SUMMER IS OVER???!!!!

I can’t believe it is September 1 already – where has the summer gone?   One thing I know for sure, I’m way behind in my posts.   I’m currently back in Belt, MT at my Cousin Diane’s.   We are planning on 3 road/camping trips the second half of the month.  But,  I’ll wait to tell you about them later.

I guess I’ll just give you an overview of the past 6 weeks or so –

I left Barb’s in Helena and hit the road to Kalispell 203 miles away.   At the tiny town of Avon, an intersection where I changed roads, I saw a sign for a quilt shop and quickly made a U-turn – I’m not sure, but I think it is the only open business in town.  Quaintly set up in an old – 1800’s old mercantile building with a great selection of fabric at an even greater price!   I found the perfect fabric for Brooke’s Christmas placemats – and it was the only fabric I bought!  What control, what discipline!  

The trip up the Swan Valley was beautiful, as always – but I think next time I’ll take one of the roads that skirt Flathead Lake.    

In Kalispell, we went to the farmer’s market – it was smaller than I thought it would be – but easily navigated.   During one of our visits, my cousin, Judy bought an apron made out of the top of a pair of bib overalls – interesting!    I bought a pendant – a polished stone with a Grizzly paw print engraved on it.   What is this thing I have with bears?

One Friday afternoon, we went to the farmer’s market in West Glacier, enjoyed some homemade ice cream and then drove into the park a little ways  I took photos of Lake MacDonald – beautiful as always.  

I was there for the first of the Flathead Cherries!  Delicious.  Rich and dark and juicy.  They even had some of my favorite Ranier cherries – so very sweet, so very good.    Judy ordered a flat of pie cherries and we spent one afternoon pitting and preparing, and Judy baked a pie.   Cherry, of course.   One early morning we picked raspberries – again, very tasty!   Huckleberries were ripe, but since you have to go out into the woods and fight the bears for them, we decided not to go.

In between such excursions, Judy was working on a quilt – a double wedding ring for those who know such things!   Something I would never have considered doing – mess around with those tiny pieces of fabric, not for me.   But she was doing it by paper piecing – which I’d heard about but didn’t know what it was – Wow!  What an eye opener!    I want to do that!

Tucker came into his voice while there -   Judy and Tom’s place is fenced with hog wire to keep the deer out – put in up-side down so the smaller critters could get in and out easily.    One day, Tom came home to find a doe placidly eating his petunias!    He chased her out and closed the gate.   (Something like closing the barn………….)     Later that day,  I took Tucker out the basement door, and as I looked up at the deck, I spied 2 fawns standing just below it.   I eased back into the house, and went up and told Tom he had missed something!   I guess we made too much racket – the fawns took off for the ravine (still within the fenced yard)   A couple days later, Tom came home to find the doe lying under the apple tree in the front yard – the fawns were standing in front of the garage.    He started easing the doe toward the gate – I saw from the window that she was going to head around the side of the house – so, after admonishing Tucker to “Stay”, I slipped out the door, barefoot – but Tucker had caught sight of Tom, his new best friend – and squeezed out with me.   He took off barking at Tom – not even seeing the doe at first.  But, the Doe saw him, and she didn’t like what she saw, and started after him – at that point, Tom started waving his arms, Tucker spotted the doe, and went after her in full cry!   One of the fawns took off with the doe, the other headed for the ravine.    So, my hero, Tucker came back from the gate quite proud of himself, and was praised for his success – so that was the day he really found his voice, ……. And got praised for it!  So now, he feels he is my great protector and barks at anything and everything!  

 Anyway, Tom found the break in the fence where the doe was getting in and fixed it – we never saw the doe or the 2^nd fawn again – Tom said the larger holes in the fencing would allow it to get out – so I’m sure “mama” worked around the fence to where her baby was and convinced it to crawl through.   Otherwise, I’m sure the doe would have been haunting the fence line!

 (I just heard Diane laughing heartily – I went to see what was going on -   Tucker had been sitting next to the screen door, enjoying the sun when the door slammed shut capturing him between the two doors.  He looked so confused!)

Back to Kalispell - On a bright, warm (too warm) Saturday, cousin Donna and I headed up the road about 100 miles to Eureka, Montana – 8 miles from the Canadian border for an outdoor quilt show.   It was wonderful   They have a park where they have moved in old buildings from the town’s history – the buildings were all hung with quilts!   On the outside!!!!   I took lots of photos, but then, well, you know my problem with photos!    We walked  all around the park – it was perfect – lots of huge trees providing lots of shade and plenty of places to sit.  Saw many, many beautiful quilts.  Then it was time for a quick lunch and a visit to the vendors. 

