I put the golf cart in high gear and headed for the mountains to inhale some fresh air. It was a good five minute or so drive to the roadway, and I enjoyed looking at the varieties of wildflowers and huckleberry bushes along the way. Some of the dandelions were huge, literally the size of my fist.

I veered off on a trail to a nearby field with mountains in the distance. I drove up one that was pretty steep, worried that I would wreck on the way down. But hey, I was on vacation and I wanted to have fun. But did I want to live like Evel Knievel? Not so much.

I took a deep breath and inhaled the “fresh” mountain air. And then I saw what I smelt–a dead deer. I decided to return to the cabin where the air seemed to be much fresher and waited for the sunset. Everyone else was inside playing cards when I moved to the deck and watched as the sun turned from pink to blue, and then orange and red, as it set behind the snow-capped mountains. It was breathtaking and I relished at the beauty of God’s paintbrush as if He colored it Himself, with the colors reflecting off the water.

It was the ah-ha moment I needed to recharge, making the trip well worth everything I had gone through to get there.

Sydney’s friend Deidra and her family left the next day, and Alayna’s flight was canceled because of weather issues, so they were able to stay an extra day, while the rest of us had two days left to relax.

I broke off from the group and drove myself to Big Fork, Montana, to shop downtown where I bought some souvenirs and two turquoise rings from a local crafter. I also purchased my favorite huckleberry products of tea, honey and candy, and homemade goat milk and huckleberry soap.

My heart and suitcase were both full. Now, I just had to get home.