August 26^th through 30^th are full days spent at our campsite at the Swan Lake Recreation Area in northwest Montana. Being retired, we are busier than ever with our projects. Clifford is doing some research in connection with his non-profit – Carnicom Institute, flying via flight simulation software, working with his ham radios, and playing the dulcimer. I walk around the campground and down to the day-use area alongside Swan Lake to take photos, write blogs, edit books for a couple of authors, and play viola. Now and then we get a bit of rain, and for the most part, the weather is mild for August.

Every morning I sit out to write in my journal, sometimes going down to the lake and sometimes making a campfire at our site. A book of poems by Mary Oliver is a daily inspiration to me.

A couple of times we drive to the pull-out about a mile from the campground where we can get cell service. I post a blog and send texts to my kids and siblings while Clifford downloads whatever software he needs for his next project.

One highlight of these days is a visit from a CI supporter who happens to live in the area and who treats us to a great dinner at a fancy place in Bigfork – Show Thyme. If you are ever in Bigfork, check it out.

A bit of excitement is the bear that was seen by our RV neighbors at the day-use area and then seen at the other loop of the campground. On one of my walks to the lake, I could smell a musky odor and knew that the bear had recently passed by. Clifford, on his bicycle, also smelled the bear and saw fresh scat. The hosts are very attentive and make sure everyone keeps a clean camp, so we don’t expect trouble.

Friday August 23: As soon as I get up, I make coffee for the little thermos and head down to the day-use area here at the Swan Lake Recreation Area of northwest Montana where Clifford and I are camped. I find a picnic table in the sunshine where I can sit to write in the journal. The mountains on the other side of the lake are nearly obscured by mist. When the mist lifts and the sun goes behind a tree, I gather my stuff and head back to camp.

In the afternoon, an independent film crew comes to our campsite to get footage of Clifford and his research. Hopefully, some of this material will make its way into a documentary on environmental issues.

A walkabout in the later afternoon includes another visit to Swan Lake. I also spend time editing for a couple of authors. Since there is no cell service here, writing blogs, posting photos, and texting family get put on a back-burner.

Saturday August 24 and Sunday August 25: We meet the film crew in the town of Bigfork, Montana, about 15 miles north of our Swan Lake campground. This gives us a chance to discuss the work that Clifford has done over the last two decades. The place we have chosen to meet serves an excellent brunch. We also have a chance to see a little of Bigfork, an attractive and vibrant town with a resident population of about 5,000 people. Many visitors swell this number at certain times of the year, as there is an active theater group here, as well as many other activities and events.

In the evening, Clifford and I sit at a campfire and relax. It has been a busy several days and it is nice to have a little time to just be.

Tuesday August 20: Clifford and I arrived at Swan Lake Recreation Area earlier today and were happy to find a great site, which will be home for the next couple of weeks. After getting Cougar set up, I explore the campground and find a path to the creek that I can hear, while Clifford gets his ham radio antennas up and working.

Then we ride our bikes to the day-use area and up the bike trail to a view point. Hard work for me! Dinner is left-overs warmed up and eaten by lantern light at the picnic table.

Wednesday August 21: After a walkabout, I make coffee and sit outside to write in my journal and read Mary Oliver. My favorite poem “Messenger” speaks of “My work is loving the world….. Let me keep my mind on what matters, which is my work, which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished.” I feel like she is my soul-sister.

Clifford and I bike around the campground today, checking things out and getting some exercise. Later he plays his dulcimer and then takes out his microscope in preparation for the upcoming interview to be done here at our campsite. I play viola outside and do some editing and blog-writing.

We have chili for dinner, sitting out at the picnic table. We cover the table and Clifford’s lab gear with a good tarp before I head to bed. Without the distraction of cell phone or family visits (I do miss seeing my kids and siblings!), I am able to focus on better self-care: not skipping supplements and going to bed earlier, for starters.

Thursday August 22: This morning I walk over to the day-use area. A light rain in the night makes everything bright and fresh this morning.

I find a spot by the lake with a cluster of boulders big enough to sit on and watch the coming of the light on the far shore before it reaches where I am. It is an overcast morning and the light is dull, but I like sitting here anyway.

Back at camp, I make coffee and write in the journal before making our smoothies. Today we drive down the road to a pull-out alongside the lake, just a mile or so away where we can get cell service. I send texts and photos to family while Clifford downloads a music program for his dulcimer.

In the afternoon I work on a blog of my trip to Atlanta in February to visit my daughter Becka. What a fun wonderful time! When clouds move in, we cover the picnic table with a tarp to protect Clifford’s lab set-up from rain. Because of the clouds and rain, Clifford starts the generator, which we don’t do very often, but now we can have light and continue with our projects. After dinner, I edit for awhile before getting ready for bed, while Clifford stays up late “flying,” using flight simulator software that allows him to fly anywhere and tonight he is flying over the Appalachian Mountains.