 On one of the tent walls there was a northwoods type quilt – I got so excited!   It was perfect for the quilt I’m making for Angie -  And of course, I was so excited about it I forgot to take a photo of it!   But I did go in and buy some really great appliqué patterns.

Then on to Bigfork Bay Quilts – They have the most amazing appliqué patterns – I didn’t buy any, but got a card so I could order on line, once I decide which ones I want.   

When we left the park, we drove through town – all of the buildings on the main street were hung with quilts!   I saw one in particular that I wish I could have gotten a closer view of – it had squares of Russian nesting dolls on it.

It was then time to leave Kalispell, and I chose to take Highway 2 which skirts Glacier Park.  It was a beautiful ride.  I crossed the Marias Pass which is the lowest crossing of the Continental Divide in Montana at about 5200’ – immediately I began the descent toward East Glacier, by the time I got there – about 20 miles  - I was back to prairie.   Well, prairie to the east – and the beautiful east face of the Rockies marching on my left – leading me to my destination.

Another note about my camping trip to Logging Creek:   Diane stayed with me for Friday night, and had to leave Saturday evening because of other obligations.   Carol and Ken arrived a couple hours after she left.  They were supposed to bring ice – which they forgot.   Sunday morning, after breakfast, I headed up the 13 mile road to Monarch – hoping to find ice.   Diane had told me it was a bad, bad road.   And it was – 4 miles of it at least.   It was twisty, turny, narrow, bumpy – but luckily whenever I met another vehicle, I was on the mountain side of the road.   I found ice, and returned to camp.   When I got there, my niece Nicki and her family were there.  We sat around the table for a bit while I told stories of my brother’s growing up years – some of which Nicki hadn’t even heard.  Then it was time to scatter his ashes. 

 When Carol had arrived at the campground, she commented that it looked just like California and was not at all where she wanted to leave the ashes – she wanted some where you could look out over the country.   Well, on my way to Monarch for ice, I found a perfect place!   In the middle of the 4 miles of climbing up the mountainside was a look-out spot with parking area overlooking miles and miles of mountains, and a far mountain meadow.   So we said our final goodbyes to Jim, father, husband, brother, son – I still miss him so much!

Since returning from Logging Creek, we’ve made two trips to Diane’s Cabin – once they re-opened the road -   Oh, yeah – I had talked Carol out of hiking into Pretty Prairie with the ashes – then about a week later, I called her to say there was a fire in that area, then a week or so later – to tell her that Benchmark (where the trailhead is) was evacuated and closed.  So it was a good thing we went to plan B.    Anyway – once the road was re-opened we went up to the cabin.  Diane’s son, Mark, has a construction job in the small town of Augusta about 30 miles from the cabin and he is living there while working in Augusta.  We decided the cabin needed new curtains, admired the work Mark has done on the cabin, and immediately grabbed books from the “library” and settled down to read.   On our second trip to take up the new curtains, Diane’s daughter Shelley was with us, and when we got there, Diane’s other son, David, was there – so it was a family reunion for Diane.   Once again, to the “Library” -  I noticed that Mark and David were readers, too -   when they left to go fishing, Mark had a book in his hand, and David had one in his pocket.   I think people who read are great!

Well, now I think I’m pretty well caught up to date on my posts.

 Until next time,

Luv ‘n Boots & Tucker, Too
And don’t forget little Bear!

She believed she could do it and so she did!

 

 

 

BEARTOOTH CAMPING TRIP

Sunrise painted the sky pink the morning we left for our camping trip.   Well, actually, the sky was blue, the clouds were pink.  –What a beautiful start to the day.

We finished packing, loaded the dogs and headed out about 8:30 a.m.  As usual, the scenery was beautiful.  We drove past the Canyon Ferry Lake, shimmering out on a barren, flat area.  It’s a very popular fishing destination – but with no trees?   Nope, not for me.   We cruised between distant mountain ranges.  At one point I was reminded of the movie – “These Thousand Hills”  a 1959 movie based on the book written by A.B. Guthrie, Jr, Montana Author.  Of course it was set in Montana – and this area looked like it surely was where it was meant to take place.

We drove through vast lands of grain – looking like it was ready to harvest.   Barb told me about a rancher in the area who started “Wheat Montana”  it’s a brand of Montana bread grains.    They have a huge “truckstop” store by the same name which sells sandwiches and bakery items, as well as flour and prepared grains for home baking.  The sandwiches and rolls were huge – we bought a cinnamon roll which we cut into 4 pieces, each about the size of a glazed donut!  I plan to stop on the way back for a closer look!  These stores now dot the landscape all over Montana.  I’ll have to  check to see if there is a shop in Great Falls – near my home base while in Montana

 On our way again, Barb said she would like to stop at the “Pickle Barrel” in Bozeman for a sandwich.    When we arrived in Belgrade – suburb of Bozeman – to meet with a cousin, we exited, and pulled into a convenient parking lot, and I called Dee.  Barb piped up with “Look at that!  I don’t believe it!”  We were 2 doors down from the Pickle Barrel.  So we went in to get lunch and waited for Dee.   These were supersized subs.  An entire loaf of bread for each sandwich – not a small – foot-long, either – a big loaf!  While I was visiting with Dee about the family, Barb went into the casino next door and won $20, which paid for her sandwich!

