Posts Tagged ‘Musings’

A Week Of Playing

Friday, August 20th, 2010

This was the year. The year we decided to take a family vacation. That’s right, a FAMILY vacation…one with my folks, all my siblings/spouses and two of the cutest nephews in all of the land.

This may not seem like a big momentous occasion, but for our family getting everyone together is no small feat. The big sis and her hubbster live in NYC and don’t make it home often, my parents have a few jobs that keep them busy, and this is the first summer the little bro has been home with his own little family without being gone for chunks of the summer.

Long story short: We were so excited to vacation as a family!

And did we ever vacation. And just to spice it up even more, we had two cousins and their families join us for part of the trip. Which for this Montana girl means pure perfection.

Our trip had us playing in Whitefish, zipping down Big Mountain, driving through Glacier National Park (combined with short hikes and numerous photo opportunities), jet skiing on Whitefish Lake and spending time together under Montana’s big blue sky.

Here are some photos from our perfect week of playing…

The crew overlooking Two Medicine

The crew overlooking Two Medicine

We heart Glacier Park Lodge

We heart Glacier Park Lodge

Ahhh

Ahhh

Just off the Highline Trail--We could hear them ramming each other

Just off the Highline Trail--We could hear them ramming each other

Logan Pass & a sea of red buses

Logan Pass & a sea of red buses

Crusing the zips at Whitefish Mountain Resort

Crusing the zips at Whitefish Mountain Resort

Happy girls after conquering the zip lines

Happy girls after conquering the zip lines

Alpine slide at Whitefish Mountain Resort - Perfect for kiddos (and adults!)

Alpine slide at Whitefish Mountain Resort - Perfect for kiddos (and adults!)

And from our family to yours, if you’re thinking of vacationing in Western Montana, you won’t be disappointed. Heck, we’ll even help you plan your trip!

TT

Summer Vacation: Missoula

Friday, August 6th, 2010

Fact #1: It’s summer.
Fact #2: Missoula is a pretty fabulous place.
Fact #3: You’d be hard-pressed to find anything better than Missoula in the summer.

There’s good reason that Missoula is one of the most popular “play places” in Western Montana. It has the Clark Fork running through the heart of downtown and recreational opportunities are everywere you turn your head. Plus Missoula has that big city vibe to it, with a thriving arts scene, tons of live music and some pretty stellar restaurants.

And since I like to share (my mom made me learn when I was knee-high to a grasshopper), I’m going to share some summer vacation ideas of things to do and see around Missoula. Kind of like a “YOU MUST DO THIS IF YOU’RE IN THE GARDEN CITY” list.

Idea #1: Hit the water. Take a guided rafting or kayaking trip on the Clark Fork River with 10,000 Waves Raft & Kayak Adventure. No matter you’re skill level, you’ll be in good hands with these guys. PS: I speak from experience. A group of ladies (including me) hit the water with their guides in mid-June on a juicy river and it was an absolute blast!

Kayaking the Clark Fork (photo by Suzanne Ahearne)

Kayaking the Clark Fork (photo by Suzanne Ahearne)

Idea #2: Explore downtown. Missoula’s downtown is incredibly walkable and was recently designated as a historic district. Peruse the shops, grab a cup of coffee from a local shop or catch live tunes.

Downtown Missoula (photo by Donnie Sexton)

Downtown Missoula (photo by Donnie Sexton)

Idea #3: Hike the M. A shork vertical hike up Mt. Sentinel (less than one mile) brings you to the giant white M that watches over the city. Plus, you’ll get a nice view of the valley and your cardio workout for the day. Reward yourself with a scoop of ice cream from Big Dipper.

For more ideas on things to do in Missoula, click here or here. Happy playing!

TT

Play Time

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Guess what. It’s summer. I’m in Montana. And it’s Friday afternoon.

To celebrate all three of these things, I’m getting out of town. And I’m going to get my Montana groove on. “How?” you may ask.

Easy. By hiking here.

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park

Eating here.

Acting like I’m 7 1/2 here. (I plan on being the person behind all the water).

Big Sky Waterslides!

Big Sky Waterslides!

And getting in some bonding time with this girl.

We're excited to play in Western Montana

We're excited to play in Western Montana

Summer, I totally heart you.

TT

Montana is Beautiful

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

I’m a lucky girl. Seriously.

