Red Lodge, Montana

One of our favorite towns to visit in Montana is Red Lodge. Located 60 miles southwest of Billings and a scenic drive down a two lane highway that starts off of I-90 in Laurel Montana. The two lane road travels along Rock Creek eventually arriving in Red Lodge at the base of the Beartooth Mountains home to one Montana's many popular skiing destinations, Red Lodge Ski Resort.

Red lodge attracts outdoor enthusiasts every season of the year for the hiking, fishing, rock climbing and skiing. The ski season typically runs from Thanksgiving to early May.

After a long day exploring the mountains enjoying a well deserved dinner at Bogart's is always a favorite for the locals and tourists that make there way through Red Lodge's quaint town center on highway 212.

This years trip to Red Lodge we found our way to Wild Bill lake just a few miles from downtown Red Lodge. Wild Bill lake is a great fishing destination for families with young children looking for a lake with easy access and plentiful fish thanks to the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Recreation department. I've been fishing at Wild Bill since I was a child. One secret of the locals. If you want to have a busy day bring plenty of Velveeta cheese, The rainbow trout in the lake love the stuff.

The view of Main St. Red Lodge, Montana

Heading to Wild Bill Lake



West Fork Rock Creek.

Me teaching Izabelle how to bait a hook. Also working on my Nike sponsorship!

Izabelle waiting for her first catch.

Helaina getting comfortable.

Tristan's first catch of the day.

Simon, Shena and baby Cohen.

Uncle Nathan, Annelise, Tristan and Ryder.

Me teaching the kids to gut a fish.

Tristan and Sidney.

Grandpa and Grandma Wald enjoying a beautiful day at the lake.



"And they think we're just fishing on the river side,
throwing back what we could fry,
drowning worms and killing time,
nothing too ambitious
 they  ain't even thinking 'bout what's really going on right now,
but I guarantee this memories a big one
and they think we're just fishin"
-Trace Adkins


God Bless,
Seth and Katherine

Beartooth Mountains

Hi All,

Our first adventure in Montana took us on a trip down memory lane (for me at least). We took the family to Beartooth Mountain Christian Ranch (BMCR) located 75 miles southwest of Billings, MT. I spent just about every summer of my youth, from fourth grade through high school, attending the week long camp along with many of my closest friends that I still keep in touch with to this day. As I entered into my high school and college years I would often take a week off from my summer job to serve as a camp counselor.

The drive to BMCR itself is a great trip. Located at the base of the Beartooth Mountains the two lane highways to BMCR zigzags through a couple of Montana's bustling small towns. First starting with Columbus located right off of I-90 and then Absarokee and finally Fishtail. Each of these towns are nestled in the numerous scenic valleys of the Beartooth Mountains. Along the way you will cross over or follow the Yellowstone River, Montana's largest river as well the Stillwater which is a popular fishing destination for the tourist and locals alike who pursue the amazing fishing that Montana has to offer.

I need to complement the camp organizers and staff for providing a great hassle free all inclusive vacation for all of the families attending camp.

The camp is located on a few hundred acres of land in a beautiful scenic valley of the Beartooth Mountains. They offer all sorts of organized activities for adults and children such as horseback riding, a zip line, skeet shooting, a climbing wall, archery, hiking trails and a fishing pond. The staff are all available to assist and coordinate all of the activities so it was easy for Katherine and I to send the kids off to an activity and enjoy the fellowship with other campers.

I certainly would recommend BMCR family camp for anyone looking for a great Montana getaway. The camp is only 3 and a half days so it would allow plenty of time for other vacation activities across Montana.

Here are a few of the pictures from our camp.

Helaina taking the plunge over the wall. Having been there, I can tell you that's not an easy first step.

Helaina after making it to the Top!

Sidney cautiously making her way up the wall!

That was has high as I was able to pull Izabelle!

Tristan Preferred to stay below the 10ft boulder line.

During all of his spare time Tristan hunted for local reptiles.

Grandpa Wald getting in on the action.

Success!

Helaina showing mom how to shoot a bow and arrow.

I can't see that guys face in the red, but he looks like a real pro!

Captivated my audience for one of my amazing campfire stories. Really, they are quite amazing.

Random kids really excited about fresh horse poo. How could they not be?

This picture is funny. They are having an argument. If a picture speaks a thousand words I would caution that they aren't always the correct words.

Breaking in my "2 sizes too small" camp shirt. I'll be saving this shirt for "club night" on the Vegas strip.

Mission Accomplished!

 

 

Family: We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.

 

 God Bless,

Seth and Katherine

Montana on my Mind

Hi All,

Sorry for the long delay in updating the blog. We were stalled in Montana for awhile and kept busy with work, family and a number of different excursions to various locations around my hometown, Billings.

For all of those who know me they know that Montana is and will also be a very special place for me. I certainly have some biases since it is my home state, but there are just so many reasons to love Montana, the scenery, the wonderful people, the outdoor activities including skiing and fishing, wide open spaces that you can just loose yourself in and last but not least Griz Football!

Of all the reasons to like Montana I have to say the number one item that stands above all is NO SALES TAX! What an amazing concept. I grew up in Montana so I never even heard of such a thing as sales tax. Once I moved along to Massachusetts and then to Missouri every time I purchased something from a #1 meal at McDonalds to a large item such as a car I couldn't help but be erked by the additional cost of a the sales tax. In Montana you could be down to your very last dollar and still afford a double decker taco from Taco Bell for 99 cents and have change left over to toss into a wishing well!

We had a lot of stories and adventures in Montana which we will be getting updated in the next couple of days so stay tuned.

“I’m in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana it is love. And it’s difficult to analyze love when you’re in it.”

― John Steinbeck

 

God Bless,

Seth and Katherine