Following Dee, we checked out some locations in the area for possible family reunion activities next year, then we were off on the road again, but not without a stop at the K-Mart for a little lantern I’d had my eye on, and Barb got a camp chair with a shade on it. She is now set to be comfortable wherever she might be.

 The total distance to our campground was 200 miles.  We drove steadily until we got to Big Timber where we left the highway to find #298 out of town.  We were talking about finding a grocery store – had to have horseradish to go with my sandwich.  Did I tell you those sandwiches were huge?  They were – enough for 4 meals.      Anyway, I rounded a corner, and spotted a sign!   Quilts and Candy – my two favorite things.  I slid into a parking lot and to Barb’s inquiring look, replied – “Well, we need to ask directions to the store, don’t we?”

 It was a lovely quilt store.  I was pretty good, though!   I only spent $8.00 – on quilt block which was a reproduction of an antique Montana postcard.  I thought to myself – this just may be the beginning of a Montana quilt for me!  The postcard quilt square was the theme for this year’s “shop hop”   Instead of including just quilt stores in nearby areas – this shop hop included every store in Montana that wanted to participate – 46 shops in all!     The Virginia shop hop usually has a dozen or less stores.    Next year, I will definitely be in Montana for the shop hop!  Wonder what the theme will be then?

 We found the IGA and got the horseradish as well as a bottle of wine -  It was an orange citrusy wine – it turned out later to be very refreshing.  I kept the bottle to tell you exactly what kind it was – but I can’t find it right now!  Sorry!

 We drove 25 miles out of Big Timber, into the Beartooth Mountains.    Our wilderness and tracking skills were on over-drive, and we realized we were entering Bear Country – course the signs along the road saying so might have had a smidgen to do with our figuring that out. We then travelled 8 miles on a bumpy, gravel road, and finally found the campground, as well as the LoW’s group. (Loners on Wheels) 

  By the time we got our tent up and camp arranged   it was around 6 p.m.  We wandered over and introduced ourselves to the others and enjoyed visiting for awhile, and then, much too soon, it was time for bed.  We were told coffee would be ready at 8 at Carl’s camp.

 Our particular campsite was very near the Boulder River, but had no direct access. However, we were close enough for the river music to lull us to sleep.  

 8:00 a.m. sharp we were at Carl’s site for coffee.   While having breakfast, an errant couple of LoW’s arrived – they had stayed at the wrong campground the night before.  The new comers were two sisters-in-law who had travelled extensively together, and had been members of the group for around 20 years.  Our party now consisted of 7 people.   Barb and myself – first comers to a LoW’s campout,  Janine – a veteran of many campouts and secretary of the group, Charlie and Gloria – the sisters-in-law, and President and Treasurer of the club,  Margo, a woman from Florida, just travelling, and Carl – the lone “Rooster”

 Jenine’s travel companion is a Schnauzer named Bailey.  Jenine has been camping and travelling for years – as has all the other LoW’s.  She has driven her own RV for years.

 Charlie and Gloria lived on ranches in the Conrad, MT area before moving into town.  Charlie is full of stories!  She kept us entertained the whole weekend!

Margo?  Well, Margo is a woman after my own heart!   She lives in Florida, has a small SUV and a small pull along trailer and travels around the US all summer, and returns to Florida in the winter.    She was talking about heading back to Vermont after leaving Montana – but we told her about lots of neat places to visit out west, which would allow her to time her visit to Vermont to coincide with the fall foliage extravaganza.   

 Margo planned to visit Glacier Park after leaving us – She planned to enter from the east side of the park.   We told her about the beauty of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and the salt lick near Logan’s pass where she could see up close the mountain goats.   BUT……… She drove up to Logan’s pass from the east side of the park, which is not all that exciting and got there the day mud slides closed the Going to the Sun road.   When I talked to her later, she was planning to stay another night, and was complaining that after all our warnings that she couldn’t take her rig through the park, it was no big deal – she had driven up higher hills in Georgia -  I certainly hope she was able to stay long enough to take the “Sun” road, otherwise her memories of Glacier Park will be very dull indeed.  Not that Logan Pass is not beautiful – it is, but the approach from the East leaves much to be desired.

Carl, being the only man present, could hardly get a word in edgewise.  He plans to make sure he rousts out another fellow to join us in September at the Chokecherry Festival.

