Home of the Great Montana Sheep Drive - Sunday, June 21, 2020

Today we said good-bye to Devils Tower. Our two days there were wonderful with warm weather during the day and rainstorms at night. Our breakfast at the KOA was so-so. Our over-medium fried eggs arrived over-hard, the "hashed browns" were fast food potato patties, and the service was very slow. The bacon was good, though.

We drove 6-1/2 hours combined in Wyoming and Montana today. We made a brief stop in Billings, Montana, to fill the truck with diesel and have lunch at Arby's. Below are photos of our scenery as we made our way northwest on I-90.

Wyoming - scenic views for miles.

The landscape on our drive today consisted of the foothills of the Bighorn Range; lots of ups and downs. The sky was dramatic. We could see thunderheads to the north, but we only had a couple of short rain showers on the very southern edge of the storm. 

Entering Montana from
Wyoming on I-90.

Wyoming on I-90.

Wyoming on I-90.

Montana on I-90. 

Montana on I-90.

We arrived at Old West RV Resort in Reed Point, Montana, at 4:00 p.m. This small RV park is one block off the freeway and very easy to maneuver in. The gravel roads are wide. 

Susie greeted us when we pulled in and gave us our paperwork with wi-fi code, cable channels, and explained how to get to our site. (There are only about 20 sites.) The sites are nicely spaced and there is a well-kept grass lawn between the sites with a picnic table (no fire ring).

Street entrance to Old West RV Park.

Old West RV Park, site #5.

The office at Old West RV Park.

The row of sites at Old West RV Park.

I asked Susie where Bob could ride his bike. She suggested that he go down the main street of town, out across a bridge, and turn right into Indian Fort Fishing Access Site and Campground. The road is alongside the Yellowstone River. 

After we set up the 5th wheel, Bob took off on his bike to explore the Indian Fort Fishing Access Site and Campground. When he came back, he was very excited and wanted to "kidnap" me. Unfortunately, he found tired, grumpy Susan who wanted to relax and stay in the 5th wheel for the evening. 

Since we don't have a fire ring at our campsite, he wanted to take the hot dogs and fixings, tablecloth, paper plates, plastic silverware, firewood, axe, matches, drinks, and S'more fixin's to the park, make a campfire, and cook dinner there. I wasn't on board with that idea.

He talked me into it (it is Father's Day, after all) and he dragged me whining and sniveling from the RV. It took five minutes to drive there from here. When we got there, we quickly made a fire. I believe that's the fastest we've ever made a fire and cooked on it. It was super windy, but we got the fire started in the fire ring. We had to get back to the 5th wheel in one hour to give Sunnie his insulin.

I have to say, I'm glad he convinced me to go. The location was lovely next to the Yellowstone River. Because it was so windy, there were no mosquitoes.

This is where Bob brought me.

Bob next to the Yellowstone River
in Reed Point, Montana.

The road from Indian Fort Fishing Access
back to the main road.

The Yellowstone River. 

Eating hot dogs at Indian Fort
Fishing Access park & campground.

The campground at Indian Fort is pretty basic. It is for boondocking along the Yellowstone River. There are pit toilets, but no hookups in the sites. The cost is not stated and there is a seven-night limit. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. The road into and through the campground is dirt and gravel, rough, with potholes. The reward is the beauty of the spot and if you like fishing, this could be the place for you. The river is very wild and flowing fast and high right now. 

Anyway, it was a good "kidnap." We made it back just in time to give Sunnie his insulin.

You ever know what you're going to find in these small towns (population of Reed Point is about 185). Bob looked up Reed Point, Montana. Their claim to fame is the "Great Montana Sheep Drive" in September. 

Sheep sculpture in town.

Hundreds of sturdy, Montana bred woolies charge down the six blocks of Main Street. In addition, 1,500 people (plus or minus) swell the size of this town. About 70 vendors set up in town as well. There is a parade with a Shriner's Band, floats, antique cars, covered wagons, horse groups, and more. There are Children's Rides and a Petting Zoo, log sawing contest, sheep-shearing demonstration, car show, and a lamb cook-off. At night, a street dance is held. 

These little towns can have more than meets the eye! Fascinating.

Tomorrow, we finish our journey to Helena, Montana. We are meeting another Volksmarcher (Diane) there. Helena is her last capital as well. We will walk together and hopefully celebrate together afterward. We're also planning to go on the Gates of the Mountain Boat Tour. Weather in Helena is expected to be in the 80s on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Diane and I have never met before. We're excited to get to know each other. This is a great example of American Volkssport Associations' motto: "Fun, fitness, friendship." 

