Bandits Still Live in the Wild, Wild, West

In case you have been wondering there are still bandits living in the Wild West.  Unfortunately I encountered one in my time in Missoula.

During the preparation of breakfast before leaving Missoula, I discovered that we ran out of propane.  We went to the bank to get cash to pay for the brakes repair and before departure a refill of propane was in order.  At the farm store where we filled the propane, I let my guard down for a minute and that is all that it took.  With cash in hand, we entered the store where the robbery events took place. 

The bandit swooped in that was all it took....Most of my cash was gone.  When I discovered my wallet was missing I returned to the only place I had been.  It seems that the cash container was turned in by some good Samaritan, but it was way lighter in the cash department....

Here are some of the events as I recall them:
    - The cash container was with me at the cash register ( the only thing in the container was a number of LARGE Bills     -While filling out forms for the purchase of propane (really, in my life I never had to fill out a form to purchase propane) I set my cash envelope on the counter
    -I payed for the purchase and left the store
    -After realizing my cash envelope was missing, I returned to the store.
    -The clerk said a customer found my cash container, and turned it in to a clerk who by then had gone home for the day.
    -This clerk said they checked the cash holder for an ID and there was no Identification.
    -She said they did not count the cash but took it up stairs to the safe since it contain a number of LARGE Bills
     - When I came back to the store, she opened the safe some distance from me and gave me my much lighter cash container
    -During all this time she repeatedly stated they only checked for ID but did not count the cash.
    -I asked when I could talk with the manager as I would like to thank them for the return of the cash wallet....
    -Suddenly no manager could be available to talk to me for at least a week


As I listened to the store clerk tell the events as she knew them,  I detected some holes in the events as she described them and her demeanor as well. I believe the theft happened outside of the surveillance cameras at the register or near the safe, so it is nothing more that a hunch. My years of dealing with kids telling a lie taught me pretty good detective skills but in today’s world you still need a bundle of evidence before hanging thieves.

I regret not calling the police at this point but in my shock and feeling that it was completely my fault and nothing could be done....I left the store.  I intend on following up with the store manager and the corporate office.   This should not happen to another customer.

Life is full of hard lessons, some harder than others.  And this was a HARD one for me!  This has been enormously emotional for me....I pray that the money brings the theft NO joy.

I had one of those careless moments where I let my guard down and
                                           I encountered a bandit from the wild, wild west.

It is a good thing the laws of the OLD wild west are not still in effect........

The Montana Adventures Begin

Montana has been a state that we travel through on a journey to somewhere else.  The ruggedness of western wilderness has long called to me and this year Montana became the destination.  Many people have asked where we are traveling to this year and my actual destinations remain to be seen.  When traveling without reservations, You are never quite sure where you will be sleeping each night but is my favorite way to travel.

Restocking after the Sisters on the Fly Event and Hailey and I were off for our five week Montana Adventure.

 Watching fishing boats float by

 The occasional train passing through

 The perfect place to play and recharge batteries

The was only one other camper in the Cascade campground where we spent the first night.  A couple from Polson, Montana.  They were on a mini-vacation that was going a bit longer than they planned for.

After driving them twice to the nearest cell phone coverage area to call Triple AAA to get assistance and then wait for someone to come, to no avail....a ranger came and jump started the truck for them.... the charging system was not working properly so they ended their camping and headed on home.

Reality is a bummer!

Happier Trails to you, Doris and Alvin Lee!

 National Bison Range

The National Bison Range is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It was established in 1908, making it over 100 years old, and one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the nation.

The 18,500 acre range was established to support a population of American bison. It is home to about 350-500 of these animals. Other large wildlife found on the Bison Range include elk, white-tail and mule deer, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, black bear, coyote and ground squirrels who share the area with 350 to 500 bison.

 A young bull

We started the visit at the visitor center and decided to make the big loop called Red Mountain Loop.  We were rewarded with views of wildlife and gorgeous views.  This drive through Bison Range sported two trails at the top of Red Mountain in an area where the buffalo do not roam.

One of the big buffalo bulls 

  This drive through Bison Range sported two trails at the top of Red Mountain in an area where the buffalo do not roam.

We started the visit at the visitor center and decided to make the big loop called Red Mountain Loop.  We were rewarded with views of wildlife and gorgeous views.  This drive through Bison Range sported two trails at the top of Red Mountain in an area where the buffalo do not roam.

  
 It does however sport 10% downgrade with hairpin roads which require use of brakes in addition to down shifting.  Squealing brakes sent us to return to Camp Firestone in Missoula to check out our options.....

