“…But I’d give it all up for the things I truly adore, what I see when I turn and look inside our home” – Inside Our Home – 311 With … Continue reading Satterthwaite Creek, NC
Greensboro, North Carolina
“There’s a place up ahead and I’m goin’ just as fast as my feet can fly Come away, come away if you’re goin’, leave the sinkin’ ship behind.” Up Around … Continue reading Greensboro, North Carolina
Nashville, Tennessee
“With a lot of help, if I make Number One you can change a word or two and I’ll give half of it to you. I’ll be a star tomorrow, … Continue reading Nashville, Tennessee
Family Reunion
“On a stormy sea of moving emotion, tossed about I’m like a ship on the ocean. I set a course for winds of fortune, but I hear the voices say..” Carry on Wayward Son – Kansas
(July 18-22) Riding through Kansas and Missouri didn’t really pose much excitement, however these COWBOY BOOTS were awesome that I purchased. Miriam got two pair and I believe her excitement supersedes mine in this “cowboy boot endeavor”.
At this point in the journey my excitement level for scenery somehow dissipated into the wind as the now big adventure and goal was to get to Cowden, Illinois as soon as possible. We were very eager to see some of our family members, especially my cousin Rick 🙂 This guy is THE storyteller.
As soon as we rolled into the farm, it was beauty and country craziness.
After blowing up old and worn out washing machines, we headed over to an iconic spot for Cowden: the Covered Bridge.
We were already off to a great visit. I haven’t visited Cowden, Illinois since 1999.Cowden has a population of around 584 (2015) so needless to say this is an extremely small town. Everyone knows everyone. There is a post office, a bank and a gas station. My family and I would visit for the family reunions. My mother’s mother was a Hooper and from Cowden. My grandmother had 12 brother’s and sisters of whom had children, who had children who have children. It’s a rather LARGE family. There are a few that I know well and have a close relationship with. 🙂
Riding horses has never been an activity I have experienced often nor an activity that I’ve really enjoyed. However, on this glorious, fam-filled occasion I decided to take a crack at it.
And then this….
I fell off the horse. Not my proudest moment and honestly it was quite embarrassing, though I am of the great understanding that not everyone is capable of riding horses and do not possess that skill and that we possess other skills. 🙂
For the next few days we hung out with family and caught up on the things we’ve missed while Rick tended to the horses.
Nearing the end of our visit Rick needed to shoe his horses. So he called the local farrier.
There were a few time where the horses weren’t having it but in the end everything worked out and they all received their shoes.
It was hard saying goodbye as this was one of the big stops I was looking forward to the most. We caught up with family members we haven’t seen in many years. It felt good to scan those old memories and add new information. It had been many years since we had seen Rick and reuniting with old family members makes for a fantastic trip 🙂
Blue Skies and Bull Horns
“Like running my fingers through her long hair, lightin’ watermelon candles upstairs – lettin’ them burn and holdin’ her all night – I like doin’ what she likes.” Doin’ What … Continue reading Blue Skies and Bull Horns
Pinedale, Wyoming
“I wanna be the only one, for miles and miles, except for maybe you and your simple smile. Oh it sounds good to me. Cowboy take me away.” Cowboy Take … Continue reading Pinedale, Wyoming
Wyoming & Yellowstone
“Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam, where the deer and the antelope play.” Home on the Range – David W. Guion (July 16, 2015) Out of Montana … Continue reading Wyoming & Yellowstone
The Last of Montana
“Nothing is the same so we keep moving…we keep moving” Deep Kick – Red Hot Chili Peppers (July 15, 2015) Leaving Glacier National Park was both easy and hard to do. … Continue reading The Last of Montana
Glacier National Park
“So I’m packing my bags for the Misty Mountains where the spirits go now. Over the hills where the spirits fly, oh, I really don’t know.” Misty Mountain Hop – Led Zeppelin
(July 15, 2015) I stepped out of the van, took a stretch and like a punch to the face I was taken by surprise. Whilst picking my jaw up off of the ground, this glorious and wondrous feeling swept through me. It felt like butterflies fluttering through my stomach and up into my heart; this was Glacier National Park.
There’s absolutely nothing else to say. Any more words would be lost by how amazing this place looks and is. Truly, this is one of the most beautiful sites I’ve ever seen.
Kalispell, MT
“In a big country dreams stay with you, like a lover’s voice fires the mountainside. Stay alive.” In a Big Country – Big Country
(July 14, 2015) state has a not-so-nice area or region, however I have not found it thus far. Montana amazes and astounds at every turn. This wasn’t lost in Kalispell.
This town gives you the feeling that it possesses history while also displaying modern living. Mountains play softly in the background of what looks to be a town that stepped out of the old west. In fact, there is one place here named, “Moose’s Saloon” where they have saloon doors and there was some talk of having those same swinging saloon doors since their established date but of this I am not certain.
We were hungry and in need of nourishment and this place looked cool. It was definitely different because the people were NOT friendly who were serving us.
It may have been deliberate or unintentional, either way it wasn’t my favorite place but I definitely appreciated it for what it was. We made it a good time anyway 😊
If I lived in this state I would sit outside every day - on not so cold or hot days – and gaze at these mountains. I have fallen in love. Too bad I have no interest in ranching. 
1000 Leagues Between 