Traveling around the world with two small children
Our camping facilities do not have any showers, so we visit the local spas. The spire of the Pinnacles in the background.
We found the popular rafting spot. Over a hundred rafters must have unloaded while we were playing and picnicking in the middle fork of the flathead river. The river guides did not seem too excited that we were riding their rapids in our Costco inflatable in front of their high paying customers.
For the most part, the lake has been calm.
Birch Bark bracelets – all the rave here in Glacier National Park. Viena and Ezra were in their groove this evening as we walked along the pebbly shores of Lake Mcdonald during sunset. Dwana, Granma and Dad-Dad were listening to the evening ranger program on Native Americans in Glacier. Earlier in the day at the lake, Ezra wanted to be flipped over on his raft, so I flipped him over – that’s how hot things are here – glad we have a lake to cool the heat.
We walked the bike path in the evening sun from the campground to the campground village for Huckleberry Milkshakes. Ezra was asleep, but Viena was still full of energy. Viena and I even went on a 5 mile bike ride after the walk.
Viena and Ezra carefully looking at the Black bear behind our tent.
Good Morning! This black bear was wandering around behind our tent went we woke up on Saturday morning. He was enjoying eating some of the plants and trees that grew in a 50 yard area of trees and growth in between campground loops. The rangers finally had to come and “scare” him off.
we caught the early morning free shuttle that took us to Logan Pass. If you do not go early, expect traffic. We found a patch of snow to play in. The views were amazing.
We finally received views of Glacier National Park. Worth the drive and the 4 days spent in Billings. The weather has been wonderful. This photo is from Lake McDonald in the West side of the park. The water is cold, but not too cold. Ezra and Viena have both loved playing in the water. And the good news … no bugs. The campground is packed full, but we were able to find a spot and then we upgraded when the neighbors left. We picked up my Mom and Dad our first night in the park and then drove the “Going to the Sun” run during the night when the sun was going away. A pretty amazing drive to take during the night. At Logans Pass were saw two Big Horn sheep feeding in the turnout. The were not scared off by our car and we just sat and watched them for a while.
HIKE UP LOGAN PASS TO SEE THE SNOW.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOGAN ON LAKE MCDONALD
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
We finally escaped from Billings. Here is a picture from Billings at the local Riverside park at Sunset. We are now in Bozeman and hope to enter Glacier National Park at around Midnight. Our Air conditioning is still not working properly, but a Ford dealership in Kalispell is going to try a spell at the repair.
Montana has a BIG SKY, with lots of clouds and we were all staring at the clouds and I said, “Look, I see a butterfly shape in the clouds”.
Viena said, “I see a dolphin!”
Ezra said, “I see a Dragon!”
I said, “Look, I see the letter E in the clouds!”
Viena said, “I see a car!”
Ezra said, “I see a dragon!”
I said, “Look, I see a face in the clouds!”
Viena said, “I see a flower!”
Ezra said, “I see a dragon!”
Ezra likes Dragon, and Ezra likes to make messes. We have been reading a story that Ezra loves about Marley the messy dog. And yesterday afternoon, Ezra was eating and he made a big mess everywhere and
I said, “Ezra, why do you have to make such big messes!”
and he replied, “because I’m a little boy!”
And then the other day when we were going to the swimming pool at the hotel we passed two grandmotherly ladies and Ezra said, “We are going to the swimming pool!”
and the lady said, “No Way!”
and Ezra said, “and we are going down the water slide!”
and the lady said, “No Way!”
and Ezra asked, “you want to come?”
and the lady said, “No Way!”
We have been having fun here in Billings while the van receives needed repairs.
As some musician said, “when you’re down and troubled and you need a helping hand … slide down a water slide!”
AT THE EDGE OF TOWN
WAITING NEAR A WATER SLIDE
WHAT IS THIS?
Early Morning.
Early Morning. But Later. Great culture center here. Ezra wondered where the Indians were at Mount Rushmore, so we had to show him.
The world famous corn palace. The Worlds Only Corn Palace. Inside is a volleyball court and basketball court for the high school sports teams.
The world famous corn palace. The Worlds Only Corn Palace. Inside is a volleyball court and basketball court for the high school sports teams.
Our Lodging for the night.
We drove through the park during sunset. Quite amazing since the drip castle formations were right beside the road. Still quite hot.
