June "Rendezvous" in Montana. A Soferdig welcome.

Yee haa off to Montana for a fun time and great company!

I'll be there with hubby, 2 of my sons (one phoned yesterday to beg off - he wants to buy a car at the end of the summer and every penny counts!), possibly one son's girlfriend, our friends who live in Somers, and 3 dogs.

Looking forward to it!

Still planning on coming Sof and all.

I do wish it was not scheduled for Fathers' Day weekend!

I think you all should bring your fathers. With all of the things to see and do even our aged ones can enjoy Glacier Park with a car. Also there are thing to see from my boat while sitting. Also used tool shops to shop in and many Pawn shops that keep dads happy shopping while here. They also enjoy the sitting around the fire pit........ etc.
This is my dad 2 years ago before he died. He loved to travel with me in the canoe. We have 2 of those for you to take him on a canoe trip down a calm river.

Oh I wish he would agree to come but he is 94 and no longer fond of traveling. He and my mom live in the Tahoe area. So I will be going down there.

I too find it difficult to get Dad to go anywhere anymore. I'd like nothing better than to have the whole dang family go rent a compound on the beach somewhere in Mexico (and everyone is up for it), but Dad won't have any of it.

Have you heard of "Intervention" where the whole family grabs the one needing help and takes them there. LOL

Good thought.

My dad? Oh, here's a news flash from yesterday -- he appears to be moving to the Philippines this summer.

Sounds like you guys share the same blood . . . with an itch for travel an' all.

That might explain me, but I cannot explain my father!

We used to live in the Philippines - I love it there!

Moving to the Pillippines, your dad must be living mid-life excitement. When I was approaching my 40's I interviewed my clients about what they did for their "Crisis" and took all of their info and selected my outlet for such my moment. Most of them said "Do NOT use women for your outlet". So the creative ones all changed something and put courage into life decisions to completly change their way of working. So I sold my practice and decided to take off a year to decide. Hence I am happily living my moment of change.

Sof I didn't realize our furry/feathered friends gave such good life advice. I shall now consult the crazy ole cat about these things.

Hee hee.

My dad is in his 70s. We can only hope that is mid-life.

if middle is defined as neither the beginning nor the end...I think 70 falls squarely in the middle.

Ditto what Katye said.

Yes, and he's going strong. He will be around to make me hold my head in my hands for many years.

Oh you've got a great healthy Papa! That's a lot to be thankful for.
Just curious: did he explain why he's going to the Philippines?

Oh I assumed wrong. With a 20 year old daughter who is begining a life of adventure I assumed he was 40 something. LOL

ITERINARY FOR VISIT TO FLATHEAD VALLEY AND SOFERDIGS HOUSE AND GARDEN:
Yes I have an itinerary when you get here............. you can do what you want. We probably will have people going to the park on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. It will all depend on the sun. So plan on hiking, boating, visits to nurseries, shopping, art galleries, theater, art in the park,short trips to view points of the valley, Hay Ride one night will be scheduled according to weather, sitting by the fire and drinking wine eating, some men may want to fish, canoe, sail, go to cool pawn shops, old tool sheds, auctions, shoot skeet, play with pistols or rifles, etc. Anyone who wants a tour of the glacial history of the valley or the geology of the Rocky Mountains or a boat tour of Flathead Lake have me available to give you the details. A drive around Flathead Lake is a possibility with 3 nurseries if it rains. We have Conrad Mansion for a tour of a millionaires home with the old way of living, furniture of the 1800's, and a wonderful garden that was the style of the founder of Kalispell who brought the railroad to our great valley. We have horses to rent and ride for anyone who is interested. Dogs are welcome and we have a fenced in 3 acres with a 10' fence around it all. Bring your kennel if they are not sociable and we can tether or crate them when not with you. We have 2 large gardens that we will visit after I schedule the time with the garden. Probably early Saturday or Sunday for the morning people. Anyone who wants to ride their bike is welcome to bring it because we have miles of bike trails in our city. We have miles and miles and miles of roads right from our house up the mountains behind us for joggers, mountain bikers, or just to decompress from the big city in rural Montana. We have a wilderness like small area right behind our house for people to walk up the road and have a wonderful short hike to visit areas of glacial activity, get out by yourself and not get lost. I will have maps. My chickens will be couped so dogs have no temptation. What else do you want to know? Oh the weather in June is usually sunny around 55F to 70F. We often get rain during the day but it doesn't last long. Usually thunderstorm in middle late afternoon. I will list a number of hotels, motels, and B&Bs

I haven't fallen off a horse in a long time. That might be fun.

I haven't either but have been kicked by quite a few. As a veterinarian that happens. My favorite riding was when I was young and took my Arab down to the river and she paddled in the deep water as far as she could just for fun. I hung on to her tail as she paddled ahead, feeling her hooves blasting the water underneath. Fond memories of my "Shammie".

OK good to know that you know how to ride Sof. I will count on you to catch me when I fall off the horse cuz I don't. One of my favorite things about horses is that they are user friendly. When I get on them, they always turn their heads and look at me and say 'You're kiddin right? Although I like you, you have absolutely no idea how to ride me right?" Of coursely I always agree. Never crappola a horse I always say. They can throw you big time. (Been there, done that)

Horses always evaluate their riders and a good look is part of that. Now if you plan on falling I want no responsibility so stay off.

Coming home from Alaska to get ready for those who are coming to Montana. Only a month away. Looking forward to who shows up. I will be taking names in a couple of weeks.

Dang - we are having a Father's Day campout on this side that same weekend. Sorry to miss meeting more of the crew, and what a nice getaway that would be (camper + dog + fun). Enjoy yourselves and I expect tons of pics.

OK looks like we will have a small bur fun group. Let's take names and numbers of those of you comming.

Gwen (me)
Jim (husband)
Jesse (18 yo son)
Kenzie (dog)
Buddy (dog)
Barbara (friend from Somers)
Keith (friend from Somers)
Kyle (19 yo son)
Murphy (dog)

This message was edited Jun 14, 2010 7:16 AM

I must admit, one of my favorite childhood memories is of a summer vacation in Montana. I've been lurking here off and on in hopes that maybe we could do this. I'd love to go back again and stay for a while (Last time I went through Montana I was on my way to MN for a memorial service, not the best trip) but this isn't the spring for it, unfortunately. I very much will be looking forward to pictures, though. :)

Suzy can you come. It truely is a most wonderful time in Montana. You are most welcome.

I will have to look forward to loads of pics, too.
No dog-sitter at my place & I'd have to travel with them in my little truck.
Gee, which one would be lucky enough to get stuck with the jumpseat?
I was hoping all would work out, but not this year.

Some day, Kate - we'll be able to make a road trip out there to see Steve and his marvelous gardens. And that awesome new bird feeder. I was telling some people about it the other day . . .

Steve, thank you so very much, but I can't-that's the weekend we're doing the annual family Mariners game with my mom. Not a good year to miss that one. Maybe another time?

I am also sorry to miss this fun event. :( I'm sure there will be lots of photos and you will all have a great time. I love Montana.

I will not be able to attend as well, but am looking forward to the pictures, too

Mom and I are planning on coming barring any other chaos between now and then.

Kayte you know the dogs are welcome, and so are you. Sorry you all can't make it.