Today's blog was a short one. We're getting back into populated areas with better cell service, so I want to write the longer blogs about all our adventures. Stay tuned.

My Apologies - Tuesday, February 5, 2019

In looking back at my blog, I notice I haven't posted since December. Yikes! Where does the time go? To be accurate, two blogs were started, but are still drafts. 

Yes, we have been on a couple of trips. And, yes, they were fun, educational, and exciting. 

However, with Bob taking a break from work, we're planning an epic trip. That has taken my time away from blogging. But, oh, the places we'll see! Life is good.

In January, I went from blonde to brunette/reddish brown. I took this step so I wouldn't have to spend a lot of money getting my hair color done on vacation. Bob and I are still getting used to it. 

The 'gator bench got me in West Monroe, LA!

Blogging is still important to me and I have to catch up. It will be like writing a novel.

If you follow me on Google+ or write comments on my blog from Google+, you won't be able to do that anymore because Google+ is going away. You will need to go directly to my blog at https://travelbug-susan.blogspot.com to comment. I think this is set to happen in April. Google said not enough individuals use Google+ and there were security concerns. They will keep Google+ for business, however. All Google+ accounts will be deleted.

I will not be writing my old blogs in any particular order, just as the muse strikes. The blogs will be in chronological order in blogger, though. You can find all my old blogs going back to 2011 in the right-hand column of my blog.

So just a few notes about what's been going on and what to expect. Our plan is to go to the Escapees Escapades RV Rally in Tucson in March, visit relatives in Phoenix, and then head out to the Northeast. "On the way there," we will go to Hot Springs, Arkansas; Memphis, Nashville, and Chattanooga, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; Columbia, South Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; Richmond, Virginia, and surrounds; Dover, Delaware; Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland; Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Hershey, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; Trenton, New Jersey; New York City, West Point, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca, and Albany, New York -- at that point we'll be in upstate New York and exploring the Northeast.

Two conventions will fall into our timeline and were the catalyst that started this whole adventure:

• In June, we will go the American Volkssport Association (AVA) convention in Albany, New York. That is the walking club I belong to. They will have ten pre-convention, convention, and post-convention walks over the course of eight days from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Buffalo, New York.
• In October, Washington, D.C. will again host the International Marching League convention (a sister to the AVA). Susan Medlin and I went to this in 2018. Now I can share it with Bob.

In addition, we're hoping to time fall colors right starting in Maine and working our way south. There will also be a few 5k/10k Appalachian Trail walks as well. 

We're hoping this trip exceeds our 2014 vacation to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for fall colors. Both of us are so excited to get started.

This should be the start of many more blogs. Enjoy your day.

A Shady Walk is a Good Walk - Sunday, August 23, 2015

This morning Susan and I met at Leon Creek Greenway trailhead for our 10k walk in the shade. Once again, San Antonio is hot, still, and humid at 7 am.

As we drove into the parking for the trailhead, a herd of about eight deer popped out from behind a berm next to Walmart and headed along the access road to the trail. One fawn leapt right in front of Susan's car...I saw it in my rear-view mirror. We were going slow enough that the deer weren't a problem. In fact, they're very graceful to watch.

Today was a good wildlife watching day. In addition to the herd of deer we saw driving in, we spotted another deer across the dry creek bed heading up the bank, and we saw three bunnies.

Snow-on-the-mountain (Euphorbia marginata)

Western Horse-Nettle

Bunny camouflage

Even though the trail was shaded most of the way, the humidity was brutal. There was only a small breeze for a couple of minutes toward the end of our 6.2 mile walk. We were happy for any breeze at all.

While we were doing our walk, Bob was out on another part of Leon Creek Greenbelt doing a marathon training run. He finished up a little after we did. Earlier we thought we'd all go to breakfast, but after talking to Bob by phone at the end of his run, we all decided to head for home shower. Bob watched part of the Dodger game. I took a nap.

For a late lunch, we went to 54th Street Grill and Bar. Both of us ate salads.

Back at the 5th wheel, after 60 Minutes, we watched HGTV's Beachfront Bargain Hunt. Then I fell asleep in the recliner for a couple of hours. Of course, now it's 2 a.m. and I'm wide awake. Even the cats beat me to bed!

Speaking of cats, here are a few photos I've been meaning to post...

We can both share this chair!

Ahh, warm, folded laundry: mine, all mine.

Bowie slept on the warm, clean laundry for hours.

Photogenic Sunnie getting his portrait taken

Monday, I've got a long list of chores. I better try to get some sleep!

Travel Bug out.

A Birthday, A Theft, A Concert, Walks, Movies, An Award, and a Baseball Game - Sunday, August 23, 2015

OR...How much stuff can I cram into one blog?

