Day Twelve

Emma has the rare privilege to celebrate a second “golden” birthday this day; the first one having been last year when she turned seven on the 7^th (of June).  This year, being in the actual town of Golden, would seem to qualify as well.  Accordingly, Dad took Emma and Gordon to the top of the mountain in a ski lift/ gondola and were able to spot the snow covered peaks of six different Canadian National Parks.  

Cedar Lake was also very close by and is a fun and beautiful local swimming hole that Emma and the rest of us greatly enjoyed.  Getting back to the Air B-n-B, Emma’s primary request was that all of us pack into the hot tub, which, of course, we were very happy to do after enjoying the birthday meal and cupcakes for which Carley made a chocolate ganache topping.  Some game playing and opening of presents and not driving anywhere very far away made for a great and relaxing day.

To celebrate Emma’s birthday on our trip is really very appropriate, because she is one of the big reasons we decided to venture forth in another vintage motorhome.  She was not even two when we took our last big adventure, so we wanted her and Gordon especially to have memories of their own.

As she was falling asleep tonight she told us that this was her best birthday ever.

Day Eleven

 I apologize that we have been off-line…We got behind a few days for fun reasons and then it has been challenging to find service, but we are all fine and the bus has not broken down.  Don’t give up on us and thanks for all your prayers.                                                   

Having the luxury of driving Carley and Joel’s relatively small vehicle gave the girls and me the chance to do some exploring of our own heading over the mountains to end up picnicking in a garden park in Banff. The guys stayed in the Golden area to find a hike up a river canyon that featured mountain goats living close by.  Sure enough, a mother and baby goat were spotted halfway down the several hundred foot cliff on very steep rocky terrain. Of course this added more excitement to the adventure as the hikers tried to get closer to momma and baby…I can imagine what took place, but have decided not to go there. Gordon did inform me that it was good that I was not there….not sure how to take that!

The motorhome was struggling today but the boys pulled over on their boys' day adventure, cooled her down and put more coolant in and off she went.  Just another few days and we will be in flatter terrain, but we are so thankful for the way our bus has risen to each new challenging climb in the Rockies.

  Today we had to say goodbye to Anna, but before we did we were able to do one last special thing…. visit Lake Louise (in Carley and Joel’s car), a place that has been meaningful to me (Cindy) because it was one of my dad’s favorite spots.  It is good to remember my dad and my mom and us kids standing in front of Lake Louise, gazing at that beautiful scene with admiration for the One who created it all…..so many memories of days long gone made even more precious as I share them with my kids. I hope that this trip will be one of those memories for them.  And maybe someday they will stand in front of Lake Louise with their children.

Day Ten - Progress 300 miles

Operation Move Out of the Air B-n-B and Get On the Road to Canada went off without a hitch, since we had both Anna and Carley leading the charge; we even left on time and I don’t think we left any valuables behind! I also made a thorough search of the motorhome to ensure we did not accidentally have one black and white stowaway; the kitty had at one point this morning decided to follow Emma right into the big white bewooga, as Emma calls it.  (I’m pretty sure she means beluga, which may have influenced Carley to refer to the vehicle as the “land  whale”.)  Anyway, kitty could not defect to Canada on my watch.  Once on the road, the drive north into British Columbia through the Columbia River valley is astoundingly picturesque with sweeping views of snow topped peaks running north to Canada’s Glacier National Park, and abruptly rising from the wide, almost tropical verdant green farm-lined river basin.  The final drive up to the 2^nd Air B-n-B was a two-mile 6% grade climb which taxed the land whale, but rewarded us with two black-bear cubs crossing the road toward momma bear who was waiting patiently in the nearby trees.  We also learned of a grizzly bear sighting the previous day in an adjacent field.  We all gathered together tonight to have our own church service.  We have seen in so many ways how God has carried us through these days.

