How was your Fourth?

[Montana Tom]

Anybody do anything interesting/fun over the holiday on Thursday?

We had some visitor from Missouri, my wife's brother and her niece.  Very nice folks.  But talk about go, go, go.

They got in late Monday night near midnight.
For Tuesday, they scored a vehicle pass to go up Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park (those are restricted in number).  A full day with lots of snow up at Logan Pass, my wife drove them so they could crane their necks at the scenery. First time to Glacier for them.

Wednesday was horseback riding (first time for them) on the trail by our place, my wife took them on a very safe trail ride.  Next, a long motorcycle ride (my wife went with her brother) around the valley and up into the mountains, and then that evening a July 3rd/Independence Day Eve boat excursion to watch pre-Independence Day fireworks on Flathead Lake.  There was a tour group of about 20 young people (guessing early 20s) from Ecuador on the boat with us, and they were entertaining and interesting.  Great fireworks.  Got home after midnight.

July 4th I took them on a hike up to the summit of our ski resort here, 4.5 miles and a 2,400' elevation gain. A butt kicker, I haven't done that hike in 5 years, and I could tell.  Need to get back in shape for more of that.  Thankfully, we rode the chairlift down.  First time on a chairlift for either of them.  

Then we went Whitewater rafting on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River out of West Glacier.  Water was big, chilly (52F refreshing, not too cold...it sure got your attention under the warm sun).  Big waves, great fun.  Water levels are perfect.  Again, first time for them.    Collapsed last night at sunset, that was a big 24 hours.

We were invited to multiple fireworks displays last night...we were toast and I fell asleep as the neighbors were booming away with their own private displays.

Thank heavens they are leaving tomorrow...we can get back to our normal pace.

[purplefaithful]

Unusual, off-year for us:
IT rained all day until evening (rarely is 7/4 anything but great weather here)
I was reminded why I dont like Dominoes Pizza
I found out Walter (our adopted stray dog) doesnt like fireworks...

[StickierBuns]

Hit the gym and then went to the Beach (2 minute drive) late morning....'suns out, buns out' on full display. We came home, got in the pool and had some food delivered while partaking in several vodka lemonades. Walked down to the intercoastal with some neighbors to catch some fireworks, but not for too long because the dog loses his shit with the noise.

[MaroonBells]

Sounds great, Tom! 

I’m at a baseball tournament in Rapid City right now. Big firework display at the game last night. Son’s playing his first game on a legion field. There’s even a press box and announcers. 

Also seeing a lot of things I associate with Minnesota. Several Vikings and Twins hats. Ads for Pizza Ranch, whatever the hell that is (I just know Kirk was a fan). Ads on the outfield wall promoting “Gustafson” Builders and “Sundby” Photography, names one would associate with this part of the country I guess. But thought we were a little far west for that. 

Kid in front of me has a hat that says “Montana till I die.” Team from Missoula. I love Colorado but I do miss Montana. Couple weeks ago took the Beartooth Pass road down through Sunlight Basin in Wyoming. Maroon Bells might be the most beautiful single spot I’ve seen on this planet, but if there’s a more beautiful drive than Beartooth through Sunlight, I haven’t seen it. Going to the Sun is up there too, but it’s been about 30 years. 

On a more philosophical note, I’ve always been amused by things baseball parents say.  “A hit’s a run,” “got a piece of it,” “good miss,” “good eye,” “way ahead of him,” “now you’ve seen it.” It’s in our nature as humans to be positive and encouraging I guess, especially with our kids. 

But it made me wonder… what do Viking fans yell when they watch baseball? “you strike out here, kid, game’s over?” “Another error and you’ll lead the team?” LOL

[Vanguard83]

Sad. Here in Maui, the 4th was ALWAYS fireworks galore - I'm talking for MILES you could see the sky across the valley light up.

With the disaster in Lahaina, there was just a handful of fireworks last night. No one here has the heart for it, or want to run the risk of another potential disaster. Also, quite a bit of resentment, not a lot of support from insurance companies or Federal government to help rebuild. We live in Kahului, so we were fortunate, but I have three neighbors who lost their businesses in the fire.

Maybe Hawaii could borrow money from the Ukraine.

[purplefaithful]

Sad. Here in Maui, the 4th was ALWAYS fireworks galore - I'm talking for MILES you could see the sky across the valley light up.

With the disaster in Lahaina, there was just a handful of fireworks last night. No one here has the heart for it, or want to run the risk of another potential disaster. Also, quite a bit of resentment, not a lot of support from insurance companies or Federal government to help rebuild. We live in Kahului, so we were fortunate, but I have three neighbors who lost their businesses in the fire.

