Java Junkie

July 1, 2011 (Entering the Mountains and Leaving the US)

July 1, 2011 found us waking up in Havre MT and hitting the road bright and early.  We were super excited for our first glimpse of the mountains.  Mike assured me we wouldn't have to wait much longer, and he was right on.  After about 2 hours of driving we could catch glimpses of them...what a beautiful sight!  Below was our first look at the glacier mountains.



We couldn't believe how much snow was still on the mountains at this time of the year .

Shortly after reaching the mountains we made it to the top of Marias Pass.  When we left Havre that morning the temperature was 59 degrees.  When we hit Marias Pass it was only 54 degrees and windy!  We promptly dug out our jackets.

Mike and Trey on top of Marias Pass

Trey and me on top of Marias Pass

 After leaving Marias Pass we came to a place that they call Goat Lick - the mountain goats lay on the cliffs above the river and lick the minerals.  Of course we had to stop to see if they were there...they didn't disappoint us!

Trey was not enthused at all with being as close to the edge as we were.  The closer Mike and I went to the edge - the less enthused he was.

Of course I had to take a picture of him being less than enthused.  It's sort of a family tradition to take pictures of unhappy children...(my mom and my brother mike know what I'm talking about)

I couldn't resist taking a pic of this cool tree we walked by

I'm not sure what these pretty flowers are, but they grow everywhere in Montana and BC...even right out of the side of the rocks.  I suppose since I think they are so pretty someone will tell me they are actually a weed!

At about 4:30 pm we were waiting in line to cross the border at Roosville

We were soooo glad we were crossing into Canada and not into the US on 4:30 Friday afternoon on a long weekend.  The traffic on the US side of the border was horrendous.  Three lines of vehicles with at least 30 to 40 vehicles per line.  Mike said he never saw it that bad during the 1.5 years he drove truck and crossed that border weekly.

Since it was Canada day, the nice man at the border gave Trey a Canadian flag - I was worried about crossing the border, but it wasn't bad at all.  Less than 3 minutes and we were on our way...into Beautiful British Columbia.

In my excitement to see Michael, and meet Kelly, I failed to write down exactly how many miles it was to that point, or what time we reached their house.  At best guess - we drove around 400 miles that day and reached Michael's at about 5:15 pm...just in time for an excellent supper of pork chops with grilled potatoes and carrots! 

800 Miles

We pulled out of our driveway this morning at 6 am.  After dropping Xander off in the big city, we headed west.  Eight hundred miles and 12 hours later, we pulled into Havre MT for the night.  I don't remember ever driving the highline of MT before, but boy is it some desolate country.   After that many hours in the vehicle, we were glad to stretch our legs...Trey stretched his by swimming.

Tomorrow morning we'll continue west bright and early.  We can't wait for our first glimpse of the mountains, and Trey's reaction to them.  By tomorrow evening, we'll be in beautiful BC!

 

Summer?

Summer vacation has finally arrived.  Hopefully summer will arrive before fall too!  It has been a crazy winter and spring here in North Dakota.  Blizzard after Blizzard all winter long.  Then, when the snow finally stopped (it even snowed in May), the flooding began.  The red river hit levels almost as high as 2009 in April...but started receding towards late April.  Then in late May, Bismarck started ramping up for a flood fight unlike anything they have seen for years.  The Missouri river is rising due to increased outputs from Garrison Dam, and is expected to continue rising through June.  The sandbag fight is in full force, and people have been moving out of homes that are right on/near the river.  Minot is also fighting flooding - just yesterday they announced a mandatory evacuation of about 10,000 people.  Definitely a year we will remember for strange and dangerous weather.

On our front - live is busy.  Our little boy (or not so little boy) just turned 10.  So hard to believe he is already 10 - seems like just yesterday he fit in the crook of my arm...now my chin rests on his head without me bending at all.  Next fall he will be a fifth grader!   Wasn't he just in kindergarten?   This summer he'll stay busy with baseball, a few camps, and of course, swimming.  The pool opened tonight for the season - he was ecstatic!    

 After the winter we had, we are so glad summer is here - or at least the hint of summer is here.  We're hoping to milk every memory we can out of it! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Randomness

Wow--it's been awhile since I've blogged...I chalk it up to summer being busy.  Also, the object of most of my thoughts, that boy with such a sweet face in the picture above was gone for awhile (like a week and two days).  A few random bits of useless information

*This is the face I'm apt to get when I pull out the camera--obviously his version of a nice picture face and mine are different.

