Snapshot Chronicles Roadtrip - Family travel through a slightly twisted lens. Sense of humor required. Shoes optional.

Our Gilligan Adventure

July 12, 2009 by Mary Cardwell

Our second morning in Fort Smith Montana greeted us with a beautiful sunrise and the promise of a wonderful day ahead.

Sunrise in Montana

Bighorn Lake was a mere 20 minutes away which seemed like a stone’s throw after all the traveling we’ve done thus far. A relaxing day at the lake was exactly what these travelers needed. Our campground host told us of a place near the marina where we could rent a boat by the hour and get the most fabulous view of the canyons. Sold! With fishing gear, picnic lunch and sunscreen in hand, we headed up through a local Indian reservation to the marina.

Indian Reservation drive

At the risk of repeating myself and sounding trite, the landscape was incredible at every turn. Mountains, fields, cliffs, colorful and vibrant met us around every corner. Just when we thought we almost touched the heavens, the next turn presented the peaceful and tranquil lake that sat at the base of glorious red cliffs as far as the eye could see.

First view of the marina

Being the Monday after the long weekend, there weren’t a lot of people around us. We glowed with anticipation of cruising this magnificent canyon, the third largest in North America with the Grand Canyon being the largest of course.

Cliffs from the boat

Dennis, now affectionately known as “The Skipper”, came back from the rental office to let us know he booked a pontoon boat for a three hour tour. We loaded our gear on the boat. We were like giddy school girls unable to hold back our excitement. After short instructions, Dennis got behind the wheel and away we went. The boys and I took in the fresh air and hung our heads over the sides like dogs sticking their heads out the window of a car. I’m not sure but our tongues may have been wagging just a bit! The sun, the water, the views…perfection, sheer perfection!! Each cliff was like a work of art hand painted by God, one more exquisite than the next. The boys each took a turn driving the boat. Their smiles were brighter than the sun.

Luke chillin'

It was about this time that the black cloud that followed us from NY to South Dakota managed to find us yet again. We noticed it way off in the distance and the folks at the marina ensured us the storm would arrive well after we returned from our three hour tour. We decided to pick up the pace a bit, just in case. As we continued to cruise, we hit a nice breeze and then it hit – Luke’s favorite hat he bought when we were in Toronto went flying off his head and into the waters. The current was pretty strong and it floated away quickly. “Save Canada! Save Canada!” we joked as Dennis turned the boat around to grab it. I picked up the fishing net our neighbor had loaned us and leaned over the boat in an effort to save the day but I couldn’t catch it! I had it trapped but couldn’t get underneath to scoop it. Dennis came over to help and we crossed signals and both let go of the net which quickly floated away next to the sinking hat.

In true Cardwell fashion, we refused to let it go and went to plan B. Cameron quickly dumped his shirt and shoes and dove over the side of the boat to rescue the missing goods. It was 35% heroic, 35% stupid and 30% excuse to go in the water. He quickly reached the net and hats but had to grab his glasses, forgetting to take them off before hitting the water. His hands were full and the current was strong, rendering him unable to swim.

Cliffs up ahead

I could see panic starting to set in, he was helpless as he started to drift further and further from the boat. I think in a panic I started hitting Dennis, telling him to go in after Cameron. He was already preparing to dive over the side and in a second flat, Dennis dove over the edge to calm Cam and save the day. Luke kept an eye on the action and guided me as I brought the boat to them. Safe on the boat, Cam said he was never so excited and scared at the same time. My hero, the Skipper!

We drove just a little further when we noticed the clouds coming toward us. We had enough adventure for the day and decided to turn around and head back to shore just in case. We were told by the guides and our host not to miss Black Canyon on our tour. Since the clouds were still in the distance, we decided to stop there for a few moments to eat our lunch once our stomachs had settled a bit. The boys wanted to cast their fishing lines but sadly time was not on our side. I think we were in Black Canyon less than 5 minutes when the storm was coming up quickly.

Here come the black clouds!

