Summer . . . well it hasn't really arrived yet!

The summer solstice came and left.  We still don't really have summer.  I am not really complaining at all as heat is not my thing!  I lived in Africa and the middle east.  I know heat and I know I don't like it like other people.  The flowers are all doing great with all this rain and cool temperatures. Whitefish is green, lush, and colorful.  The heat of summer is just on slow-mo this year.  Rumor has it after the 4th we will be in the 90s!  One extreme to the next!

Biking has been great! I am not injured this year, we are riding or hiking just about every day.  I would be on the river paddling more as we have wheels to haul our Native Boards down easily to the Whitefish River.   At 46ºF this morning I am not too eager to get on the river and freeze—-been there and done that enough in my lifetime!

Reading the 3rd book in "Summer King Chronicles" YA fantasy series by Jess E Owen.  I am in awe of Jess's work.  She even made time to meet up with me and to share her thoughts on self-publishing. 

MTN Bike riding on the Whitefish Trails

Feeling so grateful that I can bike, paddle, ski and move after my small knee surgery!

Here in Whitefish after decades of dedicated folks, the Whitefish Trails were established, built and now used/loved by walkers, bikers, runners, young & old!

Dogs have many swimming spots along our rides and on the trails if you pick wisely.

Yes, I am a wimp when it comes to the twists and turns of the downhills!

My best buddy Miss Sadie she is my companion!  Although she loves to scope out the surrounding area around the trails at times.  Sadie is an explorer!

Riding up Taylor Creek in the fog this weekend.  It was really cool and mysterious and I just love it when the mountains are covered in fog.

Indian Paint Brush in the background.

So far this summer has been rather cool and rainy.  This photo was taken in earlier June when summer came by for a visit.

Cooling off in Haskill Creek at the end of a mountain bike ride.

Earlier June snow on the ski hill.

I am loving these geraniums I planted this summer.  They just remind me of an old fashion floral print for a summer dress.  Which I will point out is nothing I would ever wear----

Sadie loving her dog ice cream from #sweetpeaksicecream.

Look at that tongue and empty ice cream dish!

Christian and his Haskap berries and crisp below.

One of the things I carve all winter up north is the Farmers Market here in Whitefish!  Oh so crunchy!

Witches feet from the Wizard of Oz!  Nice early morning bike ride under the Montana Big Sky looking up Whitefish Lake.

Stumptown DK yarn hand dyed right here in Whitefish at the Knit'N Needle!  I needed up some fingerless mittens for my sister.  I am going to work on this simple design a bit to come up with a better pattern.

Ah, Huckleberries are beginning to turn bluey-purple and I am sure would be bursting with ripeness when the rain stops and the sun arrives!

2,454.7 MILES DONE! World's Longest Driveway!

Reverse Migration part I is done and we are now in Montana for part of our summer.  We had a great trip south.  Each day the world turned greener with brighter colors as we slowly drove south.  The Yukon was as magnificent as ever with its huge vast valleys, broad mountains, and long ridges.  The fires from last summer have left its scars on the landscape.  British Columbia to suffered with fires last August as we headed north and now one can see the vast areas these fires burned.
The trip was a bit wet in BC.  Overall an excellent drive south on the Cassiar Highway.  Home is home no matter what!  We are so fortunate to be able to call two wonderful places home!  Each place is vastly different from each other but both are home for us in unique ways.

I always look forward to the drive south as the nights finally turn dark again!  I can see the stars which I just love.  I find it a bit unsettling to not see the night sky up north.  Going to bed in full daylight and waking up during the night and morning to full daylight is uncomfortable for me.  It took me years of living in Alaska to pinpoint this aspect of life south of the arctic circle.  I use the Star Walk 2 App and I also have Star Walk the original App for viewing the night sky.

Morning yoga on Kinaskan Lake Provincial Park.

Kinaskan Lake Provincial Park and a closure look at the view.

A much-needed knitting break at Meziadin Lake Provincial Park. That Snow Ghost hat is off the needles too!

One of my claims to fame is Jiffy Pop PopCorn---the secret is a leather glove and vice grips.

Miss Tally LOVES tent time!  No bugs inside the tent chewing up her thin skin!

Miss Sadie is a tent fan as well and loves her key position between us!

Bear Glacier on the way to Stewart, AK.  A nice short side trip as we headed south.

Stewart, AK a fun rig I am sure was once used for mining.

The following photos are from Fraser Lake campground.  I loved the outdoor fitness equipment. I would love to have them in a park where I live for a nice outdoor workout!

Fraser Lake Community Campground

Miss Sadie enjoying a good morning hug.

Ancient Forest outside of McBride BC.  We often stop here for a nice walk and a break from driving.  

Cedar tree ring/circle I sent a message of peace and good health out to all from the middle of this circle.  I was surrounded by several 1,000s of years of tree growth in the middle of this circle.

Mount Robson blanketed in a nice fresh layer of snow at Mount Robson Provincial Park.

Dog swim time with Mount Robson in the background.

Dinner by chef Christian!

Jasper Park has a no open fires this year in early May!  Yikes!  They have so much beetle kill they had to instate the no open fire law. While there were open sites at our favorite Ice Fields campground we had to move on to Rampart Creek Campground in Banff which one can have a fire.  This is a great site right on the river!

Chef Christian in action!

Closing in on the top of my hat!

Continuing our driving south closing in on home!