 Among the group, we gathered food for breakfast – pancakes, eggs, kielbasa – and of course having it around the “campfire” and sharing among new found friends, it was the best breakfast I’d had in years!   We finally drifted to our own sites for an afternoon siesta!  At least we tried to nap – but a bright, hot afternoon sun shining on that new tent soon chased us out to find shade.

About 4 pm we started gathering at Carl’s again – the prelude to dinner.   We were very interested in Margo’s story -  She has a small SUV and about a 19’ trailer,  she travels all over the country – with just paper maps – no GPS!   I would not want to be without my GPS.  Anyway, she does not plan ahead – just goes where the wind blows her .

Once again for dinner, we all brought our food to Carl’s site and prepared a wonderful meal.

Carl manned the grill,  Barb brought 2 steaks, which we cut into strips and shared, Janine brought salad,  Charlie and Gloria brought jello and fresh made rolls, and Margo brought watermelon! 

There were 3 dogs present at the campout – ours, Della and Tucker, and Janine’s Bailey.   They were all so well behaved……… well, mostly.  At dinner time, we put Della in the tent on her bed, and put Tucker in his playpen.  I returned to Carl’s site, and before I even got settled, there was Tucker.   Back to the campsite – Oh, that’s the problem, the one corner of the playpen was on a rock, creating an escape tunnel.   Back he went, and once again, he almost beat me to Carl’s.  So, we let him stay.    Back at our site, later, I put Tucker in his playpen and sat down to watch.  He immediately went to one side, put his nose in the corner and pushed as hard as he could – once it moved a couple inches, he moved to the other corner and pushed again, until he had it back on the rock with an escape tunnel!

Saturday morning began once again with coffee at Carl’s camp, then we said goodbye to Janine who headed home about noon.   Barb and I walked around the other loop of the campground and visited with some of the other campers.   If you liked to fish, this was a fantastic location.

jumped up on the table, so he had to spend the next hour tied to a tree.

 Saturday night a storm blew in – the tent was buffeted by the wind and billowed noisily, but no major problem.  It sounded like a down pour, but in the morning, a pan left out didn’t have enough water in it to cover the bottom.  We survived the night without a drop of water inside the tent.

  It was time to leave.  I had decided during the night, that it would be easier to load the truck if I folded back the topper, which we did.  But, when it came time to pull it back up, I couldn’t seem to get it right – it just sort of lay down on top of the gear.  Finally I just zipped up the back window and secured it on the Velcro, and we headed out.

 Once on the road “Luci” (Barb – reference is to Lucille Ball movie The Long, Long, trailer) decided she wanted to pick up a rock to take home for her garden.  After several stops to inspect possibilities, she picked up one that was about a foot square – after that point, my gas mileage dropped appreciably.!!

Once we were on pavement again, we stopped at the Natural Bridge of Montana.  As we stood looking at the area maps, it looked like it would be quite a hike, but I caught sight of a scale which showed the walk was only about 500’.  What a relief.   There was no longer a natural bridge – it collapsed in 1988, but…… the river is busy building another.   It disappears underground just past the location of the old natural bridge.     It comes out again a little way down river.   The river flows from the valley into it’s own little “grand” canyon –The water is a beautiful teal color – I wonder if that is from ice melt.  

 At that point we parted company with Margo and headed back to Big Timber.  Once on the highway, I saw the back of the topper flapping in the wind.  I watched it for a bit, but decided I had to do something, so we pulled off the road, pulled out the step stool and I climbed up to see what I could figure out.  We must have been there 10 minutes pondering the problem,  when Barb said:  “Hey, you need to snap that canvas to the bar”  So we did – Problem solved – not something that I will soon forget!!!!   All is well.

 We made it back to Belgrade, met up with my cousin to retrieve my photos.   I waited with the dogs while Barb went into the Casino.   All of a sudden, the wind picked up, and with about 90 miles to go, I didn’t want to be caught in a major storm.  (the wind and rain of the night before caused havoc all across central Montana – flooding, mudslides, power outages)   I went in and pulled Barb, kicking and screaming…… no that’s a lie – she came quietly.  And… we were on the road again.

 A few miles down the road was Three Forks and the headwaters of the Missouri – we stopped to look around.    We saw where the Gallatin and Madison rivers meet to form the Missouri.  We got back in the truck to head down the road about ½ mile to see where the Jefferson river joins in – but by the time we got nearly there, the storm caught up with us, and we decided  it was time to hit the road again!

 We got back to Helena about 6 p.m., tired and hungry, but happy.   We finished the sandwiches from the Pickle Barrel and got a good night’s sleep.

 And so ended our adventure to the Beartooth Mountains.

 Until next time

Bear Hugs

Luv ‘n Boots and Tucker too,
And of course, always, Little Bear

She believed she could do it, and so she did!

