The BIG Road Trip, Part 1: Glacier

In what is becoming an annual summer road trip,  we headed east through WA, MT, and ND!  We love having friends to stay with in Spokane, which makes the first day a breeze and we have the bonus of spending time with great friends.  I wasn't really sure what to expect from Annika on this trip.  Each time we prepare for hours on the road, I wonder how she will handle it.  We had lots and lots of books on hand, favorite toys, and a few new toys.  As long as we stop for a stretch/run break every few hours, she seemed to do just fine.

Last year we did not make Glacier a stop on our route and I definitely didn't want to pass it up again this time.  I adore the park and want to make sure it's a part of Annika's childhood, too.  We camped for the first time with her in a tent.  It wasn't as smooth as I had hoped it would be.  After playing in Lake McDonald, I was really hopeful that she'd be exhausted and ready to settle down.  As it turned out, she had trouble falling asleep while it was still light outside and people were making noise.  Luckily, as soon as she did fall asleep, she stayed asleep throughout the night. 

The next day, we drove over the Going to the Sun Highway and stopped to hike at the top of Logan Pass.  The hike to Hidden Lake overlook is pretty short but very snowy.  It was fun to see bighorn sheep,  mountain goats, and a weasel.  While we were eating lunch, several mountain goats wandered close to where we were sitting.  Annika still talks about the goats and riding on her daddy's back.

 We stayed for two nights with family friends in St. Mary, by the east entrance to Glacier.  They own the Park Cafe and Grocery and I could eat a slice of their Razzleberry Pie for any meal.  Our friend Tiffany drove down from Calgary to visit at the same time that we were there.  We hiked to St. Mary Falls and Victoria Falls.  I don't remember having done this hike before but I'm sure we must have when we were little.  It's an easy hike and the waterfalls are beautiful.

We spend one afternoon at Many Glacier.  If it would have been feasible, I would have held our wedding here.  I think it's the most gorgeous place.  We didn't have time for a hike but both Annika and Kyle jumped in the lake for a quick swim.

 I can't wait to get back here for a longer visit!  Thanks to Kathryn and Neal for their hospitality and friendship!

Visit to Cottage Grove

At the beginning of July, we drove south to Cottage Grove, OR to visit my mom and step-dad Steve.  We were able to be there to celebrate the 4th of July and do a few of our own sparklers.  Annika enjoyed seeing their dog Max, playing in a fun sprinkler in the backyard, watering flowers with her Nana, and playing at a neighborhood park.  A big highlight was a visit to a wildlife safari.  It was a great experience to drive through the park and see the animals walking right next to our car or, like the bison, blocking the road entirely for a while.  The safari also had a zoo and Annika's favorite was the cheetah.  She's been asking to look at cheetah pictures since we were there a few months ago :)