New Boat!!!

One of the main reasons we moved to Spokane was to be near so many beautiful lakes and rivers. We decided after driving back from Minnesota that by next spring we wanted to have a boat. My dad happened to be driving back from WI and we decided to go ahead and buy his boat (that he never wanted to part with – with anyone besides family). My parents showed up this past weekend with the boat and we hooked it up and spent 2 days on different lakes/rivers.

Our first trip was to Lune Lake where some friends have a cabin. It was fun to get out on a little lake and cruise around, but we instantly saw that we are totally river/large lake people since we like the freedom of exploring.

Sunday after church – we headed 35-40 minutes East and put in near Black Rock on Coeur d’Alene Lake. It was so easy and close and just UNBELIEVEABLE!

ok – I would DIE to spend 1 weekend in that house!

Cruising across the lake to find some streams to explore.

there was some haze from the fires raging around WA. So sad!

we cruised down this river and then there would be these small little streams that broke off and went to other lakes.

we followed this one and went to Blue lake I think it was called.

when we got in the lake it was perfect! we could anchor and swim and cruise around.

on the way back to CDA lake the river was just perfect for waterskiing. So G Pops went first.

not bad dad!

just GLASS!!!!

can’t remember if he pulled this one out or not – but it sure is great!

Bill went and he rocked it.

My turn!

I end with nice little turns because no one who has any brains really wants to fly across the wake at 50 MPH!

so thankful to my dad for keeping his boat in like new shape and for Bill’s career that is allowing us to live in a beautiful place and make fun memories with the kids doing things we love!

Floating the Yellowstone River

So we left Hudson, WI at 6pm on Friday night (July 24th) and arrived in Big Timber at 6am Saturday morning. We had plans to meet my family in Big Timber to float the Yellowstone river with my brother Tom as the tour guide. We had just driven through the night and it wasn’t as smooth of a sleeping night for me, Bill, or the kids, but I was surprised by how we were able to rally through.

Here we are setting up (I say “we” loosely – it was mostly Tommy setting up the boats, etc. and nana who did all the food packing. I just applied sunscreen like a crazy person).

Bill and my dad shuttled our car to the end so we could pick it up and head to Bozeman with my mom to sleep for the night. The rest of the crew were camping out on an island and floating more river the next day.

My dad started rowing our boat.

my mom kept telling me to talk some pictures of the scenery. It was gorgeous – with the mountains in the distance.

our boat – including me and lily in the front.

G Pops and Claire.

Tommy’s boat. With Suz & Grant and Miki, Charlie and Bill fishing.

Nana hung out with Ellie on the paddleboard.

more claire and g pops.

Nana & ellie.

we could pull over and wait and cruise a bit.

I did the paddleboard for a bit and Lily decided to join me. ha!

our lunch spot.

exploring with uncle Tom.

We traded and sent the girls over to row with Uncle tom. I think they were super helpful!

Nana had her work cut out for her.

G Pops and Claire adventuring on the paddle board.

Not sure if you can tell I am wearing a hat, a shirt over my hat and then a straw hat on top. It was incredible the sun exposure out there! we were covered and reapplying sunscreen like crazy and I was sure we were totally burnt/really dark for me just by looking at my legs, but thankfully we were all totally fine! I believe in sunshirts, hats and beautycounter sunscreen!

Auntie Suz and Claire!

It was a really fun adventure and after we were done we drove to Bozeman and spent the evening with my mom and the next morning too. We left about noon on Sunday and were home by 5ish. So thankful for our summer adventure and for some time at home too.