Geraldine

Yesterday We headed off To Fort Benton Montana then to Geraldine to visit an old employer and his family that became very good friends over the three years I worked for them many moons ago. We showed up right at suppertime and they took us in and fed us although our visit was unannounced. The Larsens are truly wonderful people to visit.

On the Larsen farm just outside of Geraldine where I did my last farming Gig about 13 years ago. Square Butte in the Background with the tractor and plow I operated at one time.


















I was able to run the Swather for a few hours this morning for old time sakes.

I think next year I'll come back and run machinery for a couple of weeks if they will let me.










On top Of Judith Peak in the JudithMountains NorthEast of Lewistown. ..........At one time this Mountaintop had a big radar dome on top. Part of the whole cold war thing I think.









On top of the world.....No just Judith Peak actually. (6400) ft
In the belts last weekend we were at 7500ft







Heading into the Judiths The bare spot is an area that burnt about 16 years ago When we lived in them there Mountains. We evacuated by Throwing everything in a Grain truck.

I also took an old 61 Ford Pick-up short box ( that I had just got running) out of the mountains during the evacuation. A cop stopped me at the edge of town because I had no tail lights. I wasn't very friendly to him since it was the Sherriff's station that had forced us to evacute in the first place. I just remember I wasn't in any mood for harrassment from law enforcement.Fortunately the wind shifted before it reached our home.
More Pictures tomorrow when we get to Billings.

Shawn

Vaughn Again

Patrick and the boys cooling off.















Renee Working on the Boler cushions














The Boler Hideout for a few days. Shade was at a premium.

A few pictures of our stay in Vaughn

The Barnyard Gang







Sam doesn't like cameras....no kidding he just ran away when I tried to take his picture.



Taxi Hunting Wabbits.

The stay in Vaughn

Well it is early and I figured I'd give Patrick a bit of extra sleep time to catch up before the last part of the Montana trip. He has had a good time with his young cousins and Aunts and Uncle,..... so have I for that matter. I cannot remember the last time that I spent a week with my siblings just to be spending time with them. I am excited about running through Geraldine, and doing some visiting of friends and family in Billings , but I wouldn't trade this last week for anything. I think this was the best visit with renee and Rusty and their Famalies ever.

Yesterday Renee (my sister) sewed for me all day. She made some covers for the cushions in the Boler. She is quite the seamstress so it was hard for her to do a rush job for me. I know if she had more time she would have used it but I am happy with what was accomplished in such a short time. I think if she ever got tired of taking pictures of bones she would do very well with sewing machine.

Rusty ( me brother) loaned me a worm drive skilsaw, (nice saw....I had never used that type before) so that I could replace the partical board closet door. I also finished that little couch table and made a few improvements to the configuration under the sink.

I had thought about leaving the Boler here in Great Falls for the Billings leg of the trip but it just wouldn't seem right it being almost family and all......Oh and all of our spares are in there. Also if we have trouble and get stuck somewhere we have automatic accomadations.

I regret not getting to see everybody this trip. I wanted to get to Miles City but time will not allow it. I also would have liked to see my other sister in Nebraska and my uncle and his family in Sheridan.

I haven't said much about the return trip to Nova Scotia. Well it starts in Calgary when Kerry (my Wife) flies in from a Nursing assignment in Port Hardy. Then the next day I sadly loose my head mechanic, Patrick. Patrick heads back to catch up on our property maintenance. (Lawns mostly at this time of the year.) I'll be sad to see Patrick go home but we will forever have this road trip together. Patrick will start planning the parts order for the Mini he will build this winter. (With a little Help of course.)

Now I loose my head Mechanic but I do gain a very good cook and more importantly my best friend and partner for over 20 years. We will make a leisurely return to Nova scotia across Canada.

Catching up after many miles on a motorcycle in rough mountain conditions.





















My little helper.




Between Rusty and Joleen and Brian and Beth and Renee we sure had plenty to eat and plenty to do.

Thanks to them for a wonderful weekend.

Shawn and Patrick

Time for some reflection













Firewood..........Damn I wish this saw was sharper




A few more pictures from the weekend.

My sister and her son's













A little texas hold em Creeks Dogs and Boys

Raking in the chips













Mother natures cooler








Well I didn't get to that blog like I expected on Monday. My apologies, I was chasing around Great Falls looking for plumbing bits(for my sisters pool) and regrouping for the next leg of our trip.

It was an amazing weekend . We camped right next to Moose creek between White Sulphur Springs and Niehart Montana. The weather was great and so was the company. We got to spend time with cousins and siblings. The food was tasty and plentiful. The cardgames were entertaining and the campfires peaceful and relaxing.
Patrick was able to do some offroading motorcycle style. He was loaned a bike by Brian (a super great cousin with a very nice family). My brother Rusty and Brian picked a route each day and then headed off with Patrick and Zachory (Brian's son). I stuck near camp and puttered with some things on the Boler and the Rover that needed some attention. ( things loosening up from the trip) I also added another flasher so that Flivver has four way flashers. Never know when they might come in handy.