Wind

Late yesterday afternoon the wind started to blow and it continually got worse as time passed. The slides on the west side of the motor home were just bouncing so I told Russ that I was putting in at least the living room one. We then went outside just to see what was happening around and saw that our neighbors topper was getting caught by the wind and going almost all the way across the top of their rig. They were not home so we found a rope and got it tossed across the top to hold the topper down. I made sure that I was watching for them to come home so that we could let them know what we had done. They were appreciative that we had taken the time to help them out.

We then saw the people on the end having problems with their topper. They had had a real problem last week with the winds putting a hole in it so we went down to help them save things. What happened this time was that he had forgotten to lock down the releases.

The winds did finally calm down to a minor roar after about an hour and a half of 45 mph gust. We did have rain during the night and it was cloudy most of today.

Just after dark last night we had new neighbors pull in. They have a 45' Provost pulling a 30' enclosed trailer with a Mercedes and two big motorcycles. They are a very nice couple from Alabama and they are traveling with another couple with the big Provost but a 22' trailer. Very nice rigs.




From Yogi Bear Jellystone RV Park, Missoula, MT.


Today was spent getting laundry done and then we went out to dinner with the Leivas' to Outback. Very good dinner. We then went to the Sportsman's Warehouse where Russ picked out his birthday present. He has wanted a metal detector, so that is what I got him. It was then back to the RV and over to the office for a Huckleberry Ice Cream Cone. I then came home to watch the DNC and Hillary Clinton's speech.

Must get up from here now and get things ready to move tomorrow. Take care until the next time.

Snowbowl Ski Area

Today Russ and I started our day out by going back down to the Downtown Area of Missoula to the Farmer's Market. We found fresh tomatoes, green beans, carrots and lettuce. We did have a small ice chest in the car so were able to store our purchases in that.

We then traveled up Reserve Street to the Snowbowl Ski Area. During the summer they open the ski lift on the weekends and let people go up and hike, ride bicycles or play Frisbee Golf. The base height is 4,960 feet above sea level. At the top it is 7,000 feet and you can hike up to 7,950 feet at the very top. (We did not go that far.) The views were awsome and we did get a chance to see two guys playing golf and a number of people riding bikes down the ski slopes. It was really nice and a very in-expensive trip, Seniors went up for $4.50 and Adults cost $7.00.

Snowbowl Ski Area, Missoula, Mt

After that we stopped by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation & Elk Country Visitor Center. There the center features conservation and hunting heritage exhibits, wildlife displays including world-record elk. Very interesting and informative.

Of course there was food to be had so we stopped at the Mackenzie River Pizza Company. The pizza was excellent.

The rest of the afternoon was taken up by a cat nap, watching the olympics and then the NASCAR race from Bristol, TN.

Until next time, Take Care.

"A Carousel for Missoula"

On Friday afternoon Russ and I went downtown to see the famous Carousel of Missoula. It is a beautiful art of work done with much love from Mr. Chuck Kaparich and the people of Missoula. Mr. Kaparich had said:

"If you will give it a home, and promise no onewill ever take it apart, I will build A Carousel for Missoula." That was the promise Missoula cabinet-maker Chuck Kaparich made to the Missoula City Council in 1991. Kaparich, who had spent many childhood hours on the carousel at Columbia Gardens in Butte, Montana, had already carved four carousel poinies and purchased an antique frame in thousands of pieces. When the carousel opened in 1995 over 100,000 hours of volunteer time had gone into the construction of more than 40 ponies, two chariots, 14 gargoyles, gargoyle frames and mirror frames and the largest band organ in continuous use in the United States, all within a jewel-box building.

Also downtown they were having an Indian Heritage day with mucic, information and just a good time had by all.

Later in the afternoon, we met bloggers, Ron and Elena Engelsman for dinner at Cracker Barrel. I have been reading their blog (Ron & Elena's Odyssey done on Hitchitch) from the start of their beginning as full timers. Both Ron and Elena write to the blog and they are doing something different and interesting every day.
We will continue to follow their travels and also go to some of the areas in which they have already been. Thanks Ron and Elena.

When we arrived back at Yogi Bear Jellysone, it was time for the ice cream social. I walked over but just could not eat any as I was still full from dinner. It was just fun to visit for a while. After that Nancy and I decided to go swimming as they said that the pool was heated to 86 degrees. Someone cannot read a thermometer because it was oh so cold. We did swim for about 30 minutes and then just had to get out and get warm.

It was then time to just relax and enjoy the rest of the night.

Until the next time, please take care.

"SmokeJumpers"

Today as yesterday, we had periods of rain for most of the morning. Russ and I had a nice breakfast and watched some TV while waiting for it to clear. Our mail was also delivered to us so I went through that finding only a couple of things that need real attention.

We then decided to take a ride finding the "SmokeJumpers" School. We stopped in for a great tour given by Kelsey, a junior at University of Montana. She was very informative and we all got a better understanding of what the courages firefighters do and what they go through. If you are in the Missoula area, this is a must see.