Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Our close to Home Getaway

Last week we took a little vacation. We went to Fairmont, Montana and to the cabin in Island Park. In Montana we stayed at the Fairmont Hot Springs resort. So we could swim all we (the kids) wanted to, it wasn't very warm while we were there so it was good that they are hot springs so we were able to swim in the warm water while it was cold out (I didn't get any pictures at the pool). We took a little trip over to the Lewis and Clark Caverns. I remember a little bit about it from when I went there when I was a kid. It was a lot of walking with Elie on the front of me in a snugli but fun and the kids liked. On the drive back to the hotel we decided to make an adventure for ourselves and climbed up and over and down and up again to a huge cave that we saw from the road on our way. We definitely got our exercise that day. After Montana we came home for a day, Tom went to work and we got the lawn mowed and laundry done. Then we took the four-wheelers up to the Cabin. The Shuldberg's went with us and we had a blast. I haven't ridden that much at one time and by the time it was time to go home I think we were all ready to be done for a while.

At the end of the caverns at Lewis and Clark Caverns
The hike to the cavern entrance they said it was about 3/4 of a mile uphill.

Some of the many awesome formations inside the caverns.


The cave we climbed to.

From the inside of the cave if you look closely you can see three of the kids at the entrance.

This is where Elie and I stayed while the rest of the family went on to the cave. We went a big part of the way but decided it was too dangerous and hard to take Elie the whole way.


After a long day of hiking and swimming.



This is Sparky's Garage in Dillon Montana. We ate there on the way and on the way back. Their barbecue is delicious.


This is how I looked after our long four wheeler ride. I had no idea and Tom and the kids kept laughing at me so I went to look for myself in the mirror. It was pretty funny looking so I had Tom take a picture of me with dust caked on my face.









3 comments:

Shon and Holly Shuldberg said...

Very cute!! Thanks for letting us invade your vacation. We loved it. I love the flower!!

The Buttars said...

Looks like you guys had an awesome time! Glad you had so much fun.

The Buttars Gang said...

I had no idea the Lewis and Clark caverns were that close to here. I've wanted to go back there for years, but for some reason thought they were over in South Dakota. It sounds like you guys had fun. I may have to pack up the van and take the kids there myself. I'll have to give you a call. Thanks.