June "Rendezvous" in Montana. A Soferdig welcome.

thanks Steve. Amber wouldn't give you one second of rest - it's all about the ball.
And Ruby would eat all the food you weren't consuming while your hand was engaging the tennis ball for Amber.
I would have a fabulous road trip without the dogs - no room for them in the truck.

Wish I was able to come too. It is almost my old stomping grounds, just a we bit further north.I did see where a house blew up in Columbia Falls the earlier part of May. The next door neighbor to the house that exploded was once (many, many, years ago) someone who was an important part of my life. Looking at him on TV I thought, wow, he sure has gotten old and gained weight, but then if he saw me on TV he'd be saying the same thing. LOL
But that was another life.

Wow, Linda, what a coincidence. I find that, as well. People all around me are really aging . . .

I saw a burn up there the day I left for Mich it probably was his house.

We are not going to make it due to other considerations. you all have a good time!

I am planning to drive with Julie and Sharon, if Henry gets house trained by then. I will have to bring him with me.

If you use a crate to potty train him, it'll go much faster! Phone if you want any 'directions' on that.

Steve, What would you like us to bring?

I thought everybody could decide on what we need when you get there. I am planning dinner for everyone on Friday pm and anything you want to bring is ok. But with the distance travelled I thought we could plan daily and cook at our house or buy where ever we were. Deserts travel well so that will do.

Steve and other Kalispel-bound travelers, we are planning to take our boys to open soccer at 6pm in Big Fork and then eat at a new Italian restaurant over there around 8 or 8:30. (We have to pick up Barb at the airport a bit earlier too.) Keith and Barb know the new owners and they're planning a special family-style Italian meal for us. Any and all of the gardening group is welcome to join us. I would just need to know numbers ahead of time because we're not ordering off the menu, so the owner needs to know numbers of how many he's cooking this meal for.

P.S. I don't mean to derail your very generous dinner plans at your place on Friday, but just wanted to let you know what we are going to do and let everyone know that they are welcome.

Steve, we do a several variety baked bean-hamburger hot dish that we plan to do ahead of time and bring along. Will such fit into any of your meal plans?

Ahhh, have a wonderful time all you folks. Wish I was there.

Me too.

I am soooo excited for you guys. Have a great time!

Sometime on a cross-country drive I'd love to be able to stop in MT. Steve, hint hint
It won't be til after Jeff retires though.

Ahhhh, retirement - another one of my favorite words. Almost there.

Friday night at bigfork is good plan on ten and if more we can cover the additional food . What time are you getting to bigfork?

Anybody wanting to be spontaneous there is going to be fun here this weekend.

Steve, 10 total including our group of 6 and then you, Lynn, Julie, Sharon (what about your wife)? Or our 6 plus 10 more equaling 16?

I think we'll get to Big Fork at least by 6 for the soccer but then plan to eat around 8 or 8:30 because of having to get Barb from the airport. I can find out a better time estimate and get back to you. I'm going to dmail you my cell #.

Steve, what do you make of your flood watch info on the weather sites? Do we have anything to worry about?

Also, I am sure you can tell us which of the three states we plan to travel through have the best prices on gas????? In my distant recollections, it seems like there is quite the differential.

Steve, does anyone have your address and phone number?

Lynn, Julie and I do as well as Gwen.

Looks to me about 12. Carol is supposed to come from CAlgary also. Nothing to worry about floods. I think if your mapquest sends you north out of St Regis it is OK. But if it routes you through Missoula it is wrong. Callif otherwise 406-752-2710

Okay, I've asked my friends to tell the restaurant owner 12 people. Hopefully everyone will come as he's making the meal special - this is not ordering off the menu kind of thing.

Here's the info on the restaurant:

"I realize this does not have a fancy ring to it, the name of the restaurant is Sun Mountain Pizza in Bigfork (there is new ownership). They are putting aside fresh morel mushrooms for us (picked in the mountains today). They can be used in pasta or on pizza. Across from Dairy Queen and next to Subway. Phone is 837-6664."

Keith said they are planning for us to arrive around 8pm.

Gwen, you're making the rest of us suffer!! That sounds fantastic - I do hope you all have a good time and get good photos!

Questions ..........

