This blog post will cover 2 days. Friday the van got a new alternator, and we headed into Billings with the adults and the 2 babies. Did some shopping, had some dinner. On the drive back it started throwing fault codes, limiting our speed, and sucking air. But it’s Friday night in a small town, so we aren’t going anywhere until Monday at the earliest. This was especially devastating to me because Saturday, July 9th is Finnick’s 5th birthday. I…
Hardin, MT, population 2500. Home of Deon’s sister, and her brood, most of whom are grown. My kids, especially Aunica, had really been looking forward to this part of the trip. She really likes her cousin, Taylor, who is 16, and loves Montana, for some reason. This part of our trip was supposed to be a time to recharge and get some things done. Some cleaning, some organizing, and some sleeping in. I was pleasantly surprised when Deon’s cousin, Ian,…
Funny, how sometimes the best experiences aren’t what you expect. Today was a compromise. I had promised the kids a waterpark day, with their cousins no less, and we had cut that out of the itinerary. So I had to find a substitute. Enter “The Reef,” an indoor water park in Billings, MT. First, we made a stop at the temple so Cassandra and Aunica could do baptisms. I’m so thankful for their sweet spirits. Then, The Reef. 2 water…
As all new things, there are some things to be worked out. Deon is bearing the brunt of this, as he is the handyman/electrician/anything mechanical. He has struggled with getting the batteries fully charged (thankfully we do have a generator) and today, he had no work because everybody else has taken the day off. So, today the kids and I were going to keep busy at the buffalo bill Cody museum, and then we would all head to thermopolis for…
Our first holiday on the road. This is not something I was looking forward to. I like our traditions. I chose Cody, WY because it is well rated for 4th of July activities. We started the day at a parade, but only caught the last bit. We did park the trailer in our church parking lot. Deon loves bridges and dams, so we drove out to the Buffalo Bill Dam. I stayed in the car with sleeping babies. Then…
Our first Sunday on the road, small town West Yellowstone, ID. July 3rd. Any red flags yet? We spent the night in the church parking lot so we could be there on time. One Ward, 10am service. Up, dressed, fed and out the door…whoa, it got crowded. Went inside early for seats. Which was good because people just kept coming. And coming. By ten o’clock the church was packed. Like nothing I’ve ever seen. Lining the halls, tvs in every…
Yellowstone NP, America’s first national park. World renown for its active geology, particularly Old Faithful, a geyser with impeccable timing. Today we hit Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic spring. Some of us also really enjoy the visitor’s centers. Some do not. Some of us just enjoy the view, while to others the view is worthless without the information to understand what you are looking at. It’s all a balance, and about learning how to respect our differences and have everyone…
July 1st, still in the Grand Teton National Park, WY. Words cannot describe the beauty. Signal Mountain I could stay here forever. Forever, until the first time it snows (in case my CA friends were worried). We also hiked Taggert Lake. Everyone except me swam in the lake (I don’t do cold water). But the hike was gorgeous. Tomorrow, a new day, a new park. On to yellowstone.