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Published: October 13th 2006
Tetons with Holly & Chad
Just a cool pic of the Tetons when we stopped with Holly & Chad RingoLike the title says both Montana winter and the bankers are looming over our home project now!!! Winter will wait for no one and the bankers are getting pretty antsy aslo. Not to mention the ants that are crawling up both of our pants! Currently our biggest project is getting the siding on. The metal (1st 4 feet of siding) is primarily all on the house. We have a little bit to put on where the front porch will eventually be, but that will come right at the end. We have been staining siding, fir siding, 12" wide boards as of late. We're about halfway done with staining the boards. Once they are done we will hang them all - they are screwed in with at least 11 screws in each board. We have one side (the north side) of the house fully hung. This weekend we will stain the rest of the boards and if time allows, start hanging some of the dry ones. It's looking beautiful, I can't wait to show it off when it's all done!
Inside the house we've, well mostly Bryan, has been working on the concrete floor in the office. He has it totally
Cut Bank, MT
The coldest spot in the nation! And their mascot stands proud. sealed now and it looks really cool. It's a little different than we'd imagined but very rustic and neat. We had some difficulties with the sealer. It was supposed to be sprayed but the sprayer didn't work properly so Bryan tried to thin it out and that didn't work either. So, he ended up 'mopping' it on like we did with the hardwood floor. We'll eventually do the rest of the concrete floor on the 1st floor but the siding is the priority!!!
We had a couple of fires this last week, luckily none of them the forest kind! Last Friday (the 6th of Oct) our friends Charles and Jeannine came over and we had a fire in the fire pit Kit built for us while he was here. Unfortunately, it started raining on us. We toughed it out for a while but eventually came in and just hung out. It was a lot of fun. And we've also had fires in our wood burning stove in the great room. Bryan tiled under it and it looks fabulous.
I'll fill you in on our summer also. In late July our friends Holly & Chad Ringo came for a
Big Chief
Mom & Dad Morrison at the Glacier Lodge waiting to be picked up by our tour driver. visit. They took the train (good 'ol Amtrack) from KY to Salt Lake City. We went down and picked them up. We spent a morning walking around Mormonville. It was pretty. Then we drove through WY, the Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone park on our way back to Bozeman. It was quite the long day in the 4 Runner but it was a nice day for a drive. They stayed for a few days, we floated the river, had a BBQ but unfortunately our bonfire hopes were squelched by a county fire ban. Holly & Chad left Saturday morning in a blue mini-van (their rental was 'upgraded' because they were out of what they ordered), back to Salt Lake and flew back home. Later that same Saturday, Mom & Dad Morrison and Mikey arrived for their visit.
We had a wonderful visit with the Morrison family. We went to Glacier, though had to alter our plans at the last minute due to the huge wildfires burning at that time. We were to stay in St. Mary's but the hotel, and the entire town, was evacuated. But since we had already paid for a non-refundable bus trip from Glacier
International Border
Doesn't seem like it'd be that hard to get across, eh? to Waterton National Park, in Canada, we rerouted ourselves and stayed in Cut Bank, MT one night and Whitefish, MT the next night. Mom & Dad & Mikey got to experience one of our favorite Bozeman traditions, the Bite of Bozeman. We had a great time and ate some yummy, yummy food. They were here for Bryan's birthday so, we had a nice dinner at the Montana Rib and Chop House and then went down to Chico Hot Springs and had a nice soak in the mineral hot springs. It was a wonderful visit and very nice to spend time with our family.
We worked through the rest of August and then the Friday of Memorial Weekend, we took off on vacation, one we had booked and paid for in February, assuming the house would be done. But we decided it was important for our relationship and our mental well-being to get away for a little while! So, we dropped Duncan off with our friends Charles and Jeannine (and their little girl, Maya and doggers, Hobo) where he got to go camping in the Montana Mountains and play with lots of doggie buddies. And then we hit the road.
