Besides this event with close to 500 participants and 20,000 spectators, there is always a multitude of other events going on that I am not up to speed on. Not to be missed: HAIR running in Whitefish thru the end of July. We saw it and it is amazing. Alpinetheaterproject.org is where you can get tickets while they last.

Our hay is in so now we can sail, ride horses, and go camping - around work of course! Weather is awesome, very comfortable in the low 80's and sunny. Garden is going crazy.

Flathead Valley beekeepers are having a field trip tonight to look at some hives and get more education. This is our second year with hives and have soooo much to learn. Lots of knowledge in this group to help all of us beginners.

Get out there and enjoy!

     Farm life: cutting and baling hay, hope to have it in this weekend so we can enjoy the rest of summer. Went from rain to sun and hot but we are NOT complaining.

     Summer Pops at Rebecca Farms Saturday night. Pay by the car full. Going with some friends to enjoy the outdoor concert by Glacier Symphony and Rob Quist.

     Real estate: got an offer on a listing this week, showed another listing, took 2 buyer calls. Usually July is quiet, maybe not this July?

  Going to the Sun Road set to open today!! Pretty amazing with the weather we have been happening. Rain, and more rain. Over 11" so far this year with 1.4 inches just from Sunday night to Monday night. Unheard of. We only average 16" a year and in the 15 years I have lived in the Flathead, I don't know if we have even seen that. Looks like we could make it this year. Wonderful for the hay crops. Every time the sun comes out and it is a nice day, we beekeepers experience a swarm. Hope we get some honey this year with the bees we have left.

   Continuing to watch the news on the Kalispell City airport, growth and expansion in the future yet to be determined. Pros and cons on both sides of the issue.

   Packed in a lot of summer fun last weekend. Met some friends who were camping at Apgar in Glacier National Park and rode bikes for a few hours. Ate lunch by the Middle Fork of the Flahtead River and saw the raft racers going by. An incredibly nice day. Came home and found one of our bee hives had swarmed. Made the end of the day hectic trying to get zillions of bees off our pasture floor and into a box for some friends to come over and pick up so they could have bees this year.

   Sunday we took the horses to Lost Trail and had a wonderful ride. Love that area, it is huge and you rarely see another soul. The horses did great - all my hard work has started to pay off.

   Next week the western US governors all converge in Whitefish including the famous Arnold from CA. Kinda special to have this event in little old Whitefish.

   Headed with my daughter to the Jewel Basin for a morning hike this week, surprise, surprise, so much snow we couldn't get to the trail head. Must have been 2' of snow across the road, and it was COLD! So, did Lone Pine St. park in Kalispell instead which was just right for the time we had left.

    Some scattered showings on my listings in the last week. 2 townhouse buyers I am working with, over all a little quiet. Summer traffic is definitely building. Glacier Park road is not yet plowed out so some travelers may be in for a little surprise. Things are very nice and green around here with all the rain we have had, very much needed. Watching the hay grow and hoping for a great crop.

    Mama goat is producing about a quart a day and we have tried making cheese and mint chocolate chip ice cream - yummy!! Goat kids are a riot. If you need to smile, just hang out with young goats for awhile.

    All the lake home tours are going on this month, Flathead Lake, Whitefish Lake, Bitterroot Lake all happening this week or next.

   Some friends are camping in the park this weekend so we will take our bikes to Apgar and be prepared to hike as well and see what the group wants to do. Supposed to be a wonderful sunny weekend so get in riding and as much as possible.

   Sailboat going in the lake next week for the summer. SOOO much fun stuff to do this time of year!

   We took a drive last Sunday up the Star Meadows Road between Kalispell and Whitefish. Round Meadows is an area for x-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, horse back riding/hiking in the summer. Beyond that is a long very nice paved road that goes for miles. We didn't make it to the end - Lake Sylvia is 10 miles further off the pavement. On the way back, took the road over to Tally Lake, one of our favorite places in the valley. Tally Lake is 9 miles long, in a canyon.  A very deep lake with no residences on the land around it. There is a campground and boat launch at one end. Being from the Seattle area, it is awesome to us that you can drop a boat in the lake and never see a soul for miles. We learned the hard way that is not always a good thing, a few years ago. We had beached our boat to go for a walk and it wouldn't start when we returned. It is not easy to row a 19' cuddy cab boat. Finally someone came by and gave us a tow to the launch.