OK, ALREADY, i GIVE UP

On photos, that is.   I think the problem started earlier this year when I dumped the Canon software, trying to make some room on the hard-drive.   After all, I had traded my Canon for a Pentax so I should use the Pentax software, right?    Well, no, as I now realize that's not necessarily true.   I should have left well enough alone.   The Pentax photos loaded just fine with the Canon software - after all, how could it tell the difference of one memory card from the other?  Actually, I didn't have the Pentax software until a short time before I left Brooke's - because that's how I traded up.  Brooke had the Pentax and traded with me to give me a better (more pixals) camera.

Well, now, no matter what I do, when I try to load a photo on to my blog, the system can't find them.
Off line, I can find the photos, e-mail them, print them, edit them - but I can't find them from the blog site.

So, for the time being, you'll just have to "listen" to me "yada, yada, yada"

Right now, I'm back at Cousin Diane's place and we are a couple hours away from leaving for the mountains to get a camp site and hold it until Carol and Ken arrive Saturday nite for my brother's Memorial on Sunday.  We are more or less packed up - Sticky Buns are in the oven.   Most stuff is in the truck, but I'm still in a Quandary about food.   I thought Carol would be arriving on Friday night, and I haven't been able to get ahold of my Nephew Bob to see if he's still planning on being there.  So I guess I'll take what food I have and make it do.

I had planned to go yesterday, or maybe even Wednesday, but the campground has been closed since Tuesday for spraying for noxious weeds.

Once we get into the mountains, - there is no cell phone use - So,. either Bob will come or he won't, I guess.

I recently made contact with some friends from about 20 some years ago in Virginia Beach - they now live in Florida.   It's great to hear from them.    When I make my next sweep across the top of Florida, I'll look them up.

I've been especially lazy this week - got to get this old body moving around, some way, or it's going to just atrophy in a chair with a book in my hands.  Loading and unloading the truck is about it for exercise at this time.   (Why, oh why did I bring all that stuff with me?  . . . . . . . Oh, wait, I didn't bring all of it - I had left some of it at Barb's in Helena 2 years ago - including the bike.... and now that stuff is taking up the free space I got when I delivered the collectibles and old stuff to Nicki)

By the way, anyone who got the caramel roll recipe from me - don't use 2 loaves unless you are feeding a small army.   I made up a full batch, and now it's probably going to be just me and Diane for the next 2 days - Oh, well, I'll just have to do my duty and make sure they don't go to waste.  I sure hope Bob and son show up at the campground today!!!!

The buzzer is about to go off, and I need to finish packing up.

Until next time,
Bear Hugs

Luv 'n Boots & Tucker, too
And don't forget Litte Bear

She believed she could do it, and so she did!!!!

ONCE AGAIN......

I have a post about out camping trip all ready to post, and can't upload the photos.

Today, I'm headed to Kalispell and I'm hoping cousin Dennis will have some time to help me with all these photo issues

You'll be hearing from me soon

Bear Hugs,Luv 'n Boots & Tucker, Too
and don't forget Little Bear (Wee Beastie)

She Believed she could do it, so she did!

Friday morning, I finished packing the truck and then tried to figure out how to start Diane's riding lawnmower.  Well, I did just that, but couldn't figure out how to make it move - it took a call to her grandson, but I finally got it going!  Don't laugh, I've never been on a riding mower before.  

In the afternoon,  I took a liesurely drive to Helena - about 80 miles from Great Falls.   Barb and I were best friends throughout grade school and beyond and have many, many memories to talk about.  

Barb has a dog - a Laboradoodle - about 65# - what a hoot to watch Della and Tucker getting to know each other.   Della wasn't quite sure what was happening, and where to put her paws - large, powerful paws.  So she just lay down and patted her paws on the floor to entice Tucker to play, Tuck had a blast.  He is so fast, and he maneuver's so quickly that Della was sometimes left wondering where he went.

I so looked forward to sleeping on Barb's front porch - it's wonderful.  We have a heat wave going on in Montana - as do so many other areas of the country - one difference in Montana, though - is the low humidity - which means that as soon as the sun goes down, and even before, it cools down to great sleeping weather.  I didn't know how I was going to handle it with Tucker since he's so tiny he can fit under or through the porch railing.  We solved it by putting his harness and leash on, and I slept with the leash wrapped around my wrist.   I worked great!

