Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 104

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 104

 Mid-West

Monday - 5/25/09 – Billings, Montana  -  Red Lodge

Billings is laid out a little different.  It is a longish town, if you discount the upper region.  When coming in from the Crow Indian Reservation area (Big Horn/Hardin), the city is laid out to the left. Once you make the turn, the Yellowstone River and the lower mountains of the Bighorn Mountain range hem it in from the left and a rimrocky wall of cliffs from the right – on top of which is the ‘up’ part of Billings, including the Airport.  A walking/hiking path follows much of the upper rimrock area, but we did not get there. 

Rimrocky For Sure

We are staying with Don and Carolyn at their two-story townhouse. I am convinced that we could live in the ‘basement’ and it would not be a problem. At least for us. Especially with Carolyn and Don cooking.  Big, big grins on both our faces!  Don bought a software program to help convert his records to CD’s and he and I spend scadocious amounts of time trying to figure it out, while providing Sam and Carolyn with an opportunity to visit uninterrupted.  We also gave them something to laugh at.  I don’t know about Don, but I had a good time. We never figured it out. When we ran out of computer ideas, we went to the new Cabela’s that opened in Billings.  It is massive. Almost as large as the one in Stirling, Nebraska.  Not as many floors and not quite as many stuffies.  But lots by any other standard.

Nerds? Well At Least Not Computer

Don and Carolyn took us on a road tour to Red Lodge, Montana.  We drove next to the Yellowstone River and then  Rock Creek.  The area around Red Lodge was very active in coal mining in years past. Some mining still continues.  Near Red Lodge is the site of one of the largest mining disasters of Montana.  The area is very scenic, green grass, rolling hills.  The town of Red Lodge is very picturesque and has many quaint shops and restaurants.  We shopped and ate – enjoying both very much. 

Don, Carolyn, Sam In Red Lodge

We were invited out to Kim and David’s for dinner.  Probably things in Billings are not normal, but it sure seemed like the roads were bad. The construction-caused road closures multiply at the speed of light, and there is a conspiracy to make it next to impossible to get to Kim and David’s from anywhere.  We make it.  Their home is a two story fantabulous structure with room all over. A big, big garage and a separate workshop add to the size.  Sam was drooling – again. The furnishings are very generous and give the whole place warmth.  I really like the openings given to the sunshine, allowing lots of light to enter the home. We had a wonderful evening, visiting with everyone and watching Abby do Abby things. We had a seafood stew with lots of clams and crab.  You should have seen that Abby eat the seafood.  She is only six.  I am not entirely sure that it is legal for her to eat and enjoy massive amounts of seafood at her age.  Amazing.  Katie on the other hand is a reserved, 14 year old. She is doing way, way exceptional in school. She also excels at basketball and soccer.  She’s way too good looking and I am sure mom and dad will be learning how to check dates out sooner than they think. 

Abby Being... Well, ABBY! 

I took pictures of Abby.  Pictures of her hoola-hooping in the family room, pictures of her being a fashion model and in general ‘Abby’ pictures.  Owen would have loved following her around and joining in her play.