Glacier National Park

Hello Bloggers!

Internet and cell service is scarce and will only get worse from here on out.  Not sure what will happen once we're in Canada (starting Saturday).  We are staying at the KOA East Glacier, and Keith walks by an RV with Illinois plates.  So, he asks, "where are you from in Illinois?"  Answer....Warrenville!  We are here enjoying Glacier with John and Stacy Riggs!  How fun!  The kids have another bonus with friends.  The Riggs' boys are matched nicely in age with Michael and Joe.  We spent yesterday with the Riggs hiking and waiting for the shuttle bus.  The hiking was amazing, we encountered a black bear on our hike (about 20 yards away).  He looked at us and saw 11 loud/annoying humans and kept going.  I am now thankful at how loud our kids are :)  The hike continued and we saw another black bear and one grizzly; overall a very successful bear day.  Our two mile hike took us to see St. Mary's Falls which were fantastic.  Our boat cruise out of the Many Glacier Hotel was way over-priced and slightly boring, but still offered beautiful scenery.  Johnon's Cafe will never be the same since our motley crue invaded for lunch.  Four adults and seven loud children can make an impression on a place.  The soup and sandwiches were yummy!  We have more exciting adventures today so I will save photos for next posting.  BTW, I am so glad I have a washer/dryer in Big Red :)

Great Falls, MT

We had a long travel day today.  We drove 12W to 87north to 200north which means we were not on the interstate.  We drove for 100 miles and only encountered about three vehicles.  Let me tell you, there is nothing in the middle of MT!  Maybe this is where Keith and I will build our compound for America loving, gun holding, bible reading, hard working folks.  Headed to Glacier tomorrow!

Miles City, MT

We stayed at a little KOA that had nice camp hosts who offered us free ice cream bars at check-in.  We walked into the downtown area and had dinner at the Montana Bar which was established in 1908.  Across the street is the Olive Hotel which is where "Gus" stayed (Lonesome Dove fans).  We had a private tour of the room he stayed in which they don't even rent out anymore (its haunted).  There is nothing like a good ghost story :)  Very hot...96 degrees!

Water Park

Sarah Rose The water  park and slide were so much fun at the Govenor's Inn & RV Park near Fargo, ND .We stayed till 10 at night.  The slide shut down at 10 we could of stayed till mid night, but all the water shut down.  We could only swim.Be for we went to the water park we dinner I had a pancake with one giant Oreo in the medal and they made it look like a flower with chocolate syrup.Michael had a sausage rolled up in a pancake. 

Fargo, ND

Here we are in Fargo!  We are staying at a hotel/RV Park/waterpark called the Goveners Inn.  It was very difficult finding a campground in ND.  The two little ones are having a wonderful time at the waterpark, its no Kalahari, but they are having a good time.  Michael is busy sitting in the RV being a teenager.  We will make our way across ND tomorrow in hopes that we will reach MT.  The plan is to arrive into Glacier National Park by Tuesday.  I still owe the blog some pictures from the bear ranch which I will do when I get the photos downloaded.  It feels like we have been gone for three months.  The trip is everything I thought it would be with the exception of Michael being so teenagery (not sure if that is a word??).  I think one of the craziest things so far is that Papa Gumby sleeps until about 7:30!!  I am actually up before him on most days.  AMAZING trip so far :)

Newberry and Whitefish Point, MI

This visit actually was before Camp Gramps, my posting are out of order :(

Its not every day that you can hand-feed a bear!  We had the opportunity to do just that at Oswald's Bear Ranch (pictures coming soon!).  The five month old cubs are "rescue-bears".  This is a great place to visit when you're in the u.p.  You can also feed the larger bears, but of course not hand-feed them :) 

Visiting the Shipwreck Museum was amazing.  The kids learned a lot here (especially Sarah Rose).  Over 6,000 shipwrecks in the Great Lakes and the number is still climbing.  The Great Lakes are more treacherous than navigating any ocean.  OK, I won't bore you with anymore facts.  Sarah Rose will be writing a report on the Edmund Fitzgerald which will include lyrics from Gordon Lightfoot.

Zip Lining!

Go Mama!

There is no rock wall too high or too difficult for this Girlie!  This was a 30 foot wall that she climbed about four minutes flat!

Is it obvious how much Michael likes museums?  Gumby sure does! 