Day Nine - Progress 150 miles

The cat living at this incredible Airbnb house and property – kind of a nature preserve – was not used to having to sleep outside on occasion and woke us up meowing and pawing at the windows.  But it was wonderful to rise early and study the features of Flatrock Lake to the front and the abundant wildlife of the wetlands in the rear.  A little later, the little kids enjoyed beating a huge African drum as a rallying cry to get things going.  On the way to Glacier National Park’s west entrance, we followed the Flatrock river up and up into the mountains with its lightening hues of aqua blue catching your breath at every turn.  We had learned how the crushing weight of the glacier fields pulverize the underlying rocks into mineral silt that produce the unique light reflecting properties of glacier-fed lakes and rivers.  With the world-class “Road to the Sun” drive not yet fully opened for the season, we parked at the Avalanche Lake trail head and hiked the 2 ½ miles to one of the most amazing sights of the trip.  Snow covered peaks fed three high waterfalls which flowed into the high mountain lake featuring three distinct hues of aqua blue.  This same water would find its way to Flatrock Lake far down in the valley.  Towards the hike’s conclusion, Andrew was watching his watch as the Penguins’ game neared and, without too many local fans for either team, we still found a table for 10 at a microbrewery with plenty of TV’s.  The pizza, meatloaf, and local brews all tasted fabulous and, fortunately, were fully consumed before the overtime period when everything seemed to leave a sour aftertaste.  But even the short drive through this gorgeous lake and mountain region restored our hopeful and thankful hearts in remembering God’s creation and this remarkable day.

                                                                  by Carl Schartner

Day Eight (from Emma’s perspective) - Progress 350 miles

Anna and I got to sleep in a very nice guest room at Uncle Gordon’s house last night, but we had to leave this morning.  I hope I can come back and visit Uncle  Gordon and Aunt Joann and

stay longer. 

There is something green leaking out of the motor-home so we had to go to a truck place to figure it out. They had a nice waiting room. We watched some home shows and Anna had us doing some stretches. Dad told us that they had found a leak but we could go soon.They were so nice that when Mom went to the man to pay, he said, “No charge”.

I am really really looking forward to seeing Carley, Joel, Amy and Andrew. We are meeting them in Proctor, Montana tonight.

It was more fun driving in the motor-home today because Anna was with us. She is a good co-pilot too.

When we were driving on a dirt road to get to the Air b&b, Dad noticed a car following us…It was Carley and Joel’s car! I am so happy that God helped us all to get here and we all get to sleep here in the same house tonight.

There’s a black and white kitty, some chickens, and four horses!

Day Seven - Progress 300 miles

This morning we woke up in a small campground in West Yellowstone called “The Hide Away”. I was sick so I stayed in bed and rested till we arrived at a bakery which I was told had the best dessert in Montana. I wasn’t told however who decided that fact. Probably a family member of the owner. Regardless, it was very good, but I was sick so my taste buds were probably messed up. 

One week earlier, before we left on our trip, my Aunt Joann was telling Emma and Gordon about the Boiling River in Yellowstone and how it bubbles with hot springs that you can swim in. Well, ever since then, Emma and Gordon have had their hearts set on going there. Our mission today:  to explore strange old hot springs, to seek out park rangers, and to boldly go where no man would advise. So we head off in our air stream spaceship. “Set the auto pilot for Yellowstone informational space port” says Captain Carl. “Will do Captain,” says First Officer Ian. “Should I make the jump to light speed?” shouts Copilot Gordon from the back.  “Go for it!”

3….2....1 Whooooooosh

And then it was as if we had been time warped and we were mounted on horseback, riding through the valley plain towards the nearest information center. Our hats were low on our heads and our boots felt heavy. We had been riding all day; I knew that the horse would die if it didn’t get water soon. I felt its sluggish weight under me collapse and down with my horse I went. if I hadn’t had the reflex reaction to pull my leg out, the beast would have crushed my leg. As I was standing beside my fallen ride, I saw it- the information center. I saw it and though it was only a 100 yards away, I just stood there frozen; then everything got cold and dark. I collapsed to the sand…….wait a minute…so sorry….for a second there I was remembering our last motorhome trip!

