Sierra’s memories
The trip was exciting and dull at the same
time. Sometimes boring, when there was nothing to do in a motor boat but sip
cola and watch the scenery. <KATHI’S COMMENT: PERHAPS SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS
BORED PADDLING IN A CANOE.> Sometimes exciting, when thunder came, when a water
gun fight broke out, or when McKenzie and I prayed not to be killed in the
thunderstorm on the water the first day.
But my favorite day turned into my least favorite night. Very Exciting Day for me: Joe and I had had a laughing and joking day on Mike’s motorboat. Earlier we had a water fight, which got my glasses filthy with mud and wet cow pie (YUCK!). Later: At the moment the tents had been put up and (MaryBeth’s) Mark spotted a rattlesnake right outside the potty, which Maddy was in. As Maddy came out, Mark told her to freeze. She did. I was watching so I blew my safety whistle. People came immediately and drove the snake away. That Night: After dinner and bedtime for all came a frightening windstorm. It blew my huge tent up and down a few times, which made me scream. The ferocious wind still flopped our tent around even after people had come help us tie it down.
Kathi’s memories
The best things about the river trip…just
having the whole family together, with its unique brand of camaraderie and team
spirit. Also the slide show in Havre and getting together the first night.
Joan’s Bacardi trinkets are always fun, and guarantee a fashion theme for each
event. It was perfect that Cy won a hat, Nick richly deserved his for
entertaining the kids so marvelously, and Sierra drawing her own name was too
funny. The mountain man breakfast was wonderful (like a southern camping
breakfast, sans grits). Actually, all the food was terrific, thanks to great
planning and a fine selection of gourmet chefs. Towing the canoes in the
rainstorm was a thrill; the threat of lightning was scary. Seeing places I’d
read about in “Undaunted Courage” bestowed a more personal understanding and
admiration of Lewis and Clark’s journey than any classroom. My very favorite
moment was seeing Hole-in-the-Wall up close and the magnificent panorama
surrounding it, and I humbly thank those more fit than me who made my ascent and
descent possible. My favorite Kodak moments were when Don DonTigny set the timer
and was photographed running to the group while looking backward to see if the
camera had shot the photo…and when Angie, Ryan, and Rick compared profiles. Who
took that photo anyway, and why isn’t it posted on the site?
The scariest moment was the windstorm on the second night, when the tent became
airborne while Mike was putting out a fire at the far end of the campground. It
was the one time I’ve ever wanted to weigh MORE! But Sierra and I couldn’t
believe how many people rushed to help us within 30 seconds!
Other memorable moments include throwing out the chocolate (are a few salmonella
bacteria REALLY so bad?), the rattlesnake by the bathroom, Mike’s Franken-Tevas,
and savoring the wonderful Adelaida wine as the perfect complement to the
taco-eating contest at Dick and Jo’s house. If I had seen Rick chew up food for
Bear, that would have ranked highly!
Biggest regret/mystery: I wish I had seen the northern lights, and how were the
people who stayed up for them energetic enough to go hiking at sunrise the next
morning? Sets my goal for the next trip!
Having heard and heard and heard tales about previous river trips, I loved the
opportunity to participate in this completely uplifting experience. This family
is amazing. Do I get a referral fee if my friends write the winning essays on
why they want to be adopted (and plan the next trip)?
From Don and Marilyn DonTigny
Moments to forget...snakes, storms, spoiled
food, mud, boat problems, and fine dining among the cow pies at Eagle Creek.
Many more moments to remember....Dick's slide show with the occasional old
photos interjected between the river shots. Bill's spread sheet...After the
Costco trip Michael commented that he knew that Bill had everything under
control when Bill bought $300 worth of food and the rest of the group bought
$400 worth of goodies and extras. If we'd only known, they could have added
chocolate to the list. Sleeping on the pontoon boat and not only missing the
windstorm but being able to see the spectacular sunrises each morning. And who
needed a cook when everyone did such a good job taking their turn and making all
those great meals. All the little kids were such good campers. The taco party at
Dick and Jo's complete with entertainment complements of Andy and Ryan. Grandpa
DonTigny would be so pleased, I think, that generations of his family were
enjoying "his" river.
