North Shore Trail - River's Edge

Today is the first post in a new journal of our adventures with kids across Montana's beautiful places.  I have been blogging for quite some time and have hit a bit of a dry spell...mostly I was wondering "who cares." Who cares what we are doing.  Tony and I had this idea that we could share the cool places we try to see with our kids, and hopefully encourage more people like us, people who love the outdoors but have the reality of life to deal with, "Get Lost" in Montana.

Last weekend we visited part of the River's Edge Trail called North Shore Trail.  I can remember this trail being around for quite some time.  However, the Rivers Edge Trail has updated the trail head, markers, and route even in the last year.  

You start out right above Ryan Dam and head in one of three directions.  You can take the loop either North or South.  The South route has an upper or lower segment.  The lower segment takes you along the bottom of the rock formations while the upper segment gets you right onto the rock formations that are so fun to explore.

This is an easy hike.  Nowhere did we hit any elevation gain or anything that caused too much grumbling from the troops.  

The day we went out was fairly windy, as you can imagine it can be along the Missouri River, but it was plenty warm once we got going.  I ended up being the coat Sherpa before we even hit a half mile.  

There were two majestic bald eagles checking us out along the entire route.  Their giant wings coasting with the wind were a fantastic sight to behold.  

 The view of the Highwood Mountains is comforting for this Great Falls girl even though they are quite obstructed by random power lines bringing utilities to ranches.

We all enjoyed the Hoodoos...who can resist standing on top of one of these cool formations or peeking through some random hole created by Mother Nature.

 Eventually, after our exploring was worn thin we decided we better beat feet if we were going to get the loop done in our short time frame.

 All the girls involved wanted to reach the "Dry Waterfall" but we had only made it half way there, 1/4 way through the entire loop, in an hour.  We had one kiddo that needed to be home before too long so the real hike began in earnest.

 So we made it to the overlook of the Dry Waterfall...I'm not showing a picture because we didn't make it...we saved it for another day.  The mud got pretty mucky and we turned back before our hikers got too discouraged.  As Tony said, "It's ok to not make it...it gives us something to come back and see next time."

 Besides, we were taking a large chunk out of the trail back with us as it was!

 I can still hear the giggles as they were slogging through the mud.  It made me laugh how they were all holding up their pants as their shoes were sunk in up to the brims.

 This old car has been target practice for some time but I think it could have been a beauty in it's prime.

 The Rivers Edge North Shore Loop was just over 3 miles.  Next time I'll make sure my GPS is on and tracking a trail for you to see.  Sherpa Mama was able to devise a backpack out of the two dog leashes but I will bring a real one next time.  I'd advise bringing water and plan for extra time to explore the rock formations.

This is an easy trip for kids of all ages.  You don't have to do the entire loop to see some of the Missouri River's unique rock formations.  I imagine there might be some rattlesnakes in the summer so be prepared!  Happy Trails!  Enjoy.

all photos ©Tony Bynum

Birthday Ski Weekend

This was probably the most "unplanned" planned trip in history. Over Christmas I put "Kids weekend...someplace fun" on Tony's calendar without any real idea where we would go. I started to panic mid-January when I started researching and finding hotels booked up all over the place...duh! Presidents Day weekend! Realistically speaking, I also knew that we only had 3 short days to make this trip, and I wanted to spend more time playing, less time driving. So I found a spot, made reservations, and didn't even start making my "piles" for the trip until mid-week.

I almost hesitate to post about what we did...I feel like we found a secret vacation spot that I want to keep small, low key, and...well secret! Oh well...really, its off the beaten track, it could be windy and super cold, and the road up there isn't the best but boy did we hit it on the perfect day.

Wait! I have to back up...I had a little, spur of the moment, 40th birthday celebration the night before we left on our trip. Some of my best friends in the world joined me in bringing in my next best decade. In attendance was Pat, Tom, Stacy, Vic, Jake, Tony and Jaida, and my new friends next door Dyana and Kevin. I had a great time. I stunk up the BBQing but Stacy and Tony saved the day by both bringing birthday cake. I must admit that birthday cards for a 40 year old are among my favorite so far...they are hilarious!

We ended up staying in Choteau, almost smack in the middle of where Tony and Jaida live (East Glacier) and Great Falls. We only planned one ski day and the other days were for hanging out, swimming, and eating birthday cake.

The girls all took lessons to start the morning.

My two had never been on skis but Jaida had a little more experience and bravery.

While the girls were in lessons Tony and I hit the slopes.