   Update on Pick's Bowling Alley in Bigfork. Elizabeth emailed me and wanted to spread the word about their Safe Kids - Free Bowling Club this summer. Please visit www.PicksBowl.com for more information.

Restaurant addition: Three Forks in Columbia Falls. We finally made it there for dinner tonight. Very good and interesting menu. Had halibut cheeks in corn fritters on a salad with aioli and orange vinaigrette, should have stopped there but had their classic burger (sans bun) with garlic mashed on top and mashed potatoes. We both ate and hubby had a glass of wine for under $50! Great atmosphere. Nice for C. Falls to have a classy place.

   Started milking our mama goat last weekend with mixed success. The kids are so much fun to watch. Lots of changes for a first time mama.

   Hooves and company, the competitive trail riding club, is doing a poker run at Herron Park near Foys Lake in Kalispell this weekend. Weather isn't supposed to be too great but it is one of my favorite local places to ride. I have been fitting in rides in my arena and around my place on my various horses. Getting them ready for summer and working on different issues with each one.

   Honey bees are hard at work. We are going to split our hive, over populated and crowded. Got stung 2x already, they are more aggressive this year so need to suit up to check out the hives each time. They went after my Golden Retriever who innocently followed me into the garden to inspect the hives. Poor Maggie, I chased her out and swatted the bees off.

   Salsa Dancing has come to Kalispell. A native from Honduras teaches classes in Kalispell and Whitefish and tonight there is a dance at the Eagles in Kalispell with live music. Sounds fun but I want to be outside in the sun on these beautiful nights.

   African drumming being taught tomorrow by the Drum Brothers at Alternate Root in Kalispell. My conclusion: there are just too many things to choose from, summer must be on the way!

    Is it safe to set out my broccoli and onion starts yet? Probably not with the below 32 degree nights.

    Showing homes up by Glacier National Park today to an out of state buyer. Good day for a drive. Many closings coming through daily, the market is definitely picking up.

    From the local papers: the[pedestrian over pass in Whitefish across Wisconsin from parking to the Lodge at Whitefish Lake is drawing much criticism. Some say it looks like a boxcar elevated above the busy road to Big Mountain. Seems like someone in the city of Whitefish knew what it was going to look like before it was built and suspended.

    Profiles of all those running for office in the Daily Interlake. From Sheriff to Judges and every where in between. Primary is coming up quickly and my absentee ballot appeared in the mail yesterday.

    Centennial birthday events for Glacier National Park have started. Look on the internet for dates and events throughout the summer. On a travel note, if you are driving the "short cut" from I-90 at St. Regis to Hwy 93 at Flathead Lake, be aware they are rebuilding that road at Hot Springs. Adds 30-45 min to the drive with traffic lights and pilot cars. Still shorter than any other route.

School elections were held this week. New board members for the various districts are now in place. Where I live there are 2 districts. What we call a "country school" district which is an elementary that goes up to grade 8 and then the Kalispell district for high school. Most of the valley is like this with many country schools take care of the lower grades unless you are within a city limit.

2 goat kids were born on my ranch Sunday! They are adorable of course. Cinnamon and Mocha, female and male. See photo below. Hard not to hang out in the goat barn and just watch them.

People getting grumpy around here about the weather. Rain and even snow! Should make a huge difference in our fire season this summer thankfully. But, still hard to see white stuff falling in May! Making the outside spring projects pile up since it is too nasty to be outside.

     The elevated walking bridge is installed in Whitefish across Wisconsin St. between Whitefish Lake Lodge and the new property across the street. Should elevate parking issues and make it safe to get across the street.

