TravelingMel

There's a new children's exhibit at the Museum of the Rockies. We took a trip over the hill to check out Explore Yellowstone. Big H and Mogie met us there; unfortunately Mogie was having a bit of back pain and had to wait in the truck, but we had a great time with Big H. Mogie did join us for lunch and was regaled with tales by the boys.

The new exhibit is a mini replica of Yellowstone complete with Old Faithful, Mammoth Terraces and the Fishing Bridge. There is a campsite where the boys played in a tent and wore backpacks. They loved fishing from the bridge (and throwing the cutthroat tout back while disposing of the invasive lake trout.)

Finn explores the bald eagle nest.

Observers.

The boys showed Big H around.

Looking out the lookout.

Anders tries to match the egg with the bird that laid it.

Big H tries out the binoculars.

Finn glasses the area.

Steamboat geyser gushes.

Old Faithful explodes and is surrounded by photographers, just like in the real Yellowstone.

Anders finds there is some work to be done.

The Terraces look kind of small up close.

Bison bison made out of recycled materials.

This weekend I took a bold step and went camping alone with the boys. Last year we took one camping trip without H and while fun, it was a lot of work.

The truth is, it wasn't just me and the boys. We met my friends Brooke and Peter, their one-year-old Matine and their three dogs. When we arrived Thursday night as the sky darkened, I was so appreciative of their help setting up my ginormous tent and getting me into a beer.

We camped at Pelican Point Fishing Access on the Missouri River. It's north of Craig, between Helena and Great Falls. Although I've driven through a bunch of times, I've never really explored the area. This time of year it is green, green, green and so lovely.

After a night of very little sleep (thanks, Finn) we awoke to a beautiful overcast day. It seemed like it was about to rain all day, but it never did. After breakfast we took a walk along the river.

A fishing guide asked Brooke if we had set up a fish camp for a couple weeks. Her response, "Yeah, something like that."

Brooke and Matine on our mini hike.

Missouri River at Pelican Point fishing access.

Pelicans.

Watching pelicans.

Pretty flower.

Anders enjoys the pretty flower.

Some people would say that the highlight of the trip was throwing rocks.

Snakeskin I found in the rocks. No sign of the prior inhabitant.

Pete fishing.

Dogs and little kids don't mind standing in freezing cold water.

Then we hung out at the campsite a bit before I had this great idea to go to Tower Rock State Park. It was only a mile or so from the campground and with a cool name like that, what could go wrong?

We loaded up our vehicles with kids, dogs and lunches and set out. Peter was surprised he hadn't heard of it since he is up there all the time working as a fishing guide. When we pulled into the parking lot he said, "Oh the place between the dump and the highway..."

Turned out it was a picnic table and an outhouse surrounded by yuck and noise. We later discovered that the rock was an important landmark to Lewis and Clark and served as the gateway to the Rockies. So, we drove to Hotler Lake/Reservoir and ate lunch under an imposing and impressive dam. I didn't take photos.

It got windy that night and the boys were not happy. I'll just skip over the night. I had planned to spend a third night, but it was so incredibly windy that I had to leave. I can't believe our tent survived.

We stopped in Helena on the way home for a ride on the carousel and a trip to Exploration Works!

Of all the interesting animals on the carousel the boys picked horses. On the second ride I put Finn on a bison.

How adorable is tiny Mattie on the fish? Super adorable.

Ride 'em, cowboy!

This carousel went so fast that I started to feel a little nauseous.

We can't get enough horse riding. We found these fillies at Exploration Works!

Anders took flight and tried to steer this glider down a river. He crashed early and often.

The Lewis and Clark trail connects the carousel, Exploration Works! and the other businesses in the Great Northern Center.

To break up the drive home we stopped at the hot springs pool in White Sulfur Springs.

The boys we were beat after all that fresh air, activity and lack of sleep. They both fell asleep on the last leg home and refused to wake up until 9pm (Finn) or 5am the next day (Anders).

Other than the nights, we had a great time. This was the first time I camped with another family (I was a little nervous about how much crying would come out of our tent...) and it was so much fun. Brooke and Peter were great to hang out with and I hope we get to camp with them again (and I promise not to suggest we visit any places embedded in the dump.)

You can check out the photos Brooke and Peter took here.

When we left Montana on Sunday we also left winter and flew into spring. There is a lot of green here in Maryland (and I don't just mean money). Trees are budding and flowers are blooming.

It's been pretty overcast, but Wednesday was sunny and beautiful. We paid a visit to the Chesapeake Maritime Museum.

Finn on the boat at Morris Park.

Anders gets on the boat.

Anders gets crabby with dad.

I caught a keeper.

Crabby, crabby, crabby...

Picking up rocks.

Throwing rocks into the water--one of Finn's favorite activities.

Yeah, it's scenic.

Looking out the lighthouse window.

Anders steers the boat.

It's catch-up time again.

I saw these yummy watermelon Valentine pops on a crafty website and decided to make them for Anders to take to his Valentine's Day party at daycare.

Watermelon pops in the freezer.

Anders shows you the love.

Valentine's Day card from Anders and Finn. Not the best pictures of them, but a very sweet thought (by our daycare provider).

Last weekend the boys and I took a day to play at a couple museums in Bozeman, both to have little out of town fun and to give Henry a break.

We started out at the Museum of the Rockies where we climbed on the treehouse exhibit, played in the kids' room and checked out the dinosaur exhibits.

It was the in front of a Triceratops that Finn threw up. You may recall that last time we went to MOR Finn also threw up. I'm beginning to think it might be something at the museum.

Getting into gear at the Museum of the Rockies.

Anders watched the dino who watches the other visitors.

Group photo in front of the museum.

After the puking we decided to head out before being kicked out. Finn seemed fine so we headed over to the Children's Museum of Bozeman.

Anders went straight for the train table since he doesn't get enough train time at home. Then we played at the rice table, which we discovered to full of beans this time. We love it when they change things up.

Bean counter.

Finn brings his own fun with him.

Dumping beans.

Anders, Finn and I went sledding the other day. Fortunately we ran into Gwynne (our daycare provider) and her three girls. The older two girls pulled Anders up the hill for the first run.

We took about 4 runs down the hill and then played in the snow.

Approaching the sledding hill.

I'm Anders Coble Harrison. Who the $%$#@ are you?

Sitting in the snow.

Finn and I get ready to climb the sledding hill.

Another adventure I took with the boys was a visit to the Museum of the Rockies. We went to see the model train exhibit, which entranced Anders.

It made Finn sick to his stomach and he threw up all over me and the lobby floor. Gallons of puke. Then Anders got down on his hands and knees and crawled through it. Then we left. It was fun.

Lunch break at the Museum of the Rockies.

Careful when you poke a stegosaurus in the eye.

Watching the train go 'round.

This magical train goes underwater and past hot springs.

A few more shots, just because I can.

Playing with a Christmas present we hid in the closet for a week.

I'll do anything for a little rest.

By the hammer of Thor, what is going on here?