Montana Side Trip~

 As we were leaving daughter Jentry's, she mentioned a little trip in Montana she had taken her last time driving through.  Not really out of our way, but a side excursion she said we'd be sure to enjoy.  We'd spent last night at the Best Western in Missoula, where Finn had a badly needed bath.

A tired, damp Finn~

After his swim in the ocean, Finn's fur was a mess & I'm sure his skin was dry.  We went to the store for shampoo.  He doesn't mind a bath & lets me use the blow dryer.  He was so tired from his adventures with the Grandkids, especially Skyla & swimming!

Inside the store of the Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine~

The drive to Phillipsburg was just beautiful, rolling green countryside, with occasional farms along the way.  No traffic & a perfect sunshine morning.  We expected the town to be along the road, but it was off just a short way.

Spectacular Amethyst Geode~

I don't know how large a specimen can be found, but the one above has to be the largest ever.  It would be a shame to break it up for jewelry, so I suspect it will sell as a statement piece.

Finn & a friend - Not!

Most of the shops were dog friendly.  We always asked first. Finn walked into Gem Mountain & instantly went over to check out this dog!  He did some sniffing before giving the carving a dirty look!  He wasn't excited about having a photo with this dog either!

Beautiful downtown~

We walked the town & I spotted the Sapphire Gallery Jewelry store.  Jewelry has never really been my thing.  Horses have always been my weakness of choice, but I never pass up an opportunity to look.  

Front of the Sapphire Gallery~

Butch & Finn sat outside in the sun while I browsed.  I had actually almost made it through all the display cabinet's when I spotted exactly what I'd envisioned in my mind.  I'd always wanted a Montana Sapphire & there it was.  Just the stone in a rose gold setting.  The salespeople were so nice & friendly - of course :-) They offered to let me take the ring outside to show Butch.  He just looked at me, smiled nodded his assent.  

Sherry's Homestyle Bakery~

By now, it was lunch time & with Finn our options were limited.  Butch & Finn sat at the table on the right, while I went inside to order.  The lunch special was homemade chicken salad on fresh, out of the oven rye rolls!  The baked goods looked out of this world, but the Sapphire Gallery staff had given me a $10. gift certificate to use at the Sweet Palace.  The server brought our meal outside, the best chicken salad ever!  With only one person working, we were impressed with the service.  She even made a second trip with a bowl of water for Finn! 

The Sweet Palace~

We both love fudge!  I picked out two different kinds & my gift certificate just covered the bill!  We had enough fudge to last us as an after dinner treat until we got home!  After lunch, we were back on the road with over 400-miles to go to reach Sheridan.

The canyon on our way ~

Seeing this country was well worth the detour.  We saw several places we would love to call home, if we were at a different time in our lives.  We've both experienced the advantages of living closer to a metro area with the medical facilities & amenities to be found there.  If funding were no object, we would be visiting relators to find a second seasonal home.

Silver Lake~

This lake was off the Pintler Veterans Memorial Scenic Highway.  It was somewhat disappointing when we reached a few towns & the onramp to I-90.  It was 8 p.m. when we crossed the Wyoming state line at sunset.  We arrived in Sheridan by 8:30 p.m.  Our family there, had made it plain we'd better be planning on a good visit & time together!

Butch & Nika - OTR Update~

 It's been over six-months since Butch left home for driver training in MO.  A month of school, a month of driving with a finisher & three-months driving for CFI.  After a breakdown with Big Red, inconsistent dispatching & a lack of drive miles  - Butch accepted an offer with Blake Scott LLC out of Ogden, UT.

6-10-2022 Ranger comes home for the first time!

Normally without at least a year, usually two,  of OTR experience, companies don't hire drivers.  (Our friend Roxi, recommended Butch.)  Butch flew out to Salt Lake City on the 6th of June to meet the company owner & pick up another truck!  Delayed overnight in Omaha, Butch arrived on the 7th & was back on the road the same day!  He did a run to southern, MO before turning for home to outfit Ranger.

6-13-2022 - 7p.m. Butch & Nika leave~

Home time only lasted a couple days before he was leaving again - this time with Nika as his companion!  With this company, Butch is hauling refigerated trailers.  He will be doing mostly dedicated runs from Idaho to Missouri & return.  He will also get to come home every three-weeks!

Nika enjoying the ride :-)

In June, Butch & Nika came through Nebraska City.  I met them for lunch & combined a shopping trip.  The 29th, they came home for one night.  I was thrilled at the unexpected stop!  On the fourth-of-July, I drove down again to meet for a quick meal as they were going north. 

July fifth, the two of them returned for home time!  Butch picked me up at the house.  We drove to Blue Beacon truck wash in Council Bluffs. This time of year Ranger's front was covered with smashed bugs.  Butch said at the truck stops, the birds come from everywhere to snack on all the bugs on the grills. 

Nika  ~

Butch really enjoys driving the Freightliner!  There's more room in the sleeper, better seats, a bigger engine & smoother ride.  Ranger doesn't have the Blake Scott logo on the doors yet.  There's a temporary sticker Butch put back on after going through the truck wash.

Three days sped by!  He had his usual coffee with friends, we enjoyed some really nice weather & sat out to watch a big thunderstorm roll by.  Butch made a shelf for his microwave & installed the mount for his TV.  We went to see the new Top Gun movie!  

By Saturday morning, Butch & Nika were back on the road.  Butch said Nika kept an eye on him while he was putting the last of his things in the truck.  She enjoyed being home, but didn't want to be left behind!

7-9-2022 Flat on the trailer~

By 3 p.m. Butch called from Elk Point, SD to tell me he had a flat on the trailer.  He passed his first Level Two Inspection, but had to wait two-hours for service truck to arrive & replace the tire.  Better to have discovered it at the Weigh station rather than out on the road.

By late evening, Butch had driven 480-miles in 7.5 hours & was done for the day.  This trip is taking him back to WA, but not close enough to visit the Grandkids.  Maybe one of these days that will happen!

7-10-2022 Nika ready to roll ~

After driving the east coast & southern states, it's been a nice break to be dispatched west.  We keep in touch during the day.  A text when he's leaving, a morning call & another when he's finished his drive & found a place to stop for his rest break.  

7-10-2022 Sunrise, Montana

I keep daily google maps of his routes from one stop to the next.  It's fun for me to follow along in the virtual world :-)   It will be a month this time before they return home again.  

7-11-2022 In line at the weigh station, MT

Butch said Butte has grown & has spread out with new housing under construction.  The mine itself has grown too, since the last time we went through.  

7-11-2011 12:30 p.m. Near Butte, MT

After tomorrow, the heat is going up here in Iowa & the weatherman tells us it will be staying days into the long-range forecast.  Not my favorite month in the mid-west, but I've enough projects saved up to stay busy!