That first night we just wanted to get out of town, to jump start our trip. So, we drove about 3 horus to Idaho Fall, ID. There is a city park there that has bathrooms and overnight camping (1 night only). It just so happens that it is right on the Snake River and sits directly behind one of the few remaining western drive in theaters. And it just so happens to be a radio-tuned drive in, so we parked ourselves on top of the truck and settled in to watch a movie. Too bad it was possibly the worst movie ever. Snakes on a plane. We thought, maybe it will be ok because Samuel L. Jackson was in it. It was not. It was so bad, that we went to bed rather than watching a free movie. That's really bad if you know me, I like free things! 😊 We continued on our voyage toward Napa, CA Saturday morning. We traveled to Rye Patch State Park, NV where we camped at the park. It was a neat park. Very desert. There's a neat little pizza joint and bar right outside the park. We ran up there and had a
Brothers
Bryan and Mikey at a waterfall in Waterton National Park, Canada wonderful pizza and some great NV beer. We met some nice locals - it's so laid back they even had their dog in the bar side!! On the way up there though, the truck started making a funny noise. After investigating and listening, we were pretty sure it was the transfer case. We cautiously made our way on to Napa the next day. We stayed in Napa at the Riverside Resort - a property that is connected with Mom & Dad Morrison's time share. We literally stayed in mobile units. They are these cute little cabins built on wheels so they can be evacuated during the winter when the Napa river, which boarders the resort, floods up to where they sit in the summer. They were very nice and the resort had really nice amenities, including a wonderful guest services agent who's a laugh a minute. Sunday we walked around downtown Napa and got our bearings. Then we went to the grocery store, bought some wonderful steaks, veggies and wine. We cooked an amazing meal and had wonderful conversation over a really nice Pinot Noir. Monday, Memorial Day, we went to the orientation breakfast, learned about some good spots to
Kit's Future 'Ride'
Check this bad boy out - makes dating and biking go hand-in-hand. And dude who rents them in Waterton is making a killing - $20/hour I think! go and filled our bellies. We took off up the Silverado trail. Our first stop was Luna winery. We had some fabulous wine and fell in love with a decanter...hopefully we'll be able to find one like it when we can shop again! We also hit a small, family winery famous for it's late harvest cabernets. Van der Hayden Winery. Run by this adorable little old Norweigen guy. We tasted their fabulous wines, only available at the winery or through their mail order, and purchased one of their 'dribblers' chocolates also - amazing chocolate filled with late harvest cabernet....and if you don't put the whole thing in your mouth, the accordingly dribble down your chin and onto your shirt!Our next stop for the day was Mumm Napa, a champagne house. They gave a wonderful tour, taking us through every step of how champagne is made. We got to see them unloading the trucks delivering the grapes. They were in crush season. Though most of you know I love champagne, that is really not what attracted us to Mumm. They have an art gallery on-site and they had a showing of Ansel Adams originals. Signed originals. I love Ansel Adams and
Grizzly Mama and babies
Though you probably can't see them in this picture, way up by the ravine in the open area are a Mama Grizzly and her 2 cubs. Very cool and at a very safe distance! his devotion to letting light tell a picture. They also had another photographer displayed who also chases light. We ate lunch at a taqueria - essentially a taco stand. It was amazing!!! And they had cool 'art' too. I've included some pictures. Then we headed back into Napa, hit Trader Joe's and had grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner while watching the tribute to Steve Irwin (you can guess who had control of the remote then....)
Tuesday we dropped the truck off at the dealership to see what was wrong with it. Luckily we had the foresight to bring our bikes with us. We found out about the VINE - Napa Valley transit. It runs from Napa through all the little towns up to Calistoga. And it has a bike rack for 2 bikes. We took it up to Oakville and rode to a couple of wineries. First was Silver Oak Winery, a winery we had tasted at our wine class before we left Bozeman. They had 2 wines to taste, the same two that we tasted here at home. Bryan wanted to see if he really did taste the difference in them, or if he was just
toasted a wine school. Turns out, there was a big difference. I like them both but they definitely were distinct. Our tasting came with GREAT glasses - they are really cool and a great keepsake. Next we went to Cakebread winery. The wines come highly recommended by our friend John Colglazier (Opie to some of you) and his parents Bud and Karen. So, we made our way in, had a wonderful tasting that included a recipe for each wine. This tasting also included the glasses which are very nice. And we bought a wonderful cookbook at the winery put together by the wife of the winery. IT's very neat. I'm excited to get to cooking out of it! We went to dinner this evening at a 'global comfort food restaurant.' Celadon. Bryan had duck and I had a wonderful steak, cooked just perfectly - which rarely happens! And we had the most wonderful creme brulee for dessert!