*It's been HOT here for the past week.  I love hot weather--so much better than cold.  However, I don't much care for humidity.  Someone please remind me I said that in the middle of winter when I'm freezing.

*It's so cold him my house right now I could use a sweatshirt and socks--my dear hubby and I don't always agree on what temperature our thermostat should be set at.  In the summer, he usually wins.  

*We have a 5 hour drive ahead of us today--we've made this drive 5 times in the past three months--I don't like driving.

*I do like seeing family, which makes the drive worthwhile

*School starts here in two weeks--I'm ready, he's not

*On my nightstand right now are "The Time Travelers Wife" and "Eat Pray Love".  I've not been able to get past the first three pages of the first, but have almost devoured the last.  I think I must see the movie "Eat Pray Love" when it comes to our remote area of the country.

Well, that's enough randomness for today...I must go get ready before someone who shall remain nameless gets crabby.  And I need to get some socks on before my toes freeze off.

Stay warm cool

Kris
 

That'll Learn Em

Last week, Mike was doing some yard work, and came across an unpleasant surprise.  Wasp like creatures had decided to make our lawn shed their home.  We asked them to pay rent, they didn't agree, so Mike decided to send an eviction notice.  I'll let the following pictures speak for themselves.

 

Where was I standing while the drama unfolded you ask?  I was bravely offering moral support, while brushing up on my photojournalist skills.....from the safety of the back porch (just in case the wild beasts decided to attack, I had the back door half open...I may have even been standing halfway in the house).  I'm sure he appreciated my supporting efforts.  The wild beasts decided it might be best if they pack their bags and look for greener pastures...which is good, because with the last picture, he ran out of spray.

Happy Weekend

Kris
 
 
 
 

Pigs and Chickens and Turkeys on the 4th of July

We celebrated the 4th of July on the farm where my Mother-in-Law was raised.  

The setting here is gorgeous.  I can find beauty in most any landscape, but am quite partial to the rolling hills of the plains.

There are so many different animals that call this farm home...

From pigs (aren't they cute...I wish I could have gotten a good picture of Mama...she was not so cute, nor did she like me much).

To Turkeys (fun fact--most of my family members can gobble with the best of them...myself included...true story) I wonder if that makes us weird...

To Roosters

Cows....

and even a kitten or two, that several kids thought they should really take home.

Beyond the animals, I love all the equipment that tells stories of years gone by.  Most of it hints at a time when life moved at a different, much slower pace than it does today.

I'm thankful for the reminder of our heritage, and for the work ethic our ancestors instilled in us.  I'm also thankful that at the end of the day, I have running water, indoor plumbing, electricity, and ok, I'll admit it, the internet. 

How bout you, do you ever wish you could live in, or at least visit an era past?

Happy Trails...

Kris
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

Old Favorites

We spent the Fourth of July on Mike's Grandparents farm, where life moves at a different pace.  I'll post more pictures later this week, but for now, wanted to share one of my favorites from the weekend.  His Grandparents have a huge flowerbed in front of their house that has an old bicycle as part of the decoration.  I loved the mix of the flowers and the old bike...very cool.  What a great way to use something that no longer serves its original purpose.

More pic's to come tomorrow (or the next day)...

Enjoy the flowers....

Kris
 

I'm Raising A Fish

I know, I know...it's technically not possible that he's a fish, but for how much he loves swimming, I think he's part fish.  Let's check his toes, see if they are turning into fins....

Nope, no fins, but possibly a bit of webbing...which really is the wrong species.  Webbed feet to run in my family though...we'll save that topic for another day.  I may need therapy before I bring it out.

Trey just finished swimming lessons last night.  He was in level 5 this year, which is pretty tough.  I watched for a while on Monday, and was surprised by how well he really does. He passed level 5 with flying colors, and is on to level six, which is the highest they can go until LifeGuard classes. If we ever get lost at sea, he's going to have to save his Momma.

Since we only live about a block from the city pool, most nice days of the summer he spends between 4 and 8 hours swimming.  That's what summer (and being a kid) is all about. 

When I was there watching him last weekend, he insisted I take some pictures of him doing flips off the diving board. 

In a few minutes, he'll come home from the pool for supper break starving...what should one feed a fish I wonder?

Happy Swimming!

Kris

Hello, summer are you out there?

Has anyone seen my good friend Summer anywhere? Typically summer consists of warm days filled with the sound of children splashing in the pools, and the smell of burgers on the grill. Tonight we were at a Baseball game...mind you it's the middle of June...I tried being a big girl and not wearing a sweatshirt cause it should be warm enought right? Wrong...I was just a bit chilly! Maybe by mid July we will finally have summer.