If you would have asked me in May of 2014 to plan a summer vacation for June of 2015, I would have, without even a shadow of a doubt, immediately begun researching Caribbean destinations. Keith and I always said that when we felt like Mayhem was old enough, we’d take her to one of those fabulous beach resorts where we used to kick back, long before she was born. But with the diagnosis of serious food allergies came a lot more hesitation about traveling outside the comfort zone of places where we can communicate effectively and have health care we can count on. I’m confident however, that those places do exist, and I would have immediately set about finding them.
2014 brought incredible changes and experiences for our family and with those experiences, my eyes began to open about the vastness of our world. I no longer saw the opportunity to travel as “plan something you’re familiar with because who knows when you’ll take another trip”.
We’ve been nothing short of WOW’d with each and every visit to New York in the past year. It’s busy. And there’s absolutely zero shortage of “things to do”. The energy is intoxicating and it’s simply impossible not to get wrapped up in the speed at which life moves in that city.
We’ve done Disney. World. A couple of times within the past few years, and it never disappoints. Disneyland is on our family’s “must visit” list, but we also know that any Disney trip comes with the knowledge that we’ll be sharing our vacation with thousands upon thousands of other visitors.
But the trip we’re about to embark on has us wild with anticipation. All of us.
Like, we’re coming out of our skin, excited!
Because we’re going to Glacier Country Montana!!!
My deep desire to visit started a year ago, when my friend Kristin was there, and instagramming the mind blowing beauty of her surroundings. She was on a trip with a few friends and every photograph they were sharing on their social channels looked fake. As in, so breathtakingly gorgeous, it could not possibly be real. Like these:
At some point during her trip, I texted her to let her know that I didn’t ever want her trip to end because I was living the perfect trip vicariously through her images. I also told her that Montana had NEVER been on my radar as a vacation spot, but it had just shot to the top of my list. (You should totally visit Kristin’s website and search for her coverage on Montana. Nope, wait, lemme do that for you ……. here ya go!)
Fast forward a few months and I was on the phone with the amazing Tia from Glacier Country MT tourism, discussing what we’d like to do on a trip to Montana.
Everything, please. And thank you.
The truth is, we (Keith and I) are most looking forward to being awed by Big Sky Country. Being surrounded by some of nature’s most spectacular beauty, where the sounds are real and the air is clear. We plan to breathe it all in deeply and soak in our surroundings. Sans crowds. And take lots of photographs! Because …. Glacier National Park!!!
Mayhem, on the other hand, is ecstatic because ” I can’t believe we’re actually going the real wild wild west! And I get to ride a REAL pony! And I get to dress like a cowgirl! And I get to go fishing! And go on a boat! And see real mountains! And wear cowboy boots! And braid my hair like a wild wild west girl!”
Her priorities are without question 
We head out this week and our itinerary is equal parts adventure and relaxation. And I simply CANNOT wait.
Until I lived vicariously through Kristin’s images, I never dreamed that Montana would be at the top of my “must visit” list. But it is! And we’re going to share our experience with you as we go. You can (as always) follow along with me on my favorite channel, Instagram, but we’ll also be sharing different aspects of our trip on our other channels. If you’re so inclined, you can follow along on Facebook, Twitter, or Keith’s Instagram. And we’ll be using the hashtags: #MayhemTakesMontana and #GlacierMT
The sharing aspect I’m MOST excited about though is the @fashionbymayhem Instagram account. We secured the name long ago but haven’t shared content there. Until now! We recently decided to start sharing some of the photos and videos that Mayhem takes herself (she’s a whiz with photo editing apps btw!), and this trip seems like the perfect way to kick it off. She’s set and ready to go with her very own camera and we’ll be letting her choose some of her favorite images for us to post so you can experience the Mayhem perspective too.
So heads up Montana … we’re on our way and we’re bringing a little Mayhem Can’t wait to see you!!!
Do you get tired of hearing “she’s too cute!” Cuz that’s all I want to reply on every single thing you post lol
Ha! I just try to limit how much SHE hears how cute she is …. no need to let her head get too big
Have fun!!!! I have friends with houses there and they love it!!!!
We seriously cannot wait! I have a feeling we’re not going to want to come back!
I grew up in Eastern, MT and even to us, Glacier is a wonderment. You’re going to love it!!! Have a great time!
