Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Montana Part II

We arrived in Bozeman on the 4th of July. So after dinner at friends of Josh & Lauren’s,
(Desiree & Adam) we headed up to YAA – Yellowstone Alliance Adventure camp where Josh and Lauren had worked last summer. The staff sets off fireworks for the campers that are there. Off in the distance we were able to see the fireworks display down in Bozeman.

We spent that night at Josh and Lauren’s. It was wonderful to meet little Anna Sierra. In the morning when we heard Ruth waking, I went up to get her. Later they brought Anna down and Dale and I had time alone with our grand-daughters while Josh and Lauren where able to sleep in.



Zach and Christina flew in from MI and we checked into the C’mon Inn where we shared a suite. A few times over the week we all went to the pool area which had a little kiddie pool that Ruth loved. Even in the big pool when her little lip would be quivering from being cold, she wanted to stay in the water and play.
It was a great place to sit and talk together and have fun watching Ruth. It’s a very interesting fact that we as adults can sit and be content just to watch little ones. At times there was no conversation going on, just watching. Maybe it’s just that we don’t get to see them very often and are trying to take it all in. Maybe it’s the innocence of youth or their excitement for even the little things in life. We very quickly became “Papa” and “Nana” instead of Grandpa & Grandma. Much easier for Ruth to say.

The week was filled with time spent together. Whether it was “Music on the Main” in Bozeman, eating at McKenzie River Pizza, hiking, the guys fishing and the women watching a movie, eating or being in the pool – we were together. One night we headed to the Farmer’s Market with the Ruth so that Josh and Lauren could go to their Bible study. It was wonderful to be able to help out and baby-sit along with Christina and Zach. There’s something about a little one’s hand grasping your finger as you walk along. I miss that already.

Together

“Companionship” or “unified” according to Webster.

We were together
We were enjoying companionship
We are unified
We are family

We are blessed beyond measure













Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Montana - Part 1

We just got back from a trip out to Bozeman, Montana to visit our son, Josh, and his wife, Lauren. They have 2 little girls. Ruth is 1 and Anna was just born 1 month ago. We haven’t yet had the joy to meet her. So, these next blogs will be about our drive out there and the time that we were able to spend with them along with Zach & Christina who flew out from MI.
After a night in Mitchell, SD, where we had to at least go past the Corn Palace, we were on our way to Burgess Junction, WY.
Along the way we had beautiful scenery in the rugged mountain area.
Road construction made it interesting for a while and we watched as the temperature continued to drop.







Dale had done fly-fishing there in the past and had made reservations for us at Bear Lodge Resort in the Big Horn National Forest where a little rustic cabin awaited us.
"Little" and "rustic" are the words. There was no running water – which of course means no bathroom. I knew that ahead of time, but I incorrectly assumed that there was some sort of bathhouse nearby. We were shown where there were 2 bathrooms with a shower in them, off of the bar. There was another single shower near the pool and one regular bathroom. Those were for the restaurant/bar customers and us. After we were shown to our cabin, to be honest, I was a little taken aback. But, after taking a few moments to re-adjust my thinking and to be honest -my attitude, I was OK with it. I decided that I would enjoy it as something new.






It was sufficient. It was unique. And for the most part clean. I had mentioned to Dale that there were no cobwebs or spiders. Then Dale said, “And hopefully no critters.” I glanced at the ½” space under the door. Oh, boy, could be trouble there. We made sure that all of our food was left in the car.
Dale fished the North Tongue River. I came along for the experience of it and to take pictures. Cold, but not horrible. We were kept warm by walking in the waders and making our way through an area where there was no path, but plenty of beautiful wild flowers.





Now this “Resort” is not the type of place that I think of when I hear that word. This is more of a REAL western place. There were a lot of all terrain vehicles on trailers and 4-wheel drive trucks or jeeps. It is out in the middle of nowhere, Montana.
People were greeted as welcomed friends and any request we had was graciously answered.

We had an interesting talk with one of the morning cooks, Ol’ Mike. He was an interesting man who worked to keep his upper denture plate in place as he was telling us about his being there for over 20 years. Because the area is a“free range” area, he said, there will be 20+ horses tied up outside as the cowboys come in for a hamburger at lunch. It almost tempted me to stay just to see that. The bar part of the place even had the obligatory swinging ½ door.





Yup, the old West.

Glad that we stayed there.

Glad that it was only one night.