SMOKE, BEER AND WATER

Yeah, I look like a Smokejumper.

Hanging Parachutes

Plane that carries the Smokejumpers

Big Sky Brewery

Flathead Lake

Yesterday we went to take a tour of the Smokejumpers Academy. This is one of the places in the Western states that actually have Smokejumpers training. We got to look at the whole process. The information we learned was: You have to be between 120 to 200 pounds to qualify. You go through a training process that includes running for 2 miles with an 80 pound pack on their back, and be able to get ready and in the plane in 5-10 minutes. They take a sewing class because they make all their own uniforms, backpacks and jackets. If a hole developes in their parachute, they patch it themselves. They hang the parachutes after every fire to get rid of debri and smoke. While we were there, they got a call to go to Wolf Creek so we got to watch them get ready, board the plane and fly off. It was all pretty exciting.

Next we went to Big Sky Brewery. They have a tasting room so of course we had to taste. They make such beers as Moose Drool, Trout Slayer and Honey Bear.

It rained hard in the middle of the night last night but when we got up this morning it was clear. We took a ride up to Flathead lake. The lake is huge and the area and the lake look like Tahoe. It was a clear blue. It was a nice day so there were lots of boats and swimmers on the lake. On the way back we stopped at the Huckleberry Hut and bought some Huckleberry Honey, Huckleberry Ice Cream Topping, and Huckleberry Ice Cream. Yummy....

It was about 85 degrees when we got home. The Big Clouds in the Big Sky started coming in. Within 30 minutes the lightening and thunder started, then the rain. Wow, the thunder was really, really loud. Of course Molly was shaking in her boots. We had to medicate her a little. It is still raining as I write this. The sky here in Montana is very big and it is beautiful.

If at any time you would like to see more pictures, let me know and I will email them to you. On this program I can only post 5 at a time with each blog. We have lots more pics that are really good ones so let me know.

Well, goodnight for now.....

Very Happy Campers

David and Carol