On Feb. 5 we loaded the kids up and headed to Missoula, Montana. It was still quite cold and we left in a snow storm that gave us six to eight inches of new snow, but this was going to be the only opportunity we had. John and a neighbour bravely fed and bedded the cows and horses and dealt with all the complications the snow brought while we were gone.
It was a long drive to begin with, but some excited kids who would not nap for fear of missing something and a little bit of car sickness made it a very long day. Our Explorer also gave us a bit of trouble when we were about four hours out of Missoula. It started losing transmission fluid and due to the design of it, Gregory wasn’t too sure where it was coming from. We called my good friend Michelle, whom we were going to see in Missoula, and let her know we were going to continue on slowly. She was poised and ready to come and get us with a friend’s car hauler if need be. She also gathered up a few tools and bought some transmission fluid and a funnel for us before the stores closed.
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We arrived safely at Michelle’s house and she helped me get the kids and all of our baggage into the house while her boyfriend and Gregory worked on the Explorer. They weren’t able to fix it but after doing a bit of research, Gregory figured out the best way to drive it so we could continue.
The next morning, Michelle took Joseph and James in her truck and we followed behind as she led us to Lewiston, Idaho, where Lacey lives. We stayed with Lacey and her husband Anthony that night and spent most of the next day as well. Michelle and Lacey took the boys to the dog park to play; they also played in Lacey’s yard, and there were lots of stories read from Lacey’s little library. Lacey and Michelle also had an early birthday party for James and Ian.
The next day, after more playing and stories, Lacey took us to the Palouse Discovery Science Center at Pullman, Washington. The boys had a blast! They saw lots of interesting things and it was a very good way to burn off some energy before we stuffed them back in the Explorer to head back to Missoula for the night.
We spent the evening of the 7th with Michelle again and then after an amazing breakfast, we travelled over Lost Trail Pass and into Salmon. We were able to meet up with my brother Nick. He took the boys and Gregory for a little hiking adventure and they had a very good time. We were also able to visit a little bit with Grandma Heather and Grandpa Lynn. Grandpa Lynn had aortic valve replacement the end of January and has been recovering slowly but surely.
While in Salmon we stayed with Michelle’s parents, Ricki and Theresa. Even though Theresa wasn’t feeling the best, she made a couple beds, read stories to the boys and became friends with Anna. Gregory has always enjoyed visiting with Ricki and he and Ricki were able to visit while feeding the cows and chopping wood. Ricki even took the boys in his backhoe to go and break water in the creek for the cows to drink. James and Ian have always liked machinery and it is a memory they won’t soon forget.
On Sunday we went to Mass at St. Charles Borromeo, the same church where Gregory and I got married. Afterward, we went to visit Grandpa Lynn’s baby sister, Jennelle. She had just gotten back home after having knee surgery.
We were at Uncle Mike’s in Pocatello Monday evening, Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Grandma Irene and Anna had fun making grumpy faces at each other and then laughing. Uncle Mike had three kidney stones and his back was hurting, but he wouldn’t let it stop him from enjoying the boys and teaching Joseph some cowboy wisdom and etiquette.
As we headed home Wednesday, the boys were sad to be leaving, but we had a surprise for them. We crossed into Canada at about 6:30 p.m. and headed to Lethbridge. Near Picture Butte we stopped and picked up a female chocolate Lab puppy. The boys never suspected we would do that! After being away from home for so long we decided to just keep driving. We got home around 4 a.m. on Feb. 13.
We are so grateful for everyone who welcomed us into their homes. Some took time off work; some postponed medical appointments; all went out of their way to feed us and make us feel at home. We are also thankful to John and Barb who held down the fort and did everything they could, and some things they shouldn’t have, to make sure our animals were taken care of.
