Stop Over in Great Falls, Montana

We woke up early this morning and prepared our home to travel. It took us a lot longer than normal to get out of our site. Even though our site was a pull through there was no way I could navigate the turn. I had to back up around a curve and then pull forward while straddling a sewer connection. We made it and finally was on the road around nine o’clock heading north.

We were doing well until we came into some small Montana town. Mike & Janna warned us, they only have two seasons here in Montana, winter and construction. LOL. Well we hit construction that had the road shut down and we had to detour around some dirt roads that were horrendous to say the least. We finally made it through but were way behind from where we wanted to be. We made it to Great Falls, Montana around 2:30. Based on this we needed to make a decision on whether to continue our drive into Canada or stop here for the night. Our concern was that it would be dark by the time we reached JB & Brenda’s ranch which I didn’t want to do. We could just continue on and stop somewhere when it got dark. Or we could just stop here in Great Falls and get an early start. We opted for staying here at Malmstrom Air Force Base campground. After we got setup I called JB to let him know that we had stopped for the day and would see them on Saturday afternoon.

We decided that since we are here let’s go by the commissary to pick up a few items. After we left there we went in search of Sam’s warehouse. We found it and decided to have a slice of pizza for dinner. We bought a few items and finally made it home around seven o’clock.

As we got lost (turned around) here we found the Black Eagle Falls. We really liked the way the water was flowing over the rocks.

Black Eagle Falls


This is the Dam

We should be in Canada today so stay tuned as our adventure continues.


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Snow Covered Mountains

The cold found us again this morning (42 degrees). Our only plan today was to spend it at Mike & Janna’s. I was helping Mike repair his refrigerator door that fell off its hinges on Sunday. When we arrived I couldn't believe how much better Mike’s hands looked. He said, "it's the best that they have felt since we arrived here. We got the door repaired and we did a few other items before his dad Nat and Janna’s mom, Martha and Chuck arrived for lunch. Janna grilled baby back ribs, with fried squash, fresh corn on the cob, and grilled potatoes. Like always I over ate but it sure tasted great. We spent the remaining afternoon sitting in his shop talking. Gina spent her time inside with Janna. That is until she had to leave for a quilting club meeting. We said goodbye to her and we left soon after.

Now, the sad news for Gina and I. Mike & Janna will not be traveling with us today as we drive to Canada. We all thought it would be Mike’s hand preventing them from coming. However, that's not the case. They have been trying to get their motorhome title for over a week now and it still has not arrived. Without proper registration they cannot take their motorhome into Canada. They may still meet us if they get it but for now we had to say “we’ll see y'all down the road”. We have really enjoyed our time here in Montana with them. This is some beautiful country. It has rained on and off for the past four days and while we were driving toward Mike & Janna’s cabin all of the mountain tops in Gallatin National Forest were white with fresh snow. They looked beautiful.

The view of fresh snow was breathtaking

We made it back home around seven o’clock and we finished what we could for making our home ready for travel. Gina put a movie on and I think I was asleep pretty fast. We are leaving Big Timber, Montana this morning heading for Cremona, Alberta (Canada) to visit our friends JB & Brenda.

We spoke to Mike & Pat (Mom & Pop’s) yesterday and they departed Nacogdoches, Texas and had stopped just across the border in Oklahoma for the night. They told us that their new Foretravel motorhome did great and are really enjoying it. Stay safe Mom & Pop's and we’ll see y’all soon back in Custer.

Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

A Relaxing Kind of Day

I really believe winter is setting in early here in Montana. We have now woke up for six days straight with temperatures in the high 30’s or low 40’s. Can you say, “Loving it”. Wednesday found us with no plans.

Dale & Gina saying goodbye while sitting by the river

We said goodbye to Mark & Dale as they pulled out heading east. Before they left I helped Mark load the motorcycle lift on the back of his truck so Mom & Pop’s can get it installed on their new motorhome.

