Under the Big Sky: Part 2: Camping!

It’s true, no sense in denying it — I’ve totally been slacking on the blogging. It’s funny, I actually got so overwhelmed by all the stuff I wanted to write about…that I didn’t write about any of it. That, combined with newly acquired chickens (more on that later), sick baby, yardwork, actual work…well, it’s been tough to find the time to sit down with what I really love to do. Okay, that’s not actually true — I’ve watched a lot of Nip/Tuck.

I say this a little shamefacedly, but seriously…it’s a super compelling show! I want to watch it right now! But no, I said, Heidi….you need to blog. Rowan is sleeping and you need to sit the fuck down and do it! It’s a little like exercising…once you get off that train, it’s hard to get back on.

But now…back to the land of the Big Sky!

Our trip to Montana happened to fall about a week before Donovan’s and my fourth wedding anniversary. Since Grandma and Grandpa (my mom and dad) were obviously desperate to spend some quality time with their granddaughter, we thought to oblige by planning a camping trip, just the two of us, for some quality time of our own. It was the first time we’d left Rowan overnight but to be perfectly honest? We knew she was in good hands and didn’t stress a bit. Though, we did spend a good bit of our night “off” talking about her.

Clever people that they are, Mom and Dad suggested that since we were planning a day in Glacier Park anyhow, it would be smart to find a campsite on our way up in the morning, stake our claim, return that afternoon to stay the night. Brilliant. And that is what we did. And then….we started running into trouble.

The first place we stopped was full. But oh so beautiful, by this little lake…to die for.

Lost Johnny Campground

The second place we stopped was also full…and the frantic started to set in. I’m not going to lie, we really needed this little mini-break.

And then…we found this.

THE most perfect campsite ever

Which was right on the shores of this….

Truthfully awe inspiring

It was literally the second to last campsite left and by far the best one. Even our host, Red (yep, not joking) said so. We so scored.

After dropping some stuff off, we climbed into my dad’s truck for the short ride up to Glacier Park, where we had wonderful time, saw all kinds of amazing stuff…yada yada yada. But, that’s another post altogether. We’re going to pretend now like we never left this amazing little spot, which we actually didn’t want to, Park or no, and continue on into the late afternoon. Did I mention we were right next to this?

Hungry Horse Reservoir

It was about eighty-seven different kinds of wonderful, I’ll tell you what.
With Rowan safely on her way to have some tasty dinner with Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle David, we set to work on the campsite. Dono and I are pros though, and had everything ship-shape in two clicks.

Home sweet home.

Romantic little dinner — complete with bear spray.

You can't see the bear spray...but it's there.

You see, my parents, and Ranger Red, had put the fear of god into us about bears. I’m no stranger to bear encounters myself — one angry mama of a bear with two cubs had actually shaken our trailer once…with me and my mom inside. Regulations on leaving food, trash, even coolers outside are stringently enforced. So, we had our bear spray right there in the second cupholders, next to the beer. You bet we did.

The campground was soooo quiet…with the exception of site #4. College guys. They stumbled past us once as we were on our way — armed with bear spray — to the outhouse. “Washs-up?! Dude we got beer…and a bottle. You should totally come party with us!”

Yeah. Thanks, sure….we’ll see. But really? No thanks.

Mercifully, we were far enough away that their drunken revelings were mere echos across the lake. Could’ve been elk. We don’t know, and we didn’t really care.

We stayed up late, enjoying the night, slept like logs — though at one point, I did hear something large brush up against the tent. But, in all honesty, I was pretty drunk and went right back to sleep!

The morning was gorgeous…as usual I was up before Donovan and thought to get things ready so there would be fire, coffee, and the beginnings of breakfast when he finally dragged himself out of the tent. Here is where I fail. I’m a handy girl, really, super handy. I can build a stupid fire, I can work a stinkin’ coleman stove…I am a confident, empowered woman! But that morning, whether I was more hungover than I realized…I felt great, though….or what. That morning, I couldn’t do shit to save my life. I’m telling you this now, and it will never be spoken of again. Pinky-swear.

My fire sucked — was totally smoky and lame. My coffee sucked — was full of grounds and tasted of something super nasty. On top which, I burned my finger. Finally, I woke up my husband who did not laugh at me. Who readily set things to rights and we were on our way….

To breakfast….oh my god. This breakfast will be bragged about for years. This breakfast will be held out, gleaming, for all other breakfasts to strive to live up to. And they won’t. This was the almighty goddamn king of breakfasts.

We started by cooking bacon, of course. In cast iron, over the fire.

BACON!!

Then, we fried sausages and ham-steak in the bacon grease…

Ham-steak!

Sausage!

Yum,

Yum,

Yum,

Yum.

Sexy man tends to meat.

Oh yeah, and eggs…practically broiling in butter!

Eggs having a time out....

Topped it all off with some leftover bread, fried in bacon grease and butter….sweet protein powered heartbreak!

For the love of all that is holy....

*******

After all that…we had to shake off our food coma with a walk down to the lake, via our private path. Oh yes, we had the luxury suite with private lakefront beach view.

Could this guy stop oozing sexy?

********

And with that…we cleaned up, washed up,  packed up,  and hightailed it back to our little girl, who turns out, hadn’t really missed us that much. She was having the best old time with her grandparents…which we didn’t mind a bit.

Drivin' 'em wild....