Wednesday we got a little later start than we wanted because the first bus already had bikes on it. So, we had to ride downtown (to be the first on the bus) and wait an hour. We rode further up this day
Wine School at the Morrison's
Our friend, Michael, a wine expert, came over and did a wine school for us before we left for Napa. We had some friends join us because we had 13 bottles of wine...whew-ee! and went to Sterling Winery. We had a coupon for buy one get one half off tasting and gondola ride. The gondola takes you from the base to the top of the mountain. It's got beautiful vistas and a nice self-led tour. We got to see more grapes being crushed and had a nice tasting. Then we got on our bikes and rode trying to find Folie a Deux winery, unsuccessfully. We rode past in on the bus and didn't see it and we apparently rode by it. How we didn't see it, I don't know. It was hot and I'm not in shape like my hubby and brother, so I was riding pretty slow. So, we got back on the bus, went back to our cottage and relaxed a while. I read and Bryan piddled. We went to a wonderful dinner that night at Cuvee. Wed. nights they have 3 for $30 - 3 courses for $30. We each got our own appetizer - I had a wonderful heirloom tomato salad and Bryan had mussels, and our own dinner and our own dessert. It was simply amazing. I was so stuffed. We also had some great cocktails there. We
Bryan holds Maya...and she doesn't cry!
Bryan with our friend Charles and Jeannine's little girl, Maya. had walked down because it was just a few blocks from our cottage.
Thursday was San Francisco day. We took a tour through the resort. The guest services gal, a native San Franciscan led it. She showed us all the places, including some we wouldn't have seen - the Opera House, the government buildings. And of course we saw the painted ladies and chinatown and the warfs. We had 3 hours on our own. Mostly Bryan and I walked around just looking. We had lunch at a place that overlooks the bay and then walked some more. It was fun. That evening we snacked some at home and went to a tapas bar - ZuZu. We had some great tapas and paella for dinner.
Friday we visited Copia - the food and wine museum. We took a break from learning about food and wine to eat 'brunch' with my good friend from high school Dave Williams. We ate at the Gillwood's Cafe - I would rate it as the Shoney's of Napa, only no buffet. Food was ok but not spectacular. Friday night we ate at the local brew pub, Downtown Joe's. We both had fish and chips...pretty
She knows who's boss
Maya lectures John before the wine party!! good but not the best I've had. But we did have an AMAZING ahi appetizer...yum-o. And then it was packing. We left Saturday because I had to work on Monday and it's a 16 hour drive. It was a wonderful trip and we both really look forward to going back there and getting to many more of the wineries we missed!
Since school started, I've been coaching soccer again and am seeing my gals that I mentor. The eldest is doing AWESOME. She will graduate early, in January. And the other seems to be adjusting well to middle school. Last Friday we went to a student council meeting at lunch because she's on student council. It's great for her. I'm also still working hard as a board member of THRIVE. We're making great progress and I really enjoy the company of all the people I work with there. Poor Bryan has been so focused on the house that he hasn't left it much except to work. We did go to comedy night with friends one night and try to have some fun where we can. We just have to keep looking at the long term benefits of not as
Napa-checking in
Of course Bryan had to test out the couch upon arrival much fun now! 😊
Well, it's late and I still have to add pictures to this bad boy so I'm going to stop now. Sorry it's been so long since this has been updated. I can't promise when the next time will be but hopefully sooner rather than later! Take care and drop us a line or give us a call!!!
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anonymous
non-member comment
Very nice!