Let me begin by saying: Our life is not boring! Over the past two weeks, we have been busy doing a variety of fun stuff, in addition to our usual walks.

But before I tell you about what we've been doing, here's a birthday message I want to send: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my son, Michael, who turned 36 today. Michael, the day you entered our lives we were so thrilled. Throughout the years you have exceeded our expectations and we are very proud of you. I hope you're having a wonderful celebration today in Oregon. Play some laser tag for me, okay?

In my last blog, I forgot to mention we went with our friends Lisa and Joe to see the San Antonio Missions play baseball on Wednesday night, August 5. It was a beautiful evening at the ballpark and we had a relaxing time watching the game.

The last time I wrote, Sunday. August 9, we had walked the south part of the downtown River Walk. On Tuesday, August 11, I wanted to see the movie "I'll See You In My Dreams" with Blythe Danner and Sam Elliott. It had some pretty good reviews and I liked both of the main actors. The movie wasn't what I expected. It started out with the death of her beloved dog. It was obvious she hadn't done much with her life since her husband died 20 years earlier; her life was very routine, nothing exciting happened. She played cards with her friends who lived in a senior community. They wanted her to move there, but she wanted to stay in her house. Her dog dying was a wake-up call for her to get on with her life.

One day, while she was in a drug store checking out vitamins, Sam Elliott walked up to her and said, "You don't need those, you look fine just the way you are," then walked away. She was smitten. The rest of the movie deals with issues of growing older, coming to terms with what's happening in your life, and making plans for fun events in the future. This would be good for a Netflix rental, but don't expect too much from it. In the end, it disappointed me, even though the critics seemed to like it.

Bob took Tuesday afternoon off work and met me at the theater to see "San Andreas." Now that's an exciting summer blockbuster! We were on the edge of our seats through the whole movie. It's about a big earthquake hitting the Hoover Dam/Las Vegas area and setting off an even larger magnitude quake along the San Andreas Fault in California. Wow! Quite the movie thrill ride!

After the movie, I hopped in my car and drove home. It took Bob quite a while to get home. He had left me a voice mail because my phone was still turned off from the movie so I didn't hear it ring. While we were in the theater, his truck was broken into. They stole his radio, his briefcase with his computer, and his gym bag with his sweaty gym clothes in it. (He had just bought his brand new briefcase a few days earlier.) That really sucks. This is the second time in three years his truck has been broken into.

Wednesday through Saturday, I worked my usual days at the RV park. On Saturday and Sunday our managers at Travelers World RV Park, Brenda and Terry, went to the Texas RV Association (TRVA) annual meeting. While I was working on Saturday, an email was sent out from one of our Carefree RV Park associates who was also at the TRVA annual meeting. She announced that Travelers World RV Park just received the 2015 Texas Small RV Park of the Year Award! How cool is that? This is a nice way to be honored.

Our plaque (hanging on the wall)

Office team: Brenda, Delia, Susan, Terry

Maintenance and housekeeping team: Terry, Bob,
Felix, Dan, Lee, Tom, Larry, Brenda

On Sunday, August 15, Susan, Bob and I walked Salado Creek Greenway (10k) out and back from Lady Bird Johnson Park in San Antonio. Again, temperatures were in the mid-80's when we started walking at 8 am, with humidity in the 80s. Ugh. But I'm glad we got out for some air and exercise.

Start point of today's 10k Volksmarch

Salado Creek Greenway

We chose this walk because it's mostly shady!

Bamboo

Walk over, time to eat breakfast. The Magnolia Pancake House sounded pretty good; however, it's VERY popular on Sunday mornings...as in 65-75-minute-wait popular. We were too hungry to wait, so we decided to drive to IHOP down the road. We were seated within ten minutes and soon had food in front of us.

Bob's Double-Stuffed French Toast breakfast

My Tuscan Scramble breakfast

It felt good to have a 10k walk and breakfast all finished up by 11 am. We went home and slept for a couple of hours after that.

Monday morning, August 17, Susan and I were going to walk Salado Park Greenway again. I got up, drove to the park to meet her at 7 a.m., but no cars were in the parking lot. I wondered if she was stuck in traffic, so I checked my text messages. I should have checked at home before I left. She had sent me a message in the middle of the night saying she couldn't make it. Oh well, I was there, so I did a 5k (3.1 mile) Volksmarch by myself. The trail wasn't crowded. It was definitely warm and humid even at 7 a.m. (before the sun came up).

Debris pile from previous flood

Salado Park Greenway bike path

I finished walking by 8 a.m., then went home to do chores: vacuuming, laundry, washing dishes, cleaning the bathroom.