Mark & Dale all hooked up ready to head east

We took our girls for a walk and just enjoyed the peacefulness of the Boulder River as it flowed through this campground. We then drove to the post office in Big Timber to mail Thomas & Ashley a package. While we were in town Gina browsed through an antique store. She didn’t buy anything but they had a lot of neat items.

We were on our way to see Mike & Janna but Mike wasn’t feeling too well at the time so Mike and I decided we would work on their motorhome Thursday morning. That left us to continue our relaxing day. We had to make a decision. Our waste tanks were full and we needed to dump. We thought about moving to a campground located in the Gallatin National Forest. It would be a free boondocking site. We drove over to check it out. However, in the end we decided to stay where we are for one more day. Around five o’clock we hooked up and moved to a full hookup site so we could dump our tanks. By having full a full hookup site it allowed Gina to do laundry and bath Angel & Zoey in preparation for our departure from here on Friday morning as we head to Canada.

That was our day, it may not have been an exciting sightseeing day. However, we both enjoy a relaxing kind of day ever once in a while.

This is just another one of the peaceful settings here

Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Mark & Dale Arrive

Monday morning greeted us with a 39 degree temperature and clear skies. However, by one o'clock the rain started and it rained off and on all afternoon. Mike & Janna came by at ten o’clock and picked up Gina, Angel, and Zoey to take them to see the Veterinarian. They got back at a little before noon just as Mark & Dale were arriving. We said goodbye to Mike & Janna as they were heading back home.

We took Angel and Zoey for a walk as Mark & Dale got settled into their site. We took a few pictures of the Boulder River and the ponds here at the campground. It really is a nice setting but in my opinion it’s a little overpriced.

We really liked this setting


One of the trout ponds


Gina took this pictures as I was enjoying my surroundings


How about this doe and her two fawns


Mark & Dale all setup next to us

After our walk we let Mark & Dale know that we were cooking dinner for them tonight. We also asked them if it was all right if we had happy hour and dinner at Mike & Janna’s cabin. They said sure. Gina cooked Taco soup and brownies for dessert. We arrived at Mike & Janna’s cabin a little after four o’clock and after introductions we sat outside on their deck enjoying cheese and crackers. Janna was making cornbread and when it was done we moved inside to eat dinner. As much as I love Taco soup I was waiting for our dessert of brownies topped with vanilla ice cream then drizzled with chocolate syrup. This is probably my favorite dessert. We didn’t stay long after dinner since Gina and I wanted to take Mark & Dale to see Natural Bridge & Falls Monument.

Mark & Dale with the Boulder River in the Background


We're all looking at the Natural Bridge & Falls

We arrived back home around 7:30. While Gina got online I watched a movie on TV. Another excellent day even if the weather was not the best. However, being around friends turns any kind of day into the greatest.

Mark and Dale will be leaving here this morning as they continue their travels to Mike & Pat’s place in Custer, South Dakota. Safe travels and we’ll see y’all again in a couple of weeks.


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

We See Our First Bald Eagle

Sunday turned out beautiful. It took me all morning to post our blog and I still don’t believe I did Yellowstone justice. It is so beautiful. We walked along the Yellowstone River most of the day soaking up all of the beauty.

A view of the Yellowstone River as we walked


The view is magnificent


Our beautiful campsite tucked in the Mountains

It was a very special day for both, Gina and I as we saw our first Bald Eagle in the wild. What an amazing bird. I never realized how hard they were to photograph. I did my best. We love eagles and they hold a special place in our heart.

Our first sighting of a Bald Eagle


She was just gliding through the air

In addition to the bald eagle we saw a Golden Eagle and were entertained for over an hour with a beaver in the river.

A Golden Eagle about to catch his lunch


Our first Beaver in the wild


This guy was quite entertaining

It was a very peaceful and relaxing day for us. Around five o’clock I grilled some baby back ribs while Gina steamed cauliflower. All in all a wonderful day. I would have liked to had taken a better picture of a Bald Eagle. However, it will be a day we'll remember for a long time.

