Cary Jo Hofstad

Summer weather is returning today after 2 days of badly needed rain. Hopefully that dose of moisture will keep the forest fires at bay this year.

Hiking in Glacier National Park: We did the Apgar Lookout trail on Sunday. Felt like quite an accomplishment! 2.8 miles of 1900' elevation gain. Awesome views from the top made it worth while. Photo below. Planning a camping trip to Many Glacier where the peaks are amazing viewed when hiking.

Farmers Market in Whitefish last night was great. Good music, friends wandering around and fresh produce.

Sailing Saturday a.m. in Dayton on Flathead Lake. Perfect conditions for a sail to Wild Horse Island. So hard to work here in the summer with so many outdoors fun things to do!

So, summer is now in high gear with the big 4th of July weekend upon us.

Kalispell: Start of Thursday Fest - downtown street shut down for music, food and gallery openings

Farmer's market in the mall parking lot each Saturday morning - great to start with a panini breakfast at Bonelli's on First Ave East, sometimes we take our bikes and hit the bike trail afterwards

Wednesday concerts at Depot Park noon hour and Tuesday nights

Whitefish: Art Festival at Depot Park all weekend, always a great time with some awesome art

Gallery Nights first Thursday night of the month

Farmer's Market every Tuesday night with live music

Alpine Theater Broadway in Whitefish, 3 plays this summer

Disney Christmas train arrives on the 10th for tours as it crosses the country promoting Christmas film

Whitefish Mountain Resort opens Alpine Slides, Walk thru the Treetops, and zip line tours

Never a dull moment in the Flathead for summer! Just hard to fit it all in!

Augusta Montana rodeo June 26, 2009 on the eastside of the Rockies - REAL Montana!

Big News: 2 grocery store openings in 1 week! If you don't live in our valley, this is indeed big news. Safeway in Whitefish has been closed since last September to do a huge remodel and expansion. I visited the store yesterday. The highlight for me was the fresh fish section. Starbucks is inside along with a cafe. Missing: natural foods section. Super One is opening up downtown Kalispell this week. This is within walking distance to my office so very handy. I can count on this store for great produce and a big natural foods section.

Glacier National Park and the Going to the Sun road update: Plows worked through the Big Drift. This is the yearly landmark that means the road should open soon all the way through. Because of construction on the road however, it will be opening later than the date the road is plowed clear.

We have had a lot of rain the last few days which was very much appreciated. My hay crop was not doing too well without the rain. Now some sun and we should get a great crop after all.

We visited the Museum of America in Polson at the south end of the lake on Father's Day. There are 35 buildings on the site with everything imaginable. A collector gone mad!

Yes, it is a Sunday, but it was also a work day with an open house and checking out 2 renters in our townhomes. A sunny, hot day until the thunder storms rolled in this afternoon. We need rain on our hay fields. They are behind schedule so for once will not be doing hay over the 4th of July.

Sailboat is in Flathead Lake. A yearly affair putting it in when the lake is at full pool in June and taking it out for the winter in early October. No easy feet with a 30' boat! A big truck picks it up and launches it. The great engine starts every year.

Interest rates are raising but still time to buy. Had a buyer lock in at 5.5% this last week. Still great rates.

Garden is blooming away with all the sun and warmth this week.

Big Drift report: plows reached the Big Drift on Going to the Sun Highway in Glacier National Park. Always a sign that the full highway will be open soon.

Kalispell has hired a new city manager, we will watch and see how this Indiana man works out.

When visiting NW Montana this summer or just looking for something to do:

Favorite restaurants: Kalispell - Capers on Main Street

Whitefish - Kandahar on Big Mountain

West Glacier - Belton Chalet

Favorite Glacier National Park location: Many Glacier

Favorite Summer Theater: Alpine Theater Project in Whitefish, Broadway caliber in the valley

Bigfork Theater - musicals nightly in the summer with college intern actors

Biking: Kalispell and Whitefish bike trails

Mountain Biking: Herron Park, Kuhn's wildlife area, Big Mountain

Hiking: close in Jewel Basin, Big Mountain, Herron Park (Foys to Blacktail)

Farmer's Markets: Kalispell - Sat. mornings, Whitefish - Tuesday evenings

Concert series: Kalispell Depot Park - Wednesdays at noon, Tuesday evenings

Rebecca Farms - Glacier Orchestra concert on the lawn - check either web site

Sailing: Flathead Lake either at the Northshore Yacht club or Dayton

Motor boating: Hungry Horse Reservoir, Flathead Lake, Whitefish Lake, Tally Lake - many more lakes, too many to mention

3 Day Horse Event: The Event at Rebecca Farms, late July

MANY more things to do - too many to mention!! Summer is short but very sweet.