Monday, November 2 / 2015

Our journey South continued today with us heading further into Montana.  We would be traveling through Billings today and no, I do not have to stop at Walmart!!  Much to John's amazement!!  There are a few things I do need (like baker's potatoes) but that can certainly wait.
Our journey to Billings was uneventful again (I really like that!!) and once there, we  stopped for gas and made a quick stop at our favourite liquor store for vodka and beer.  Unfortunately we forgot that they sold only liquor (no beer!!) so I guess a stop at the local Walmart is indeed on our list!!
While John was fueling up the truck he checked the tires on the trailer to make sure they were good and discovered that one needed to be replaced.  There are several thousand miles on the tires so he was not surprised by this discovery.  We have stopped here in Billings to buy a few tires before so knew exactly where to go and surprisingly....it is on the way to Walmart.
We stopped at the tire shop and within an hour or so we were headed back down the road with new tires on the trailer.  Life is good!!
We stopped at Walmart and I got what was on the list and then we headed over to the little campsite that  lies just beside the Yellowstone River.   It was closed for the season but we usually park in there anyway and have yet to be bothered.
John and Hogan played fetch with the ball and once that little game was over, sat quietly in the lawn chairs outside while I cooked supper.  It wasn't too long before John had Hogan come into the camper as Mr. Skunk had decided to take a walk through the park and Hogan was just a bit too interested in him.   Gosh, that is all we would have needed!!
We watched Monday Night Football tonight and had another quiet evening.

Headed out

Sunday, November 1/2015

We arrived at the USA border in the early afternoon and were greeted by two young crossing guards. They were both friendly and we had a good chat about all sorts of things, including the awesomeness of heating one's home with wood!!

The crossing went smoothly although the one guard got quite s kick out of Hogan eating cat food!  He was sad that he was sick but thought the cat food was a cool idea, especially since that seems to be all he wants to eat!  

The other young man looked through the fridge and a few cupboards and decided that since the bakers potatoes weren't in an official "store" bag that he had to confiscate them along with three of my tomatoes!!  Well, I was not impressed with the potatoes being thrown out and tried to convince the young man to take them home and enjoy them!!  Unfortunately, this is not possible for them and I am afraid they ended up in the garbage.  Well, I will certainly be smarter next year!!

Heading out

We stopped in Malta, Montana to fill up on gas and propane then continued our journey South.  The weather has been unsettled with off and on rain most of the day.   We decided to stay in a hunting area just outside of Zortman, Montana.  The area is dotted with large scotch pine and is a favourite spot for deer.  There was a nasty grey cloud looming above us while we were driving into the area and before too long, it was raining on us.  No sitting outside tonight to enjoy our first night of our travels in the United States!!

heading towards tonight's camping spot

Our spot for the night

Enjoying a beverage

It was an uneventful evening with us enjoying the football game and a beverage.  It was too rainy and windy to cook outside so it was a simple meal cooked inside tonight.  Tomorrow, our adventures continue.

Sunday, October 25/2015 - Saturday, October 31/2015

Heading into Saskatoon

This week found us finally on our way out of Leoville and headed to Saskatoon.  Of course actually getting out of Leoville was a bit of a gong show in itself with the trailer lights not working properly (we had no signal lights or brake lights) and then the truck battery was dead!!  Jesus, Mary and Joseph.....let the fun begin!!
We eventually got the truck started (thanks Dave) and headed down the highway.  Saskatoon, here we come!!  The battery will charge back up on the way in and we are traveling without signal lights.  John will fix those at the farm.
We arrived at the farm without any incidents and were treated to a Chinese food fest.  It was delicious  and we got to join in on celebrating both Kimmy's and Gloria's birthdays.  What an awesome way to spend the evening.
The rest of the week was busy with Bernie and Gloria flying off to Vegas on Tuesday and John and I keeping the various Doctor/Dentist appointments.  I also had short visits with Erin and her boys, Jan and Ron and John's Mom and Georgie.  All the necessary shopping was done and John got the trailer wiring sorted out so by Saturday afternoon, we were headed south towards the border.
Finally.....we are headed South.
We stopped at our usual site in the gravel pit south of Val Marie for the night.  From here, it was a few short miles to the USA border.