From Rick DonTigny
Hmmm, let me think... It's hard to narrow 4
terrific days into one thought most memorable. It was all great. Slide night at
the hotel was a hoot! Seeing all after so long. Bill, remember the eight dollars
I won on the poker machine after you had just lost on it, what? Three? At least
that's what he claimed...could'a been though, betting a nickel at a time takes
while. On the river, the most memorable was watching Dad most of the trip being
able to relax and enjoy. The most scariest was hearing a whistle and someone
yelling "SNAKE". Most embarrassing was either running out of gas a mile before
takeout, or at dinner, when I chewed up a little food for Bear. The funniest
memory was either watching Ryan and Andy battle it out gorging themselves on
tacos or at the looks on some faces when, at dinner, I chewed up a little food
for Bear. Enjoyable was coming to the rescue of some tired paddlers, letting
them hitch a ride. Telling stories around the campfire also was fun. The
saddest, I agree, was the news that there would be no S'mores that night. The
most surprising news was no one ran out of beer or tipped over a canoe. Too many
other memories to list here. I guess we'll have to tell them to each other
around the campfire at our next one. Coming soon?
From Josephine DonTigny
Although I was not physically present on
the river trip, I feel I can add my thoughts to the remembrances. The days
you were floating in the hot sun, I was cool in the house enjoying my
granddaughters, Anna and Jill Zimmerman, and getting to know my son in law,
Chris, a little better. We enjoyed hearing about the river experiences,
but I for one am glad just to hear about them and not to have actually lived
them
Dick and I enjoyed hosting the taco party and sharing our home with you all.
It was fun seeing everyone. Health and happiness to each and every one of
you
From Steve DonTigny
I would have to say the
scariest moment of the trip was when I realized I would be spending the next 3
days with all my relations and none of us having access to a shower. The
most bizarre thing was that after 3 days in the Montana heat I could still find
a cold beer. The funniest thing had to be Nick H. steering his canoe all
over the river instead of downstream. I can not limit myself to 1 best
moment so I have 3.
#1 Having the Gregorys along for the expert outdoor camping/cooking skills
#2 Having everyone together for the trip
#3 Having hot coffee to drink every morning
The worst was that it had to end.
A big THANK YOU to
all who organized the trip
From Richard DonTigny
It was a great trip! I enjoyed watching Pete and
Ryan attack the pontoon boat and get driven off by the water canons. The
excellent planning insured a nearly trouble-free trip. All of the cooks
certainly did not spoil the broth, the food was excellent -- although I was a
little disappointed that Bill did not provide the Rice Krispie Treats he had
promised. It was a joy to see everyone working together and enjoy seeing each
other. The rattlesnake was a little scary, but I don't think anyone was
too concerned about it. I was a little concerned when the aliens abducted
Steve and replaced him with a replica, but it seemed to be a modest improvement.
No one threw him in the water this year. Even running out of gas only a
mile from the bridge was only a minor inconvenience. Almost everyone enjoyed a
pull from the motor boats and pontoon except a few of the family elders who
demonstrated their tenacity by paddling all of the way. To quote little
Joe "God, I love this family!"
From Margaret DonTigny Holliday
The most comforting thing was that Tom was on the trip.
The most humbling thing was that Elizabeth and Don and Barbara and Neil
paddled the whole way without wimping out and catching a free ride like the rest
of us. The cutest thing was Claire Olivia. The most enlightening
thing was when Don and Dave were YELLING at each other about the fine points of
tying a canoe to a pontoon and I asked them to stop arguing and they said that
THEY WERE NOT ARGUING, they just wanted the other person to understand what they
meant. To think all these years I've misunderstood. The tastiest thing was
the lettuce and Hershey Bars soaked in thawed chicken blood. MMMMMMMM. The
coolest thing was that after 3-4 days together we wanted more. We are
truly blessed!!! Next trip?
From Elizabeth Van Steenwyck
I'm still not here in California full time.
Part of me is still on the river, thinking I'm the luckiest person to have been
there three times and participated in such a great experience. I have some
of my pictures back from the developer and can't stop looking at them.