Dennis started the boat while the boys and I packed up everything and put it under the covering. Full steam ahead, Skipper! I sat in the front of the boat to help identify driftwood that was being tossed by the storm. The waters became very rough and the boat ride wasn’t so glorious anymore. It was impossible not to sing the Gilligan’s theme song in your head … “the weather started getting rough, the tiny ship was tossed, if not for the courage of the fearless crew the Minow would be lost, the Minow would be lost…” Then it got worse. Here comes the rain! Thunder and lightning were over head. We could see the bolts of lightning in the near distance. The rain was slapping me in the face, I could barely see but it didn’t matter. We just needed to get in as quickly as possible. This is where I wish my kids weren’t so smart. They began to recite the laws of science and remind us that metal and water are conductors of electricity and we were sitting ducks! We tried to calm the kids, telling them there was nothing to worry about but when I turned around and Dennis made that “HOLY CRAP” face to me, I got really nervous.

We pulled out our old standby “it’s just around the corner”,

Just around the corner

trying to keep our minds off of the life threatening situation we were experiencing. Then, right around the corner, we saw the marina. I wanted to cry I was so happy! Three crew members were calling us in, frantically waving their hands “over here! Over here!” As soon as we touched the dock, they rushed us off the boat and told us to run to the safety of the office. There was another woman who seemed as panicked as us, yelling “Up here! Get up here!” We grabbed everything we could and ran up the stairs to the office like we were teenagers with a case of beer being chased by the cops! Once we were safely inside, we exchanged a few hugs and a whole bunch of high fives, happy to be alive. We were all so jazzed with excitement and relief that we just experienced one of the greatest adventures of our middle class lives. Thankfully our three hour tour didn’t end the same as Gilligan’s but it was certainly exciting!

To see all our photos, visit Snapfish

Central Vermont: Quechee to Stowe

July 11, 2009 by Susan Getgood

Our local adventures this summer are nowhere near as exciting as the Cardwells’ trip west, as we are mostly revisiting favorite places and activities. However, on the theory that some of you will be coming this way for your summer holiday, here’s the rundown on some fun things to do in Central Vermont.

Woodstock

A family favorite is Billings Farm in Woodstock. They do a special Independence Day Celebration, including sack races, which Douglas did, and an egg toss (with raw eggs), which he did not.

Be sure to check out Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park while in town.

Where to eat: Bentleys Restaurant downtown. Family friendly, the restaurant just got a new chef who is doing some remarkable things, at reasonable prices.

Word to the wise: Woodstock takes its speed limits and parking regulations VERY SERIOUSLY. Do not exceed the 25 MPH zones on the way in/out of town and remember to feed the meter. If you are in one of the two-hour free spots along Elm Street, don’t exceed the time limit. Park in the free lot instead. A little walk is a lot better than the inevitable parking ticket.

Quechee

A fun (and free) activity is Quechee Gorge on Route 4. Wear comfortable shoes, and hike down to the bottom or up to the viewing spot of the dam. Both are very short walks. The state park visitor’s center has public restrooms and there are plenty of options for snacks, sandwiches and ice cream.

Waterbury

Waterbury is the home of Ben & Jerry’s. They give a free ice cream cone on your birthday, so we decided it was as good a destination as any for mine (the 5th). Turned out, my tour ticket was free as well, so keep that in mind if you are in the area on your birthday. Just tell the cashier when you are buying your tour tickets.

The production line does not run on the weekend, so if you can manage to go on a weekday, it’s worth it. But they do a decent job on the weekend as well, and no matter when you go, the tour wraps up with a free sample of ice cream.

Mount Mansfield, Stowe

Mount Mansfield is the highest peak in Vermont, and there are a number of ways to enjoy its wonders in the summer months. Last weekend, we drove the Auto Toll Road to the (nearly) top. Cost is $24 per car, hours 9am-4pm (last entry). Other options include an alpine slide and the gondola. Years ago, Dave and I took the gondola one way with two of our dogs and then walked down.

