On our big fall road trip our main focus was the state of Washington but since we were already up in the pacific northwest and since we have never been to Yellowstone or Montana we decided to do a loop through Southwest Montana into Yellowstone. And unfortunately we did not leave ourselves too much time for Montana which we now regret because we just fell in love with this beautiful state. With its beautiful wide open country, clouds that seem low enough to touch, and mountains in every direction that you look. This is one of those states we will definitely have to come back to again and again.
I wanted to apologize for ever making it seem like I got it all together or like I do it all myself because I don’t. Young mama if you come across my page and you question how I am able to find time to read, run, or workout I want to let you know that I have only been able to do it this year. I was that mama not long ago who was so crazy busy and unhappy. I was going to college leaving my four babies (one who was still nursing), studying for my tests, meeting with our homeschool adviser, homeschooling, taking older two to elective classes, cleaning the house, shopping for food, making time for my husband, packing and unpacking for our trips because we always traveled, and everything else we mamas do. I cried in the shower for months. There is no way anyone can do it all on their own. Sometimes social media can be deceptive that way. I’m so happy that about five years ago everything changed. I quit college and started teaching my children how to cook and clean. You see we do everything as a team now. We clean together for one hour (everyone does their own chore). I make breakfast myself, Esther makes lunch for us, and dinner we make together. My husband plans all of our trips. We all work together to pack for our trips. We unload the groceries together. I edit our pictures but all of us except for Eve take pictures. My husband, Peter, and I write up our blog posts.
My husband and I were talking recently how we will be those parents who when their grown children call telling us that they are coming over that we won’t stress about it because we will just make the meal together when our grown children arrive or we will do a pot luck. Doing it all is not what makes us mamas great mamas. My mama and mother-in-law did it all themselves and their children did not appreciate anything until they grew up and had children of their own.
So yes, finally after so many years of training our children I am able to give myself some time to do the things I enjoy doing and I do not feel guilty at all.
Please sweet mama know that there are no super mamas out there and that no one can do it all on their own and still have energy and joy. When your little ones are little it is tough but such a sweet stage. If you teach them at a young age responsibility and you focus on what matters most to your family then you really will find balance and joy as they get older.
Gem Mountain Philipsburg
Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine began mining in 1892 and today they have expanded to a store. In Phillipsburg Montana you can find this store that sells a large variety of sapphire art but if you go deeper inside you find a new experience. You can purchase a bag of gravel but inside these bags are sapphires or gemstones. You get to choose what size or what kind you would like. The sapphire is smaller so we chose the gemstones. This is definitely an enjoyable experience, one that we would highly recommend and would experience again.
Located at 201 W Broadway St, Philipsburg, MT 59858.
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort
We love hot springs so much. We actually seek them out. When we saw that there is an amazing hot springs in Montana that has lodging as well we knew this would be a great option for us. Here there are two pools inside and two pools outside. The natural spring water is between 88 F and 104 F so you get to enjoy the one you feel comfortable in. Our two older children loved the 350′ waterslide. They have everything you need here: dining, spa, playground, pet zoo, golf, and more.
Located at 1500 Fairmont Rd, Anaconda, MT 59711.
Anaconda Smelter Stack State Park
The Anaconda Smelter Stack is a 585 foot tall masonry structure which is currently the largest of its kind. Having been built in 1918 for the Copper Miners. And was closed because of contamination by toxic elements. Near by is a black slag pile which was created by the contamination of copper smelting.
Located at 100 Anaconda Smelter Rd, Anaconda, MT 59711.
Granite Ghost Town
Granite is a ghost town in Montana that was formerly a successful silver mining town. Silver was discovered here in 1872 and for the purpose of mining it became a town with 3,000 members. With a establishing town came many building such as churches, schools, and a hospital. In 1893 The Sherman Silver Purchase Act was passed and this lowered the price for silver and became the reason for what is now a ghost town. We love ghost towns. The drive to get to the ghost town is pretty cool and we were the only ones exploring the ghost town which made it a somewhat creepy experience.
Roads to Cable Mountain and Hwy 1 and Georgetown Lake
No trip to big sky country can be complete without taking some scenic drives. Highway 1 is a great option because there are plenty of sightseeing right off the road. You get great views of mountains and lakes. You will be driving right next to Georgetown lake and silver lake. But if you are feeling a little bit adventures there is a road right near Georgetown lake which takes you up to Cable Mountain. But you do need a high clearance vehicle for this one. Even in our 4×4 Chevy van we manages to hit a few rocks as we were going over them. Nevertheless, it is a great way to see Montana’s wild side without going on a long hike.
Thank you Fairmont Hot Springs Resort for hosting our stay.
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