Griz Game

We were finally able to make it over to Missoula for our first Griz game.  We have been so extremely busy so it was nice to have a fun weekend.  We got to Missoula Friday afternoon and met Jimmy and Sarah at the mall.  Had dinner at the Montana Club, then of course we had to go to Big Dipper for some dessert!

Saturday morning we geared up and headed to the Press Box for the traditional breakfast buffet.  Wasn't the same without mom and dad!  As expected we saw Cousin Tom and crew there!  And of course we had to have a Bloody Mary (virgin for me!) before heading off to the tailgates!

While wandering around we ran into alot of Stanford people.  For some, this is the only time I get to see them!  Our seats were at the very top of the North End Zone.  Despite the huge trek up there, they were really good seats!  Quite the view!  We could look over the back into the tailgate area and watch people coming in. 

I spotted Sarah and family from my bird's-eye view!

Sunday morning we met Jimmy and Sarah at Finnegans for breakfast.  Then we had to run out to Lolo to Tom and Sue's, because somehow Tom talked Tim into building their countertops! ;)  As we were making our way back home, we saw the bighorn sheep outside of Bonner.  Hadn't seen them in quite awhile.  The herd numbers have gone down quite a bit since their pneumonia epidemic, but there were still some there!  We're hoping to make it back for one more game, but we will see!

Beautiful Fall Day

Last week I helped Tim and Terry work on some old barns and sheds.  We were clear out east in the mountains and it was such a perfect fall day.  The leaves have all turned and there was still some warmth to the air.  It's such a beautiful place I had to take some pictures.

Gotta enjoy the weather while you can!  Saw some snowflakes this morning!!

Hunting

On opening day, Uncle Dale came up to join Tim on an antelope hunt.  About 15 minutes after we started, Uncle Dale was fortunate enough to fill his tag.



We then took to touring the countryside, looking for our next "victim".  

About 3:00 Tim accomplished his mission!



Last Trip

We made it up to Dry Wolf for one last camping trip with my parents last weekend.  I do not ever remember camping in October!  I wish summer would have been as nice as it was last weekend!  Since it was our last hurrah, we decided to fancy up our cuisine a little bit.  Friday night mom made barbecued ribs, slow cooked over the fire, with fried potatoes and biscuits.  Saturday we had breakfast burritos for breakfast, which seems to be our camping staple.  That afternoon, we all listened to the Griz game, so of course lots of snacking! 

Saturday night, Tim smoked a prime rib and we had baked potatoes, cooked over hot coals.  One thing is for sure, you never go hungry when you're camping! 

Sunday was Grandma Jo's 75th birthday, so the family came up and we had a picnic.  A very nice day to gather together and celebrate!  The way it's been feeling lately, I guess it's time winterize the camper and start polishing up the ol' skis and snowshoes!  Won't be too long!

Denver

Last weekend we journeyed with Colette and Kelly to Denver for the Bronocos/Seahawks game.  We left Colette and Kellys bright and early Saturday morning and headed out.  With only a few stops we arrived in Denver by 5:00.  After a little freshening up we headed through scary Denver for lunch at Casa Bonita, which I liken to a mexican Chuck-E Cheese.  They have cliff divers that perform these tricks and stunts and five into a little pool.  Then some other performers will come on and do a little skit, and there's a mariachi band that makes their way around.  And to top it all off-- fried ice cream!

Sunday morning, Tim and I ventured over to the Bass Pro Shop.  We could have easily spent hours in there.  But we had to get back to the hotel to catch a cab to the stadium.  We arrived at the stadium about 2 hours before game time.  So we walked around and took it all in.  Tim and I went to find out seats because it was getting pretty hot out.  The stadium was mostly empty so it was fun watching all the preparations.  Of course if was getting towards lunch time so we invested in a $6 Thunder Dog.

Today's game was in honor of the military.  As such, they had the sky-divers come in, but the last to make the jump was a retired Golden Knight and Purple Heart recipient.  His parachute was adorned with the Purple Heart symbol, and he nailed the landing with two prosthetic legs.  Quite a touching sight.  The Star Spangled Banner showcased a gigantic American flag that took up most of the field,  fireworks, and of course the flyover form the F-16 Fighting Falcons from Buckley Air Force Base.  The halftime show was the Silent Drill Platoon, which exhibits the Marine Corps discipline and skill.

I don't think I really watched much of the game.  There was just too much to see.  Tim and I aren't huge football fans but it was a great experience.  The stadium is really neat.  There were about 75,000 fans that day. Close to capacity.

After the game, we cabbed it back to the hotel, had a great meal there and then lounged out for the rest of the night. Got up early Monday morning and made the trek back home. It's such a long drive but we made it without any incidences!

Labor Day Weekend at Ackley Lake

Camping trip #5 was another success.  We met mom and dad over at Ackley Lake for a fun weekend of fishing and camping.  Who knew there would still be this much water in September?  Or that fishing would be this good!?  We spent alot of time out on the lake, between storms that is.  There were a few rain and wind storms that went through but it didn't really phase us.  There was plenty of time to get out in the boat.  Saturday afternoon, we did have to take a break to listen to the Griz game on the radio.  Although when the game got delayed due to a storm in Missoula, Tim and I decided to take the opportunity to do some fishing.  We did find that we could get the game on the radio.
It was a great weekend and fishing was awesome!  It was a great summer closer.