Where to eat: Stowe has some of the best restaurants north of Boston, but if you are looking for something quick and family friendly, try Charlie B’s at the Stoweflake. There’s a nice outdoor deck in the summer months, and board games by the fireplace for the kids if they get restless while you are enjoying your meal.

More pictures from the holiday weekend on Flickr.

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Thinking of Vermont as a destination? We rent our vacation home at very reasonable rates. Check it out on cyberrentals.

Signs of the West

July 10, 2009 by Mary Cardwell

As our journey continued West, I started to think about all the different ways I could tell we were far away from home

Can't escape

(but there are always a few things that stay the same). The most obvious differences were the landscape. Rolling fields that seemed to go on forever. Cattle and horses were blessed with hundreds of acres to roam and graze. We laughed every time we saw that one anti-social cow just standing hundreds of yards from the other cows and staring into space. What on earth could they be thinking about?

Scenes from Montana

Behind the fields were miles and miles of mountains, some with snow caps visible 150 miles away, others lined with trees that touched the sky. The scenery was majestic.

I had sort of expected those signs of the west but the ones that took me by surprise were a little closer to home. First sign that took me back just a bit was when Dennis started to play country music…and I didn’t object. Typically I would have been tempted to throw something at the radio to make the country twang stop but it actually sounded natural to me. It seemed right. But the sign that really stopped me in my tracks was when I realized I threw out any sense of fashion and color coordination and traded them for comfort and warmth. Sorry I don’t have a picture for you but how’s this image – bright orange tank top with olive green fleece, black sweatpants and brown flip flops. Don’t forget the unkept hair in a ponytail. What happened to me? Who was this person? I’ll tell you who – a very happy and relaxed traveler whose priorities were in the right place!

The most important signs of the West however centered on the Native American Indians. Towns named after tribes that live in and around the area. There were signs for Indian reservations that have been here for hundreds of years. The history and culture of our country’s original inhabitants should be treated with the utmost respect for it was their ancestors who shaped the earliest stories of our nation’s past.

Battlefield Marker

As we drove past Crow Agency, an Indian Reservation of the Crow tribe, we noticed the sign for the Battle of Little Bighorn battlefield. It was an unplanned stop but I insisted we’d only stop for 5 minutes and get right back on the road. More than thirty minutes later, we drove away with a refreshed interest in our country’s quest to capture the west.

As you pulled into the parking lot, there were hundreds and hundreds of white markers of soldiers who died in the battle. Some had names and ranks of these loyal men but many were nameless markers of those who never made it home. A short walk up the hill, you can overlook the actual battlefield littered with markers of men on the spots they had fallen.

Custer's Marker

It was easy to spot the marker of General Custer. The face of the marker was shaded black to make it distinctive from the others. Unlike many of the soldiers, Custer’s body was moved to Arlington Cemetery in Washington DC several years back.

My favorite part of the memorial, however, was the story of the American Indians that defeated Custer and his troops. The memorial was careful not to label the good guy and the bad guy.

Art sculpture of the battle

Many historians believe Custer’s fatal decision to engage in battle was careless and unnecessary. Others portray him as a great leader. Whichever side of the fence you fall on, this memorial stays focused on facts and images that make you pause and think. A must stop for anyone in the area.

As we drove away from the battlefield we had a new perspective on the land we traveled to our campground in Fort Smith Montana which was so small Betty the GPS didn’t know it existed. When we finally crossed into town lines, the signs proudly told us “Fort Smith, population 311”. Our campsite was alongside the Bighorn River, beautiful yet buggy. The owners were so kind, giving us tips on how to enjoy our short time in the area.

Luke and friends

Cam's unexpected shower

The boys made four new friends, black labs who wore the boys out playing fetch and jumping into the river. So, as the sun set in the west, we made plans to visit Bighorn National Recreation Area in the morning. To see our entire photo album, visit Snapfish for Battle of Little Bighorn and Camping in Montana

Taking Advice

July 10, 2009 by Mary Cardwell

For better or worse we told everyone about our cross country trip. Part of the reason was because we were in disbelief that we were actually going and the other part was to learn from others who have taken these roads before us. Some of the advice was useful like don’t forget to wear rubber gloves at the dumping stations.