We traveled through the night. A prairie lightning storm showed the way across the flat farm lands of the mid-west. Just West of Duluth Minnesota, we lost all the sense of trees and wetlands, but not before they left one last impression on us. We stopped shortly before sunset at a local playground in Warba, Minnesota so Ezra and Viena could play a little bit before bedtime. this gave me a little time to re-organize our new totes and strap them on to the top of the van. Everything was going good, a few bugs here and there … but we were not prepared for the impending onslaught of mosquitoes that would live in my memories all night long. I started seeing a few more mosquitoes and then as I had both hands full with straps and totes while standing on top of the van wearing only shorts, flip-flops and a t-shirt – they struck, and very quickly I was being eaten alive by what must have been a thousand mosquitoes. I yelled to the others, but they were already heading for the van and shutting the doors, leaving me on top needing to strap down 3 totes. I tried furiously for about a minute, but then insanely jumped off the van and retreated to the inside of the van as well, where another battle was going on. We drove to the next town slapping bugs for the next 30 minutes. The totes were unstrapped on top of the van. We were safe and heading out of the lakes of Minnesota and into the prairies of the Dakotas. This photo was taken moments before the attack. Now I know why Dinosaurs are extinct.
Viena loved riding as well.
We visited the Reader farm in upstate Wisconsin. Chickens, dog, cat, coyote, big 4-wheelers, little 4-wheelers, slip and slide, fun, smiles, and catching up with friends.
A LONG DRIVE
FOLLOWED BY A LONG SLEEP IN A TRAILER
We took a short cut to Wisconsin by taking a four hour ferry ride across Lake Michigan. The accommodations were much like the slow ferry of Cordova – lawn chairs on the bow of the boat. The only difference was the air temperature was about 20 degrees warmer and the skies were clear. We were able to soak up the sunset and then gaze at the constellations during the night. The ferry arrived at midnight in Wisconsin and then we drove through the night. I much preferred the lawn chairs to the chair in our van.
The sand was warm and we needed to hide in the shadows of the trees.
The water was warm, shallow and clear.
The dunes were big. The day was hot. Viena walked to the top of this dune while Ezra slept.
Viena and Todd constructed a tower out of building blocks.
We were able to visit the city with Cordova Friend Todd. We caught the subway into and out of the city. The subway dropped us off right at Millennium Park. We walked over to Navy Pier and rode the 150 foot Ferris Wheel and investigated the Chicago Children Museum. We then caught a water taxi through the city that dropped us off at the tallest building in Chicago – Willis Tower. The sunset was great from 1500 feet up in the air. We gazed over the city, Lake Michigan and the surrounding flat lands while we watched the sun set towards Alaska.
STAYING WITH FAMILY ON THE LAKE
COOL LAKE MICHIGAN
Viena came up with the great idea to jump into the Saint Claire river during the live concert of Lady Gaga. Baby, she was Born this way. With the music in the background and brother Ezra asleep in the stroller and Dwana feasting on some fresh Pizza, Viena and I combated the searing temperatures by throwing ourselves into the Saint Clair River. We just had to climb over, under the railing and jump in. The river flowed us down a bit until we found a ladder to climb out. Viena has a love for jumping into fresh cold rivers and lakes. On our way to the Windy city of Chicago.
lAST TANK OF GAS IN CANADA
Many people out at midnight to watch Niagara Falls. Pretty amazing to see them all lit up. We will have to return during the day sometime. The almost full moon had everyone snapping pictures and stopping in “no stopping” zones, like I did to snap this picture. i actually left the car to try and take a better photo, but they shut off the lights shining on the falls at midnight. I guess someone forgot to pay the electric bill! We are now driving across Canada – near the coastline of Lake Erie. I had to sing a song about the Erie Canal when I was in the 5th grade. Now, I finally am able to travel to the Erie, through the eerie Canadian night.
4TH IN CANADA
A COMBINATION OF ALOT OF THINGS
SANDY BANKS
We are having way to much fun on Lake Ontario. We found a great secret spot- called Sandy Banks. Ezra and Viena have been playing in the cool fresh waters of Lake Ontario. Sandy shores. We hauled this forty pounder out of the lake but could not keep him because we did not have a permit, so we had to settle for potatoes for breakfast.
oneworldtwokids 