Heavy rains on Friday night raised an already full Joe Pool Lake to 7 feet above normal, causing water to creep beyond its banks across access roads throughout Loyd Park. That left the campers in our area only one way out–a seldom-used service road. Although we hoped the water would begin to recede on Sunday, the lake level continued to rise.

The weekend began well enough, with an early afternoon arrival at our site. After Jon participated in a work-related conference call, we finished setting up and settled in for the evening news, cocktails and Date Night. We even managed to have a late evening campfire before the rain moved in.

Rain fell throughout the night and well into Saturday afternoon, keeping temperatures in the mid-50s–more like the weather we typically experience in January than in May. But the rainy day left ample time for reading The New York Times, snuggling with our doggies, brunching and napping. By Saturday evening, the rain had ended but drying out would take more time. Still, we were able to enjoy another campfire after dinner amid unseasonably mild temperatures.

Sunday, Mother’s Day, found us talking with other campers and park rangers about our exit strategy. If we couldn’t make it out along the service road, we would have to stay put until the water receded. Considering how much we love being at Loyd Park, there are worse fates that could have befallen us.

While we weighed our options, Cliff became completely absorbed in “Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…and Maybe the World,” a new book by Admiral William H. McRaven, while Jon immersed himself in the History on Fire podcast, “The War for the Black Hills” about the Battle of the Little Big Horn. He thought it would be good to familiarize himself with one of the defining moments in Montana’s history as preparation for our trip to Glacier National Park. We’re debating whether we should take a detour to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. We’re also considering a quick trip to Flathead Lake, a massive freshwater lake formed by a glacial dam that is the source of the Missouri River–the longest river in North America.

Although the trip is six weeks away, we still have time to plan an excursion or two. Maybe we’ll do both!