“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
Category: Small Towns
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. 
From Washington to Idaho
“I look once more just around the river bend, beyond the shore where the gulls fly free. Don’t know what for, but I dream the day might send just around the riverbed for me.” Just Around the Riverbed – Judy Kuhn
Nothing but open road, fields and mountains. When traveling, some people find that the ride itself is boring. Well that may be true if you’re on the same path over and over again, but a new one? No way. It’s one of the most enjoyable experiences for me. I love gazing out onto the that beautiful format of which has been given to us. The sky feels so open on the western part of the U.S. Everywhere you go out there reminds you of a movie about the “old west”. It brings back memories of watching films about pioneering, hardships and freedom. Then I start to think about how people lived in the 1800’s and how they struggled to maintain land. Coincidently I also think about how we took away the land of Native Americans. Either way, the open road is beautiful.
As funny as this may sound, I have never seen a dust devil. I’m not even sure if what this is a “dust devil”.
It’s too light for a tornado so maybe it was either a dust devil, or a landspout. I would be interested to know if anyone has an answer. It was SO neat. I’m always fascinated by the uncontrolled mother nature. 😀
We were going to stay in Spokane but we decided to continue on into Idaho. We landed in Post Falls.
I think the curiosity for me and Miriam was kind of peaked at this point because we were starting our journey. Idaho to us might as well have been Timbuktu. Our eyes were wide as we looked around at what appeared to be a small town.
We settled into a hotel and as soon as we were settled, we went out in search of FOOD and found Capone’s
It wasn’t bad at all. The atmosphere was okay. Kind of reminded me of something you’d see in a Boston Pub.
…and also felt like a hoarder lived there. LOL Some people like that sort of thing. To each his own. 🙂 We ordered the Thai Curry wings – I don’t know why – and they ended up tasting quite odd. Other than that it was pretty decent. Not bad food. Probably wouldn’t be my go-to if I visited there again.
We weren’t upset about anything. This was a new experience and even if the food was garbage I think we would have still found pleasure in the fact that we were in a different and new place. We were exploring and enjoying the experience. But for me, this was merely a rest stop for the big adventure to come: MONTANA 😀
Family and Good Times
“Let the stories be told. They can say what they want. Let the photos be old. Let them show what they want.” Let The Good Times Roll – The Cars
One of the things I had been most excited for was Miriam’s arrival. Miriam is my niece who currently resides in Germany along with her sister (my other niece) Victoria. We had already been in Washington for a month and half before she flew out with her dad. It was so good to finally lay eyes on her 🙂
We gathered around the patio table for everyone to just sit around and have a good time and converse 🙂
I hope everyone has noticed the coats and long sleeved shirts everyone is wearing. Yes, I will say it again, it was CHILLY some days this summer in Aberdeen WA.
One of the neatest moments happened on this trip. When Miriam arrived we were sitting in the dining area – myself, mom, Miriam, Rayann and Hayley – talking and just “visiting”. Mom began to tell a story from her childhood. They looked on with intent?
But little did they know the story would turn into BALLS of laughter! These girls were so tickled! I had heard the stories before and had been equally as amused by them and knew that the girls would get a good chuckle. I wanted to cry from being so happy watching them giggle.
The stories are pretty funny but I wouldn’t dare tell them. That’s mom’s story and it’s always better to hear her side first 😉 *hehe*
I tell you, this trip really gave me/us some spectacular memories that I will always cherish. When we are apart I can always come back to these and remember how I felt. Family is so important if you have it. If you aren’t close with certain ones, that’s okay. But if there are tolerable people in your family, please spend time with them. I really, maybe for the first time, finally understand the connection of family. It tugs at my heart strings when I think about it. These people are me. Even the ones that are distant or in our family by marriage or something else; they’re my family. We will always have that connection. Even if we do not like the same things or believe the same beliefs, we will always have a tie that binds us together. Something about that is really special. It gives you a feeling that you have a place in life, an identity or character that separates you from others. Now, with that being said there are certain people in your family that you would rather not have a tie with. LOL I understand that completely and hold no judgement should you feel yourself separate from them. *hehe* Hopefully you understand the weight of what I mean.
The 4th in Aberdeen
“She couldn’t help thinkin’ that there was a little more to life somewhere else. After all it was a great big world with lots of places to run to and if she had to die tryin’ she had one little promise she was gonna keep.” American Girl – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
During the 4th of July, most all of America is up and running. People are gathering with their families to roast hot dogs, hamburgers, eat Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and basically enjoy all things American. In Belhaven, where I’m from, they PARTICULARLY LOVE and celebrate the 4th with major festivities. They start off the day before with a Miss Independence Padgent then move into a “Street Dance” that lasts until very late. People dance the night away and have a great time. Then the next day there’s quite a large parade with festivities around every corner and booths to buy lots of cool junk. Up the road from this, there is a famous “Mud Run” where trucks are forced into the mud with their tires-a-spinning and the redneck in every one of us flying. You could say Belhaven is pretty hoppin’. But there’s one thing that can make all of this not worth the effort and that’s THE HEAT! One of the sayings go, “It’s hotter than the Belhaven 4th of July’s in here!” That’s when you know it’s hot! LOL So…this year I took great satisfaction in enjoying our day of independence in the nice 78 degree weather that was Aberdeen WA. :p
Everyone gathered together: Me, mom, dad, sister, nieces, cousins, cousin’s girlfriends and children. We feasted on some wonderful dishes: watermelon, cheese/summer sausage and crackers, pasta salads of all kinds, crab salad, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, cookies, WA cherries and other fruits. We played “Washers” (which is something like cornhole I suppose) and were just all around merry. Check these guys out. Dad (on the left) is attempting to explain something in the best of ways. Tommy (my cousin on the right) of course looks confused, but I assure you he’s not. Though he may be deciphering the white man’s speak.
It was really great because I got to hang out with my cousin Chris. This summer’s trip was the first time I’ve seen him since I was 13 years old. I have great memories of those times. I met him and a lot of other relatives at a family reunion in Cowden Illinois (look for that post to come). He was 18 then and now we’re both in our 30’s. My how time flies!
We really were having a great time. It was the first time in many years that I’ve really enjoyed myself. There was no heat really and it seemed like the most simplest, easiest action to just put food out and hang with the family!
Now, let me say that Belhaven puts on a nice little firework show at 9 p.m. It’s nice. BUT, in North Carolina, only cities can administer big fireworks. They’re illegal for residents to just shoot them off (or at least some are). In WA State…THEY’RE LEGAL! This town and every other town is lit up with explosions. Here, there, EVERYWHERE they shoot them off. Fireworks had been blasting off for days before the 4th actually came around. So naturally, Chris being the dude he is went and bought a lot of fireworks so we could have our own firework show!
Everyone was ready to kick it off! Even the kid.
It was so funny because he set all the chairs up in a row to watch the fire show commence. Hey look! It’s Kenny again! LOL
These fireworks weren’t just some run-of-the-mill fireworks. These were the BIG ones!
It was so exciting even I decided to try my hand at it. I lit several off. I have to tell you I was a little nervous to start with but after that it was all in good fun! After the show commenced we were all lit up; on the inside as well as outside. I know I definitely was. Yes, that IS a sweater. The nights are cold in Aberdeen.
Our 4th of July celebration was a hit and I’d LOVE to do it every year. I do love America. God bless our soldiers and all of those who fought for us to be free! We know it comes at a price. We love you and will always support you.
1000 Leagues Between 