Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge
A family vacation beyond your wildest dreams awaits you at Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork, Montana.
This ranch covers two thousand acres in the Rocky Mountains, just south of Glacier National Park. The ranch is family operated, so they know what a family is searching for. This is evident right down to the rates, which are different for each age group. The categories are divided into adult, thirteen to nineteen, six to twelve, three to five and under three. All rates include meals and various activities.
The activities available include supervised children’s activities for kids from six through teenagers. Families can enjoy horseback riding, lake cruising and trail hiking. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it was like to work on an authentic dude ranch, here’s your chance-visitors can participate in cattle roping and various other workings around the corral.
This isn’t the end of the activities by far. There is a heated pool, rec room and private beach. Why not try your hand at white water rafting? The water is also available for lake cruises, boating, raft trips and water skiing. There is a private beach at your disposal, complete with picnic tables and grills.
For horse lovers, riding instruction, horse competitions, team roping, team penning and even a family style rodeo are just some of the fun events offered in the rodeo area. Riders will enjoy morning, evening, and half-day rides through mountain country and rolling timberland with spectacular vistas.
If all this weren’t enough, there are barn dances, a children’s overnight camp out, a bonfire on the beach, complete with S’mores and singalongs, and much more. After a day of all that activity, you can even get a massage for those tired muscles. This is truly one vacation spot the whole family can enjoy together!!
Big Island Mountain View Inn
The surf and sand may define Hawaii, but it was the volcano’s that created these paradise islands. The largest of the islands also has the longest name of its resort, Big Island Hawaii Bed and Breakfast Mountain View Inn. We are stopping at a four-acre garden and fishpond estate in full view of Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain in the world.
In this most tranquil setting are some of the worlds most exotic plants and flowers. Native to the islands are Ohia and rose apple trees and rivaling the fragrant magnolias of the east we find heliconia, ginger and anthuriums. Even the suites are a reminder of the flora of the region.
Our first stop is in the Cherry Blossom Suite. The new side room addition comes complete with coffeemaker and complimentary native Kona coffee. As would be expected, this room overlooks the Cherry Blossom tree as well as the fishpond and estate garden. A colorful quilt covers the king sized bed and a matching one is on the twin bed/sofa.
The red and burgundy decor of the Heliconia suite is reminiscent of the native flowers and has a view of the heliconia flower nursery. Enjoy your morning coffee in deep padded chairs around the glass top table. Even with the king sized bed there is still enough room for just relaxing.
A comfortable queen sized bed is the centerpiece of the Lehua room. This most calming room also offers a tranquil view of the side garden. If your sleeping preference runs more to twin beds then the plumeria room is for you. This is a bright and airy room with a beautiful view of the side garden.
Enhance your stay by visiting the art studio home of Jane and Linus Chao. Stroll through the gardens or just select your favorite romance novel and have a seat in the gazebo.
