We are creatures of habit. In the past, I’ve chosen to visit places in my free time that bring me comfort and make me feel safe. Visiting these places feels like coming home.
This trip is not that. What I’m doing here is about expanding. Learning. Possibly more about myself and our family than the places we visit. Our new classrooms are these unfamiliar places. Uneasiness is expected along the way as we adapt. Growth is what I’m seeking.
What follows in these chronicles are my observations: what I see, do, and feel in this new territory.
8/4: Arrived in Whitefish, Montana. Easiest flights our family of four has taken. Door-to-door eight hours. Kalispell’s airport is adorable. Checked out the Whitefish Farmers’ Market and was immediately impressed by all residents and visitors wearing masks, even though we were outside and social distancing.
8/5: Still on east coast time, I woke at 5:50am to the sweet whispers of my daughter telling her brother to “sleep ten more minutes so it will be 8am at home.” Robert went down to the lobby to work and Aubrey and Cameron snuggled with me while they played Cameron’s Dreambox math game on his ipad. The kiddos suited up for some rooftop hot tub time and I was able to fit in a rooftop Hilliard Studio Method workout while they played. Not a bad start.
The town of Whitefish is quaint and picturesque. We had breakfast at a sidewalk French bakery called Fleur and frolicked on some green space by the train depot. An afternoon walk via bike paths to City Beach was a huge hit for all of us on this 90 degree sunny day. I personally couldn’t get over how beautiful the multicolored stones are in Whitefish Lake. I know the colors have something to do with the ancient glaciers, the presence or absence of iron and oxygen, but I need to know more. Geology is going to be a big part of this adventure.
8/6: Redo of the am routine and then to Amazing Crepes for breakfast. Boys and girls split up for the day. Aubrey and I rented bikes, made some glass art at Stumptown Art and did some window shopping. We all reconvened in our new digs, a 450-square foot studio in the heart of downtown. We cooked our first family meal together: Alaskan halibut and a salad of fresh, organic, local produce with huckleberries for dessert. Delicious. Cameron had a meltdown at dinner. It’s starting to feel like home.
8/7: Discovered a playground nearby and Cameron did the monkey bars for the first time as his sister cheered him on.
I bought a Stetson! And then played Road to Ensenada by Lyle Lovett on repeat.
In the afternoon, we met up with friends from Charlotte who have been living in Whitefish for eight months, one of whom is writing a book. It felt good to be with familiar people outside our family. The conversation was thoughtful. I suppose eight months in Montana allows for time and space to delve into who you are and what you stand for. I enjoy skipping the fluff. Departing gifts included bear spray and inner tubes.
“Well, the good ol’ days may not return, the rocks might melt and the sea may burn…so I’ve started out for God knows where, I guess I’ll know when I get there”- Tom Petty’s Learning to Fly, the first song on his album Into The Great Wide Open. Learning to Fly for me is about adapting as well as seeking self-knowledge. And here we are adapting to our new rhythm in the unfamiliar.
So glad you’re having a blast. LEARN LEARN LEARN! Grow grow grow! Xo
Beautiful recap of your first week! 💗
Thank you!
Lizzy, I miss you! Thank you for following along.
Beautiful happy faces! Long sleeve weather looks real nice!! Sending you big big hugs every day ❣️
Beautiful photos, wonderful update! So happy for your family! Our family spent a year and a half in Copenhagen when our children were 6 and 3. It was a great experience for us all. Stretch and grow! 💕💕
Ahhh, I love this. Thank you for sharing. Would love to hear more sometime too!
SO excited about yalls new adventure, Clary!! Love reading your post!
Please give all your family my 💕💕
Bravo Clary! This is good stuff! Can’t wait to follow along.
Thank you, Rachel!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! And a fourth thanks is in order for helping me be sure this comment function works properly!
I am glad you are my friend. Thank you for sharing your fabulous experience with us! Especially loved the realness of Cameron’s meltdown. Xoxo
The Grays keep it real:) Happy to report this evening’s family dinner had zero meltdowns so we rewarded ourselves with ice cream and more rose!
I’m loving ❤ ALL of this. I love the beautiful clear water and stones, I love the whim of getting out there and exploring our 🌎. Tell Aubrey I said Hello. Miss her.
I can’t wait to tell Aubrey you commented (she’s in bed for the night now:)!) Thank you for everything you’re doing with virtual teaching. I salute you. Sending love your way!
This is beyond cool Clary. I loved this post, I can’t wait to follow along. Miss you so much already!!
Miss you too, JB. Thank you for following along with us!
When we travel with our children even now, we learn more about ourselves and each other in addition to the places we are roaming. Enjoy this precious time and thanks for taking us all along!
Kimberly, it is so good to hear from you. Thank you. Sending love to you and yours!
What a wonderful adventure. Looking forward to future posts. Enjoy. A priceless time in your lives.
It truly is a special time for our family. Thank you so much!
Love it! You will learn, less is MORE. You will love your small space to live and the great wide open to explore. So cool you are doing this and what a great experience that will bring wonderful memories!
Thank you, Brooke! Sending y’all love!
Lately we are all in uncharted and turbulent territory. A true pilot must learn to break free of limits but also to soar beyond them to know where they’re going to land. Growth will happen as your fears are overcome and and your soul takes flight. You will surprise yourself is so many ways and I can’t wait to follow along on your journey as the wind is beneath your wings 💗
Thank you, Sara!
Can’t wait to see what you see and hear what you hear along the trip! God Bless!
Thank you, Lori. Sending you love!
Yay! So proud of you! Can’t wait to see what you are “up to” next!!
Thank you, Jennifer!
Thanks so much for the update and the beautiful pictures. This is a fantastic adventure that I love sharing with you
Thank you so much for following along!
Hope you don’t have a Curlee on the Dude Ranch
Lol, no Curly but did meet some real rodeo cowboys!