Holland Falls  on 8/29/2012 

 This is one on the little friends that you will see up at the Holland falls. It is a Columbian  Ground Squirrel .

 View of the Lake as you go up to the water fall

View of the lake and Misson Mountains from the water fall

Holland Lake Campground has hosted guests from Germany, Canada, and  Denmark this past week.  As the camping season is winding down our international friends are trying to enjoy the outdoor Montana beauty.   As of today there were several camping sites open but they will fill up Thursday and Friday.   Come and get your site claimed early! 

This picture was taken yesterday afternoon at 5:30 pm. There was so much smoke in the sky that the sun had a beautiful glow to it .  The smoke is from Idaho and California.  That is what I am told anyway .

Also, there is a little work done on highway 83  from highway 200 to Seeley Lake but it doesn't take long to tell you  fires are going again . . . so take care .

3 - 2 -1 Cake . . . .this is such a simple great single dessert recipe shared by campers Jesse and Linda from Kalispell in June.

1 Box Angel Food Cake Mix added to 1 Box any flavor cake mix stored in a gallon plastic ziplock bag.
In a microwavable dish or mug add 3 TABLESPOONS dry cake mix,  2 TABLESPOONS water, and MICROWAVE on High for 1 MINUTE.  Frost with favorite frosting. 
TRY IT!!!  Fantastic!   This has become our favorite quick dessert!  You can use white cake mix and use for strawberry shortcake.  We especially love the Pecan/Coconut German Chocolate Icing as well as the Lemon Supreme canned icing.   Yummy!

Well just a few more days until Labor day weekend and the last three-day weekend of the season . . . so let's get out and go camping before it is all over until next year.  As of today there are a lot of camping sites open but not for long. . . so come on out. The weather is fantastic and will be right through Labor Day weekend!   Cool at night and warms up in the daytime . I am also happy to say that the campers are doing their part in keeping the bears out by keeping their food, beer and pop put up. SO NO BEARS  have been seen in several weeks!

 This was taken on Friday morning as the sun was coming up.. .beautiful!

 One of the campers rented a canoe to go fishing early in the morning about 6 :30 am . When he got back he told me that he did well and enjoyed it very much, too.

This one was taken Saturday morning with fog rising off the lake as it was very cool out that morning.

 Sorry I zoomed in too much on this one but anyway this is one of the helicopters that was helping out on the Condon fire over the weekend.  It is a tanker.

 The crew is getting it ready for work the next day. They say it is about the size of a box car . . . . BIG anyway.

When this big boy comes on the scene the crew and all the water they can bring with them put out the fires or at least slow the fire down.  I took these pictures on Tuesday evening after it had stopped raining at about 8 pm.  There were also two other helicopters on the landing field that had buckets ready to go, too.  There were about 140 fire fighters on this fire also. Thanks to everyone for their hard work to contain this fire.  My hat is off to all of you .

This picture was taken this morning at 6:30 am of the sunrise without the smoke!  The Condon fire is almost out thanks to the hard work of the men and women of the Forest Service fire team  Once again we have clear skies.  We still need everyone's help in keeping the forest free from all the fires.  Campfire only in the pits and keep them low!   Let's go camping before the season is over! We are keeping the campground open until Oct. 9th this year as long as the weather will let us. So let's go do some camping! 

This was taken in the morning a few days ago as the sun was coming up over the mountain above the Holland Falls. The smokey haze is from the fire.

 Well it's this time of the year, folks, with the dry season we have had. . . the fires are here.  The Forest Service is going to keep me posted via email on the Condon fire.  Both pictures are taken by me from the Condon Forest Service Work Center. The fire crews are doing the best that they can do with the help of the helicopters in putting this fire out. The Forest Service tells me that there are no fire restrictions at this moment.  All we have to do is keep the campfires in the fire rings and as a low fire .  So come on out and lets go camping before the season is over.

STANDING ROOM ONLY!!

Per Red's report 21 campers left on Sunday and by the end of the night 20 campsites were filled for Monday!  It has been non-stop at the campground and group site for Red who keeps hoping with chopping wood, garbage hauling,  and renting out our 3 canoes.  He reported actually seeing flames from the road where wildfires are spreading near Condon.  Also saw the helicopters fighting the fire with water supply.   Hope the rain forecasted on Wednesday will put the fire out!  Check out the fire report:  http://inciweb.org/incident/3070/ or http://www.topix.com/city/condon-mt

FIRE SEASON IS UPON US - BE CAREFUL!

 This was taken last night at about dark 8/8/2012 . It is smoke from a fire . so far that is all we are getting here at the camp ground . The fire I think is between here and highway 200 . .

This picture was taken at the same time the one above was but where is the mountain? The smoke is so bad that it is hiding the mountain. We need some rain to help put out  the fire.  Compare with the Canoe Sunset picture below. If you look real hard you can see a little of the mountain but not the whole range.   There is also a fire in the Bob Marshall.  This fire is the one near Seeley.

Public Beach and Day Use Area at Holland Lake Campground

with a beautiful view of Holland Falls

You can take a mile and a half hike right to the falls!

Camphost  Wayne "Red" May and former Camphost/Concessionaire  Charlie Jantzen having four wheeling fun @

Holland Lake Campground this spring!

CANOE SUNSET ON HOLLAND LAKE

Vicky took this picture on her vacation here in June.  It is on her desktop wallpaper so she can be at the lake every morning!   This is only one of glorious western sunsets over Holland Lake.  Guiding the canoe to shore after a long day of fishing over Father's Day weekend this father and son were surprised to find the rest of their family decided to camp for the rest of the weekend!   Just a word of caution to inexperienced canoists . . a canoe can tip easily . . ALWAYS wear your life vest when renting our canoes!   Thank you.   Come and enjoy the lake thru early October when we close for the season for spectacular sunsets and beautiful scenary.