Flathead Lake

Hello Flathead Lake!

One year ago when we were planning this trip we were giddy with excitement and basically told anybody we came across about our upcoming travels. This created lots of suggestions of where we should go and so then the map started being put together. One of the main areas was Acadia, and when we made it there, I had this sense that we were actually making the dreams come true. One spot that a couple people told us about was Flathead Lake. Three different strangers told us we MUST visit this location. "It's like the Caribbean in the middle of the mountains." They were right. The water might not be as warm, but it's certainly as clear and when the temperature outside is 90 degrees, a 75 degree lake is extremely enjoyable! We stayed at the KOA which is a really great campground in a nice location. We spent our evenings renting paddle boards, going to the state parks, and loving life lakeside.

Pancake breakfast at our campground. Every Sunday they serve Huckleberry Pancakes...not to be missed!

School has started...making ancient Chinese festival masks

Recess

Montana is HUGE. I think it feels that much larger because the different places to visit are so spread out. We were camping on the south side of Flathead Lake so we had the choice of a big day trip to either the National Bison Range or to Glacier National Park. Our first instinct would be to hit the park, but we were about to visit Olympic National Park and Crater Lake National Park, and couple that to the boy's love of buffalo, we headed to the Bison Range. To get there, you drive through Ninepipes reservation. This area is beautiful. Wetlands in the basin of what used to be Lake Missoula with the backdrop of mountains that surround you. We turned on the Native American radio station on the itunes and drove slow. When we got to the bison range, we were were not disappointed. We were able to spot white tail deer, mule deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, and of course bison!

The ancient bed of Lake Missoula 

Austin snapped some phone pictures while I used the camera...he did a pretty good job!

One night we grabbed Chris after work and headed North to Bigfork. Our goal was just to see the lake but I packed the swimsuits just in case. As we drove along the road we saw an old dock that was calling our names. We all changed roadside and went and jumped in. Seriously, the beauty. Water that clear, mountains, sun...it was beckoning for some good ol' fashioned kiddie skinny dipping! Afterwards we continued on and grabbed seats on the patio of the brewery to watch the sun set.

SUP'ing on the lake. Or rather, we paddled out to the middle and used them as large diving boards.

It's nice they are getting older!

Off the dock

Into the sun

Bliss

Our exlporer

This lake is calling us back. Chris has an ongoing Adventure List of places we MUST return to and explore more. Preferably when he's not working. Flathead, we will see you again!

Tag at sunset

Kerr Damn

See ya later Flathead...