Montana, of course! Tues-Sat, 7/19-7/23

Briefly, we left Theodore Roosevelt Nat'l Park Tuesday morning in a thunderstorm, and drove to Forsyth, Montana, where we set up and braved yet another bigger, stronger thunderstorm! Smartie, our bicycles, and Tergel are covered in dust, dirt, and road grime like never before. The day was a cooker by the time we stopped at a small campground in Forsyth, which is in eastern Montana. We had a lunch date in Billings with friends on Wednesday before continuing on to to Livingston by late afternoon, and it all worked out splendidly.

Eastern Montana is ranch land, open ranges and the occasional abandoned cabin.

Killer view of the Yellowstone River in Eastern Montana.

If you recognize this sign, then you know we're in Livingston, Montana! Though we couldn't camp at our favorite place (Rock Canyon RV Park) because they closed their doors after 43 years, we wangled two nights at Osen's. We loved staying at Rock Canyon -- right on the river, close to town, and on the bike trail. Really sorry they're no longer in business. But, we love coming to Livingston -- it feels like a second hometown.

 

At Osen's, we closed our shades and got the A/C going -- it was H.O.T. We were happy that we arrived on Wednesday afternoon, because by 4:30 we were at the Wednesday market, buying eggs, Flathead cherries, lettuces ... and an apple pie. Another favorite of ours ... the market, that is. 

It just stared at me, unafraid, and didn't move, even tho I moved closer and closer.

Thursday found us on our bikes, as we usually do in Livingston, pedaling to Carter's Bridge (above), and back into town. We dropped in at our friend, Kim's, shop (below) -- Copper Moose Oil and Vinegar, and even bought a couple of goodies. Man, I tasted some fantastic oils and vinegars! Following this, we bought a sandwich at The Pickle Barrel and had a nice visit with the owner. Easy biking in Livingston.

And we pedaled past Livingston's Carnegie Library (circa 1903), but didn't venture in today.

Along the trail ....

I figured out this is a win/win for horses.  Not only does the swish of a tail brush flies off your own backside, but it takes care of your friend's face.  We've seen lots of horses standing nose-to-tail like this.

Thursday evening after dinner, we took our fishing poles and a small container of night crawlers to the Yellowstone at Rock Canyon to try our luck.  The river was down, but what really thwarted us were swimmers and dogs and two swimming muskrats near where we throw in our lines.  Obviously we didn't catch any fish, but the evening was so fine, beautiful really, and our friends greeted us with warmth.  After a bit we gave up the fishing and simply sat on the bench to appreciate our great good fortune to be where we were. 

As we drove to Osen's, we gasped when we saw the western fire-in-the-sky! The sunset was so vividly red, it looked like a forest fire, but it was nature's way of bidding us goodnight.

Friday morning, we broke camp early and hit the road. From Livingston to Bozeman and south toward Idaho. We made it all the way to Cactus Pete's in Jackpot, Nevada -- 430 miles. Long day. You know we were grateful to have W/E, so we could use the A/C.

Saturday morning we were on the road before 9am again. From Jackpot to I-80 and then we just kept going, changing drivers every couple of hours. Sometimes we chatter away, sometimes we're quiet, but the tires keep rolling. A brief stop for a lunch of yogurt and granola and we were on our way again. Our aim was Battle Mountain, but we gained an hour when we entered Pacific time, so it was too early to stop; next was Winnemucca, but there were many hours of daylight left. We tried to stay in Lovelock, but couldn't find a campground, and returned to I-80, towards Reno. At that point, we knew we were only two hours from Nevada City, so ... we drove home. 492 miles today.

Two days from Livingston to home: 922 miles. We were dog tired when we walked in the door, happy to be home, somewhat daunted as to what had to be done, but we had no time frame and could pace ourselves. (Jimmy and I both have medical appt's this upcoming week.) 10 weeks on the road and all of it good, tho we had bips and bumps. We'd never traveled the northern tier of the US in summer, and didn't much care for the weather, but wet days didn't deter us. My brother's heart problem was a real bump, but the best news is he was released to go home on Tuesday (7/19).

My sister asked me what "events" we had next planned. After getting everything squared away, we'll take some short hops hither, tither or yon. Hope to be in the mountains some to escape the heat, but we're happy to be home.

Around and About -- Early May in NorCal 2016

Recently, our local newspaper, the Nevada Union, ran an article on the 100th birthday celebration of Grass Valley's Carnegie Library.  It opened on August 4, 1916.  The Grass Valley Library is one of 1,689 public libraries in the US built between 1883 and 1929 and partly funded by Andrew Carnegie -- he donated $15,000 to the city to build this one.  (The last Chinese laundry in Grass Valley was evicted from the site in order for the library to be built.)  A primitive intercom system was installed that works to this day; if someone speaks into the small brass fixture attached to one of the upstairs pillars, it can be heard by someone standing next to an identical brass fixture on the lower level.  The building still has its dumbwaiter, which is used to raise and lower books from top level to bottom level, of course.

