Daily Archives: August 7, 2014

Golf Cart Adventure

The girls had been in a funk all day. The swimming was fine. The brewery was fun. But ultimately, all the girls really wanted to do was…”When can we take out Karl’s golf cart?” “Is it charging?” “Are we going to be able to take out the cart tonight?” “When are we going back to Karl’s so we can take out the cart?”.

After all the fun and anticipation of the day we headed back to Karl’s for a the late evening sunset. While I made dinner, Karl instructed the girls in how to drive the cart.
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Karl turned them loose on 400+ acres of adventure…

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Categories: Camping, Great American Roadtrip, Montana | Leave a comment

H.A. Brewing Company

One of the reasons we went to visit Karl in Eureka is to see the brewery he started with his friends and partners Chris, Andy, and a few other investors. Chris had developed several personal recipes so good his friends encouraged him to ramp up production and start a brewery. There is no other independent brewery in area so it seemed like a good investment. Thus, Homestead Ales – known as H.A.) – was born.

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We left Dickey Lake and headed to Grave Creek Road and traveled a beautiful pastoral road back in time to the homestead where the brewery was located.

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When we arrived the brewery was closed. It was Tuesday and they are only open Wednesday – Sunday. Chris had just finished brewing a batch and joined us for some test tasting. The beer didn’t disappoint and bested all my expectations. Each one consistently more delicious than the previous. The girls (excited to sit at the bar) got to taste Eli’s Homemade Ginger Ale (Chris’s Son’s recipe (I think he’s 10)) as well.

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Karl ensured we were outfitted with ample swag (growlers, carriers, shirts, hats, and stickers!). I certainly felt a calling to evangelize HA to the civilized world.

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After tasting we headed out to the beer garden with full pints of our favorite picks to enjoy the evening sun. The girls played with the dogs. Andy showed up and joined us. It couldn’t have been a better time with old friends, and new, accompanied by a very fine brew.

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Clara may have a new role as the promo girl for H.A. Brewing.

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The girls tuckered Edgar (the dog) out

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Things started to get a little silly…

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We love H.A. Brewing…

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Categories: Great American Roadtrip, Montana | 2 Comments

A Dip in Dickey Lake

Karl had some errands to run in the morning so we made a leisurely morning of it. Breakfast. Showers. Walks on the property. Watching wild turkeys and deer cut across his fields.

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When Karl returned we loaded up and headed to Dickey Lake 17 miles from Eureka. It was a hot day and we settled ourselves onto a small patch of downtrodden grass nestled between the larch and fir trees. The lake features a spectacular turquoise color from spring fed glacial till of nearby Glacier National Park. We swam and floated in the cool water. I relaxed by casting for trout, unsuccessfully but satisfyingly all the same.

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After our swim we packed up to head for afternoon beers at Karl’s new brewry: H.A. Brewing Company.

Categories: Great American Roadtrip, Montana | 1 Comment

A Midsummer’s Montana Eve

Before Karl arrived we sent the girls out to pick wildflower on his property and put together a bouquet for him.

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When Karl finally arrived we greeted him with flowers, food and drink. Then we flopped ourselves in his outdoor living room enjoying the evening sun. The girls threw an endlessly repeating stick for Raven, much to her delight, and wandered the fields under the setting sun of Montana’s Big Sky. As night fell we lit a fire in the belly of an old washing machine’s inner tub, roasting mashmellows, making s’mores, and trading stories into the night.

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Categories: Great American Roadtrip | Leave a comment

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