Cam taking in the Badlands

Some advice was obvious like remember to pack extra socks. But some advice just enhanced our trip beyond our expectations.

We told folks we were visiting Mount Rushmore as part of our trip and many trusted friends and family told us to visit Crazy Horse monument as well as the Badlands while in the area. So now I tell you, if you ever visit Mount Rushmore make sure to take the time to visit Crazy Horse and the Badlands. You won’t be disappointed.

Crazy Horse Monument

We were less than motivated our second morning in Keystone. We were still in a wee bit of a fog from the Independence Day celebration but Dennis and I weren’t content to sit around and relax. Why should we relax? We’re on vacation and there are way too many businesses ready to take our money. We opted to take our time and stay local. Our first decision was to visit Custer State Forest but uncharacteristically, Betty the GPS, gave us a bum steer and we missed the turn. Being the dedicated travelers we are, we said screw it and decided to go straight to Crazy Horse instead.

For those as ignorant as I, Crazy Horse was an Indian Chief who fought and defeated Custer in the Battle of Little Bighorn. About 60 years ago, the Lakota Indians commissioned a tribute to him and all Native Americans in the form of a mountain carving that makes Mount Rushmore look small in comparison. The carving is of the Indian Chief on his horse pointing to “the land of his people.”

Finished Model

It was spectacular but unfinished. Due to lack of funding, Crazy Horse the monument probably won’t be finished in my lifetime but there was still so much to see and learn it’s worth the 20 minute drive from Keystone.

The visit starts with a brief and very interesting movie about the history of Crazy Horse and the monument. At the risk of embarrassing myself, I’m going to be honest, I didn’t actually watch the movie but Dennis and the boys thought it was terrific. I was finally coming off my 3 day stress high and just crashed. Yes, I fell asleep the second the lights dimmed. It gets worse. My nap consisted of several head bobs with my mouth wide open. I’m certain drool only moments away. Dennis was quick to nudge me before the snoring started to disturb the other guests.

Hand beaded Mask

At least I was well rested to see all the beautiful handmade Indian artifacts and learn more about their history.

The next day, we knew we had a fair amount of driving in front of us to get to our campground in Fort Smith, Montana but we had yet to make time for the Badlands. Several people told us not to miss Badlands but it was 2 hours in the wrong direction. I wanted to go to North Dakota and Dennis wanted to stop at Deadwood but we traded in those 5 hours and backtrack to Badlands National Park. I’m so glad we did, it was incredible.

Knowing time was limited, we opted to take the scenic drive rather than park and hike. I didn’t know what to expect because everyone just told us “You have to see it”.

Mountain Goat

I think we were only in the gate 5 minutes when we pulled over to mingle with the Mountain Goat on the side of the road. Part of me wanted to pet them but I kind of knew they’d literally kick my ass if I went too close so I used the zoom on my camera instead. Once we looked past the Mountain Goat, we were stunned by the massive and intricate natural canyons and rock formations. As we continued our 45 minute drive through the park, every turn offered a different and unique sculpture and geological miracle.

I can’t even being to describe the incredible views we experienced.

View from the road

Red clay rocks were layered with sandstone offering beautiful contrasts in the distance. Some areas were rich with vegetation while others could have been confused with the surface of the moon, lifeless craters and nothing green in sight. Parts of the Badlands are known for their prehistoric roots. Fossils and other findings from millions of years ago make this area a treasure for geologist and geeky kids alike.

Oooo! Scary!

I’m sorry I didn’t get to see North Dakota but I can’t imagine it could have topped our visit to the Badlands. So take my advice, follow the advice of those you trust and you won’t be disappointed. To see our complete photo album, visit Snapfish for Crazy Horse and The Badlands

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