Jimmy (on steps) and I stopped in not long ago (bought a used book, too), and we saw the intercom and the dumbwaiter.  Recent renovations kept much of the library's original plan, tho some walls were removed to open up the space, and the original wood was polished and resealed, plus a new circulation desk was purchased.  It's such a special and unique building -- nobody in town wanted it to be made more "modern-looking."  A 100-year birthday party is planned for later in the year, on Aug 4th, I believe.  Hope they serve cake!  Or cookies!  Or both!

The first Saturday in May, Jimmy and I visited Nevada City's Carnegie Library (bought used books), now called the Doris Foley Library for Historical Research.  For at least thirty years, Friends of the Library have held monthly book sales on the lower level of the building, and we try to go every month if we're in town.  This Carnegie Library building was completed in 1907, in a "Romanesque Revival" architectural style. Both libraries are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We've seen quite a few Carnegie libraries -- they're easy to recognize because of their distinctive appearance, and they're fun to explore inside.  Say what you will about Andrew Carnegie ... robber baron, industrialist, philanthropist ... he managed to give back.

* * * * *

In our neck of the woods, the sweet song of the Black-headed Grosbeak caroling down from the treetops sounds like a giddy robin welcoming spring. The flashy black, white, and orange males and the less flamboyant females sing from branches in our tall trees.  I was happy to see them when they returned two weeks ago.   At the feeder, they effortlessly shuck sunflower seeds with their heavy bills -- above, he's fixin' to drop the husk. These showy guys put in equal time on the domestic front as both sexes sit on the eggs, feed the young, and vigorously defend their nesting territory.  Cool beans.

We finally unchained the bikes from their long winter's nap, or rather, took them out of the shed.  After cleaning and washing and airing up, we picked a clear, warm day for a ten-mile ride on the canal trail.  We didn't want to go any further the first time out this year, so we wouldn't hurt the next day.  We have to carry our bikes across the large pipe in the pic above, tho to be more accurate, Jimmy (above) has to maneuver both of them across, 'cause I can't do it. 

We spotted a couple of these native White Lilac or deer brush (Ceanothus integerrimus) shrubs while on the trail.  The blossoms are covered in flying insects.  Like it's purple cousin, it smells heavenly.

Walk, jog, run, stroll, pedal, whatever ... it's so fine to be Out and About on such a beautiful trail.

Saw our little Mallard friend today, but not his "wife."

I didn't think I'd get any Iris blooms this year ... I waited and waited while other yards boasted lots o' color.  I guess the flower in my front yard (above) is a "late bloomer!"  It hasn't quite opened all the way, but I couldn't wait to take it's pic (Monday, 5/9).  Looks like I'll have several; well worth the wait.

False Solomon's Seal (Maianthemum racemosum) is already up and flowering just off the trail.

In preparation for our upcoming trip starting next week, I made a batch of Kelly Place granola -- seven bags, two cups per bag. Nutritious and delicious, it holds us in good stead while out on trails, or it's delicious on yogurt at home!  Meanwhile, Jimmy is giving Tergel her usual pre-trip overhaul, and I've begun stockpiling food for the freezer and pantry.

* * * * *

I had a really lovely Mother's Day, never mind a dreary, gray sky.  Matt and Jen (with Sophie and Maggie) drove up from Sacramento for the afternoon, bearing flowers and goodies to eat.  Matt made us a delicious brunch, which we devoured.  Jimmy was on the clean-up detail.

The chef and my beautiful daughter-in-law  (Maggie in the red sweater is on Jen's lap).

Here's a pic of Matt 'n me, and Maggie in her red sweater curled up on the sofa back.  As usual, I forgot to take many pics and none of the four of us, darn it.  But it was such a fun day, a very special day!  After eating and visiting, we spent an hour or two in downtown Nevada City, mostly to walk around (and work off brunch) and be lookee-loos in some of the shops. 

Guess that's about it from me.  We'll be on the road in less than a week.  See you then!

Rollin' on the Road -- Saturday, 10/25/14

So, what's it gonna be? Durango, and the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge train? Or Pagosa Springs and their healing hot springs? Coming from Canyonlands in Utah, both spots are relatively close. Jimmy wanted to ride the train one more time, so Durango was picked. On our way, I thought a phone call to the train station might be in order. Haha, the joke was on us -- today was the last day the train would run this season. Missed it by a few hours! Oh well, we've ridden it before and without advance reservations, I doubt we would've gotten tickets.

