I don't think I have a choice.

I think I have to love this Glacier place and all of the camp stove eggs, scramble climbing, constant mosquito bites, Lake McDonald beach days, cedar scents and campfire nights that go along with it.  Just look at all of the great people in my family who love it so much they are willing to sleep outside and forgo showering just to be there!

Uncle Andy, Dad, and Aunt Katie enjoying Eggs ala Andy and Katie's super yummy muffins at the Two Medicine Campground in Glacier

Aunt Lisa making sure I'm happy at that same campsite

Dad, Uncle Lorne, Aunt Peggy, Aunt Kathy, Uncle Rob, Mormor, Mishi, Mom and Grandpa on the way to Aster Point; It was so fun to get to see some of Mom's family we hadn't even planned on seeing at all.  I especially liked taking my first mini-hike in Glacier with Great Uncle Rob!

future Uncle Seth helping me develop my coordination so I can swim in Lake McDonald with him someday

Mormor and Grandpa - of course!  They spent their honeymoon here 34 years ago.

Oh, I just loved my first trip to Glacier!

Bowman in the Backcountry

I've had my diaper changed in some pretty cool places lately.  This was just one of the stops I wanted my family to make on our hikes and backpack trips in Glacier.  I found that screaming, letting loose in my pants, and wiggling uncontrollably in my Ergo carrier all quickly induce stops and stretch breaks, and let me look around at the absolutely beautiful scenery that is Glacier National Park.  That's where Mom and Dad insisted on spending the last two weeks of my life.

  

They took me first to Lake McDonald, which is where they met each other five years ago.  You can see that I was quite fascinated with the peaks from the moment we arrived.

Of course, as a Carlson, I could not spend all of my Glacier time resting on the lake shores or hanging out in a cabin.  Dad and Uncle Andy set the example by climbing Rainbow Peak in one very tiring day.  I'm enjoying looking at this picture even more as I sit in the 100 degree Arizona heat and reminisce about all the snow I saw in Glacier.

Since Dad said I couldn't just relax while he climbed, I went on my frist backpacking trip with Mom, Mishi Angie, Mormor and Grandpa.  We started at Bowman Lake (after which I am named), and hiked from there to Quartz Lake.  It was especially fun to make sure I used up every wipe and diaper Mom had packed for the trip and to sleep through the whole night in my makeshift sleeping bag of blanket layers.  

Well, that was my first trip to Glacier, and I'm sure I'll be back.  In fact, Mom and Dad pointed out that the national park might be my most constant "home" over the next years, as it's the only place I'm pretty much guaranteed to spend some part of every year visiting.

More People I Love

Well, you know I'm on the road now.  While we're traveling, I'm getting to meet lots of great relatives.  You already know Nana and Gramps came to visit me in Baltimore.  Well, they also were a huge help in getting us all moved out of our apartment in Parkville and storing all kinds of boxes and totes for us at their place in Minnesota.

While we were packing in Baltimore, Dad's Aunt Margi came to visit.  She helped comfort me after Dad tried to put me in a very cold pool.

Once we got to Grove City, I got to meet Great Grandma Lue.  She was so much fun, and I just loved her pie!

Also in Grove City, I visited the Meat Market.

Nana showed me around and I saw Gramps very busy!

After a few more hours in my car seat, I finally got to meet my only cousin, Stimson.  So far, I know I'm not super fun, but he's been great at showing me around Bozeman anyway.

Thanks to everyone who's welcomed me to this world and into their home.  I'm really looking forward to meeting more uncles and aunts and seeing Mormor and Grandpa Davidson in a couple more days.

On the Road

We're on our way to Bangladesh!  We are taking the long route, though, and stopping in Minnesota, Montana and Arizona before flying across the ocean.

Sometimes, this is how I feel about being in the car for hours at a time.

Dad is pretty creative about helping me enjoy the drive.

When we left Maryland almost a week ago, we headed through Pennsylvania, but I'd already been there, so we didn't make any stops.  In Ohio, I didn't see much more than the ever-present travel plazas, although Mom and Dad did point out the sign for Kent State University, which made me miss Matt and Stephanie.  After Ohio, Indiana seemed really short.  That's where I spent my first night in a hotel.  Since Gramps was with us I chose to sleep through the night and not disturb anyone.  In Illinois, I made friends with a Chicago newspaper salesman who suggested that we buy lots of fancy sheets in Bangladesh because they'll be cheaper there.  Wisconsin had the coolest rest stop so far with a hike all set up for us.  Then, we were finally in Minnesota, where I got to spend a couple of days out of the car seat exploring Grove City.  After that, we drove quickly through North Dakota, and finally saw this sign:

When I saw it, I immediately stopped crying and said my first word aloud: HOME.  Then, I took a little nap.  For now, I'm relaxing in Bozeman with my cousin before going to Glacier, which Mom and Dad won't stop talking about!