Did I here a free liquor call?  If you can find an unbroken bottle I guess.

Like the kids we are Beth found a kids site online that gave us the perfect costume idea.  Here it is... party tested and approved.

Well as usual I am always playing catch up, Beth and I spent two weekends during the past month getting a taste of what the near by Maah-Daah-Hey Trail in the Badlands has to offer.  The conclusion is MUCH!!!  W have certainly found the most technical and beautiful trail in North Dakota.  And even by Montana standards the trails length which now entails around 125 miles of continuous single track makes riding it end to end a noble feat.  Although I am not sure when we do plan on trying to fit this in so let us know when you are available and join us.  It is a can't miss event, great riding, beautiful views, and great camping.  Oh and believe it or not there are trees and hills that will make you sweat.  Don't believe me, check out our pictures or watch the slide show.  Cheers!!  

In the interest of our sanity another one of my friends graciously tied the knot on August 15th providing us with another great excuse to make the drive West to Bozeman MT.  The trip turned out great and we spent lots of overdue quality time with friends, hiked to Blackmore Lake, enjoyed a wonderful wedding, swam unrestricted in the reservoir,  and even found time to tip back a few to many skis.

Cheers to Liz and Trevor !!!

Friday afternoon we returned to town cleaned up a bit and spent the evening with Trax.  Saturday we headed to Big Sky and witnessed the beautiful joining of the Tollefsbols.’  With perfect weather and the beautiful Soldiers Chapel, built by Lizs’ grandfather with majestic views of Lone Peak everything went perfectly.  Then the new couple climbed into an American classic and took a relaxed ride down the valley to the Gallatin Gateway Inn for the reception.  Dinner was wonderful and the dancing amazing.  Trevor’s young nieces cleaned up on the dance floor and everything was very elegant, at least until I delivered the shot ski and we headed off to the local bar to show all the Texans the real Montana.  All in all a wonderful day and the first confirmed married couple that met at our wedding 3 years ago.

CONGRATULATIONS!

After leaving the Big Timber area behind we dropped my brother and his wife off so that Nick could perform as a dutiful groomsman for the upcoming wedding, restocked the car with food, picked up Beth’s younger sister Suzie and her boyfriend Ty and headed back into the mountains.  This time we camped along Hyalite reservoir a place I frequented in college but never officially camped.  After setting up camp we weathered a brief shower which brought beautiful rainbows, ate dinner, and make a quick hike up to Palisade falls, arrive just as the sun set.  The next morning after my parents again beat us out of bed.. we attempted to hike to Hyalite lake.  We saw a moose and many great waterfalls but as before we turned back at waste deep snow and a thunder storm within smelling distance of the goal.  What wonderful parents I have to put up with all this adventuring.