Summer. Finally!

It's here: Summer...finally. After an painful long winter (and for me it's been two in a row!) I'm so excited for summer. We've had snow in April, May and now June, but now it is gorgeous. There is something so special about summer in Montana. Maybe its just that incredibly blue Big Sky or the sense of the wild out in the mountains, but I feel at home. June is the best time of the year in Montana since all the wildflowers are in bloom, everything is still green and the smell of the lilacs and blossoms lace the air.

(Looking South from the Elkhorn Mountains near Helena. Those red trees are all from the infestation of these pine tree beatles that are killing many trees around North America at the moment. Mild winters have allowed these bugs to multiply at incredible rates and thus has posed a problem to our forests.)

I've been getting back in touch with my roots here, going on my old bike trails, taking in a few Brewers baseball games, and, of course, family time. My two favorite cousins are in town now for the next two months and they are just a joy to have around. Lucas and Garrett, aged 10 and 7, they are such little gentlemen and I enjoy spending time with them.

Our famous family reunion takes place in just one week from now. Its an event all of us look forward to every two years and never miss out on. Over 100 people will be there from my mom's side of the family. If you've ever heard of a Glueckert, chances are I'm related to them. The Glueckert clan came over here from Germany about four generations ago to Chicago and then spread out mainly to Montana and the Dakotas. Every Glueckert seems to be gregarious, funny, and a loving person. We all like to party and have fun, but also have sound morals and know how important family is. I feel like we have such a special bond as a family because it seems that everyone gets along; there never seems to be any drama. We are all just pretty laid-back and I guess I'm just officially appreciating how lucky I am to be a part of it.

In other news, I'm still at Cafe Artemis and saving for my next trip, hopefully at the end of the summer. I'm not sure yet, but I either want to travel to Europe or South America, and then go back to NZ for their summer.

As you probably guessed, the 42 Below job in San Fran didn't pan out. Something was up with the recruiting company I think and anyway, it just wasn't meant to be. Bummer. That would have been a sweet hook up!

Hope you all are doing well and lets have a great summer! I'm hoping to post some more beautiful pictures from Montana for ya soon.

R