On Saturday, we drove over Stemple Pass to the Lincoln, MT area - you know, Lincoln - of the Unibomber fame????  Well that's old news, anyway.   Carol, we did drive into "town" and had huckleberry ice cream cones.   So, I can cross that little "chore" off my list!   We also stopped at a yard sale - found while turning around after missing our target.   They had boxes of fabric - as soon as I told Barb I wasn't looking at any fabric, I spotted some white flannel!   $1.00 a bundle!   Something I needed for one of my projects.   I got a bundle, which turned out to be about 9 yards - a bargain - but, wait - it gets better!   A couple days later I needed a "rag", so I cut of a portion of the flannel which was dirty -  not only was there 9 yards - it was 90 inches wide!  

We continued on our road trip to where Barb's son has a cabin, with a wide creek just steps away.   Della loves the water.  She immediately jumped in and chased sticks.   I waded in with Tucker on a leash - I took 2 steps, Tuck took 2 - finally, he was in far enough to swim which he did handily - but he didn't really enjoy it.

We left the cabin and continued on our way to Snowbank Lake where we had lunch and threw more sticks for Della.   Tucker decided to keep his feet dry, though.

On the way back to Barb's we drove along the fire area.  I mentioned in a previous post that Barb's neighborhood was evacuated because of a forest fire.   The fire came within a few blocks of her home.   It came as far as the road in 3 places, and actually jumped the road in one place -  Luckily the losses were not as bad as it could have been -  3 homes and some out buildings.

We drove around to the back of the hills where the fire got started (an accident)   It swept out of control over the ridge and was caught by a northerly wind and traveled the length of the hills before being subdued.  The next day, the winds turned and drove the fire southward.  On the third day the wind drove in from the west and the fire took direct aim at Barb's neighborhood.   Slowly, the firefighters gained control, and finally stopped the fire.  The scent of ashes was still in the air.

On Sunday we decided to take the Trolley Tour of Helena - unfortunately it was closed.  So, we walked along Last Chance Gulch - which at one time was just that - the last chance to look for gold, and some struck it rich there in the 1800's    Today it is a shopping area, a fun place to explore.  

It was hot! Hot! Hot!    Once we returned home, we curled up and took naps.  Dogs included.

On Monday, Barb had a couple appointments in the morning, I rode along and waited in the car - it was Hot, Hot, Hot -   My right arm got sunburned in just moments.  When we returned -  we took a nap.  I'm enjoying this!!!   The night was once again cool and refreshing!

Tuesday -  we couldn't go anywhere because my new tent was to be delivered and I didn't want to take a chance on not being there..   I spent the day unloading the truck - and stacking non-camping stuff in Barb's garage - getting ready for our camping trip which we'll leave for  on Thursday.   It was surprisingly cool - high still to be in the high 90's, but sky was overcast, keeping the temp down.

The tent arrived, and just as we were going to try putting it up, it started raiing - well "spitting" is more like it.  In any event, .........we took a nap instead!  Afterward, refreshed from the A/C in the house, we took the dogs across town to 10 Mile Creek, where Della immediastely, even before we were all out of the car, ran head-long into the water.    Tucker reluctantly went in the water, and I have the cutest photo of him - if I can locate it on the computer!  ....... Well, I canh't find the photo.  I'm not having any luck at all with photos this year!  

At one point, Tucker was on leash - and Della ran pell-mell between us - as soon as I realized what was going to happen, I dropped the leash handle, but even so, Tucker got flipped!!!  Della is so exuberant.

Tomorrow's schedule is to finish packing the truck for the camping trip, figure out how to make Tucker's car seat fit on the back seat.   We are going to an area along the Boulder River south of Big Timber -  the altitude will be nearly 5000 ft - so I'm hoping it will be cooler than it is here in the Valley.   I know the nights will be even cooler than they are here.  So, on Thursday, we'll be on our way!

Until next time,
Bear Hugs

Luv 'n Boots and Tucker, too

She believed she could do it, so she did!

PS - I typed this directly into my blog, instead of doing it in Word first - the type is so small I can't read it unless I put my nose on the screen - so please ignore typos 


 

JUST FILLING IN!

Well, I’m back from Bozeman, have my computer all ready to post to my blog – and…. Wouldn’t you know it – I can’t get my photos to load from my camera to my computer, and I packed the truck today and my camera instructions are out of reach.  Oh, well – I’ll do a “fill in” post.

On a recent post, I told you about falling in mud.   Well, my shoes were caked with mud.   Insidious, gooey, gumbo mud.   So I went searching for another pair of shoes in the truck.   When I was packing, it got to the point that I was pulling stuff out of boxes, and even tote bags and stuffing every nook and cranny.   A brief search found 3 shoes -   a flip flop, a blue plastic garden clog, and a suede Birkenstock clog.   One of each pair.   The matches were no where to be found.   So for the last couple days, I’ve been wearing 1 blue clog, and 1 suede clog whenever I head outside.  But, today, I’m headed to town and the first order of business is to find a matching shoe.  Any matching shoe – I just hope it’s not the flip-flop!!!!