Absolutely LOVE hearing that from someone who grew up there! The mountains over here on this side of the country aren’t quite as sizable and I can only imagine how spectacular it will be to experience the wonder in person
Thanks for sharing … we are SO excited!!!
I grew up in Kalispell and it was amazing. You are going to have a wonderful trip
The two musts for newbies to Glacier are hiking to Avalanche Lake and hiking to the Hidden Lake Overlook. They are easy and breathtaking. And bonus on the way to hidden lake you’ll see tons of mountain goats right on the trail with you!
I hope you are going on a white water rafting trip too because they are ridiculously fun!!
Can’t wait to see your pics and hear all about it!
What a beautiful place to grow up! We honestly can’t wait to experience GNP (and the goats!) firsthand
Definitely some hiking, but no rafting this time around (a bit to rough for a five-year-old, I’d imagine) but we’ll remember that for a future trip … yes, I’m already planning to go back and we haven’t even been there yet.
You’ll love Montana. I grew up going to Whitefish and Glacier in the summers, as a bunch of my extended family lives there. It is overwhelmingly beautiful. I recommend trail of the cedars for an easy, kid friendly trail. And drive around Lake McDonald, pull over to the side of the main road to wade in the shallows. Amazing backdrop with the mountains. I love your Instagram account, can’t wait to see the photos.
Thanks for all the recommendations! We can’t wait to get there and take it all in. I hear that no photos can actually do justice to it’s true beauty and we’re kind of excited to just go and soak it all in
That’s so awesome! We are planning to drive through Montana too. Let’s keep an eye on each other and if we are there around the same time maybe we could meet? we start road tripping 10 of July.
It would be incredible if our paths crossed, but it looks like we’ll miss you by a couple weeks … unfortunately, we’ll be back to reality by July. But one of these days, we will get to meet up… I just know it! Have a terrific trip
You will LOVE Montana! It’s gorgeous!
I’m from way up north Minnesota, which would also make a fun destination for future vacations! So many lakes and trees! Enjoy Montana!
Good to know about Minnesota! I feel like this is just the beginning of lots more new adventures for us!
Hi! Born and raised in Puerto Rico, which is in the Caribbean. If you have in mind visiting one day don’t worry about communicating with people in case of emergency. Everyone who works in a hotel here is required to speak English. I understand your worries though. If you need suggestion don’t hesitate to ask
Hope you guys have a Wonderful trip to Montana it looks magical.
Thank you so much! I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about Puerto Rico … we may have to put that on the short list
Montana in the summertime is AMAZING! We lived in northern Idaho (just to the west of Bozeman, Montana). ‘Eye candy’ everywhere you look! No humidity. Cool people. Enjoy the wild west!,
Yay!!! That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. We plan to enjoy
Be sure and take theGoing to the sun road in glacier park, and don’t miss the huckleberries -they are a Montana specialty
I’m planning on huckleberries! Hoping to score some of that delicious huckleberry ice cream I’ve heard so much about
I’ve been waiting in anticipation for your trip for so long, I kind of feel like I’m going with you! I expect lots of Mayhem video texts while you’re gone…and if one happens to include a karaoke duet with Tia, then so be it
HAVE THE BEST TIME EVER!
We live in Bigfork on Flathead Lake. This place is amazing, you will love it. And lucky you, Going to the Sun Road is hardly ever open this early. I’m sure Tia got you all lined up with adventures but when you’re in Glacier Park I would recommend hiking up to Avalanche Lake. It’s an easy, well traveled 2.5 mile hike to a gorgeous lake where the chipmunks like to come say hello. My 3 year old loves it. Have a blast!
I have grown up 2miles out side of Glacier Park and raised my kids and now grandkids here….take her on a raft ride they have easy floats my 2 year old granddaughter went last year …. would love to help show you arounnd and give you ideas ….. there some good ones here but don’t miss Pole Bridge and Bowman and Kintla lake see anothet side of the park ….. there is lots to do here … and upper end of lake McDonald there is skipping rock beach….. been in the tourist trade my whole life … know the locals n learning the new ones coming in ….. would love to help if I can … and YES Tia is pretty awesome. ….
We are in Glacier too and saw you and your family today at Logan Pass. My daughter and I were trying to catch up with the rest of our family and saw Mayhem sitting on a bench. We should have said hello, but didn’t want to interrupt your family time. Seeing all of these posts makes me wish we were spending more time here! Hope you have a great trip!