Fun Times in Montana!!

Warning.......Long post ahead! After returning to Lubbock from Montana, Ryan and I took yet another trip yesterday otherwise Iwould have posted already. We drove to Lake Graham and got to see all of his family. It was great. Then today, after working a long gruesome 11 hours, I am ready to post all of the story! Here is all the fun Mom, Dad and I had on the ride to Montana, at John and Mel's and then on the way home a little bit.

Dad was so excited that the train tracks drove through the mountains. I thought it was cool too though.

I thought this picture was a lot cooler though. Can you see the little black tracks? Yup that is the railroad! Just hanging in the mountains!

This is actually a picture while driving on the interstate. It must have been a point where we were going slow since the road went straight up the mountain. At one spot, the raod was actually at a 6% grade and the speed limit for trucks was 25 mph!

Finally the view to Polson! The road on the left of the picture is the road we came in on and as soon as you get ontop of the hill you get an amazing view of Flathead Lake.

Somebody woke up early on Sunday! He did NOT want to go back to bed. So, John and I packed him up and took a walk to the lake. It was only like two blocks from his house! I am so jealous! Gabe loves that pack too!

Here is a shot of the lake. It does not do justice to how gorgeous it is though! This particular day the lake was really choppy and John told me the story about why it is also called the Widowmaker. Just ask him......he will tell you.....

Later on in the day John decided to take me on a hike. I thought it was going to be a small or easy hike, but I was really wrong. Good thing Pat and Allen came with us since they were well prepared with food and the bear mace! This picture is at the beginning of the trail...that is why I am still smiling! No really it wasn't that terrible,but my knees do still hurt!

Can you see that big drop off behind me? Imagine someone who is scared of heights going through there...oh wait....that is me. It was amazing though.

I have no idea what those white flowers were, but it was the best smell ever! Plus, they made a perfect picture frame here.

John being John and climbing some rock that really was not meant to be climbed on. Luckily he got down safely, although he did scare us on his way down.

This was our actual destination. We made it all the way to the top of it, as you will see next, then John and I practically slide through a little trail to take these pics. By the time we were finished I was soaking wet with mist, but the water felt so great and so cold!

The view from the top to the bottom. I did not take this shot though-I was way too scared to get that close on slippery rock! Can you see me and John down on the rocks taking the previous picture?

At the top, pausing for a quick snap. Tucker was right in the middle of it all too. He was playing the rocks the whole time. He acts like they are balls pretty much; throws them in the air, chews on them, pushing them with his nose. It is so funny!

What a cute little man! The chicken noodle dinner he ate matches his shirt!

First Aunt Missy had a great idea to play with the sticks....Grandma didn't like that idea too much.

Second idea, lay down so that I can be at Gabe's level to play with him.

Gabe's idea: Let's play with Aunt Missy's hair and eyes and nose.....

Next, Gabe uses my face as a stabilizer to stand up....somewhere around this time I decided I shouldn't lay down with him. He is a pincher!!! Oh and perfect timing too; right as I sat up, Gabe threw up that great chicken noodle dinner all over the blanket!! Good thing it wasn't on me. :)

All suited up to go for a hike down 252 stairs to the Kerr Dam.

Going down the stairs with him wasn't all that easy; it felt like I had someone pushing me down the stairs almost. Of course the stroll up was such a picnic! :( Even though my calves are still sore from this, I am really glad that I was able to carry him.

Mom and I finally made it to the bottom of the dam. Gabe loved the view!

This is the dam. It is actually 204 feet higher than Niagra Falls. Pat told us it is really amazing when all the gates are open. Here there is just a little spill over that is coming out.

Sorry, I thought I was going to be able to post every day I was there, but I am exhausted. I started this somewhere around eight and now is is ten fifteen. You all will just have to wait until tomorow to see the rest! Have a great night!