It's been pretty dry looking in Montana- is this the norm? We've passed a prairie fire once and lots of other burned looking areas. The sky looks hazy. It gets very windy. Then you enter Glacier National park. Mountains, trees, waterfalls. Majestic. I honestly didn't know what to expect about Glacier other than it being beautiful. We are not good planners and to travel the Road to the Sun you need a ticket. If you don't plan 6 months in advance you can try to grab one at 8 AM two days before you go in. Luke and I have tried 3 days in a row to get tickets right at 8 and we still haven't been able to get one. So what do we do?! I was worried about this until I learned you can go in before 6 AM (if there's still parking) -no thank you- or after 5 PM. This actually works out really well for us. Since we're traveling every 2-3 days on average I like to have morning times to be productive with the kids. Luke needs some work time. Breakfast and chores first. We might catch up on drawing a place we've been to, read about the State we are in, Olivia or Elyse may write a postcard, or do a craft while I read to them. Currently we are enjoying: Prairie Lotus (through our online library) by Linda Sue Park. It's about the experience of a half Chinese girl in the late 1800's in Dakota Territory and the racism and cultural resistance she encounters as they try to make a home.

Groceries are expensive out West. Not as many options. I do miss Aldi's, Trader Joe's and Discount Mike's! Despite the fact that the kids eat PB and J several times a week I think I'll have about doubled my grocery budget this month. 😮😬 It was hard to pass up local honey and some other Nature/Health food stores- that adds it up too.

Part of the way I try to balance it is with healthier baked goods. Muffins, Sourdough.... etc. Clara especially goes crazy about muffins right now. Here's a good low sugar, high fiber, high protein, GF, and DF, one if you're interested.

Apple-Cinnamon Muffins (with coconut flour) recipe

5 large eggs
1 cup applesauce
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup coconut oil
3 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla (optional)

Whisk all together, let sit 5 minute and bake at 400 for 12-15 minutes. Drizzle with honey if desired, or top with a nut butter.

We're going to make another trip into the park tonight for some hiking, etc. More pictures to come! It's Saturday and in the past, that's meant homemade pizza and a show. We'll be in the car for several hours so I'm going to attempt to make pizza pockets with some sourdough. We'll see how this goes. 😉

To other home school moms: What else would you add to your day?

To experienced travelers: What were some special things you remember as a kid- or loved as an adult?

Everyone: What would you like to hear more about?!