Another story about a Kitchen Pan

Back in the 1980's Bruce was working on the "Main line" track outside of Centralia, Washington.  Amtrak was one of the trains that used these tracks.  It was also the time that trains actually flushed their toilets on to the railroad track.  Not cool for the track workers like Bruce!  Usually I didn't hear much about what happened on a typical day of work.  But, one day Bruce showed up with this treasure.  Pretty sure the Amtrak crew was tossing something out the window and accidentally threw this nice loaf pan out.  For the past 40 or so years I have used this pan for meatloaf or bread.  This morning I looked at the back of the pan and saw the brand name SUGICO with a code and a Made in Japan logo.  Looked up the brand and it is a very durable product.  Learned something new today!  

Hustle for home....

We woke to a beautiful sunrise in Sundance looking forward to a day out at the Jackpot Ranch with Becky and Dallas. 

The RV park we stayed at was lovely and quiet.  Cookies were served with your check-in.

This bed pan cracked me up!  After breakfast we started getting weather advisory's saying a storm was on the way. 

 The forecast was for snow of historic proportions.  After much discussion Bruce made the decision we needed to head for home.  The plan was to get over the pass at Butte by the evening. 

The weather was nice and actually pretty darn clear.  I could see Devil's Tower across the way.  Next time we have to make the trip out to see America's first National Monument. 

The weather cooperated across Wyoming.

Beautiful entrance to Sheridan.

Sugar beets headed for the factory and a football team bus on the road.

Finally around 9 pm we made it over Homestead Pass and the Continental Divide.  For the first time ever - we slept at a rest stop on the freeway near Anaconda.  We were both so tired we slept like logs.  Waking to rain and a slow dawn Bruce tried to drive but ended up stopping again for more daylight. 

Arriving in Missoula, a wonderful breakfast at Cracker Barrel perked us both up.  Might of been the bottomless cups of coffee, who knows?

Around noon we saw the Idaho border sign.  Clear roads so far! 

Home with cloudy skies and snow forecast.  We made it home in great time and headed to Marcus's football game in Kellogg on Saturday before being turned around by high winds and snow near Sandpoint.  We are smart enough not to take chances.  By the way, the historic snowfall did happen in Montana.  The record to beat was only 1/2 inch for September snows.   I believe some of the places recorded more than a foot.  Crazy weather!

I found this beautiful pillow in the backseat of the pickup on the way home.  Beautifully made Becky, I love it!

Becky and Dallas also gave us a big tub of Sundance honey - unfiltered, organic real honey!  I followed Becky's directions and canned the sweet stuff into smaller jars.  Think we have enough honey for a few years, unless I share.  Which I probably will! 

And to top off a great trip I found this gorgeous copper Devils Tower souvenir in our local antique shop.  The rest of the copper items have been collected over the years.  I guess I do have a thing for copper arts.  After a fabulous vacation I have to admit it is good to be home!  

Pronghorn Hunting

While we were in Douglas, Wyoming, Bob and Ellen invited us on an antelope hunt. We left camp at an early 7 am and headed east. Not too sure where we were, but Bob had the coordinates set in his Garmin Huntview. The Huntview shows the local landowners and hunting locations. Bob is so with it!!

Along the road to the hunting grounds we stopped for a peek at a very unique house and building.

How old do you think this house is? I was pretty impressed with the cement fence and beautiful entry.

This was the home of J.B. Okie built in 1901! It has two stories and sixteen rooms, a veranda on three sides, and an octagonal, third-storey tower at the front corner. Before the cottonwoods around it were as big as they are now, Okie could survey his empire in all directions from the windowed room at the top. Shoshone Indians, who came by frequently on their way from the reservation to the mountains, supposedly called the mansion the “Big Teepee". The mansion belongs to ConocoPhillips oil company.

Bob spots an antelope. Bruce is his backup spotter.

Ready, aim...cover your ears. 

Perfect shot Bob! Bruce stops to do his usual antelope hunt routine, picking up beautiful quartz rocks.

Bruce holds the gun for Bob to sign and date his game tag. 

Very nice buck!

Great shot Bob!   Congratulations - meat in the freezer. Looking forward to some Wyoming Fast Food in Arizona this winter!!

Outside of Douglas, Wyoming is beautiful Esterbrook

The most beautiful church I have ever had the privilege of visiting.

This church was built in 1942 as the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, serving the mountain community of Esterbrook, Wyoming.

Laramie Peak

The colors in the hills look like autumn but the grass is still very green.

Beautiful building in Douglas.

After a full day of touring the Douglas area we met up with Bob and Ellen at this restaurant called the Depot.  Actual building was a railroad depot back in the day.  Bruce felt right at home and dinner was terrific!