Maybe Hawaii could borrow money from the Ukraine.

That is sad...

Hawaii is such a national treasure, it sure should be a priority to get Lahaina back on its feet and fast.

[Still Hurtn]

It's was nice thanks for asking

[MAD GAINZ]

Sounds great, Tom! 

I’m at a baseball tournament in Rapid City right now. Big firework display at the game last night. Son’s playing his first game on a legion field. There’s even a press box and announcers. 

Also seeing a lot of things I associate with Minnesota. Several Vikings and Twins hats. Ads for Pizza Ranch, whatever the hell that is (I just know Kirk was a fan). Ads on the outfield wall promoting “Gustafson” Builders and “Sundby” Photography, names one would associate with this part of the country I guess. But thought we were a little far west for that. 

Kid in front of me has a hat that says “Montana till I die.” Team from Missoula. I love Colorado but I do miss Montana. Couple weeks ago took the Beartooth Pass road down through Sunlight Basin in Wyoming. Maroon Bells might be the most beautiful single spot I’ve seen on this planet, but if there’s a more beautiful drive than Beartooth through Sunlight, I haven’t seen it. Going to the Sun is up there too, but it’s been about 30 years. 

On a more philosophical note, I’ve always been amused by things baseball parents say.  “A hit’s a run,” “got a piece of it,” “good miss,” “good eye,” “way ahead of him,” “now you’ve seen it.” It’s in our nature as humans to be positive and encouraging I guess, especially with our kids. 

But it made me wonder… what do Viking fans yell when they watch baseball? “you strike out here, kid, game’s over?” “Another error and you’ll lead the team?” LOL

When it's a full count "Base hit, ball four"... "See ball, hit ball"...  "Keep your head down"...  when you coach baseball for as long as I have you hear or say them all...  Lol

[JimmyinSD]

Sounds great, Tom! 

I’m at a baseball tournament in Rapid City right now. Big firework display at the game last night. Son’s playing his first game on a legion field. There’s even a press box and announcers. 

Also seeing a lot of things I associate with Minnesota. Several Vikings and Twins hats. Ads for Pizza Ranch, whatever the hell that is (I just know Kirk was a fan). Ads on the outfield wall promoting “Gustafson” Builders and “Sundby” Photography, names one would associate with this part of the country I guess. But thought we were a little far west for that. 

Kid in front of me has a hat that says “Montana till I die.” Team from Missoula. I love Colorado but I do miss Montana. Couple weeks ago took the Beartooth Pass road down through Sunlight Basin in Wyoming. Maroon Bells might be the most beautiful single spot I’ve seen on this planet, but if there’s a more beautiful drive than Beartooth through Sunlight, I haven’t seen it. Going to the Sun is up there too, but it’s been about 30 years. 

On a more philosophical note, I’ve always been amused by things baseball parents say.  “A hit’s a run,” “got a piece of it,” “good miss,” “good eye,” “way ahead of him,” “now you’ve seen it.” It’s in our nature as humans to be positive and encouraging I guess, especially with our kids. 

But it made me wonder… what do Viking fans yell when they watch baseball? “you strike out here, kid, game’s over?” “Another error and you’ll lead the team?” LOL

as a cather...

"got any naked pictures of your girlfriend, wanna see some?"
" why the fuck is your mom running around right field topless"
" was that a bunt sign" ( try squaring when it wasnt in your head when the pitcher goes into his windup)
"hey, your cleats untied"
the list is almost endless when you know they have a sister, but the almighty is and always will be.....
" HEY BATTER BATTER BATTER......SUWIIING BATTER"

now when you get older and start fucking with ump...whole new game.

There is no better game for a boy( or maybe even a girl) to grow up playing than baseball when it come to building a thick skin.

[MaroonBells]

When it's a full count "Base hit, ball four"... "See ball, hit ball"...  "Keep your head down"...  when you coach baseball for as long as I have you hear or say them all...  Lol

I've asked my son if it would help him if I reminded him about the simplicity of batting. Would it help if I say "see ball, hit ball." He said no. Another couple of full count contributions: Walk or knock and smash or pass. 

Other observations as I drive through the upper great plains, small town America…

The distance by which Taco Johns is better than Taco Bell is greater than the distance from the earth to the sun. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just wrong. People who wait at a 4-way stop for you to stop before they go should be taken out and shot. Just what kind of hand dance is required to make motion-activated bathroom faucets turn on in South Dakota? When hotel room creamer has turned from powder to brick, it’s time to replace. I will say this about cheap, small-town hotels though: they don’t make you try to fish out your god damn room key, while holding three cups of coffee, every time you want to make the elevator go.