Sunday, June 12, 2016

A Western Town!

By Friday, we had kinda run out of things to do close by (and I mean close by around 3 hours each way!

so....
We decided to go visit a real old Western town.  You know where they used to hang people, and have shoot outs in the streets.  I was a little disappointed that the road was not dirt and there wasn't a shoot out...oh well. ;)
It was really, really interesting!  Not sure I would consider that a "bucket list" item...um. I wanted to ride in a hot air ballon and Sis did too but since our guys are about twice our size and DID NOT WANT TO DO THAT, we lost out on that request.

So we went up to Virgina City, Montana.  We had NO idea what was in store for us!

So, here are the pics!
I don't remember (or maybe I just wasn't listening to much of what the "fire truck" guide was telling us.
NBD ;)
I do think that A few famous folks were buried there.
But honestly, my memory fails me ;)

So, here we go with the pics
!!!!

we had another gorgeous drive over to our next destination!

to see VERY old buildings like this!

and this!.  They built the facades to make the buldings look larger, but really that's all they were...A facade.

One of the oldest banks in Montana!




I've already sketched this on the plane.  It will be on a canvas next week. Thinking I'll do a red roof though


Many outlaws who were hung and buried here!

A Beautiful view of the whole town!

A church!

 
This is the oldest church in Virginia City.
Since I'm an Episcopalian, I was totally intriqued by the beauty.  Reminded me so much of the church that I attended growing up!
I Sketched this also today ;)

  Now this was pretty gross.  That's a dentist showing how they used to pull teeth. ick...
and here are some of his teeth:

the Concert Hall

an old truck and yes I've also already sketched it outl

not sure what this was!

but this was definitely a really old car.

this was the before and after of the church

Antique view finders

Antique ice cream maker!

more graves ;(






We ate here and really, it is a REAL saloon. Everything in there was SO authentic!'

not sure...

check out the tile ceiling!

and of course we had to get the obligatory "Western" photo


Now?
We are home!!! Yesterday morning we woke up at two, had to pack, and be out of the house at 3:45 a.m.
Got to the airport in Boseman and took Alaskan Airlines out.  We flew to Seatlle, and flew out of there to Dallas where we were due to have a THREE hour layover.
NOT.
Weather detoured us over to Oklahoma City and had to refuel...whadda ya know?
We missed our flight. ugh!!
So, after a night in Dallas we were up and at em this morning at 4 and finally back home!
(but really tired)

The trip?  Honestly one of the best trips I have ever taken!!! If you can go, do it!!!

Have a great day y'all!
kb

Friday, June 10, 2016

Mark Another Thing Off the Bucket List!!!

I'll admit....
Horses don't really like me, although I really, really LOVE them.
It's bugged me for like ever.

First bad experience was when I was oh about 16.  Went riding on a farm in my hometown of Dothan, Alabama.  Well, my horse got spooked, took off and dragged me through about 100 yards of sticker bushes.  I was ripped from end to end.

Second bad experience....
I was a freshman in college.  Went skeet shooting with 3 others and we rode horses to shoot the skeet, then back to a cabin to cook steaks.
Got back on my horse and he bucked me off.
Woke up about 3 PM the next day.  Really surprised I didn't die.

Third bad experience....
Took a trip to Cozemel
*****don't ride horses in Cozemel.
They treat them HORRIBLE and it is so sad.
So, we went on a trail ride.  My saddle didn't fit and it was loose.  About 1/4 of a mile out my horse saw home plate and sprinted home.  I came very very close to falling off.  And, I ended up with a really bad back for a couple of years.

But, I kept at it.  Determined that I was not going to let a horse get the best of me.
About 5 years ago I went to visit a friend in Mississippi.
We took a really long ride and I completely got over my fears!

So, yesterday, the guys went fly fishing and the girls went on a trail ride.

Mark the trail ride in Montana off my list.
It was one of the greatest experiences ever.
We rode to the top of a mountain about 7K above sea level and the views were just spectacular.
Problem was, it was kinda hard to take photos when you're riding a horse and holding on...especially as a novice.
So, here we go!!!

First, the guys heading out to fly fish.  Poor Larry ended up with a hook in his chin.....from yes, my hubs.  In "W's" defense they were fishing in 35 mile an hour winds, so they weren't really sure where the lures were going to end up! yikes!


my cutie pie hubs

now this was one beautiful horse.


one of our guides (and kind of our protector)

Sis had a beautiful horse too!!! (and had beautiful riding posture)!
(forgive the horse poop) ;)

and there's beautiful Sis with Brian!


our group

our views



we went through lots of mud, water, and rocks.

heading up to the top!

happy me!! (and I have a really big mouth) ;)

our guide was a beautiful rider.  Really amazing to watch!


this is one of my favorite women in the whole wide world!!! She is like a sister to me and I love her to pieces!!!


another beautiful view!

happy, happy, happy!

this was a MAJOR herd of Antelope.  Most were pregnant and ready to drop.
We had to stay pretty far away from them...

Still no bears. :(
But, we DID see this....these are from a big ole black bear climbing a tree.

This was the sky after dinner last night.  MY goodness!!

 

Today? We are going to an old timey Ghost Town
We may wear a fanny pack, long white socks with tennis shoes, a hat and maybe even an Alabama shirt....
Virginia City!!!
Mark one more thing off my bucket list!!!
but truly I would love to see a quick draw shoot out ;)

Have a terrific day y'all!!!