Gwen.... What is the dress code for dinner? Are we OK to go casual, or should we bring something nice?

Steve... You were kind enough to offer to let us stay with you... do you want us to bring sleeping bags, etc?

This should be a great time!

Dang - last minute planners as well, love it! Really hate to miss this event. Have a great time.

Dress code is casual. I'll be in jeans. If it was fancy, we wouldn't be going!

I'm trying to divide some phlomus to bring along. Can't get the shovel in there! Anyone have experience digging and dividing that stuff? Is it all growing out from a center mass or???

Dress code is very casual. Montana does not dress up. If you want to bring some sweater that is dressy and a pair of shoes OK but few dress up. Now the weekend is going to be cool and wet. Sorry but lots of fun to follow. Bring rain jacket, sweaters, Sweat pants for next to fire, Boots for hiking, or tennis shoes what ever you want. We will be both outside and inside. "Dirty Rotten scoundrels" is at the play house in Bigfork, David Ackroyd of Dallas TV show plays "Barrymore" in Whitefish. For the theater I usually wear dress pants and shirt but not fancy. Oh yes and I wash off my shoes. We have laundry so clothes can be reused as they get wet. Trips around Flathead Lake will require warm sweater and jeans. Boots best. Going out on the lake will be dress warm. The hay ride will be dress warm and dry. I think I picked the worst weekend here in years. 65 highs and 40's lows at night. A big fire and a warm house will be the center for staging and sleeping. We have sheets and blankets and several sleeping bags many pillows so dont crowd the car. I say think like Laurie and dress like her. Art galleries are jeans and coats with whatever. Oh a rain hat would be good if needed. I have a covered truck with lawn chairs to go up in the mountains. To go to Glacier we will take several cars. Roads there are good. You can buy wine, beer, etc when you get here to keep the car from crowding. I will stage all of the meals at the house or at restaurants.

Soferdig, never having met you, I sense you are getting excited for this event -- have a blast.

Oh boy, morels and Big Fork, two of my favorite things. Say HI to my beloved ex-SIL who lives out on the Swan River, on Three Eagle Road, for me.
If you get extra morels, dip them in flour and fry in butter. YUM They are also great in a scrambled egg sandwich. Have a great time everyone.

Morales are my favorite. HEY EVERYONE. BRING YOUR BATHING SUIT WITH COOL WEATHER WE WILL PROBABLY GO TO A HOT SPRING TO HAVE FUN. Bring a bathrobe because there is live music while sitting in suits so we bundle up with bathrobes while watching the music. A Montana tradition. Dont forget!

Sofer, we are having a birthday party for my DH here on Sat. night, but I could conceivably drive up there on Sunday.

Only thing is, we're both coming up the 26th for Stamp & Camp (International Folk Dance weekend). Or maybe even the 24th, to see Glacier etc. Will you be around?

Dahlianut, what are your plans?

PS. I have a Himalayan poppy with flower buds. Yup, a Meconopsis. No, really, I do. You can visit it on garden outlaws -- there's a thread about it.

I won't be here then. I am riding my motorcycle up to Alaska and leaving on the 23rd. I am going to Prince Rupert and taking the ferry from there.
I have always wanted a Meconopsis mine died here after one bloom. You would be most welcome on Sunday and several are staying through the first part of the week. My garden is much different than when you were here 3 years ago. Though we took a beating on the October -20. Trees especially they hadn't even started to go dormant or even change color. Bring a bathing suit to go to Hot Springs probably sunday eve.

Hey, picante - I had just heard about garden outlaws, but couldn't find it.

Glad you stopped in.

And congratulations on your Meconopsis. That blue is so pretty.

Dahlia will not be comming. I am very dissapointed. This is the Orchid that Dan found in Michigan.

Ahhh, Cypripedium reginae. I am just waiting for my young one to bloom - it's just a little white bulb right now. And you saw a whole stand of these? That's awesome!

Sorry that Dahlia can't make it. Even sorrier that I can't make it. :-)

Safe trip everyone and have a WONDERFUL time.

Hope everyone arrives well. Today is a little better but still wet. My garden looks good for being about a month behind. No sun, cold temps, and last winter death. But looking out the window this morning was beautiful. Can't wait for everyone to arrive.