Oswald's Bear Ranch:  This is not a telephoto lense, we are really that close!  What a fun little treasure in the u.p.

Lake Superior.....BEAUTIFUL!

Lake Superior...brrr 44 degrees!

Showers in the parking lot at Pictured Rock National Park

Tough day of traveling

The Cabin

Sarah Rose:  My friend, Holly, flipped off the ATV. She said that it did not hurt.

Camp Gramps

Sorry that took so long to update the blog, we've been very busy!  We had a surprise bonus to the trip; we stayed the night at Camp Gramps (the Howell's cottage in Phillips, WI).  Heather called while we were leaving the u.p. so off to meet Heather and her family.  WOW!  What a fantastic time had by all.  Gramps and Grammy (Jay and Kathy) had all of the excitement, ie. water skiing, tubing, knee boarding, fishing, and ATVing.  Heatie even tore up the lake on a salom ski!  Michael qualified for his waterskiing merit badge!  Joe Emory is a professional knee boarder and Sarah Rose really rocks on the tube!  Chloe was even very busy; she was hangin out at the Polish Palace Pub (they serve Old Style!).  The Pub called my cell phone asking if we lost Chloe....oops!  Thank you Kathy and Jay for some awesome memories!

The big rescue!

Go Heatie!!!

Coffee Clutch!

Butterflies

Sarah Rose:  We went to the butterfly garden. One butterfly landed on my head.   It was so cool. There was a lot  of butterflies mating. There was a chemeleon there too!  

Traverse City

Now this was an interesting campground...Dodgeball Tournaments!  Joe loved playing dodgeball, he didn't miss a game.  We also did some geocaching at the Timber Ridge Campground (Mimi, you would have been so proud).  There were some really good mountain bike trails here and Michael wins the award for best mountain biker.

Mackinac Island

We survived another severe thunderstorm!  The biking up here has been amazing.  My little babies are peddling over 10 miles per day and some of the bike paths are pretty intense.  Our neighbors at the KOA Mackinaw City are from....Fort Myers!  Our new friends, Tom and Nancy Milton live in Estero and they are on the road for four months.  What a small world!  We enjoyed Mackinac Island, especially the pot roast at the Yankee Rebel.  Most of the photos in this posting are taken by our professional photographer, Michael Edward.  Papa Gumby is really enjoying the Great Lakes seafood, ie. whitefish.  Who knew we could spend over an hour in the Butterfly House??!!

The Campground

Sarah Rose  The campground is very nice!  Michael said this a milleion times, "Mom, when I grow up I want to live in Michigan."  It is very anoying. Michael also gave my mom and I a cold. Which I hate!

joe

To day July 15  2011 it  is my  Birthday.  I am turning 8 years old.

Silver Lake, MI

What a blast in Silver Lake, MI at Sandy Shores Campground!!  Michael of course doesn't want to leave, instead of living in Warrenville he now thinks he should live in Silver Lake :)  Great weather, only in the 70's!  Today is Joe Emory's birthday and he finally made the height and age requirements to drive his own go-kart.  Michael, Sarah Rose, and Mama brought Joe and Daddy down in a beach volleyball game....Go Spartans!!  Thank goodness we have our bikes because they have been our mode of transportation here.  (Thanks again Joanie, the bike seats are so comfy). 

On the Road Again

After being stationary for three weeks in the Chicago area; we are heading to the Michigan Dunes today.  We were delayed with our departure due to excessive wind damage at my parent's house.  Keith chopped, sawed, and trimmed trees for two days.  The kids have the blues because they want to stay in Warrenville for the six months (actually they want to live here).  Off to Michigan we go!

The Big One

Joe Emory landed the "Big One" at Bohner's Lake, WI.  It is a 15" large mouth bass.  It is also important to realize that Joe does his own knots and bates his own hook etc.  The ultra light fishing rod was bent in half while he was reeling it in!  Great job Joe!

Having Fun

Princess made up a club. It is so fun!  And my couinsn are in it. we are tring to have it every day.  and no boys aloud.HA HA!

Wedding

On June 25 Mike and Alli began their life-long journey.  What a beautiful wedding and a beautiful bride. Sarah Rose was a perfect flower girl and Joe Emory was an amazing ring bearer :)   I wish I had more pictures.  Good time had by all.