Crystal Lake is this very shallow lake in the mountains around Lewistown. My brother had a friend whose family was the camp host here and they would run all over these mountains.  This was the first place we took Isaac camping as a baby.  The kids go here quite a bit with my mom. They get out the little rafts and air matress, picnic and hike around the lake.  This time we went up with my Mom and Jim.  We had the intention to hike to either the Crystal Ice Caves or Grandview Point. For some reason Job didn't want to do any hiking.  We left him at the campground with my Mom and Jim.  They hiked around the lake and saw a bear!  We got lost and never really went anywhere.  Actually we hiked up to the well for the campground.  Always and adventure.  Isaac was hilarious, "I thought when I got lost it would be more exciting and fun than this."  I still chuckle over that.  Sometimes things seem a lot more adventurous until your actually doing it then it's just reality.  Once we got back to the picnic area we walked down to the lake and saw the bear too.  I loved seeing it come out of the trees, wander through the meadow, stop and perk up it's ears. I could almost see it sniff. It heard some people coming along the path to the meadow; at that point it turned around almost like a dog, and took off for the trees. So very amazing. It came back out once more but then I think the lake and path were too crowded.

My Mom's husband owns a cabin in the Little Belt Mountains of Montana.  This cabin was built in 1935 by three people who rented the land from the National Forest Service for 99 years.  That cabin and lease has been passed down from generation to generation. It  has no running water, no plumbing and no electricity.  However it is the cutest cabin with a wood burning stove, a sink, a bunkbed and double bed, and a dinning table.  The outhouse is down a path and remains locked until they come up. Since its on Forest Service Land people sometimes assume that they can use the facilities.  We packed up food and guns and headed out to the cabin.  Its a great place to explore, wander up the path crossing the creek at least 15 times, I had to notch a stick to keep track.  Job started up the path and decided that he didn't want to take his shoes off or get them wet so for the first 6 crossings or so he would find anyway across that would allow him to keep his shoes dry.  When we reached the part of the trail that splits we decided to head back.  Once back we snacked and shot guns.

 I've only come here a handful of times.  I think I've been here more with my kids than I did growing up. What a fun place.  The water is crystal clear and it bubbles out of the ground.  It is so perfect for a hot 90+ degree day.  Jim got most of the stuff ready, placed it in his truck.  My mom I think packed everything to eat in her cupboard.  I brought books and knitting and my camera.  For Hawaii, John and I purchased a camera to video and take stills underwater.  I had packed that but forgot the charger.  It was at home so we didn't get much underwater photos. After the kids getting sun burnt in Kalispell at the water slides John was obsessed with them putting sun screen on. However he wanted them to slather up their ears.  We all laughed and teased him but did it anyway.  I guess he has a coworker that had skin cancer on his ear and almost lost his life from it.  Funny moment was as I was getting onto one of the little boats, I didn't get my butt right, and I totally lost my balance and ended up in the water.   It's all in good fun.

There is a place in Montana that has the shortest river in the world, legend goes.  The water bubbles up out of the ground and runs into the Missouri River.  I may have been here once but decided that it would be a great stop on the way to Lewistown.  We got out, looked at the water, snapped some photos, had a bathroom break, kicked the soccer ball around and talked to people. I just wanted to go wading the water was so invinting. Sometimes just breaking the monotony of driving is refreshing even if its for 5 minutes or 1/2 hour.








I can't believe that they are just about the same height.  Lately when ever I look at Isaac and John together it stuns me.  They look so much like each other.  Same build.  My boy is quickly becoming a man. They talk about politics and sports.  They both love talk radio.