Our Last Day in the Lower 48

After a big breakfast at The Timberline in West Yellowstone, we got on the road with today's goal being to cross the Canadian border.

However, before crossing the Canadian border we had a very special and important stop to make--Fairfield, MT!

Back in '98/'99 we were blessed to make friends with a wonderful family with 7 children. Craig and Marla Holmquist moved, from MT, into the neighborhood and lived next door to Ray's parents. Their children at the time included: Chelsea, Rigdon, Emma, Jacob, Sadie, and twins--Honore & Olivia. Erika, Ray's mom, immediately set out to "adopt" the family. We had such great times--Emma and I shared American Girl books and Nic and Rigdon ran around the neighborhood and Salado Creek! Jake became "Texified" when he donned a holster and cowboy boots. Sadie was a little pixie and the twins didn't know what was going on...Fast forward eight years and Chelsea is now attending BYU, Rigdon graduated in May and tomorrow morning heads out to help in (Dallas) TX with Hurricane Ike evacuees and well, all the other children are older and there are three new additions--Quincy Erika (yep--Erika Torres' namesake) and additional twins--Golden & Presley.

We drove up this evening and time and distance melted away! We were treated to homemade pizza and shown around the "farm." In addition to 10 children, the family consists of chickens, chicks, cats, kittens, two dogs, two cows and a 4-week-old calf. Regretably, our reunion was short-lived. After a couple of hours we had to get back on the road in order to make it to the Canadian border tonight.

The rest of the drive thru Montana was uneventful, although once again we were witnesses to God's beauty--a majestic sunset! It was just what we needed to close our last day in the lower 48.

After filling up the Explorer and the two spare 5 gallon gas containers, we crossed the Canadian border at Sweetgrass, MT about 9:30 this evening!! After answering questions and showing our passports, we were asked to pull over, park and come in to the Immigration Office. After about 45 minutes, and additional questions ("How long do you plan to be in Canada?") we were allowed entry. I'd been so preoccupied in getting Wendell (our Siberian Husky) across with the correct documents (which I actually misplaced in the move) I wasn't expecting the delay and questions to be about us. I have to admit, sitting in that office is a bit unsettling and unnerving. I can only imagine what those who face deportation or refusal of entry must feel like!

We're spending the night in Lethbridge (pop. 80,000) only because we weren't sure what accomodations we'd find in Raymond! Banff here we come!!

Praise God for safe travel, a sweet reunion, great weather and wonderful traveling companions!! Much love, YT