Monday morning found us up early sitting by the river waiting for the eagles to feed. They came, three of them but we just couldn’t get any good pictures. We finally decided around nine o’clock to get moving and we began packing up our truck and trailer.

The clouds rolling in as we pack up

It was turning pretty nasty outside. It was 52 degrees with thick dark clouds. We knew that it was going to rain at any moment and we even contemplated about whether or not to stay put for another day. We need to be in Big Timber Tuesday Morning to take Angel & Zoey to the veterinarian. We pulled out and were on the highway heading north around eleven o’clock. We made a quick stop in Livingston to pick up a motorcycle lift for Mike & Pat. He bought it about ten days ago and we told him that we would pick it up for him.

Mike's motorcycle lift for their new motorhome


Yes it was cold, check out my jacket and gloves

The weather was really nasty by this time. This is winter to me. It was 48 degrees and raining. After we got the motorcycle lift loaded up we were back on the road heading east for Big Timber, Montana. We arrived at Spring Creek Campground & Trout Ranch around 1:30. Our site is backed up to the Boulder River. We have a wonderful view over looking the Boulder River.

Our campsite


This is what I call backed up to a river, a beautiful view

It was still cold and raining outside. So Gina popped us some popcorn and we sat back in our theater seats and enjoyed the movie “Letters to God”. A very good movie and well worth your time to watch.

After the movie was over we tried to take a walk. However, the rain forced us back inside. Not a good day to be outside but we made the best of it.

Our friends Mark & Dale Bruss will be arriving here today as they stop overnight. They're on their way to Mike & Pat's in Custer, South Dakota. We have not seen them since April when they were in Congress, Arizona.


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Yellowstone and Old Faithful is So Amazing

Congratulations to Mom & Pop’s (Mike & Pat) on the purchase of their new motorhome, it looks beautiful!! Check out their blog for more pictures.

We woke up early Saturday morning to a cool 45 degrees and overcast skies. We left at eight o’clock for another day of sightseeing at Yellowstone National Park. Today, it was just Janna, Gina and I going since Mike’s hand has really been hurting him. He wanted to stay home today and give it some rest. We sure hope it gets better. Here are a few pictures of our second day at Yellowstone. Here is a link if you would like to see them all. Online Photo Album

The road to Old Faithful


Just us enjoying Keppler cascades


Keppler Cascades


Hot water flowing into Firehole River


Roaring Mountain


The Arch to enter Yellowstone National park


Dragon's mouth


Mud Volcano


The front of Old Faithful Lodge


Inside Old Faithful Lodge


It's just not normal for steam to come out of the ground


More of the area around Old Faithful


Walking out to get our spot for watching Old Faithful


The crowd gathers


Old Faithful begins her show








She's just about finished


On our way home

We made it back home at a little after five o’clock. Gina finished cooking stew and cornbread for dinner. Mike & Janna walked over and we ate in our home since the weather was still a bit chilly and wet. After dinner we walked back over to Mike and Janna’s for dessert. We were treated to more great cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries for us guys and Peaches for the girls. Around nine o’clock we called it a day. We crawled into bed and watched the movie “Last Song”.

We have really enjoyed Mike & Janna showing us Yellowstone. Our words of “thank you” just don’t seem enough. We really thank you both for taking your time to come show us your special camping spot and being our own very special tour guides. We know without a doubt that you guys enhanced our experience of Yellowstone.

We decided to stay another day boondocking. However, Mike & Janna left this morning on their way back to their cabin. Mike woke up this morning with a lot of pain in his hand and Janna is taking him to see a specialist tomorrow. We have been running for the past two days and we decided to take a day to relax and enjoy the scenery. We'll be leaving tomorrow heading to a campground in Big Timber to get our home ready to cross into Canada to visit our friends, JB & Brenda.


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.