Easter Sunday, for as long as I have been married with children, has been spent on mountain trails or the back roads of some place. We wake up early, pack a bunch of food, clothing for all weather (because you just never know in Montana), our dogs, and we head North or East. Mini Vans rock for this very reason.

This trip is about our children and our dogs, and spending the day having adventures off the beaten path.

Back roads, dirt roads, a sign that looks interesting, a valley we might want to explore, or a town with a quirky name. No ‘set in stone’ anything other than North or East.

We all agree, this is by far our favorite road trip day of the year. It’s best explained with photos. Enjoy, Nancy!

Ovando, the ‘Lewis Minus Clark’ part of the expedition. I love this little community!

This bridge, boat put in access is just awesome, and gorgeous… we played on the bridge for quite some time!

north fork of the Blackfoot. My dogs think it’s the best water ever!

This nest was bigger than a football. I wish I could have gotten closer, but than again, maybe not.

There were a few Osprey flying around, and two eagles in a neighboring tree. We aren’t sure who’s nest this was but it was massive!

Lots of Beaver leftovers around every lake and stream, and river we went to visit, I love this part of getting out and walking around!

Maybe the prettiest sap I have seen. Sounds weird but I love ‘sap design’

It was really this gorgeous.

Salmon and Swam lake still have some slushy ice flows.

Our first swim of the season! It was a bit chilly, but the dogs and kids couldn’t wait to get in… The water was unimaginably clear!

My Story

And she’s off!

Ocean, my Gran Dame, at almost 12 years of age, was having the time of her life. She is so full of drive and desire, and to watch her work puts everyone else to shame. She takes my breath away each time.

$eeker will follow Ocean anywhere, that may be the only reason he went into the chilly water!

My gorgeous Story

$eeker will forever have the most beautiful face!

My Ocean,  again and again and again.

We found an itty bitty State Park that we really enjoyed for the afternoon. Montana has so many incredible State Parks.

As Ocean gets older she doesn’t want me too far away. I was trying to get her pretty trotting in this photo, but she kept stopping to wait for me to catch up.

Since my kids were babies, we have been building fairy houses in the forests, in the mountains, on islands, just about any place we go. Just things we find from nature, to build a little house, just because. Just because you never know! Here is to more fairy houses!