Back in the USA

Sad to leave the beautiful lakes in Canada, but we've found out that the Dakotas have so much to offer. For some reason I expected to see endless miles of brown desolation and heat considering the time of year. Instead we've seen fields of blooming sunflowers, acres of green pasture lands, full to the brim lakes surrounded by cat tails and rushes. Not to mention the bison, the herons, the fox and the big horn sheep. Oh, and the wild horses!!!! We stood in a meadow and watched a zillion (maybe not quite that many) dragonflies swirl around. We went to a musical in an ampitheatre in the hills of the badlands and to the lighting ceremony at Mt Rushmore. We went to a laser show at Crazy Horse, an incredible work in progress. I'm so glad to finally see these amazing sights. The Dakotas? Jewels of a nation.

Full moon over Falcon Lake

Nice, huh?

Falcon Lake.. so beautiful

We are currently ensconced in Alan and Cindy's "cottage" on Falcon Lake in Canada. You know those lucky people who go to the seashore or the lake for the summer? Well that's what it's like for us right now and let me tell you, they have the right idea. Get up in the morning, have a coffee, go for a walk and look at the lake. Consider a boat ride after breakfast. After the crossword that is, just to see if you can get the brain working. I love it.

Oh Canada....

We are enjoying life in Canada at the moment, so with no "at home" internet, we're a little slow to post. At present we're in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This country is so green. Lots and lots of wheat, corn and sunflower fields. It feels a bit like being in Europe, with all the signs and tv stations in English and French and the Queens picture up everywhere. Tomorrow we go to Falcon Lake for the week. We're lucky enough to have friends Cindy and Alan invite us to stay at their lake home and friends Chrissie and Jim bringing their boat to complete the good times. Pics will be posted when we can. Meanwhile, life is good...

Glacier Park

view of the glacier

Farewell to the Glaciers

Spent the day in beautiful, Glacier National Park yesterday. Lakes so blue, sheer rock cliffs, green trees, wild flower meadows and rushing water everywhere. They make up for the glaciers that are expected to be gone by 2020. The road To The Sun winds its way up the steep mountain side, (kinda scary) past the Weeping Wall and the work crews hanging off the edges, rebuilding the road. We took a hike to Virginia Falls. The temperature must have dropped 20 degrees when we got to the Falls. It felt so good. We saw an Osprey family, nesting on a tree top, little Pica running around, a group of lazy big horn sheep and white mountain goats sitting on the snow, looking pristine. Sad to say goodbye to the glaciers. I wonder what's next?

Mousse or Moose, You decide

I can't believe it! The first hike on this whole trip that I don't go on with Stan and he gets a front row seat to a moose viewing. The one animal I've been waiting to see all through the West. I am TOTALLY jealous. Maybe my turn is down the road...

On another note, Bozeman is a wonderful town. I could see living here. We have really enjoyed our stay with Chris and Paul Thibault. They toured us everywhere. We went to the headwaters of the Missouri River and took a boat trip on the river through the gateway of the Rockies. We went up to Big Sky Ski area and attended a concert as the sun set. We spent time at the Sweet Pea Festival, a 3 day extravaganza of music, arts and crafts. The best part was the wood work shop where hundreds of kids were hammering and painting away, creating whatever was in their heads, using wood scraps. So cool. We went to Virginia City and saw antelope grazing along the highway. I love the afternoon thunder showers and the long evenings of summer here.

Tomorrow we head out to Glacier Park. Does it get any better?