     Tis the season for theater productions from middle school to Flathead Community College. Many to choose from. Heading to the Docks restaurant tonight with friends for some music in Lakeside. I am hoping it is inside as it is definitely too chilly to be outside by the lake listening to music!

     Hope to work with the horses this weekend. Learned so much at the Mark Rashid clinic last weekend in WA. All about using your mind and energy to work with the horse, a united effort to get the job done. Plan on setting out cones in the outdoor arena to work my young guy and keep his mind busy while we improve on turns and moving forward.

     Every real estate deal these days has its challenges, but getting them to the closing table anyway. Be it appraisals, inspections, sellers not wanting to spend money on fixing anything, loans, you name it, I have seen it in the last few months. After 12 years, keeps me on my toes and always learning. This is why I love my job - never the same from day to day!

     Heading out to see if our goat babies were born during the night, due any day now.

I spent 3 very long days learning the ins and outs about being a food coach with Genesis Transformation. This healthy eating format helped me to get my health back and also lose a lot of weight. I am hoping to help others achieve the same results. Monday I worked out with my amazing personal trainer Courtney at Alternate Root in Kalispell. She introduced me to some gyrotonic body work that was fantastic to stretch the muscles out of the joints.

My Blue Sky Realty, LLC signs finally showed up. So, today I will be driving all over the Flathead hanging the new signs and bringing new flyers.  I wrote an offer on a house in Columbia Falls yesterday for a great young family. There is another offer also, hmmm, multiple offers, could the market be turning??

    Attended an awesome Good Friday and Easter service (7am may I add) at Fresh Life Church in Kalispell. Took family along. Had dinner at North Bay Grill on Friday and breakfast at Bojangles on Easter. Fresh Life occupies 1 former movie theaters downtown Kalispell with a simulcast in whatever theater the band and preacher are not. A very young and techno savvy bunch the staff there. The simulcast was so life like I kept forgetting they were not really in the same venue with us.

    2 real estate deals together this week. The buyers that are out there are serious now while there are deals to be had.

    Attended my first Bee club in Columbia Falls last night. Learned a lot about how to manage my hives from my friend Veronica Honthaas. There were maybe 60 people in attendance. Learned how to trap swarms to start a new hive. Very cool.

    It has been staying light until 8:30pm lately, gotta love that!

   This is the first official day of my new company; Blue Sky Realty, LLC. Same Cary Jo, just on her own and working from home. I am amazingly more productive and feel less stress without the hustle and bustle of commuting and working in a conventional office. Canceled and re-listing all my listings today will keep me locked to the computer except for some flyer deliveries, etc. out and about.

   Many Easter blessings on this special weekend. We plan on attending the Good Friday service at Fresh Life Church in Kalispell. Could be rocking out for us older baby boomers, but the message is always straight from the Bible and excellent.

   I took a CRS 111 class last Friday on Short Sales and Foreclosures. Very informative. I now have earned the SFR designation through the National Association of Realtors. I have previously worked on short sales on the listing side and currently have a bank owned home listed so any and all teaching was welcome. It is a changing area of real estate and important to keep current. I am a CRS: Council of Residential Specialists which means I have taken courses designed to help me do my job at the top of my field + had the production necessary to qualify, It was great to have a CRS class in Kalispell since years ago I had to travel all over the country to get the necessary courses.

   Debate continues on the expansion of the small city of Kalispell airport. Seems that some adjoining land owners are not interested in selling to the airport, so that may be the end of that.

   My career news is that Blue Sky Realty, LLC has been born! This is my firm and I am excited to be out on my own. It is an effort to simplify my life in this economy and concentrate on listing and selling real estate. April 1 is the official start date.

     Flathead Community College is having an alternative energy seminar tonight. My husband is very into this subject and will be attending. He is making a windmill turbine to install on our property and looking for other ways to be self sufficient in that area. Part of the challenge in the Northwest is that our electricity is so inexpensive that alternatives are not always viable.