Nevertheless, we drove on to Durango CO, and since riding the train was out, we decided we'd just drive Smartie on the "Million Dollar Highway" to Silverton. We pulled into Alpen Rose RV park in Durango, hoping they'd be open, and this one we did make in time. They're closing for the year; their last day is Friday, the 30th. After setting up and lunch, we hopped in Smartie for the heart-stopping 50-mile drive north to Silverton.

 

Driving in Cortez, CO, we spotted a farmer's market, found an easy on-street parking space, and checked it out.  I bought a 16-oz baggie of hand-picked dried pinto beans, and then we bought muffins at Mr. Happy's!

Alpen Rose RV Park in Durango @ 6,500+ ft.  Very nice.

Two passes on the road to Silverton are over 10,000 ft.  The scenery is, of course, incredible, even tho much of leaf-peeping season is over at this elevation.  Some spots of color can still be seen at lower altitudes, which you can see at the RV park, but this late in the year, the reds and yellows are almost finished.  Now it's leaf falling season!

At Molas Pass - elevation 10,899 ft.  Beautiful alpine-blue Molas Lake in the background.

Most of the peaks are over 13,000 ft.

The day was fine, sunny and cool, but not cold. We walked around a few of Silverton streets (there aren't many) and were dismayed to discover the entire town, with a few exceptions, was "closed." Stores and restaurants would reopen the end of November for snow skiing season. How disappointing. We found one open cafe (Mattie and Maud's Cafe) and went in for a cuppa coffee. We ended up eating a delicious dinner and talking with the personable owner, Lori, for quite a spell ... even closing the joint down! (She closed at 4 pm this day.) Jimmy says the biscuits and white gravy are to die for! Thanx, Lori, we enjoyed!

 

This is Silverton!  Elevation 9,318 ft.

 

Getting closer to Halloween!

What a lovely living room?  Kinda ... this is Silverton's Library.  Housed in a vintage Andrew Carnegie bldg, the library looks virtually the same as it did on opening day, June 12, 1906, altho the librarian just "redecorated" with new rugs and furniture.  Over the past 100 years, Silverton has managed to maintain one of the best turn-of-the-century libraries in the state.  Carnegie libraries are so distinctive and well-built, they're easy to spot. 

 

A very fine-looking City Hall, circa 1908.  Silverton is a former silver mining camp, but now depends on tourism for their economy.  Day-trippin' train people in the summer, skiers in the winter.

Think it gets cold here?

A pile of firewood like this makes you think so!

We left Silverton and wound our way back down to Tergel, covered in leaves, in Durango. 

 

By gum, on our way home, if we didn't pass the train on its way back to Durango.  As soon as we drove into the RV park, I walked out to the road in the hope of waving to all the people and taking a picture. 

Here she comes, with a full load of passengers, huffin' and chuggin' her way to the barn.  WE didn't get to ride it, but we did get to see it!  This baby is one of the Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks!

The End!

Or is it?  Where to tomorrow?

Week Five, Thurs 9/27/07

Our hiking shoes have definitely been broken in, but it's time to leave the chattering red squirrels, bunnies, chipmonks, Boreal chickadees and Juncos of this fine campground and continue west. Besides, our feet and knees need a rest!  We don't know our destination yet, but we're moving toward St Stephen, near the New Brunswick/Maine border. 

Beggars!

At the RV yesterday, we spied the Shiphaven Trail, an alleged 1 km trail which seemed much longer because it involved many stairs, but off we went anyway. We ended up at the covered bridge and the remains of an 1881 logging outfit that threw sawdust into the river which killed off the salmon.  Not good.  Quite interesting, tho, for the views across the mouth of the Point Wolfe River and the bay as well as the old sawmill days.

What am I doing in that tree?

On our way, we traveled thru a wide lush valley, alive with autumn color, stopping in Saint John. With our limited time, we managed to visit their City Market, Saint John Stone Church, and the 1904 Carnegie Free Public Library - now an arts center.  (We've seen several Carnegie libraries on this trip; they're easy to spot because they were well-crafted.)  After lunch at Reggie's, we hit the road again. 

St Stephen in New Brunswick, near the Maine border, boasts Ganong's Chocolate Museum and store; obviously we had to stop there first.  With the museum tour, samples of fine chocolates on large silver trays were offered in each room ... how amazing!  Eat till you burst - so we did!  Hah, we  were so full that we skipped the store altogether!

 

We doubled back to a CG on the Bay of Fundy shore in St Andrews, NB - another gem find for us. Plus they offer wifi. The good news is: We have to go back thru St Stephen (think chocolates!) on our way out of Canada ....