This weekend Ted and I hiked at Holland Lake in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The hike was short -- to a waterfall. We had a really nice day. I like nice days. Unfortunately though the area is ablaze and everything is sorta smokey and campfirey. Makes my dead yard seem like not a big deal in comparison.

My friend Catherine and I went to the rodeo Friday night in C-Falls (Columbia Falls for those not in the know). It was "Heritage Days" and so we thought we'd check it out. I was not as distressed as I thought I would be -- no animals were harmed and it was pretty amusing to be honest. Lots of cowboys and cowgirls and tourists. We had a drink at the Blue Moon afterwards -- a place that had always scared me. It was pretty fun.

Grandma Edythe passed away early this morning. Not everyone is lucky enough to have had such an amazingly cool grandmother -- one who wore bright velour tracksuits with matching shoes, headbands and lipstick -- who celebrated diversity and preached tolerance -- who taught to "save a little spend a little" -- who took a solo Spring Break vacation to Mexico in her 80s -- who apparently attempted stand-up comedy at her Senior Center and taught (or took) Spanish and played tambourine in her band -- who gave birth to one of the most amazing men I've ever known. . . the list goes on and on. Rest in peace Grandma Edythe. If there is a heaven I'm sure there's a spot in the funky urban section of heaven waiting for you.

do you think this guy can make a player out of this girl?

I didn't have my camera, so you're going to have to pretend this guy, who is actually a pet of the Swope Park people in Kansas City, is a little bigger and there are four of them standing in a row -- then you will visualize what I saw on my run this morning. Sonja was with me and didn't even notice the four very large turkey vultures staring us down as we ran by. I would swear they were 3 feet tall but according to the trusty interweb they aren't *that* big.

Yesterday I did a 20 mile trail run/hike in the park -- I took the shuttle to the Gunsight Pass trailhead and ran/hiked to the Lake McDonald lodge where my car was waiting for me. It was perhaps the most amazing and beautiful run I've ever done. Here is the full set of pictures.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97221727@N00/sets/72157600953732412/

Leanne's new puppy!!!! Wally -- what a little cutie!

My brother got married!!! This has been a busy week fo sho. And my parents are here now and my dad is officially 60 years old! Happy birthday daddy!!!

Good morning!!! I go to KCMO tomorrow -- it was 55 this morning. I think I will miss Montana.

This is the view from the trail we ran today. We did about 12 miles. It was a gorgeous morning.

It's finally summer. It has been hot in the afternoons! But it's still pretty. I can do hot here better than hot in Chicago.

I forgot to mention the most important event of the summer -- David and Ellen came to visit. I think I mentioned that they inspired me to restart the blog. We had so much fun and I wish they lived here!

This is a consumer confession. I am very sad that we don't have AT&T service here and that I can't have an IPhone until it becomes mainstream. I should be happy since I can't afford it and since prices will invariably come down in the next few years before it's available in Montana. But all this iPhone hype is a reminder that no matter how hard I try (ok I don't try very hard) to break my love of gadgets, I am a gadget girl and I want all the new cool toys.

This weekend Ted and I volunteered on the Dive team at Ironman Coeur d'Alene. We had an awesome campsite on the lake -- only the group site was available when I went to reserve a site online so we had this huge campground to ourselves basically. It was beautiful!

We had a blast volunteering. I had the opportunity to watch the swim portion of the race from below the water -- it was incredible. Thankfully no one sank thus requiring my assistance. It was really neat and made me want to do another one. I'm thinking that perhaps I will consider Ironman Wisconsin 2008. I want to volunteer again next year at CDA so I won't be signing up.

I finally went to HuHot. No, not HuHa but HuHot. ;)

It's my birthday today!!! Ted gave me flowers and a beer stein this morning. He said it was too early for me to have beer though. This morning Leanne, Hunter and Sonja and I did about 5 trail miles at the "Pig Farm" -- then she bought me a sticky bun and coffee. This day has been great! Here's a blurry picture from my cellphone.

OK, so since the entire Woodbury clan blogs like rock stars I'm inspired to revive this. So what have we been up to? Well, I ran Boston and Coeur d'Alene marathons. We've been hanging out with friends and I will post picture from David and Ellen's visit as soon as I can pirate them from David. This weekend we're volunteering at the CDA Ironman and will camp and celebrate my 32nd in style :)

Zeke and Danni running :-) Last week it was pretty cold and a face mask was definitely needed. But it's basically very pleasant for running (with yak traks and trail shoes).

We made it!!! The trip was pretty uneventful and fairly scenic. We're settling in and enjoying the snow and beautiful scenery. This picture is the view from our window. Tomorrow we return the truck to Coeur d'Alene Idaho -- which is not a short drive -- and close on our condo remotely. Big day!!! All is well and we're happy to be here! :)

A sweet (har har har!!!) and cheerful gift from our friend Mike and his family!!! These cookies will be good carbo-loading for our move. If we don't eat them all before then!!!

It certainly helps to make a huge life change with such supportive and wonderful friends.