Tuesday morning the 18th, Susan and I walked the Brook Hollow neighborhood which has lots of shade. Doesn't make much difference when the humidity is high. Whenever we do this walk, we see lots of deer.

Adorable fawns

As we walked past, the doe was keeping her eye on us!

Pride of Barbados flower

The coffee shop where we start our walk

Tuesday evening, August 18, I had free tickets through AARP to see a free pre-screening of "Learning to Drive," a movie coming out in a couple of weeks. The movie stars Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley. I thought the movie was very good. It's about a middle-aged woman whose husband leaves her for a 30-something-year-old woman. She is devastated by the disintegration of her marriage, the ensuing divorce, and having to sell the house they shared for years in New York City. During her life she never learned to drive because either her husband drove her places or she took public transportation. A cabbie (Ben Kingsley) who drove her and her husband home after he had just confessed to his infidelity, heard her pleas for him to come back to her. One thing leads to another and we learn the cabbie is an Indian from the Punjab who is a Sikh. We learn about his culture, and that he teaches driving classes to supplement his income. She decides to learn how to drive. Tips about life are given during the driving lessons and the cabbie becomes her friend. This movie is so much better than "I'll See You In My Dreams." There's more depth and heart.

I have been wanting to see concerts at the Majestic Theater in San Antonio. So many good musicians are coming that we had to choose wisely which ones to see. On Wednesday, August 19, we chose to see Weird Al Yankovic. You know the crazy musician who parodies other musicians. He writes all the parodied lyrics himself and dresses in wild outfits that go with his songs. You may remember his song "Eat It," which is a parody of Michael Jackson's "Beat It." I can tell you we had a very fun time listening to and watching Weird Al and and his band. Plus the Majestic Theater is a place you should make it a point to see while you're in San Antonio. It's amazing. Two of the songs Weird Al sang that were my favorites besides "Eat it," were "Foil" which parodied Lorde's "Royals," and "Word Crimes." He is truly a musical genius.

Inside the Majestic Theater in San Antonio, Texas

Majestic Theater interior

Majestic Theater

Us at the Weird Al Yankovic concert

Pretty ceiling

Weird Al Yankovic's photo on a screen before the show

Weird Al Yankovic singing

Yep, that's Weird Al in the octopus costume
parodying Lady Gaga's silly costumes

Weird Al's Star Wars encore

Thursday evening, August 20, we went to the Missions baseball game with Maureen and Gary, friends from Bob's previous workplace. Again, we had a pleasant evening watching the game. When we left in the 9th inning, the Missions were up by 3 points.

That pretty much covers the past two weeks. I'll get to today in my next blog...hopefully tomorrow.

Travel Bug out.

A Break from the Blogging Challenge - Sunday, April 5, 2015

The A-to-Z Blogging Challenge takes a break on Sundays, so I'm going to catch up on my life activities for the past week.

On Monday, March 30, Susan, Jim and I walked a new Volksmarch in Universal City, Texas, being put together for World Walking Day on May 9. The walk will start at the AVA (American Volkssport Association) HQ in Universal City. Jim is a Volkssport member who moved here from Germany. He is going to put up directional markers for the walk on World Walking Day.

The walk is actually quite rustic for being in the city. I never knew the area existed. We walked through a park, then down into the Selma Creek bed. It's actually quite an interesting walk.

Susan and Jim at Selma Creek

Selma Creek

Red bud blooms and seed pod

Selma Creek bed

Rocky road

Selma Creek

After this walk was set up it rained between the date they originally walked it and today. The unimproved trail along the creek grew weeds armpit high in some areas. There is some concern if the rains continue, someone will need to weed whack the trail before the event!

These weeds were short compared to some we went through.

After the creek bed, we went up a hill into a neighborhood. Two dachshunds came running out barking loudly. The owners called them back home. We remarked that we needed them to come out when we do the World Walking Day Volksmarch since Volksmarching was started in Germany and dachshunds are German dogs. We walked around the neighborhoods before we headed back to AVA HQ.

Patch of bluebonnets in a front yard.

Beautiful xeriscaping (dry landscaping)

Foxglove tree?? What is this?

When we finished our walk, we determined we had only walked 5.2 miles which is not enough for a 10k walk (6.2 miles). We will have to add another mile through neighborhoods. Another walk is scheduled in mid-April to get the length of the walk right before the event on May 9.

After we walked, Susan and I went to Taco Cabana for lunch, then to see McFarland, USA. Yes, I've seen it before,  but I liked it so much I wanted to see it again. She hadn't seen it. After the movie, she gave it two thumbs up.

I was home in time to relax, then watch Dancing with the Stars. Travel Bug out.