IN THE NEWS!

Glacier Park:   Crews are hopeful they will have the Going-to-the-Sun highway open by this Friday, June 15 – that sounds late in the year – but……. Last year they didn’t get it opened until July 13!!!!   This year’s progress has been hampered by an additional 16 inches of snow since Memorial Day.   Snow storms, fog and rain have hampered their efforts.   Last week, avalanches ranging from 8 – 15’ caused some crews to have to plow their way back through avalanches that came in behind them during the day.  (I know, this is old news, but interesting to me)

Great Falls, MT: Budget Travel magazine and it’s website, budgettravel.com listed my home town as one of America’s 11 greatest riverfront towns.   Others on the list include, New Orleans, and San Antonio – impressive company!    Great Falls’ River’s Edge Trail which is built partly on old railroad beds is great for cycling and walking from town to Giant Springs.

I’ve unloaded and piled on Diane’s porch everything from the back of the truck that was in front of all the stuff I brought for, my niece to sell, hopefully.  Nicki, has an antique shop in town called Homestead Treasures.   I have a lot of collectibles bought during my working years, some antiques and, well, just say it – stuff.  The collectibles won’t be as interesting for Nicki – but some of the boxes will be.  I packed it all several months ago, and I don’t even remember what all there is.   I started out listing everything, item by item.  But some of the boxes name 2-3 items, and end in “just more stuff”.   And, there is more stuff I left at a Brooke’s.   

Yesterday, I contacted the lady in charge of  Montana’s “Loners on Wheels” and made arrangements to join the group the middle of July camping along the Boulder River.   I am so looking forward to that.  I think after that weekend, Barb and I will stay there a few days to enjoy the activities at the near-by hot springs.

While in town yesterday, I bought a pattern for PJ’s for Tucker.  Well, he needs them!!!  Nice warm fleece ones.   The pattern calls for ¾ yard – I thought, “that just can’t be”  So I took out the pattern and cut out the pieces for the small size.   My gosh, I’ll have to reduce it by half, or even more!    I won’t be able to adjust the pattern that much – I’ll have to draw my own.

I’m a slob in many ways, but my patterns are always (well, nearly always)  folded neatly and returned to the envelope.   Sometimes I iron them into submission just to fit them in. I think that’s called misplaced neatness.

Now – the present time!

I talked to Sister-in-Law Carol today, and helped her decide not to hike  into pretty prairie to scatter my brother’s ashes in August.   Instead, we are taking them to Logging Creek where my Father’s and other Brother’s ashes have been scattered.     She was concerned as to whether Logging Creek was as pretty as Pretty Prairie -  I was there as a teenager, and what I remember is a large flat area with a stream cutting through it.   So, Diane and I took a road trip today to Logging Creek – it’s a lovely area – the campground is right along the creek where it runs between a couple of mountains, and better still, I called my nephew, Bob (my other brother’s son) who with his mother and siblings were at Logging Creek with his Dad’s ashes last year – he has the exact location of Dick’s ashes saved in his GPS, and even better, he’s coming up in August to join us  Maybe by doing it closer, more people will want to attend.

When we left the campground, we decided to go out the opposite of the way we came – the sign was a little confusing – looked like Hwy 89 was 13 miles either way.  Well, it wasn’t.   The way we picked was 30 miles.   But, what a ride!   We climbed to about 7500’, and just rode with it -  in and out of the trees, passing high mountain meadows alive with wildflowers.  Each meadow seemed to have it’s own color scheme – one had mostly white flowers, another, mostly blue.  It was stunning – and even though I’d been along that particular road – a long time ago – I had completely forgotten what it was like – it was like being on the Blue Ridge and seeing mountains as far as the eye can see!   At one point, we pulled over for the view – a massive valley with alpine meadows forming patchwork with the trees.  Neither of us realized how wide that mountain range was – and we weren’t even all the way to the opposite side!  We got back to Hwy 89 about 60 miles from home – we had left #89 about 12 miles from home!

We returned home about 6:30 and raided the refrigerator for left-overs.  Fastest meal we had ever cobbled together.

I talked with Barb this evening, and she is back in Helena so I’m leaving tomorrow for her place – but before I leave, we are going to see if we can start Diane’s riding mower so I can do part of her lawn, at least.  Her grandson usually does it, but he is going out of town.  Diane would do it, but…… her legs are too short to reach the pedals – that’s a problem I certainly don’t have!

In any event – we’re back on the road again tomorrow – headed for new adventures. 

Until next time,

Bear Hugs

Luv ‘n Boots & Tucker

And don’t forget Wee Beastie

She believed she could do it and so she did!

I'M BACK - more or less!

We returned from Bozeman last week.   I still don't have my computer back, but thought I'd write a few
lines anyway.   I want to post more photos, but I can't do that until I pick up my computer - which I am happy to say will be tomorrow!

