + 40, Potato Creek, Kick ball, Campouts in the tent, slip and slide, 15 passenger bus Tour, O'Rourke's, Cousins, Bocce Ball Tournament, Cocktail time, Slumber Parties, s'mores, Apples to Apples, Pogo Stick, Planking, Triple Planking, Snow White and those 7 adorable dwarves, mowing, Weenie Roast, Midnight Treks to the Motor Home, Budweiser Bottle Cap Cake, Tree Trimming, Goop, Supporting the cause (helping to drink 93 cans of Budweiser in a short amount of time) Sporty Rides, Sporty Spills, Swings, Fedoras and Jammies, Poison Ivy (Sorry Jimmy), Homemade Cherry Pie, Cherry Pie for Breakfast, Spies, Stryker Palooza.

Those are just some physical things I can name, I can't name the smells, or the tactile experiences, or the memories that wait around every turn and open a long ago closed window of our past. I can't describe the stories we heard and told which bring back people who we loved and miss.

I know the kids have taken away some of those memories and will keep them forever and for that I am grateful.

We've added another piece to the puzzle that makes up our South Bend experience and the image it leaves in our hearts is precious.