Family visit - Day 5

We left Whitefish this morning following a wonderful breakfast at Buffalo Café. 

We made our down the east side of Flathead Lake and then made a stop at the Ewam Garden of One Thousand Buddhas just north of Arlee. 

Arriving at last at home, we are tired but happy to have such great memories of our trip north!

Family visit - Glacier Park (3)

Following our boat tour we set off on the Road to the Sun and made our way to Logan Pass. We had good weather all the way to the top and mostly rain on the way down!

Family visit - Glacier Park (2)

The De Smet arrives at the dock

Rain clouds over Lake McDonald

Setting sail!

Brothers on deck

A quiet moment on the lake

A treat on our list of things to do in the park was an hour-long voyage on Lake McDonald.  We had some rain to deal with but it was a nice view of the features that make this park such a gem!

Family visit - Glacier Park (1)

Snyder Creek empties into Lake McDonald

Dale savors the sound of running water

Biding time before the boat tour

The only wildlife seen today!

The iconic red tour buses

After arriving at the Lake McDonald Lodge, where we'd be taking a boat tour later on, we enjoyed some time in this historic facility including a nice fire, board games, and some nice people watching!

Family visit - day 4

Leaving our Whitefish accommodations behind us, we set off for an adventure in Glacier National Park. Before entering the park, we stopped for a fantastic breakfast at Carolyn's Café in the community of Hungry Horse just outside of the park's west entrance. An authentic "hole in the wall" sort of place, Carolyn's is the place to get the fuel needed to face a day's touristing!

Family visit - day 3

The day begins in Stevensville

A stop in Ronan

Former Methodist Church, now a gallery

Waiting for our table in Whitefish

We set out from Stevensville this morning to collect Dale and Charles' mom in Lolo, before setting our sights on Whitefish, MT and two days near Glacier National Park.

We had a nice drive, stopping for snack at the Mennonite restaurant in Ronan. Making our way along the west side of Flathead Lake, we arrived in Whitefish and our accommodation.

Charles and Dale explored the Whitefish's artsy area which included popping into the Sunti Gallery to take in some world-class works of art!  Supper at Ciao Mambo, a terrific Italian restaurant located next door to our place, made for a wonderful introduction to Whitefish.

Family visit - day 2

Dale makes it to Idaho

The Lochsa River in Idaho

Not a great pic, but a great memory

A nice time was had today as Belinda and Charles' mom went to Missoula for an outing while Dale and Charles ventured to the Lochsa Lodge in Idaho for Dale's first visit to that state.

Ready for what happens next!

A new look planter

A new mural on Main Street

A mule deer grazing Tuesday evening

Belinda and Wesley enjoy a moment

It's been a very busy week for us as we prepared for the arrival of Charles' mother and brother Dale!

A new project

Charles has resumed doing cross stitch projects in his study with "Garden Butterflies," a 14-count project he picked up in Ogden at Shepherd's Bush. Belinda requested this be done for her. The first butterfly is taking shape as seen in this picture.

The week after AC

The drive home from Ogden

Patch is happy that there will be a year six

Wesley waits for the household to stir

Patch and B.B. are surprised by a visitor

Wesley keeps an eye on College St.

Making our way home after annual conference (in Ogden, UT) on Monday, we launched into the week tired, but happy to be home.

AC 2018 - pt.2

The main event of this Annual Conference was the business of considering the Plan of Union that would bring the Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain Conferences together. After slogging through the parts of the plan, a vote was eventually taken just before supper time. The result was that both conferences approved the new conference (the Mountain Sky Conference) by some 85% each.

We concluded our time with the Annual Conference with a rousing ordination service. What an experience!

Following a needed rest, we had an enjoyable evening with Waveland & Stacy King. A fitting end to a rather busy four days!

AC 2018 - pt.1

Thursday morning with the UMW

Friday morning worship

Charles takes up his position

Belinda chats with Rev. Bill Selby

Our reason for being in Ogden this week began in earnest Thursday with the beginning of the joint annual conference session of the Yellowstone and Rocky Mountains Conferences.

Friday morning was the time when we went to do mission projects around the city. Charles was involved in installing smoke detectors for the Red Cross. In the evening, a tent revival was held in an amphitheater followed by the "tug-o-love" which raised thousands of dollars for various UMCOR efforts.

Wednesday morning in Ogden

The heart of Ogden!

Utah Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Browning-Kimball Classic Car Museum's 1901 Oldsmobile

Utah State Railroad Museum

Browning Firearms Museum

This morning we made the short walk to the Ogden's Union Station and took in the four small museums located in the historic old train station. Each museum had something wonderful about it and was well-worth the time to visit!