Oh, Montana!

 Wade Lake, Montana

With the heat of summer in full effect, the Westside TeNgaios were looking for an escape that involved swimming, adventure, cooler temps and ample fun – and we found it in Montana.

Our main objective for the camp trip was to visit Lewis and Clark Caverns. I didn't want our family to stay at the Caverns campground because there is really no shade and it's pretty bleak as far as a campgrounds go. We prefer camping in the pines where the air is cooler, shade is in abundance and the campsites aren't sandwiched together, (i.e. RV parks). Beaver Cr. campground on Quake Lake fit the bill perfectly. Plus, it's within easy driving distance to the caverns.

 Beaver Cr. Campground

A content pooch

For some reason I hadn't been back to this campground since I visited Idaho way back in 1984. I know my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Roger used to frequent the site before they built their cabin near Wade Lake (more about the lake later) so there must be a reason they always went back.

When we arrived at the campground we noticed a sign saying a bear had been sighted in the campground the day before and they had a bear trap set up. Not sure if it was a grizzly or just a black bear, we were a bit nervous. However, as we drove around the loop we noticed a few other families camping in the area in tents so we figured it can't be that bad. Plus, it'll keep the crowds away! We found out a few minutes later from the camp host that it was just a small black bear so we were cool with it. Camp on!

With camp set up, the temps in the 90's in the valley below and the whole afternoon to play we set off to see what all the hub bub was about in regards to Wade and Cliff Lakes.

 

Paddling on Wade Lake

 

 One stoked little girl

  

Big Brother showing Little Sister the art of stone skipping

  

Britt chillaxin' and soaking up the sun on Wade Lake

We were pleasantly surprised with Wade Lake – what a gem! I can't believe we've never been to this lake as it's not that far from I.F. It's a great place to swim and chill. We rented a canoe and it was awesome to see the kids fight over who got to paddle. I think everyone except Izzy dog were having fun out in the middle of the lake. After ample sunshine and water shenanigans, we called it a day and headed back to camp and an early bedtime.

The following day we jetted for Lewis and Clark Caverns to the north beyond Ennis and Norris. This was another destination that my uncle Roger had taken me to back in '84 (on the back of his Silverwing…it was awesome, thanks Roger!) and I had been waiting until the kids were old enough to hike it on their own and enjoy it.

Photo caption not needed

Britt and Rewi in da' cave

Madi & Ethan at Lewis & Clark Caverns, Montana

Despite the commercialization of the caverns and all the people lead by park guides and packed into the holes in the mountain, it's a unique and visually stunning experience. The caverns are mostly lit up and there are railings for the many steps throughout (use them, as the floors can be quite slick I found out). Plus, watch your head in some spots. The smell isn't as musty as I remember and the guide told me that the cave is actually drying out so the damp, musty smell has lessened. Interesting.

Being a climber I couldn't help but notice awesome looking features, holds, futuristic routes – just crank those lights up some more, let me put some bolts/anchors in and we'd have a kick ass crag!

Spawns of TeNgaio

Anyhow, the kids thought it was really cool and Britt thought so too. It's about a 2 hour round trip and being the middle of July, you really get to experience the temperature variables of the outside air versus the inside of the caves. Another good thing about the caverns is that they have shaded kennels in the parking lot for pooches. Izzy wasn't too stoked about it though but we made it up to her later.

Ethan shows us how it's done

On our way back just before turning into our campground Britt yelled "bear!". Sure enough there was our little black bear running across the road, scrambling up the hillside, you beat the system once again little dude. A quick dip in Quake Lake for the kids and then it was back to camp for dinner.

Fixin' for a grubbin'

Back at camp it was time to try out dutch oven enchiladas – they rocked! Especially when served with a fine, cold craft brew. I could do this every day.

Day 3 found us pigging out on heart-clogging meat products and such for breakfast before breaking camp. It's funny – I'm usually ready to get home after some of the these camp trips, but not this time – I could've stayed up there at Beaver Cr. much longer.

One worn out Isabella who is glad to be home

We made one more trip over to Wade Lake before heading home and were pleased to see hardly anyone there. I guess it helped being Monday and all. Oh, and we saw a badger…it may have even been a Honey Badger.

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Happy Birthday Big E!

Our man-child turns the big 10 today! We love you kiddo!

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Moab Spring Break 2013

Like many other families suffering from the long, cold, dreary days of winter, we prescribed ourselves with a week in warm and sunny Moab, Utah.

This has become somewhat of a ritual over the past few years. The kids love going down there and Britt and I certainly enjoy the break from work/home/domestication/blah, blah, blah. It's good for the soul.

Getting the hell out of Dodge

Prior to the trip, I spent the past couple months modifying our utility trailer so that we could store most of our camping gear and toys in it. The funny thing is, like backpacking, the bigger the backpack, the more you tend to take. However, it was pretty awesome using Jeff's big camp stove and dutch oven all week. Let's just say we all ate very well!

Our itinerary went as follows:

Monday: Long drive. Numerous potty breaks (both for the humans and canine). Pigging out at Aloha Grindz in Spanish Fork (you have to be from Hawaii to appreciate this). Arrive in Moab with newly modified trailer intact.

