Another Montana Trip

We took another trip down south to pick up our flooring that we had ordered 2 weeks before and decided once again to take advantage of the ski season which is closing in a couple of weeks. Our drive down this time was great but we hit a storm coming back up. It was a little interesting (we had the back of the 4runner tied 1/2 way down with some rope so needless to say we had the heat on the entire time. It got a little cool at times) and took us a couple of extra hours but when you are saving about two thousand dollars it doesn't seem so bad!
So this trip Lee lee, her youngest son Neal and our mutual friend Dixie joined us for a day of skiing. It was alot of fun!

See anything interesting about this Pickup truck? Look closer. It's a little hard to see but if you look up towards the top left and right side of the roof you will see Antlers. Yes. They were securely attached to the truck! Now THAT is Montana!! Can you say, "random" ?




This is in the front lobby of the Hotel. A little interesting and a little random. But cute non the less.





This is the building right next door to the Hotel. I am sure there is a story behind the horse and wagon that is on the roof.  Again.  Random.  But then again very quaint.




Breakfast time.




More breakfast time.




Eyes closed.




Eyes open.




Lee Lee, Dixie and Neal getting ready to rent thier gear. Don't they look serious?




I saw this as I was skiing and just had to take a picture of it. That is quite a "hat" on top of that tiny shed. There was just so much snow around!




That Neal! He had a lot of fun trying to smash our faces together but we managed a non smashing picture. Well, wait a minute. Maybe this is a "smashing " picture. Lol!




Just relaxing mid afternoon while Chris and Neal are skiing the black diamonds!



I am pretty sure we would stay here again. See you again Kalispell Grand Hotel!  

And Lee lee? Next time we won't load your car up with 7 hundred pounds of tile. Promise. Thank you again for helping us out. Really.

Big Mountain in Whitefish, Montana

Chris and I drove down to Montana last week to look for some hardwood and tile for the main level of our home and to also go skiing. We were lucky and found what we were looking for at the first place we looked (Thank you Mark and Lee Lee for the suggestion)! We had a great time away and the skiing was great. And I mean great! Above zero temperatures + sunny and clear = perfect skiing! Chris had skied here quite a bit back in High School with his buddies and this was my first trip.

We took the road that people normally don't travel on in the winter but we didn't know until we were on it. The road had been closed the week before due to snow and high winds. Look at that 15 foot drift!

The drive was pretty scary at times with the winds blowing all the snow around so seeing this snow blower doing it's thing was a welcome sight.

As we were driving along on a different road but with equally bad weather a little Ford Focus passed us and we both thought that was a little crazy because of the very icy roads. Not more than 1 minute later that little Ford Focus slid and ended up needing some help to get straightened away. This is Chris and the guy that was behind us pushing that little Ford Focus out of the ditch.

We followed this Hummer up to Big Mountain. See the ski runs in the background? That is where we are headed!

We're on our way! Take the next right. See the Flag? No wind. Skiing is gonna be great!

We took a break for a few minutes at the Hellroaring Saloon and Eatery which was the original ski lodge at the resort and built in 1947.

Here is Chris about 1/2 way up the mountain with the mogul run down to the left.

Here I am at the same place. But I don't do moguls.

This is right at the top of the mountain. It's called Summit House. It was quite spectacular as you can see from the picture and seeing the two flags there side by side was pretty cool.

This picture and the one below are on the back (North) side of the mountain. I look mighty happy but I had just fallen. Twice. It was a little too steep for me but luckily it was only a short little steep run. I fell so many times this trip but that's okay because now I am an expert at getting up. But NOT an expert at putting my skis back on after a fall going downhill! See the trees covered in all that snow? They are called Snow Ghosts. One of the coolest things I have ever seen!!

Ms. Dress-Up

Kelly is great at putting costumes together for different Young Single Adult activities. Here are just a few.Rock out Kelly!

50's Housewife!
Aloha Kelly!

Family Ski Trip

For the last 5 years we have joined some friends from Regina to go skiing at Bridger Bowl in Bozeman, Montana. It's only about a 5 1/2 hour drive from our home now which is quite a bit closer than our previous 9 hour drive when we lived in Regina. I am not a great skier but I do enjoy it and finally felt more confident this year although at times I know I didn't look it.
Here are some pictures for you to enjoy. Chris had the camera in his pocket most of the time so there aren't any pictures of him. Also Seth's ankle was giving him problems so he wasn't able to snowboard after the first day so there are no pictures of him either.

This is what you see once you pass the front desk at the C'mon Inn. I really should have stood back when I took this picture so you could get the feel of this hotel. It has a very open feel to it and is a great place to stay. At the front desk they have a basket full of Andes Mints for the guests to enjoy! How great is that?


They didn't have these fish there last year. This hotel has only been open for 2 years.


This is one of 4 Hot Tubs that are on the main level just behind the stairs and waterfall in the first picture. There was always a Hot Tub available after a day of skiing and did that ever feel nice!


This is part of the Dining area that serves the best Continental Breakfasts ever. Don't you just love the Antelope's there on the wall? Kind of creepy I guess but I sure like it!


This was taken by Chris at the top of a hill that I don't ski down. It's just too scary for me right now.


It was a bit cold this year but fun to ski thru the snowflakes.


Here is Caleb. He's a Snowboarder and is really good at it. Chris took some pictures of Caleb on the run where you do all the tricks but he wasn't quite prepared with the camera. Maybe next year we can get Caleb doing some "sweet moves"!


I look for this old house on the left side of the road everytime we drive up to the ski hill. Not quite sure why though. I just really like it. Maybe it's the "what went on in that house back in the day ?" curiosity in me.


I don't know what the name of these animals are but I call them Yikkity Yaks. It's kind of a cute name for such wooly creatures. This is the first year we have seen them. I will be looking out for them again next year. These are also on the left side of the road going up to the hill.


Last but not least here I am visiting with my Aunt Pat, my father's only sibling on our last day of skiing. She lives in Bozeman and we stop in to visit her every year. It always feels like home to me the moment I walk thru the front door.