I took the week off and took the family camping.
Okay, so that statement is egregious; I took the week off but without Krista doing the prep work, we would have been camping in the driveway.
Krista spent many hours and multiple time-outs getting the camper and kids ready for a camping trip... I had the easy part, take a few days off and drive.
Now that I've got that cleaned up and my foot successfully removed from my mouth we can continue...
Monday August 8th; We finished packing the last few items and headed towards the mountains. We got stuck for about 45 minutes in a line of cars that was stopped for a traffic accident that closed both lanes of Highway 212. We got to our camping destination (Limberpine campground, about 12 miles south of Red Lodge, MT) set up camp. Made fire, drank hot cocoa and fell fast asleep.
 |
| FIRE!!! |
 |
| COCOA!!! |
 |
| This was the part where we were supposed to be falling fast asleep... |
|
|
Tuesday...
Krista makes yummy breakfast sammiches! (Dutch-oven Pillsbury biscuits, eggs, bacon and cheese). We loaded up and drove up the
Beartooth Highway and decided to make a trek up to Beauty Lake. (Trail 621, 2.5 miles, listed as "easy") We figured that a 2.5 mile hike was well within the girls abilities and this was rated as a "Well traveled" and "Family friendly" hike. Well, I'm sure it is... if you hit the correct trail. We ended up taking the path less explored; it was not well traveled nor was it family friendly. We crossed a creek, a flooded marsh and then followed a trail up and up and up over and sometimes under fallen trees... we finally decided to turn around just in time to get a front row seat to the Thunder and Lightning show, with special guests Hail and Rain!! Krista grabbed Audrey and I scooped up Madison and Zoie and we made a B-Line down the mountain. 45 minutes later, cold and wet, we arrived back at the Excursion. We got the girls out of their wet clothes and started our drive back to the campground. Right at the turnoff for the campground a pair of Moose were there to greet us. I don't ever remember seeing Moose near Red Lodge so it was a bit of a treat.
 |
| The yellow highlight shows the actual trail that leads to Beauty Lake. The red highlight is an approximation of the route we took before calling it quits. |
 |
| Where's the bridge? |
 |
| About all we heard from Madison for the next day was "Thunder makes me cry". |
 |
| Another Weston adventure. |
 | | |
| MOOSE! |
Wednesday...
I went on a solo hike up to Glacier Lake that took about 3 hours longer than Krista and I had agreed upon. I returned back to camp after the initial "ticked-off, where the hell is he" and just before the "I hope he's not hurt" phase. I kicked myself for not bringing the camera with me, the 4 mile hike is amazing beyond what I could describe. I only brought back one Cutthroat trout, which made a decent lunch on Thursday.
 |
| Where's Dad? |
Thursday...
We were more than happy to sit around the campfire and enjoy the day. Grammy came up for a visit.
 |
| Simon says, "Everyone who's name isn't Madison smile!" |
|
 |
| Why is there a pony in my hair? |
 |
| Zoie couldn't be happier that Baxter decided to lay on her bed. |
 |
| Audrey and Madison shared the Kitchen table/bed. |
Friday...
Time to pack up and head for home (sad face). So, a gratuitous photo of the kid/camper hauler. The Excursion is a great rig, it pulled the camper like there was nothing back there and decent MPG with the 6.0 Turbo Diesel. When we got home the girls found something new and fun to wear.
 |
| I'm not that great with a camera, but Ford should pay me for shots like this. |
 |
| After a week in shorts and jeans it was time for skirts, a ladybug costume and accessories! |