Madi in Arches Natl. Park

Tuesday: Attempt Delicate Arch but decide on other trail(s) due to ENORMOUS overcrowding at parking lot/trailhead (seriously, I counted at least 300 vehicles!). Afterwards, mom and kids go to the big sand hill where Madi gets revenge on her brother (sand attack!), dad goes mountain biking (North 40 trail, fun!).

 

Matt & Britt in Arches.

Hiking to the lower Delicate Arch viewpoint.

Poolside at the campground.

Wednesday: Morning hike to Corona Arch. A repeat of previous year but such a cool feature...and we can take Izzy dog on the hike. Afternoon bike ride along the Colorado River. More swimming, then dutch oven dinner at camp. Marvel at the number of Canadians in the campground, as well as BYU afficionados.

Izzy, the Almighty at Corona Arch.

Madi & Ethan under the towering Corona Arch.

Britt soaking up the vitamin D at Corona Arch.

Izzy cooling off in the Colorado after Corona Arch hike.

Biking along the scenic Colorado River.

Thursday: Dad does dawn patrol mountain bike ride at Sovereign Trail while family sleeps in. Enormous lunch of bacon, eggs and fried potato/hashbrowns. Half-assed hike up Negro Bill Canyon before turning around and heading back to camp and the pool. The TeNgaio's eat out tonight. Burly ghost stories follow around the campfire.

Panorama along the Sovereign Trail.

Britt's view, poolside.

Ethan cooling off after a hike.

No caption needed.

Friday: Up at 6:00 a.m. and haul ass to Aches Nat. Park and Delicate Arch. Kids do an awesome job making the short ascent to the kick ass feature, followed by more kick ass hiking in the park. Back to camp. Kids and mom swim, dad goes mtn. biking at the M.O.A.B. trail system and has a smile on his face. Facing brief storm sweeping through, family goes out to eat again and mom and dad both comment on the fact that Moab doesn't have that great of food, despite the numerous eateries. Weather drastically improves and the last night is spent with more s'mores, ghost stories around the campfire.

 

The Westside TeNgaios beneath the impressive Delicate Arch.

Near the end of the trail to Delicate Arch.

Saturday: Break down camp as dad stresses out over lost keys. Find keys and leave Moab. Uneventful drive until Ogden, where a tire blows out on the trailer. Dad is relieved he bought a spare before the trip. Arrive in Pocatello at dinner time and gorge themselves at Red Lobster. Finally reach Idaho Falls at 9:45 p.m. with crew, trailer and dog intact.

Thanks for the fun times, Moab!

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Down, Brittany's New Metal Hearthrob and the Drive From Hell

Down rockin' the house at the Knitting Factory.

Britt and I hit Boise yesterday to see Down. The drive to Boise was going well until we hit Glenn's Ferry. Thick-ass fog had caused some major accidents with numerous semi trailers and driving speeds were reduced to 0-5 mph for about 5 miles. At one point IDT closed the interstate and we thought we were screwed from getting to Boise. Alas, the road was cleared enough to allow passage – not cleared from ice and snow but cleared from strewn semi trailer parts and accidental debris. As we drove past the carnage, we were actually glad to have been behind what must have been a nasty series of accidents with very large vehicles. Let's just say we were very relieved when we finally arrived to Boise with just enough time to hit Ha Penny's for a bite and much deserved stiff drink before the show.

A band named Warbeast went on before Down and although I certainly won't be running out to buy their CD, they were pretty classic to watch live. Pretty much the epitome of cheesy, thrash metal, with songs like "Nightmares in the Sky" and "Ignorant Bastard" riddled with lyrics like "I hate everyone" and well, "Nightmares in the Skyyyyyyyy…" But it was one of their guitarists that really drove their METAL point home, his name is Scotty. He was a badass. Britt even managed to get her picture with him. Classic.

Warbeast. That's the badass Scotty in the middle.

Britt and her heavy metal heartthrob Scotty from Warbeast!

Down came on and absolutely tore the house down, (no pun intended). They opened with Lysergic Funeral Procession and closed the encore with Bury Me In Smoke. I saw Pantera years ago in SLC and remember Phil coming across as quite the arrogant prick that the press made him out to be. It seems all that's changed now – receptive, funny and genuinely appreciative of his fans, Phil's attitude nowadays seems to have changed for the better. By injecting several cheeky remarks and making fun of himself as well as interacting with the crowd, Phil seems to be pretty humble on being who he is and where he's at. That's always a plus in my book when someone of his stature doesn't take themselves too seriously.

 

One of the highlights of the show was when the band was finishing Bury Me In Smoke when the opening band came on and swapped instruments with Down and actually finished the song as Phil and crew slapped hands with fans and such. Another highlight that made me grin was when Phil got on the mike and instructed one of the security men to personally hand a blind fan one of Jimmy's drumsticks. That was fuckin cool.

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Harriman Skiing

Today we took the kids to Harriman State Park for their first time and they loved it. The temperatures have finally risen to tolerable levels and the snow was in great shape. It's so fun to watch your kids learn a new activity and really enjoy it.

Harriman has always been a special place and worth the money and effort to frequent. There are trails for all abilities and the trails are usually well groomed.

We've started to cross country ski again in place of downhill skiing and we are really enjoying it. I've never really enjoyed the pace and ambiance of ski hills – I'm more into solitude and I like the idea of constantly moving, not freezing your ass off on the lift…in the fog…after paying a shitload of money.

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