And there we were in our current old motorhome arriving at the Yellowstone National Park information center. We asked the ranger about any hot springs that we could swim in and he directed us to a river that apparently had some sort of hot spring flowing into it. (The Boiling River was not an option due to very high water.) We all sat by the edge of the water watching the meandering river before Dad tested the water. It was cold but Dad said that the hotspring had to be on the other side, so in he went with Emma and Gordon following.  They actually found the hot spring and, in fact ,Dad, now the only one still in the water, shouted across to us that it must be at least 85 degrees…I think maybe the cold had gotten to him! 

Later that night we arrived at the Billings, Montana airport to pick up my sister Anna. In typical Schartner style  we arrived there a little late and found out that her flight hadn’t left yet and wouldn’t be arriving till 11:30. Three hours later we picked up Anna to spend a short night at my Uncle Gordon’s house ….thanks Uncle Gordon and Aunt Joann!

Day Six- Progress 300 miles

Day Six

Emma woke up this morning, peeked out the window, and spied a friendly cat lounging in front of the campground store in Shell, Wyoming. Another furry friend for our 7 year old animal lover. “Mom,” she says, “I really think we should go in the store and ask about this kitty..maybe it doesn’t belong to anyone.” I could see where this was headed and decided to head her off at the pass.  Reluctantly, I spoke for Emma to ask the friendly woman at the counter what the cat’s name might be. Looking right at Emma the woman sweetly replied, “I don’t know…you could call her whatever you wanted.” This was not at all the direction I wanted to go, so I changed the subject fast . What followed was a conversation with a delightful woman named Shirley who has lived her whole life in the small town of Greybull, WY…a place where you ride your horse to school and live off the land and delight in the birth of baby antelope. I’m so glad to have met up with my new friend Shirley and I’m so glad that sometimes it is through the urging of an almost 8 year old (that was her edit) that we are right where God wants us.

Later on, in the last leg of the trek to get to Yellowstone, Carl noticed the temperature gage was in the red; the motorhome had been handling the winding mountain climb very well, so we really weren’t sure what was going on, but knew it was critical to get off the road to let the engine cool down.  As we rounded that very bend, there was a paved pull-off area that we could easily roll right into, complete with a small stream for those who wanted to wade a bit. Thank you God for getting us right where we need to be. When the waders climbed back into the motorhome, we thought we’d be on our way. Nope…she wouldn’t start.  A sinking feeling in my stomach now, followed by an audible “Lord, help us!” Carl then gets the idea that we need to get air to the diesel engine which is inconveniently located under our bed, which during the day is piled high with everyone  else’s mattress toppers (kind of princess and the pea-like). I’m sure you can picture the next few moments of flying bedding and Carl-like innovating.  In the end we were all sitting in the front of the motorhome atop some form of bedding while gazing out the windows in a rather forlorn way. As I happened to be situated  a little higher than normal( due to our new seating arrangements) and facing the windshield, I was the first to see what happened next. Not just one, but five big horn sheep leapt over the guardrail, crossed the road, and began grazing on the hillside 2o ft. in front of our now cooling motorhome.  

For the next hour we watched with fascination the drama unfolding in front of us as these nimble creatures scaled the rocky slope, looking occasionally right through us with their calm stares, as if to say, “Why do you worry so much?” I believe it was Gordon who reminded us later, after the motorhome easily started, that we were supposed to be there to see those 5 wonderful wild mountain sheep.  Thank you God for caring so so much for each and every one of us in all of the situations of our lives.   Did we make it to Yellowstone…..yes, we did and the journey there made it even sweeter. Please pray for both Carl and Ian that tomorrow they’ll feel a lot better. And now that we’re in Yellowstone, Emma’s list includes a black bear, a few elk, and lots of bison….and one special cat.