Last Saturday, cousin Diane, Tucker and I went searching yard sales in Great Falls.  What fun - I haven't done it for years.   Found some stuff for my camping tote - rug for inside the tent door, container for utensils, and a pancake turner!   Oh, and books.   Diane got a handful of Agatha Christies that she hadn't read, and I found 3 James Mitchner's.   One is my favorite - the Source, and the two others I had never read - strange, I thought I had read all of his books.

We stopped at Hempl's bakery and got maple bars - such memories.  I don't know why I couldn't find them back east!

On Monday, we took both cars - hers and mine in to the dealers to have them checked out.   I wanted to make sure everything done in Grand Forks was ok and a quick look to see if something else was wrong with the A/C    Diane's car was checked for oil/transmission leaks (details to follow in blog about Bozeman)
Her car passed with flying colors - and at no charge.   Mine - well they found a shorted fuse and loose battery cable - cost $50    but, I now have A/C again!!!!  Could this be the time it is fixed for once and for all?

We then picked up lunch and took it to a nearby park to enjoy.   Tucker enjoyed the park, also.

My computer is not going to cost as much as I feared, either.   When I talked  with Ben about it over the weekend, it sounded like it had turned into a major job.   He tried to talk me into removing all my games.  Not Likely!!!!  I explained that the games are not the problem, they are all on the D drive - it's the C drive with the operating system, and everything that came with the puter that is filled to capacity.    But, he called last night said it was ready - the fan was gunked up causing it to shut down every hour of operation.  He's installed new hard-drives - at 10 times the size and made the old hard drive into an external drive.   He says it's really fast now!  I hope that means I can upload photos to the blog faster.

I ordered my new tent and had it shipped to Barb's in Helena - Oops, they said at first it would not be delivered until July 9 - 11th - then they sent word that it had shipped June 30 -   Well - Barb is not home this week - and I'm still in Belt.   I'm glad I specified it had to be signed for!

Diane and I are planning a couple camping trips when I get back in August.   I'll be with Barb until July 25th and then I'm heading to NW Montana - to the Kalispell - Glacier park area.   At this point I don't know if Barb will be travelling with me -  We are going camping the middle of July for 4 days - at a campground with vault toilets and no showers - I'm not sure I told her that little fact yet.   We'll see.  We'll see.   She just may decide camping is not her lifestyle after that weekend.  That will be my first experience camping with "Loners on Wheels"   I'm checking them out cause I'm thinking about wintering at their home ranch in Demming NM.

The tent is not the one I had decided to get while I was in Maryland - that was one room plus a screen room, instead this one has 2 rooms with large windows - it's about 82" high so I can walk upright anywhere in the tent.   I just hope I can put it up by myself - it's not the instant up I had planned on.

Mother Nature must be experiencing some PMS.   Debbie's visit to Florida impacted both Myra and JT and my cousins Sandy and Gregg.  As far as I know, Myra and JT did not have any damage to deal with, but Sandy and Gregg are still mopping up!   At the same time,   Barb in Helena was evacuated from her home in the wake of a forest fire - luckily the fire was under control before it got to the residential area.    And... same weekend -  the storm the started in Indiana and raged through the mid-atlantic - left Brooke and friends with no power for a week.  I saw on Facebook that my niece, Micki, sent Brooke some good advice - 2 years ago they had a fire in the power box and was without electricity for 7 weeks.

Here, it's been beautiful - even with the wind.   Highs in the 80's, lows 35-40  with low humidity - so it's been perfect!   

Tucker is waking around on the desk while I'm typing - he loves pens and steals them as often as possible.  

He is so tiny, I realized one of his back legs and thigh is no bigger than a small chicken!  Some comparison.
He is busy making friends for me.  Everybody is taken with him.  

I'm so enjoying being here at Diane's that I've invited myself to stay for Thanksgiving dinner.   When I get back, we are thinking of taking a few days and traveling up to Canada and driving around the Glacier/Waterton Peace Park area.  

There is one particular drawback though - Diane and I are surprisingly alike in a lot of ways - very laid back - we can spend a day in the same house without much talking - reading books mostly.   We like to eat the same things - for the most part.  We both like camping and road trips.   We just plain like to eat - very dangerous to a diet!  I made bread again today.  - Tomorrow - the 4th, we plan to have Beer Baron sausages on home made hot dog rolls, potato salad, baked beans etc, etc, etc.   Belt had it's 4th of July celebration last weekend.  Diane's house sits on a hill overlooking the town - a perfect set-up for watching the fireworks.!

Until next time
Bear Hugs

Luv 'n Boots, and Tucker, too
And, of course Wee Beastie

She believed she could do it and so she did!