The sky was blue, the powder was light and fluffy, and the scenery was majestic.

Then we met the girls back at the Magic Carpet.

This thing is truly magic.

You shuffle up and it grabs your skis and you get a free ride to the top.

No ropes required!

No platter between your legs.

Just a relaxing ride for kids of all ages.

Jaida was ready to hit the chair lift after lunch.

She really tore up the slopes with her smile and great attitude.

There they go...not a bad way to spend the afternoon!

I skied with the girls on and off and felt they were ready for the chair lift after mastering the beginner slope.

Look at that smile!

Jaida got to ride alone.

Thats Tony and Kyndra behind her.

Did I mention the lift lines?

No? That's because there were none!

After crying and sliding down the first half of the run the girls and I got in our groove and snowplowed pizza style down the mountain. The made it, admitted they had "a little" fun, and agreed to try it again next time.

We hit the lodge for some liquid goodness and then went back out to the magic carpet ride.

This picture speaks for itself!

naps...check

food...check

more swimming...check check

underwater camera...check

giggles of girls...check

birthday cake...check check check!

I am blessed:

to have made it to 40 with more laugh than scowl lines,

to have so many wonderful people in my life,

to be in my "home" state that I love,

to be striving to live for tomorrow instead of yesterday.

If the rest of my days in the 40s Club are anything like my first few I have it made!

Raptor Reef

Have you heard of it?
Have you been there?
It's Raptor Reef...AKA Triple Play

Heather and I met in the middle this weekend in Hayden, ID at this amazing hotel. There is a water park, go carts, mini golf, bowling, rock climbing, laser tag, and arcade room! We didn't get to all of it...in fact we didn't even do anything on the last day. What we did fit into two short days was almost too much as it was. Ok, I admit it...it was almost too much for this road weary mama to handle...I am sure the kids would have kept going and going and going.

There are three water slides...yellow, blue, and red. The blue actually dumps into the red funnel or toilet bowl. You can ride double or single but must ride on a tube. The red is dark most of the way...again single double on tube. The yellow is single, no tube, mattes are optional. It took a little bribery to get all the girls to go to start. Once they tried the blue they were hooked. Avery and Makenzie spent most of the second day going alone on the red while Kyndra and Zak were content on the yellow and playing in the wave pool.

It worked out great that Heater's brother and sister in law, Mike and Katie, could come join us. The kiddos weren't big enough to drive the go carts. What a blast! Mike was the winner...my cars were rigged...

I was completely surprised to see Kyndra and Avery bomb up the rock walls! Woo Hoo! I have some rock climbing partners. Now all I need is to replace my 15 year old rope with a new one and get some bolts to anchor them into the ground so they can catch me on belay when I fall. They just smiled and smiled..I'm so proud of all the kids for giving this a shot.

Hey Papa! Look at the little golfers!
We need to work on Avery to decide if she is right or left handed but either way...they had fun.

I think I can safely say we are all equal parts exhausted and exhilarated by our weekend.

Whining Sticks

Remember back in 2007 my Strategies post?

No? Well, it involved the lengths this mama goes through to trick her kids into getting what she wants them to do...all while having fun.

We have been struggling with whining as of late...a lot of whining.

It just so happens that whining pretty much puts me over the edge.

Ruins my day.

We had to come up with a solution.

Nothing I was doing was working.

You know....

yelling

threatening

pouting

nothing

I put it to the kids.

"What do you think will work? What are your ideas?"

Kyndra, the lead whiner, came up with this.

Write on Popsicle sticks some things...like push-ups...and when we whine we pick one.

So, here they are...the start of our whining sticks.

More are to come I'm sure.

My favorite is "hug your mom."

Kapers Audition

Kyndra, Landon, and Peg auditioned for the Kiwanis Kapers Talent Show last weekend....the kids' first talent show...for a prize! 

First they practiced at Peg's house...and had to decide on a band name.

 We almost decided on the Bloody Fiddle Band

or Nose Bleeders...

However, the final name was The White Water Rapids.
Peg has instilled these two kids with so much skill and confidence over the last 4 years that they weren't even nervous!  I think Ronda and I were more nervous than the kids....I know we were.  They just marched up on that stage and did what they have been doing... as friends...as siblings...as band members.

Meet the first two members of the

White Water Rapids....

one more member will be joining soon.

`

Story of an Egg Hunt

Three little egg hunters all in a row,

one false start and off they go,

one found a golden egg,

the other...oh no!

My golden ticket says "bunny," and he's handing me a duck,

I'm a Beaver fan...I guess sister is in luck!