Where would you like to kick 2020 off to while you welcome 2021? A beach in Hawaii might be nice!
Thanks for visiting Big Sky with me vicariously today. We all need to look forward to a safe, healthy 2021 I wish you could travel here for real. We’ll take you up Jack Creek Canyon!
In my journal yesterday, I created a six stanza Haiku. It’s where I’m comin’ from on this day when I delivered Bob (my sweet husband of 58 years) into the hands of a surgeon. It’s a relatively straight-forward procedure… an angiogram to determine any heart issues that were not detected with the x-rays and EKGs. Bob is in good hands… and I am here in the hotel room relaxing:
What is Heaven like? I can only imagine. I see glimpses here.
The help of a friend The love of dear family Colors of sunrise
The pureness of snow Unconditional pet love Hidden surprises
Magnificent Son Thank you for your sacrifice So freely given
The warmth of welcoming hugs
Sending tight, heartbeat hugs to Bob as he undergoes his heart procedure
My daddy’s hugs were the tightest!!
… and eternal rest – That’s where my daddy is now. What is heaven like?
I can only imagine!
Hugging blankets works When hugging arms aren’t available
Just got a call from the hospital. Bob is out of surgery. Heart looks good. No blockages. No stents needed. Thank you, God, for hearing and answering prayer.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek and praying with me! You’re the best! See ya tomorrow.
Lucille is our ATV. We named our “all-terrain vehicle” after the popular 1950’s to ’70’s comedian, Lucille Ball, because she has a red head and she’s a “ball!” Look carefully at that photo and you can see Bob, TazE (our Boston Terrier), and me… ready to have a Montana springtime ball!
There I am!!
Just as a ship is launched to the sea, Bob & I launched Lucille on the mountains today. It’s not her maiden voyage; she’s a veteran for sure. But it was her first 2020 opportunity to play.
On our way to North Meadowcreek in the Tobacco Root Mountains
We went with two other couples; It’s a good thing we had them along Because when Bob got stuck in the snow, Rex was prepared for what went wrong
He had a long rope, and equipment galore- So he pulled old Lucille out in a flash. Us gals kept our 6 feet distance and watched. We didn’t want to intrude or do something brash.
CG Feldman helped pull our ATV back to safety after Rex Hocking used his four-wheeler and a lot of rope to pull our "Lucille" out… she had high-centered in the snow! pic.twitter.com/MMLIIarvGl
This video shows the end of the trial… CG pulled the rope by hand at the end, But Rex used it connected to his ATV To pull Lucille out – way beyond the bend!
We had a wonderful ATV day on top of the Tobacco Root Mountains with this spectacular view. pic.twitter.com/WoVLbvSQo7
We went to the very top of the mountain Where the sky was unbelievably blue – And there we had lunch – a spectacular view – Wish we could share this four-wheeling ride with you!
Caroline & CG Feldman
Bob and TazE
That snow-covered peak is gorgeous Mt. Baldy. From here, it’s a much different sight Than the way it looks from our house Where it seems rounded and shines ever bright.
Looking east toward the Madison Range
Headed back down the mountain
Beautiful ranch tucked into the hillside
I love seeing the cattle in the field
Newborn lambs with freshly shorn ewes
The weather could not have been More perfect for this ATV outing. Life in the Montana mountains is grand! Keeps me from sitting home – pouting!
TazE hangs out the side, enjoying the views
Back in McAllister Lucille rides the trailer home
TazE loves taking rides on Lucille, but now she’s ready to head home now!
Home again… See Mt. Baldy out there? I told you it looks rounded from our home. Strange, huh?
I’m so glad you came to JanBeek today To join our 2020 launch of Lucille. Now it’s time to get in the kitchen; Bob needs a hearty dinner meal.
Today at d’Verse Lillian challenged us. Since we are not able to travel now because of the Covid-19 pandemic, write a poem that takes every one along with us on a trip we have taken in the past. Here are the directions:
Write a poem that is a travelogue of sorts.
2) The TITLE must include the name of the place we’ll be visiting
3) Post the poem to your blog AND add the exact URL for your poem to Mr. Linky below.
4) REMEMBER to either TAG dVerse in your post, or include a link at the end of your poem that leads readers back to dVerse
So, travel with me to Switzerland where or daughter and her family live.
Let’s Go to Switzerland
Switzerland is a wonderland Where visitors love to go. Springtime’s filled with flowers; Winter – with magical snow.
We rode the tram to the top of the Alps And stood on the mountain’s summit. A trail for skiers led to the base, But we stood back; no desire to plummet!
