Saturday, August 3, 2013 – Whitefish, MT
Once again, we arrived Friday afternoon on August 2nd in the pouring down rain. Not only was it wet; the typical 80-degree weather for this time of the year was nowhere to be found. Once again, the Ballard luck comes through. The forecast for Saturday, is partly cloudy with 50% chance of showers. On this morning, it is a bit cool but it looks like Whitefish will dodge most of the rain.
The first thing we did this morning was head down to Buffalo Bob’s Pizza, a restaurant that is affiliated with the campground. This KOA campground has been the most expensive campground we’ve stayed in other than the 3 nights we spent outside of NYC. To ease the pain of the unreasonable price of $72 / night is the fact that there is a free “hot” breakfast included. We were up early so we decided to head down there around 7:00 am. The breakfast included scrambled eggs, French toast strips, cereals, biscuits and sausage gravy, fresh melon and an assortment of toast, English muffins and bagels. Unfortunately for Elisa, most of the items were things she doesn’t care for. She opted for some fruit and juice. I partook in all that was offered.
After breakfast, we headed over to the petting zoon that they have on the campground. There we saw some very friendly Shetland ponies, llamas, a calf and sheep. There was a mother and toddler feeding the animals some kibble that they sold for $.50/bag. The animals loved it, but I’m not sure the toddler did. After they left, the critters assumed we had something for them to eat so they immediately surrounded us. Elisa, the erstwhile farmer, enjoyed communing with the animals.
Around 9:00 we headed into Whitefish to stroll the many trendy shops and boutiques that line this small town. This small town has become one of the in places for the Hollywood elite. There are a number of nearby ski resorts that seem to be well regarded by those who don’t mind cold weather (not Elisa nor me). However, here in the midst of summer, the streets are crowded with Canadian tourists who seem to think they own the place. We enjoyed doing a little shopping in spite of the crowds.
By now, it was time to head up to visit our friends Brad and Robin whom we originally met in San Diego. Both of them worked with me at SAIC, what seems like ages ago. Brad was first to hang it up at SAIC followed by both Robin and me around the same time. So we all share a long history of working at SAIC; additionally we seem to share the fact that none of us miss being gone from SAIC. As Elisa and I drove up their driveway, we noticed the black, white and silver RV that Robin had mentioned in one of her emails to me that they had purchased in February. What was notable about it was the fact that it was very similar to the unit Elisa and I had purchased in May; a 25 ft. motorhome on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis. Great minds seem to think alike. The second thing we notice is the very large and beautiful German Shepard, weighing in at a modest 90 pounds that is playfully bounding at us. Elisa is sure we are about to be attacked by a bear; her concerns are quickly set aside by Bodie’s playful nature. What a beautiful and loving dog. He really owns the house and merely lets Brad and Robin stay there. Then it was hugs and kisses as we reconnect with our dear friends. We’ve driven to what seems like the edge of the wilderness; winding our way up a beautiful hillside covered in trees. It is impossible to see their home until you are right up on it. It is deceiving; because when you get out of the car you are greeted by a magnificent southwesterly view out over the valley below.
Our friends purchased the place about 3 years ago in an attempt to find peace, tranquility and privacy in an alpine setting. After much searching, this is where they settled. They and their faithful dog, Bodie, now spend 7 months of the year here (Apr – Nov) and the balance of their time either at their home in San Diego or I suppose now they might be gallivanting in their motorhome. A quick tour of the beautiful log home is impressive. Sitting on 5 acres they certainly have the privacy they hoped for in this tight knit but small gated enclave of homes in the hills above Whitefish, MT. The quality of construction in this log home is unsurpassed. The huge timbers are hand scraped and beautifully stained. The home has wrap around and covered balconies on every side that affords a view. Although the logs from which the house is constructed are huge, the home still has a very airy and open feel to it. The home is modest in the sense that it has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, but all the rooms are very big and it includes a large loft off of the master suite that occupies the second story of the house. Should they ever feel the need to expand, they can always finish the large basement. The home also has a log built oversize garage, where they can keep all the stuff that a mountain home demands. They have been taking their time decorating it but so far it is gorgeous.
After the tour of their beautiful home Robin was kind enough to feed us and ply us with libations. We chatted about our trip and their progress in making their house in the hills a “home”.
Robin had a great idea. She suggested that Brad drive us down to Beaver Lake and we pick thimble berries. So, we did and we had a great time. Along the way we found a few huckleberries. Here, I thought “Huckleberry” was just the name of a cartoon hound from the 60s – as in Huckleberry Hound. Around here you see signs for huckleberry pies, jams, candy and even mixed in their iced tea. They are pretty tiny but have an intense flavor. The thimble berries on the other hand look a little like a raspberry but they have a delicate flavor, a little tart a little sweet and a taste similar to a raspberry. Apparently bears love to eat berries, but let me tell you they must have to eat a lot of them to get a meal because they are so tiny and not the easiest things to pick.
It’s no wonder Brad and Robin love living up here. It is quiet and private but still reasonably close to the little town of Whitefish. In one article I read about Whitefish, it indicated that near the turn of the century, the main street of the town was lined in bars and brothels. Well, the bars are still there, but the brothels have been replaced by countless trendy boutiques selling antiques and other neat stuff. And there seem to be no shortage of visitors to keep bars and boutiques busy. For dinner we dined at Cooper’s. With a name like that I’m sure it is obvious that they specialize in what the sign on the restaurant says is “European” cuisine – it is really German cuisine. This is welcome news, because earlier I was reminiscing with Elisa about a restaurant we went to 20 years ago with my Sister and Brother-in-law, called the Schnitzel Ranch. So, you’ve probably guessed what I ordered – yep the Schnitzel. It was accompanied with a small salad of cucumbers in a light dill dressing, potato salad and tomatoes with a Dijon mustard sauce. The main course was served with some of the best spaetzel I’ve ever had. The entire dish was then served with a delicate mushroom sauce. I loved it. The schnitzel was perfectly cooked – crispy coating without being greasy. Elisa had the pork shanks served with potatoes they were also very good.
After dinner we went to one of the local watering holes, the Great Northern Bar. We selected this establishment in part because they had a live band, but more so because no one was at the bar shuffleboard table. So a lively competition was on between the Ballard’s and our friends. The competition was fierce, we kicked their butts in the first 2 games. It’s too bad because they will probably never invite us back to visit them. Elisa and I were doing so well, a couple of young locals decided they wanted to take us on. We kicked their butts too. They slunk away like a couple of whooped dogs that they were. With the locals having been dispatched we gave Brad and Robin another chance to redeem themselves. Elisa and I quickly shot out to a 11 – 2 lead. But then Brad and Robin come roaring back and with the next two exchanges and the score was 11 – 10. The Ballard’s were up by a single point and the outcome would be decided with the next slide. The tension was thick. The bar that had been jumping with dancing and live music was now stone quiet. Everyone in the bar was gathered around the shuffleboard table. There were bets flying back and forth, money was being laid on the nearby table as the locals placed their bets. The odds seemed to be favoring the Brad and Robin – after all, they were locals as well and had just staged a huge come back; the crowd was rooting for them. When the dust had settled and the points were tallied, the crowd let out a might groan in unison. It seems that the upstart visitors from San Diego once again had kicked – ass. Maybe I exaggerated a couple of the details surrounding this final game but one thing I didn’t exaggerate is that Elisa and I – kicked ass!! I think they are going to put up a plaque in that bar to honor us – but maybe I exaggerate once again.
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To end the evening, Elisa our designated driver took us safely back to the home in the mountains and then droves us back to our campground. What a great evening with some great friends!
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