Last updated on May 6th, 2024 at 10:29 am
This summer was a lot different for us at my parents in America for numerous reasons. My brother came over from Georgia with his family and my other brother moved in next door to my parents and had his little girl for the summer. It was a house full of family which was awesome. Another major difference for us this year was that my kids were that year old (which makes a big difference) they are getting to the age where my parents can have them for the weekend and I am more comfortable leaving them longer. We got to do a lot more older adventures with the kids too.
One weekend we got the chance to have an adult weekend away. We jumped at the opportunity of Grandma wanting to bake cookies and have her grandchildren for the weekend. So four of us set out for a weekend road trip to Kootenai Falls and stay at The Lodge on Whitefish lake. One of the most beautiful places ever! It’s where my best friend and I spent one night at their spa last year together.
It’s a fair drive but we are America we don’t mind a few many hours in the car. We made the most of it by stopping off half way between my parents and Whitefish to explore Kootenai Falls and go on the infamous Swinging Bridge in Libby, Montana. A magnificent stop off to recall memories of my brother and my childhood here and to impress our partners who have never been.
Although when we were growing up the swinging bridge quite literally had only one cable on either side of you and planks underneath to walk on. The bigger kids used to get it swinging so hard and so fast it was so scary. See how many “so”s I had to use there. It was horrific. While still breath takingly high up it feels slightly more stable with fencing on the sides and wood reinforcements. Health & Safety finally took an effect. However, we quickly found out both our partners are scared of heights so it was an interestingly long crossing. (worth the views).
After crossing the bridge you can then hike to the falls. It’s such a beautiful walk and you have to climb down and up some steep rocks to get there but worth it. I stupidly forget my dslr on the table while we were leaving for our weekend road trip so all these photos are from my phone sadly. The photos don’t do these places any justice at all. The pure power of the water raging over these cliffs is mesmerizing. Although to be fair I don’t think I could have climbed down to the bottom with a camera around my neck and not pull another “Portugal trip” where I slipped on a cliff and cut my chin wide open and needed stitches. I had flashbacks so sticking with my phone seems safer. We spent the morning taking in the views, the falls the swinging bridge and hiked back to the car to make our way to Whitefish. 
It’s impossible to get a good photo of the whole Lodge itself as it’s absolutely huge and surrounded by a lake and woodlands. Here is the corner by the pool and hot tub where we ate lunch at the outdoor restaurant and bar area behind us. Then we had delicious cocktails by the pool for a few hours. It was so relaxing. I didn’t have to worry about kid’s being too loud or having to be in the pool with them. I had my feet up and if you saw the amazing fews of the lake from the pool on my ig stories it was stunning with the sun blistering down on us.
We couldn’t decide whether we would do the spa or take the boat out on the lake before dinner. Mr P disappeared during lunch time while we were eating and came back to say he booked us a boat for the lake. So we finished our drinks poolside and went to get the keys. I thought someone would be driving us and we would just be passengers. Nope, they had you the keys give you a little direction of the lake and how to drive the boat and off we went. We had music ready to bluetooth to the boat and we set off. We sped around the water, hitting the waves of other boats like four teenagers. Mr P got his first boat driving lesson and off he drove us. We found a nice, hot spot to anchor, turn the music up and go swimming. I truly felt young again and all my childhood summer memories on my uncle’s boat came flooding back. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow up in the world. 
We only stayed one night, two days. We packed in so much in those two days. We stopped in the actual town of Whitefish for some shopping on the way home. There are so many awesome boutiques and corky shops. I got some souvenirs and clothes. We even went into a shop that had a t-shirt that read “Sometimes I talk in a British Accent”. It was the best fitting shirt slogan for me ever. I couldn’t stop laughing.
It is always good to see my brother. We are so close and we made some more great memories together. Hopefully this time he can remember them. (inside joke if he is reading this). He has a memory like a goldfish. But I still love him to pieces. It’s great Mr P and him get along so well. 
We had a great weekend road trip to Kootenai Falls and Whitefish, Montana. Definitely go there again next year whether it’s for a girlie spa weekend again or with the whole family in tow. Thanks Grandma for babysitting and baking with the kids.
If you ever are near the west coast of America there are so many amazing places to explore. Shout, I can recommend some if you need guiding. I hope you enjoyed seeing our trip here.
Wow what an amazing place! Your summer looked amazing Jenny and what a fab place you get to visit xx
WOW! What an absolutely stunning place. The landscape and scenery are beautiful and it looks like you had the best time together. xx
Oh Jenny it looks like an absolutely gorgeous place to explore! I love hiking to waterfalls – I’ve added this to my ‘bucket list’ of places to visit in the US. I’d love to walk over that bridge ( my husband wouldn’t though – he’s not fond of heights either!).
I know took my hubby a while to get over it. Not nice if you can’t hack heights with a raging water below it.
Looks like such a beautiful place to spend the weekend as a couple, adventure and time to relax. That restaurant by the falls sounds devine. x
Oh it was amazing weekend away just my hubby and brother and his new partner. Gave us time to get to know her better too. We had a blast. Such a beautiful place in the world.
I have always wanted to visit waterfalls!! Looks like you had the best time. What a beautiful place!! xx
We are very lucky to have so many near us where I grew up to sightsee and explore with the kids. Mother Nature is so beautiful.
Wow you did pack a lot into two days!! I love all your US pictures and that T-shirt sounds hilarious. I hope you got it!? It must be so hard living so far away from home but it’s so special that you get to go take the kids back to the US every summer.
I couldn’t live abroad if I could go back for such a big time. I feel we have the perfect balance and set up summers there and winters here. Best of both worlds. We are so grateful for it. Oh yes, we love packing ours days to bursting when we go back home. Got to make the most of it.