     Our daughter is starting a company called Revive Retreats that will offer fitness and healthy living retreats monthly. Her first test retreat is April 30th at the Gaynor Ranch in Whitefish. A chef will cook the meals, my personal trainer Courtney will teach a class, Rebecca Johns life coach will speak, Lashaun Dale will do yoga. A massage therapist, facials and other relaxing treatments will be available at the longer retreats. Look for the web site.

      I attended a free talk on S. Korea last week at the college. Learned a lot about the culture and got to taste some very good food. Our son is teaching law at an English speaking university in that country so fun to know more about what it may be like to live there.

     Pretty sure my Nubian goat is pregnant now. She has been hiding her pregnancy until just the last few days. Due date the beginning of May, then we can look forward to fresh goat milk and experimenting with making our own cheese.

     Hauled my 5 year old gelding of to the trainer this week for a tune up. I am attending a Mark Rashid clinic in Washington next month and need to get Bentley ready for that exciting time. Have to get myself ready as well, courage may be a requirement to ride him.

     Much music around the valley if you are looking for something to do this weekend. My source for what is going on is the Intertainer in the Daily Interlake newspaper on Fridays.

     I met with a life coach, Rebecca Johns yesterday at Colter Coffee. What an amazing woman to help me with my business and personal life goals! She works out of Bigfork and besides coaching individuals, teaches for businesses and schools.

     Speaking of Colter Coffee, they have opened up their basement for acoustic concerts and more space for visiting. Very nice. Beware however of Friday afternoons after school.Flathead High school seems to empty out into the coffee shop and it can get a little noisy downstairs. Great atmosphere though the rest of the time.

Hoopers Nursery was packed out this afternoon for their free seminar, everyone is getting ready to think of starting those seeds and getting ready for summer. I want to get my seeds started this week in the greenhouse.

Horses are frolicking and shedding big time. I am attending 2 horse clinics this spring so need to get riding. Still snow in my outdoor arena so wait until the footing is a little safer. Plan to do more horse camping this year so need to get working on those horses of mine.

    We watched the Whitefish Carnival Parade last weekend. What a crowded event! Very popular with locals and tourists alike. Lots of Canadians in town for winter fun.

There are some great horse clinics on offer this coming Spring and Summer. I will be attending one in April with my 5 year old gelding. Mark Rashid is teaching and I am a fan of his methods.

Whitefish Winter Carnival continues this weekend with a ball, penguin plunge, artwalk. The North Valley School of Music is having a concert tonight that we have tickets for. The instructors will be the performers, should be fun.

There are 4 new listings on my web site this week. I will be driving around taking new photos as the mountains appear out of the clouds today. Showed homes in Bigfork this week and the mountain view was incredible from Swan Hill Drive.

Temperatures have been so mild it feels strange. Taking care of goats, horses, chickens is my way of getting outside after a day at the desk and in the car. Days are getting longer so it is nice after a workday to get outside and be with the critters. Yesterday the horses were quite playful, they feel spring coming as well.

Whitefish Carnival: Skijoring takes place all weekend. Horses and riders towing skiers/snowboarders through a course for prizes.

Alpine Theater Project and Glacier Symphony collaboration on South Pacific, performances in Whitefish and Kalispell.

Thursday night concert in Whitefish by the International Guitarists, brought into town by the Whitefish Theater Co.

Why I live here: Thursday morning skiing hard for 2 hours in the sun on Big Mountain, then heading to work meeting with some great clients. Outstanding view of all the mountain peaks into Canada from the summit yesterday, wish I had brought my camera so I could share! It is fun in the parking lot with everyone greeting each other while getting geared up to ski. Lots of us head up the hill for a few runs then head off to work.

City of Kalispell debate continues about what to do with the City airport. Choices are to expand it or close it. It has slowly become surrounded by development and may have lived out it's useful life. If it is closed, traffic would come and go from Glacier International Airport exclusively. The city council had a work session on Monday night with 45 members of the public speaking out with their opinions.