Summer trip.....Day 6-9

 The cabin was our vacation from our vacation. It is always our place to slow down, relax, and unplug. We played games, went on hikes, visited Grandma and Grandpa in Sun Valley, and just relaxed. Phew.

It has been a tradition in Benji's family to have the kids drive up at Easley's when they are young. It was this kid's turn. He is almost old enough to get his license, so we started. He was very hesitant, and when he hit 10 mph, he was good. 

Of course, this one wanted in as well.

 

Once home, it was a 1200-mile road trip and 29 hours in the car together. 

It was a fantastic trip, and everyone was excited to be back home. 

Summer trip......Day 4 and 5

Another day of driving, but this time to Missoula, Montana, for a quick visit. Of course, we had to visit the University of Montana, Michelle's alma mater, so the kids could see it. We arrived in Missoula and drove around, walking through the downtown area, where Michelle showed us many places she had lived on and off campus. We finished the first night with a great walk along the Clark Fork River.

The next morning, we were up, packed, and headed to the college again for an official tour. It was great, and they showed us the ins and outs of the school. Benji even said that if he had visited, he would have gone there. 

 

We then hopped back in the car for another drive, but this time, to the cabin for a few days to rest. 

Summer trip.....Day 3

The parents have been looking forward to this day since we left. This was the primary factor that drew us in this direction. The Hiawatha Bike Trail. 

We have been told by many people how great this bike ride is and how fun it is for all ages. We got up early and headed to the pass between Idaho and Montana, where we went to pick up our bikes. We then picked out bikes, got our helmets, and LIGHTS! They then loaded up our bikes, and we drove another five miles down the road to the start of the trail. Once there, a very nice man from a nearby town explained the ride to us, as well as all about the tunnels and trestles along the way. This is about a fifteen-mile bike ride to the bottom, mostly downhill. The route is located in the Bitterroot Mountains on the Idaho-Montana border. It was an old railway line that has been converted into a bike trail. It has 10 tunnels and 7 trestles. The first tunnel, located right at the beginning, is 1.6 miles long and extremely dark. That is why we needed the lights! It was so much fun. 

 

 

Once you are done with the ride, you can either ride back up or take a shuttle back to a spot that is close to the start. The shuttle, which we took, drops you off back at the end of the 1.6-mile tunnel where you started the ride. You have to go back through it one more time before dropping off your bikes. It was a great way to end the ride!

When we were done, we headed back to the hotel, and, yes, to the water park again.