The Final Countdown!!

Hey guys! Chico is almost upon us! Just a few super last minute reminders.

Groceries

There are only a few places to eat near Chico, and most of those are touristy and expensive, so you will want to stock up on some groceries before you get there. Good places to do that are: Livingston, if you're coming from the East, Bozeman, if you're coming from the NorthWest and Gardiner if you're coming from the SouthWest. There are groceries available in Emigrant and Pray the two closest towns to Chico, but they are much more expensive than what you would find in a larger town.

Chico Cancellation Policy

If you need to change or cancel your room it must be done 48 hours in advance or you will be charged an extra fee. Call the front desk at (406) 333-4933.

Check In & Info

Check In is at the main lodge and starts at 3pm. You will need to have the name of the reservation ready as well as the State on your license plate. You will receive a welcome packet in your room with the map, schedule of events, general info and some fun goodies, compliments of your Chico Trip Executive Team!

Packing

In case you were wondering where the Packing Blog Post went it's hiding here! Also, it can be cool up in Montana so don't forget a sweater!

We are looking forward to seeing all of you SOON! Drive/Fly Safely!

Here's some traveling music for you!

Big Sky or Bust!

What to Eat Post 1

So, we've mostly worked out how we're all getting there and where we're going to sleep but what are we all going to eat!? Well there are a few options. This post is about what meals are already planned and food that can be found right there at Chico, there will be a following post about where to buy groceries before you get here.

Planned Meals

First, there are a couple of meals already planned where we can all come together and eat as a family. 

1. Sunday Dinner, Daniel & Renee are hosting a Pizza Party. 
2. Tuesday Dinner Potluck, MaRae King is providing ground beef for Tacos, the Rausch family is bringing Beans and Sauerkraut, and the Wolf family is bringing a Garden Salad.
3. Thursday we will all enjoy a fancy dinner in celebration on Renee & Daniel's 10 years of marriage. 

There is a Poolside Grille  open for lunch and dinner and the full menu (see below) is also served in the Saloon. (both are located around the hot springs pools)

There is also a formal dining room which serves dinner and is storied to have AMAZING food. Reservations are highly recommended by the resort. All of the tasty produce comes from the gardens right there at Chico. The menu is as follows.

For more information check out the website at: http://chicohotsprings.com/dining.html#diningroom

Big Sky Or Bust

Packing List to the Rescue!

Agonizing about what to pack? Afraid you might forget something? Fear not, we have a packing list! Just click on each page (individually) to make them bigger, click print on your browser and then use both pages to ensure you don't forget anything! We can't wait to see you there! (if you need help making them print full page, just e-mail ChicoTrip2011@gmail.com or give me a call at 580.370.8535)

*Just a few notes on what to NOT FORGET: Lawn chairs will come in especially handy for those outdoor meals, Flashlights will be useful for walking about Chico after sundown, and Bug spray (also known as Insect Repellent) will make sure you and your children don't get carried away by mosquitoes the size of black hawks. The rest of this stuff is totally optional. (but please, please bring soap!) Happy Packing.

Big Sky or Bust! 

You are now entering the Twilight Zone!

Just when you thought it was safe to leave for a relaxing vacation, lured by the prospect of hot springs, massages and leaving the kids with grandma, you decide to dig a little deeper into the hotel's past and find...GHOST STORIES!!! (As if bonding with family wasn't scary enough)

Renee and Daniel didn't tell you there were ghosts that haunted the halls of the Main Lodge. Perhaps they are in on the evil plot to ensnare more innocent guests or perhaps they are simply victims like the rest of us. Little did we know that this will be a vacation we'll never forget.

If you would like to read more about the ghosts that haunt Chico Hot Springs check out the link here but beware, you are now entering, the Twilight Zone.*

*This blog post is most effective when read in your best creepy announcer voice while shining a flashlight on your face. To make this a family friendly affair and as an added effect have your children stand around you and let off bloodcurdling screams at various intervals while you read it.  

P.S. I don't really know what the Twilight Zone has to do with ghost stories, it just seemed like a fun idea at the time to heighten the hilarity...I mean, horror, of it all.

Big Sky or Bust! 

Info on Yellowstone and Montana Kids.

Hey Guys! We're getting down to two weeks! Here are a few links and some info to gear up for Yellowstone so you can have an idea of what you might want to see before we get there and all head off on grand adventures! 

First, you can find the Yellowstone National Park website here: http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm

More detailed general info can be found in the Yellowstone Trip Planning Guide here: http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&PageID=518145

The Entrance Fee for a private, noncommercial automobile is $25 which gives you a 7 day pass, for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton national park. 

The National Park Trips website is a little bit more interactive and includes information on creating an itinerary, fun stops, routes to Yellowstone, important stops around the park and both informational and fun maps like the one below: http://www.yellowstonepark.com/

Disney Family, surprisingly enough, also has some great ideas to get kids of every age ready to tour Yellowstone. They include information on trails, places to eat and stops that can accommodate all ages along with some fun activities like the word search below. Check it out! http://family.go.com/travel/vacations/wyoming/yellowstone--park/

Print off this word search to get your kids excited to visit Yellowstone!

Montana Kids

Since we will also be having fun in Montana, parents might want to check out MontanaKids.com for fun facts and activities relating to the state of Montana. What fun would vacation be if we didn't learn something! 

Big Sky Or Bust!