You asked for a memory or an experience to share on the web site. Do you
have a day or two? One of the most memorable for me was getting up about
four o'clock in the morning, after the big rain the night before, and taking a
little walk away from the campsite, then standing and slowly turning 360 degrees
to look at the place where we were. The sky was magnificent; fat, puffy
clouds scudding along and hiding the wane of the full moon from sight, then
slowly revealing it again. It was so quiet (I was far enough away not to
hear the snoring symphony) and beautiful that I was sure this must be a preview
of heaven. At least I hope so. That's one of my favorite memories; I have
so many more to choose from. How lucky can one person be?
From Mary Beth DonTigny Hoffman
The best thing for me was the water battle
at the end with Pete and Ryan, against Mark H. Mark D. Me Dave, Don, Margaret,
Maddy, Shannon and Kenzie. I believe Ann and Marilyn were on board as well.
Ryan thought that he would ambush us by jumping on the raft we were towing, but
instead we cut him loose and made him paddle out the rest of the trip.
Very good. Also a funny thing was when Rick and your dad ran out of gas about a
mile short of the bridge. Mark H. and Mark D. paddled a canoe upstream to
tow them to the get out point. The scariest for me was when dad was trying
to free a canoe from the side of Don's boat and fell in face first and lost his
glasses. Also the rattlesnake by the bathroom the second night was a little
frazzling. All in all is was a great trip and I hope to see the pictures
posted soon.
From Debbie DonTigny Gregory
As far as favorites go, I'd have to list
several stories, "Rick picking on the calf and then the bull chasing Rick
off " story, Billie's "Tomato Little Dog story", Joan's rafting
story with Montana Fran. Favorite quote has got to be Maddie's "I
thought I was going to have to blow my whistle, I saw a snake, but I just
smashed it" also Maddie's little song she just started singing after
someone whined about getting to shore, "I've had it, I've had it, don't be so
dramatic..." Mark's remark about "couldn't being more DonTigny if we tried" gets
honorable mention. The absolute worse part of the whole trip & I'm sure
many would agree, was throwing a whole case of Hershey chocolate bars away, that
was a sad moment. Best slide was Margaret, John, Marj & Randy.
From Laura DonTigny Zimmerman
One of my favorite things about our family
that was shown again and again on the river trip is this: Everyone will tease
each other mercilessly until the second you need a hand. Then they are there in
an instant. I'm thinking in particular of Mike zooming in to tow us to camp in
the storm; of Mike, Tom, Mark D., Doug, and others helping all of the hikers up
that difficult stretch of rock to Hole-in-the-Wall. One of the most impressive
feats occurred off the river, as Ryan consumed 18 tacos and then went out for
ice cream.
The most stunning sight was the Northern Lights shooting across the
star-encrusted sky. Or was it the view from Hole-in-the-Wall, both of the river
and of cathedral rock right next door? I think the whole trip will be imprinted
on my mind forever.
From Dave and Lorna DonTigny
Our best memory is having
all the relatives together and having such a good time. Everyone really
"shared" the work and we all got along so well. Wish we could to
something similar every summer. We agree with Margaret that it was comforting to
have Tom Gregory along. Also best was that we had motor boats to tie on to
when we got tired of paddling. Throughout the three days, we thought of
grandpa Emil and what he must be thinking about the whole thing.
The worst was probably the dropping off, packing the canoes, and driving the
cars to the dropoff, etc. But that was really minor. The drive on
the dusty road did create some memorable pictures...lovely landscape and a line
of dust.
Guess the scariest (minor) was the windstorm but that brought out all the heroes
who assured us all was okay.
Bizarre was Madison having both snake sitings. She must be a snake magnet.
From Bill and Ann DonTigny
What was the funniest moment? During
the wind storm in the middle of the night, when Madison woke up from all noise,
she calmly put up her hand to keep the tent from blowing in on her face and
said, "I told Dad that the storm was coming!" Then she snuggled in for
some more sleep.
The girls thought the funniest moment was during the water fight on the last day
as we approached the landing, when Ryan sacrificed dryness to attack the pontoon
boat.
The most bizarre? That after 3 days of being on a trip organized by Bill
they were all still speaking to him.
The scariest? Hearing the alarm raised about a rattlesnake and seeing that
Madison is standing next to that person.
Best thing? 1. All the gabbing! 2. Watching the Northern
Lights
Worst thing? The sounds of the thundering herds of buffalo or Dave and Don
snoring.