A favorite meal in the state of Valais Is raclette, luscious melted cheese. It’s made with milk from sweet Swiss cows. Come and enjoy a day with us, please!
Our Valentine Friends Treated us to a dinner At Blue Moon Cafe
Driving to Cameron, The setting sun was gorgeous Happy Valentine
Loved meeting long-time friends in Cameron.
Bob & Richard had a lot of catching up to do.
So did Pam and I. Good friends are such a blessing, aren’t they?
We were grateful for clear roads to and from.
How did you spend your Valentine’s Day? Did you go out to eat? Did you meet up with long-time friends or share the day/evening with family? Tell me about it!
I posted earlier today from my cell phone while we were up at Big Sky. Bob was enjoying a day of skiing with Nancy, his ski buddy, while I was inside making new friends, keeping warm, and reading the book that our Ennis Book Club will be discussing at tomorrow’s meeting.
I also browsed the shops at the Big Sky mall and photographed a few things (taking them home in my camera is way better than buying them!).
I enjoyed the trip to Big Sky from Ennis. The snow was so beautiful!
But once we arrived at the ski area, I was more than happy to avoid the cold and stay in the lodge. Some of you may think that’s crazy; others of you may relate. I didn’t learn to ski as a child, broke my leg as a teen, took a long time to heal, and have a fear of falling down and breaking it again. I prefer to stay in the lodge!
A Guy Named Kenny
Before Bob & Nancy could get from the parking lot to the lodge (where they had dropped me off), I met a guy named Kenny. Well actually, he met me. I was sitting quietly in the corner with my book when he approached me. Told me I reminded him of his grandma. I learned all about his family … and was in deep conversation with him when Bob & Nancy arrived. Even got his grandma’s chicken soup recipe! (Should have taken Kenny’s picture for you!) Nice guy!
Montana Jack’s
After Bob & Nancy went up to ski, I went to Montana Jack’s for an Irish coffee. I was sitting with my book at the bar, sipping my drink when a guy about my son’s age sat down and struck up a conversation with me. I found out he was from Colstrip, MT and his wife is a child psychiatrist working with Autistic children. The darling, young waitress treated me to a delicious piece of apple pie to go with my coffee. She adopted me as her Grandma and so did my new friend from Colstrip (I love it).
Back Home Again
Returning home, we nearly got stuck in the drifts that had blown onto our driveway. I was reluctant to go out again, but Bob really wanted to treat me to a Happy Anniversary dinner at our favorite Ennis restaurant, The Alley Bistro. So, we braved the weather and had a great evening. We managed to return home and inch our way through the snow drifts safely. It was a Happy Anniversary indeed. Thanks for all your good wishes.
58 years… now that’s something to celebrate! I hope you live long enough to celebrate your 58th, too… And with the love of your life! Life is beautiful!!
Bedtime
Time for bed… but first I have to finish that book. Somehow today I didn’t get much reading done. Had too much fun making new friends. Can you relate?
When I posted this morning, I told you today was a beautiful day to travel. We stayed in a lovely Wyndham Hotel (La Quina in Twin Falls) last night. I highly recommend it.
It was a terrible day to travel yesterday. But today made up for it.
Let me show you some of the sights we enjoyed on our trip home. I hope you enjoy them as much as we did. The camera doesn’t do them justice, but you can get the idea.
First, entering the Island Park, Idaho area, we marveled at frosty trees.
Then the evergreens were partially snow-sprinkled.
Traveling on, the trees were snow-laden!
The snow-covered evergreens were magnificent!
These Jack Fences were deep in the snow with powder puff toppings. So picturesque!
Blue sky re-emerged, the sun peeked through, and the trees sparkled. I’m sorry the camera didn’t capture the sparkling for you! But you can imagine.
Approaching our home, the Madison Range was a welcomed sight.
Those dots in the snow are cattle!
Home Sweet Home!!
The tracks in the snow are evidence that our neighbor came down our driveway earlier today. He blew off our walkway and prepared a clear spot for us to enter the house. God bless him!
Are you blessed with helpful neighbors like ours? I hope so!
It was a wonderful trip to California and back. We had a marvelous set of experiences with family and friends. Thank you for traveling along vicariously with us!
But, as much as we enjoyed the trip, the friends, the time with family, the sun-filled desert, the reunions with colleagues and former classmates, the Tahoe area skiing, etc., you know…. there’s NO PLACE LIKE HOME!
It’s good to be back in the Madison Valley where the Madison River beckons people from all over to the world to come and fly fish… and where the big sky smiles a welcome and neighbors are so grand.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek. Which of my photos from today’s travel did you like best?