October 18/2015 - October 24/2015

My work at the nursing home was supposed to be finished but one of the girls needed a day off so I agreed to work it for her.  Now, with that day worked and over with,  John and I are on the final push to get the yard cleaned, the vehicles parked for the winter and get the heck out of here.
The doctor and dentist appointments have been made and the last week of October will be spent in Saskatoon getting to all these appointments.
We will park at the farm again and spend out last week visiting with Bernie and Gloria and saying our final goodbyes to the family.
This week also marked our Federal Election and now we will have a Liberal Government ruling over the next four years.  It will be interesting to say the least!!

Another good year!

Sunday, October 11/2015 - Saturday, October 17/2015

Sunday, we celebrated Thanksgiving.  We invited Dave and Shirley and Gary over for John's specialty..... trash can turkey.
I had prepared the stuffing yesterday along with the gravy so most of my jobs were done.  The turkey has been sitting in the brine since yesterday as well so it was ready whenever John was.
Our 13 pound bird took and hour and a half to  cook and was soooo delicious.   Even I couldn't complain!!  Shirley brought cherry cheesecake for dessert and that was the culmination of a wonderful meal.  Food, spent with good friends.... man, what more can one ask for?
The rest of this week was spent with me working my final few shifts at the home and John putting the finishing touches on the hitch extension.
Our weather seems to be holding and although it drops close to zero during the night,  it is warm and pleasant during the day.  That is a good thing and since we are on the final push to get things packed up for the winter, every warm day is a bonus!!

Sunday, October 4/2015 - Saturday, October 10/2015

This week was spent with us getting ready for the trip South.  There are several things that need to be done and it is so nice to have the luxury of time to prepare.  I find each year that I need more and more time to think about all that needs to be done and all that extra time to actually get it done!!
A few things each day and we will be ready when it is time to leave.
I only worked one shift this week so I did indeed have plenty of time to do all the "little" things that needed to be done before heading out.  It seems though that the "little" things list is getting longer!!
We did manage to find some time to take a few quick trips out onto the trails.
The leaves are certainly getting sparse and there is a definite chill in the air lately.   Of course, that is our cue as to when to leave.
John has been watching the weather and so far, so good.  He headed over to Clearwater on Saturday to quad with the boys.  It was time for "The Annual", a Fall gathering of guys only where there is booze, guns, quads, dirtbikes, fun and frolic.  A sure recipe for disaster!!  Anyway, he enjoyed the day and chatted with several old friends he had met from years ago.  He was home early much to my surprise!!
While John was out quadding, I started some of the preparations for our Thanksgiving supper on Sunday.  We have invited our neighbours over so that should be fun and a nice way to say "thanks for the summer memories".    We had several fun times and lots of laughs again this year.  Life is good.

Tree across from our yard

One last cruise in the Sammy

the elusive pom pom plant

Beavers are busy

Sunday, September 27/2015 - Saturday, October 3/2015

Once again, it started out as a busy week for us.   I had to work three shifts at the start of the week and John was busy getting the camper into gear.  He fixed the bathroom door and took the screen off the back door so that it too could be repaired.  It suffered a bit of a mishap when our Granddog Coors was inside and decided he wanted to be outside.  The screen received mortal injury so needed to be replaced!!  I was actually quite surprised how easily the screen went in.  I used the same spline so that helped a lot!!
The weather has been awesome and one really can not complain about that.
I managed to get the garden all harvested and now it is ready for Sheldon and his fancy rototiller.  I always get it done in the Fall and then again in the Spring.  It makes for some very nice soft soil and easy planting.  Already I am planning what to grow next Spring!!
The last of the vines were finally removed from the fence and please remind me to never plant all that crawling vine stuff again!!  It was a nightmare trying to get it off the fence.   I think I will stick to sweet peas next year!!
The cucumbers however did awesome climbing on the fence and I will most definitely be doing that again.  They were easily visible and so very easy to harvest.  No bending over and trying to wade through endless leaves and vines.  The cucumbers hung on both sides of the fence like a charm!! Definitely a good idea for next year!!
The weather got a bit rainy as the weekend approached but it was a football day on Saturday so we were not too terribly worried about that.  I headed over to the Fall Trade Show at the Leoville Community Hall and spent some money on Ronnie's Ready to Eat Meats for the upcoming trip to the states.  Some days, we just don't feel like cooking when we have been traveling all day and opening some of his ready to eat product is perfect.  Mmmmm, soo good too!!
It was time for me to catch up on the blog as well so I did that while sipping my morning coffee and watching the rain.  Life is Good.....