For the last two weeks, I’ve been perusing the countryside of Western Montana. I’ve put on a lot of miles and enjoyed every minute of it. Mainly because Montana is filled with some of the most incredible beauty that a person could ever by blessed enough to see. And judging by the place I live and the things I get to see, I’m pretty blessed.

The Daly Mansion in Hamilton

The Daly Mansion in Hamilton

National Bison Range

National Bison Range

Baby brother on a red bus tour

Baby brother on a red bus tour

Sun Point in Glacier National Park

Sun Point in Glacier National Park

TT

Summer 411

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Tomorrow is May. Hard to believe isn’t it? I know I’ve mentioned this a tad, but I’m REAL excited for summer.

Reason #1: The WHOLE family is going on a summer vacation this year. This alone is reason to celebrate. I was visiting with the babies (20 & 22 respectively) about family vacations and recalling how long it’s been since we’ve done one. Well, it looks like this is the year. And we’re vacationing here at home with plenty of time spent on Flathead Lake, Whitefish Lake and Glacier National Park.

Reason #2: It’s the 100th birthday of Glacier National Park! And to celebrate, numerous events and activities are scheduled for in and around the park, including the official rededication on May 11, the Huckleberry Festival (I heart huckleberries) and the Centennial Hootenanny (which by its name, sounds like something I’d be into).

Lake McDonald. If you can't find me this summer, you may want to look here.

Lake McDonald. If you can't find me this summer, you may want to look here.


Reason #3: Farmers Markets. Plain and simple, I love these. It doesn’t matter where, when or how. If there’s a local market, count me in.
Market in Missoula

Market in Missoula


Reason #4: These two jokers are coming to play with us! They live far away and we don’t see them enough, so we’re excited for their visit.
Big sis and bro-in-law

Big sis and bro-in-law


For now, I’ll keep counting down the days. And maybe go paddle a canoe in this late spring snowstorm. Oh wait, I did that yesterday!

TT

Antsy Pantsy

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

The weather has been just warm enough that I find my mind wandering to summer. Which is fine and dandy, except that it’s been wandering there A LOT.

Hands down, my favorite thing about Montana is the summer. It brings visits from family and friends, farmers markets, rafting the rivers, sun-kissed tan lines and late-night visits to the local ice cream shop.

A few things I’m excited for this year: the two new zip lines at Whitefish Mountain Resort (300′ and fast!), celebrating Glacier’s Centennial, rodeos, camping, summer concerts and spending time at the lake.

But until it comes, I’ll continue my countdown to summer by remembering memories made in summers past.

Hiking to the falls with the girls.

Hiking to the falls with the girls.


Rodeos - one of my Montana favorites.

Rodeos - one of my Montana favorites.

The Backbone of the World

The Backbone of the World


Mini-golf action in Columbia Falls.

Mini-golf action in Columbia Falls.

Family bonding. We love Pepsi.

Family bonding. We love Pepsi.


PS: Dear summer, please come soon! Love TT

Montana: Beyond Home

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

“Montana is beyond home for me. Its mountains are rooted in my bones. Its rivers course through my veins. The depths of its lakes mirror the depths of my emotions. The wind chases my dreams across its plains, and its vaulted skies draw my thoughts to the starry expanse. If I put any name to it, Montana is my soul.” Jesse Allen

Couldn’t say it any better myself, J.

January sunset over Glacier National Park

January sunset over Glacier National Park


A genuine Montana Cowboy, Chase Krone

A genuine Montana Cowboy, Chase Krone

Rocky Mountain Front

Rocky Mountain Front

Baby brothers in The Bob

Baby brothers in The Bob

TT

Winter, Spring or Summer?

Friday, March 26th, 2010

One thing about living in Montana is the anticipation of what the weather is going to bring on any given day. I often like to travel with a pair of snowboots and a cozy jacket in the car, because I’m a Montana girl and that’s just how I roll. Plus, I like to be prepared. Sometimes, just for the fun of it, I’ll haul around a pair of cowboy boots in case I need to beckon my cowgirl roots and show someone a boot-stomping good time.
Or perhaps kick a little booty.

This morning was no different. I woke up to a rain-kissed earth that smelled so delicious and fresh that it had me perfectly content to stand outside and breath it in. A short while later, I moseyed my way to work and thought to myself, “It’s going to be a beautiful day!”, a statement that gave me a little extra spring in my step. Once in the office, I looked outside and saw some rain/snow coming down.

And you know what happened? I smiled. Because with Montana, you never know what you’re going to get. And for me, that’s part of its charm.

TT