Winter Wonderland!

Perhaps I've been overusing the term "winter wonderland" but I can't really think of any other way to put it. Even the photos do it no justice. This is by far the most beautiful winter I have ever experienced & has opened my eyes and heart to an appreciation that I thought dissipated when I was about 12 years old.

Yes, 12 years old was when I last felt it except now with this renewed interest and bigger muscles the  snow balls are rolled much larger. In fact, I used to think I knew how to play in the snow but now realize I had no idea how to roll a snowball until we waited for a semi warm winters day with gigantic white pieces of fluff gently falling all around us to the ground which already had a couple feet of white accumulation. What I am trying to say is, it's fun. A lot of fun.

You know, when we first talked about moving out here and into a camper we really felt that the world thought we were crazy. We did have a few supporters but overall it would have been extremely discouraging if we would have listened.  We never privately discussed these reactions from people. It's not of our nature to really dig into negativities like that. When we decide to do something, we do it. We enjoy the rush you get from the unknowns. The challenges of living off the land. But were we REALLY going to be freezing our bums off like they said. Was this REALLY going to be a horrible experience that we would never forgive ourselves for? We didn't know but we were doing this and we've loved the adventure so far.

Last week finally all of those discouragements were brought up during a lovely afternoon stroll down a path along the side of the creek. It sure is working out beautifully. And for the first time we openly admitted that we didn't know if it would. It's so cool when you can set your mind to something, do it, and actually succeed. I shouldn't speak too soon. There is a lot of winter ahead of us but seriously, is this the coolest place I've EVER lived? Um let me think, yes.

This has been a very snowy winter. The plow works wonderfully on the road and has become a favorite pastime worth fighting over who gets to do it. The dogs are in love with their new home. I am so glad my old girl Kaycee was able to experience this in her last days. She loves the peace and solace. No neighbor dogs to tear into, no traffic to bark at to warn mom. The nearest neighbors whom are still quite a distance away are all gone now so here we are, in this magnificent valley, all to ourselves.

And as far as staying warm goes, on our coldest nights which were near -40 the camper stayed plenty warm. Not throw a leg out from the covers warm but plenty cozy in some long johns and warm slippers. Right now I am gasping for air as this tiny space heater is aiming towards the bedroom where I am writing from blasting heat unlike anything I've felt since August. And for those of you who know me personally know I love it!

I turned 30 years old last week. I couldn't think of any other place I would want to be. For my 30th birthday we snowshoed to the top of the mountain and rode sleds down. In between my little emotional breakdowns from my first official life crisis the air was filled with nothing but laughter and gasps of excitement as we flew off the sides of boulders that we didn't know were underneath us. I couldn't ask for more then to have spent this day with the sweetest man in the world. Rewind a little, I also woke up to breakfast, coffee from Hawaii & all morning chores done while I slept in! I have to say, this was the best I've ever been treated on a birthday and I felt like a princess by the time evening came.

We also learned this week that one should never leave the black tank open on a cold night. I am SO glad Brandon has worked with medical waste in the past or he would never be able to do this job. And mind you, he put a new use to the words "Slush Puppies". I have never smelled such a foul odor as what comes out of this thing but he keeps on keeping on! Thank God cuz I would be gagging from here to Missoula if I had to do that job! Anyway, no major problems from that. Had to get a little messy & take a little time after dark on a cold night but everything was up and going again within the hour. Brandon comes in with his hands held out asking me to turn the pump on and spray some soap on his fingers. I had the bright idea of pouring vinegar over the soap  to help with some of the horrible odor that seeped into his palms. Awhile after dinner during a leisurely video game he turns to me and says, (excuse my language) "My hands smell like piss and vinegar I must really be full of it!" haa! Ahh I love this guy.

Have been able to take some fun photographs. Someday when I get a little antenna to stick on top of this beast I will hopefully have better internet service (which I'm surprised I have any!) and be able to attach more pictures to these posts. It's so beautiful.

Heard a woman screaming outside my window a couple weeks ago at the top of her lungs. I paused for a moment before panicking and hiding in the commode when it dawned on me that obviously there wasn't a woman screaming outside my window! I thrilled at the idea that a pack of coyotes had come so close that I almost felt like I was in the middle of them, they yelped all the way past and were on their way. The moose have also become abundant & there is a particular mom and baby that seems to always be around. For over 7 months now we have watched the baby grow into a young bull. She is getting used to our vehicle (we wouldn't dare approach her on foot) so we stop when she is near the trail and she just watches us. We don't push our luck in hopes of not chasing her off, she has become quite the popular model in front of the camera as well!

Haven't been on the mountain snowboarding yet but we are eager to do so. Eager to get out onto the lake and kite a bit. Eager to do many things. Perhaps this lifestyle has us a bit more tied down but I cannot say I feel like I am living any less the life. In fact, most days it feels like more.

Pumping water from the creek, filtering it twice, then pumping into the camper deemed unsuccessful. Our first use was great. Second one everything froze up almost instantly. I may have mentioned this in another post. I apologize for any redundancy you might notice. I digress, we've converted to hauling all of our water in 6 gallon containers. They are easy enough to poor into the camper & extremely convenient to fill. No longer do we go to town or friends house or even the laundry mat to fill them, silly us forgot there an awesome mountain spring with the BEST water where locals often go to, to fill up! It's PERFECT! So a bath a day it is & lots of delicious crisp, cool artesian well water from the Mountains of Montana.

It's a neat place and one where I have found my heart & soul. Today as I drove toward a neighboring town near I-90 I came upon about 800 head of cattle on the highway. I weaved in and out of them as I passed mile by mile of red and black angus. It confirmed to me that I've finally found home. I even used to jeep to push a few back to the main 3 mile long herd. Wanted to make my farmer friends back home proud. The ranchers in the truck in front smiled these incredible smiles and waved their arms off as I passed by. I smiled & was glad that I didn't live in a place with bumper to bumper traffic. I'd much rather deal with bumper to bumper cattle :)

That's about all for now folks. Thanks for reading! I try to get on here once a week. Last week I missed due to my turning 30 crisis but I'm over it now and back in action!


Mental Note worth mentioning - of the week:

Do not panic when the gas tester goes off continuously if you're dogs bum is right next to it.

Until next time from the happy campers,

Take care!