While not an emergency.....brake work will ensure best possible braking as we continue to climb more mountains.

NorthWest Gathering 2016 New Adventures, New Friends

I have belonged to the organization called Sisters on the Fly (an awesome women's camping/adventure group)for a couple of years.  And I have hung out with these great gals at some camping events for four years.  I love this group of gals. Not only are they dedicated to helping women explore the joys of camping and getting out in the great outdoors, they spread love, compassion and just plain sisterhood to members that now total over 7000 strong across the USA and even some groups around the world.  A lot of my can do attitude comes from these gals and they had me solo camping and backing up my trailer in no time.....  While most of the women have cute little vintage trailers, women are welcomed to camp in anything they feel comfortable in including a tent, car or now for me my 20 year old Class B Motorhome, a Roadtrek.

My Roadtrek decked out for fun

 While I have camped with these wonderful women at local events, this year I attended my first regional larger event.  I have hesitated as I generally do not feel super comfortable in large groups but since I have met a number of women who would be attending and it is only 175 miles away in Cle Elum ,  I  was game to have a new experience.

I arrived early and volunteered to help if they had a great sit down job for me to do and before long I was out at the road directing traffic to the ranch where we would be parked for the five day event.  The surprising thing to me, was how many of the participants I had already met at past events.

There were Sister on the Fly members from California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Canada.  I felt like I met most of the gals as I gave the directions.  I held a red umbrella and wore a cowgirl hat.....just think of Mary Poppins in a Cowgirl hat!! 

Sorry, no pictures of this fashion statement mistake.

 What a great way to feel comfortable in a new situation!

 There were classes to choose from.....

Ukulele lessons on the green

Masterpieces waiting to be claimed by their artists

Mig on the left was our master instructor

This is as close to my masterpiece as you will ever get!   

Wine Tasting and another night Beer Tasting

Activities to choose from....

Horses ready for their riders

There were also fly fishing trips for those fisherwomen.....

There was hikes, and of course a bit of shopping in near by Historic Rosalyn and Cle Elm.

There was even a swimming pool for sunworshippers at the ranch!!.

And then there was the food.... 

What a pleasure for women to come to a wonderful event for five days and NOT have to plan or cook a meal.  The cooks planned for every possible meal needs and we enjoyed every bite!!

The catered barbecue included the crowd pleaser.....dutch oven berry or apple cobbler

One fun dinner was attended by Mad Hatters....

 Another night a silent auction and a live auction raised $11,000 for a local woman's charity

The final night was the Cowgirl Ball

My friend Linda.... My vote for the belle of the ball
 

 I left Northwest Gathering having strengthen old friendships and build new ones...

The two Karen's

 

 

 

 

 
Thanks to all who made this event an AWESOME experience!

As the sun set on SOTF Northwest Gathering 2016 I can surely say.....

I can't wait to attend another

Vintage Trailers at Rosaly Trailer Rally

Vintage Trailers and girl fun galore!

My granddaughter left for a week with her Grandfather to visit my daughter (her Aunt and family) in Connecticut and I headed out for a week of girl fun with Sisters on the Fly, a wonderful group of women campers that truly know how to have a great party....

I started my 8 day fun fest with a visit to the Roslyn Vintage Trailer Rally.  Roslyn is a city in Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 893 at the 2010 census. Roslyn in located in the Cascade Mountains, about 80 miles east of Seattle. The town was founded in 1886 as a coal mining company town.

 While I was here for the rally the weather was rainy and if it wasn't raining the wind was blowing but it is always fun to see what different trailers come each year.

This little unique vintage cutie was homemade and contains most everything one needs.

This little trailer came into camp listing with broken leaf springs.  A few trips into town and the gentleman in camp had it upright and ready for the trip home.

A little fiberglass popup cutie

This is a family event and it is easy to see the male influence as tow vehicle is as important as the trailer selection.

Check out the hatchet for the entry handle by the door.

This is a trailer I could live in....
It is a beauty!!

After the trailer showing on Saturday there was a talent show.  One of my friends did a Cowboy Poetry number that was a hit!!  Way to go Kim!!

The Trailerites 

The next morning there was a wonderful Farmers Market in Roslyn

The sun was shining and it was a wonderful place to refresh fresh produce. 




Nearby is the Easton Ponds a great place to kayak the joining ponds. 

A number of the Sisters on the Fly stayed over at Lake Easton State Park for a couple of days until it was time to go on to the NorthWest Gathering.

This is the spot that we enjoyed the beautiful full moon and lots of great potluck eating!