Misty Moon. Is our home for the next week

We're like small children; are we there yet? Awake at 6. 

I was awake since 3 as i made the mistake of checking the news and learned about Dayton. I'm so furious, I went in the bathroom, to not wake Philip and left voice mails (I have them on speed dial) for McConnell, Barr and Paul to stop the madness. No more sleep and I'm still trying to calm down and not ruin this week. 

Too early to go to the ranch, no stores open, the room is dreary ... can't we go yet?  We find a Starbucks.  Finally it's 9 o'clock as we bolt to the car and we're on our way. 

60 years ago Philip came to the ranch with his folks. He brought me and the girls 32 years ago ... we know every inch of the road from Shell Creek or Buffalo; every turn is familiar.

Big Horn Mtns

Shell Creek Road

Old School House

Queen Vicky's Thumb; when we see this landmark we know we're near. 

We arrive.

Westward Ho

As we fly East to West, I'm always astounded by the topographic changes occuring as we pass over the Mississippi River. Not only does the population density change but the earth seems to shift. Enormous mountains and deep crevices appear, seemingly flat open desolate land. As we landed in Billings I heard the passengers behind me mention how flat the land was and thought to myself "are you in for a surprise!"

I relish deplaning in Billings. The sky seems vast and usually bluebird blue. The air is warm with almost no humitidy; my curly hair is suddenly smooth. The airport sits on a bluff high above the city ... so much for flat!

We pick up the rental car, this year we're pros ... keyless, no prob ... Internet, check! We find a good Rock 'n Roll station and we're barreling down the highway to the Crow Trading Post.

Usually this time of year, wheat harvest is long past. Due to the late snowfall; we drove to Hardin before seeing fields being harvested. 

This is the beginning of the Harley Rally at Sturgis; we see Harley's everywhere; we both love the sound. This time of year; i always think of our brother-in-law and his buddy driving their Harley's from California - a Hupa and a Karuk. I only met them in their 50's; so I've an unusual mental image. 😏😏😏

We pull into the Crow Trading Post just ahead of the lunch crowd. It's located about 1/4 mile from Little Big Horn and the national cemetery. 

Another hour down the road and we were in Sheridan. A quick trip to town for wine for Cabin Supplies. We'll spend the night in town, driving to the ranch in the morning in time to get our horse assignment, meet and greet, have lunch and unload. Philip's hoping we're assigned the cabin Misty Moon; I don't care as long as we're on the creek and I've a view of the mountains ... and it's not to far for him to walk to get the morning coffee. Gotta have some priorities!

2019 The Gang is Gathering; Ready to Protect the HFBar from Federalies

As I write this year's 1st post; we're changing planes in Minneapolis. Arrive in Billings in 2 hrs; will be eating an Bear Paw Taco in another 1.5 hrs. Easy, peasy flight ( we weremoved to Comfort Seats) ... compared to last years drama of our grandson being given an expensive, unscheduled tour of the America West thanks to Delta and American. The calls started at 4am EST and we finally met up with him about 6pm MST

Dunker's not with us this summer. Instead he opted for a fabulous service trip to Kenya and now is busy working and ready for the first fall kick off.

The gang is arriving from California, Ohio, Florida, Maine, Illinois and of course Kentucky. We're celebrating Diamond Lil and Butch's 60th wedding anniversary. I'm still lobbying for a name change. 

Looking forward to riding this year. Last year there was a reason for my discomfort. Returning home, learned I broke my leg and ankle the day before we left for the ranch. Duh! No wonder it hurt with my foot in the stirrup. Apparently I'm not to brightest bulb in the pack.

Am hopeful we've a relaxing week. 10 days ago we decided to buy a townhouse/condo, in Lexington, move by December. We'll sell the hilltop home later. Decision was to reduce stress ... not seeing it. One of us has morphed into an Worrier Warrior; it's not me.

And we're off to Billings!

Day 5

I'm out of the saddle for the remainder of our stay. Got cocky, didn't wear my ankle brace yesterday afternoon and evening; this AM, ankle is swollen. It looks like someone wrapped rubber bands around my ankles.

I'm missing the ride to Castle Rock. Due to the heat; the gang was heading to the corral to be the 1st group out. Very important as there's a family group of 13 and of the 13, mostly it's a Mosquito Fleet. Takes a while to get them secured and out the gate.

The cast and crew of 'Longmire' arrived last night. It's an A&E; now Netflix drama, filmed in Buffalo. Truthfully, most of us are saying "Longwhat?"

Some great photos, courtesy of Dunker. They stopped at the cairns and respects were paid, particularly to TC and Mark.

Day 4

It's officially hot. I'd go to the pool but that means walking 5 mins in 91*. I'll instead hope for a breeze from the creek.

The guys are zonked in front of fans or on beds.

This morning we rode the Olive Trail; a gang favorite ... meanders thru the aspen and then up towards Speedway before heading back down to the ranch. There were a couple of boggy places.

Memo and I have a new saddle; much more comfortable and I could make him keep up. Think old Memo and I will stay together. He's sure-footed and tomorrow we do Castle Rock.

Dunker, Last Frame and and Sundance

Apparently there's no hope of changing my name; even tho I remind them I'm an original member and the only one who had to 'earn' the name. Brooke got to change her name (from Background to Sakebomb) only because we're all scared of her.

Day 3

I'm riding! On a horse whose name I've forgotten and hope not to remember. Gotta be the slowest horse on the ranch. Needed binoculars to keep sight of the rest of the gang. There were federalies disguised as deer and dudes - everywhere. Very disconcerting.

It's not that Slow Poke stopped; he kept moving. I walk faster than this horse.

It's a beautiful sunny; bordering on warm day. Had to laugh when yesterday's shower appeared just as the guys headed up to Castle Rock to shoot. In the past 10 years, I've heard more tales of rain and hail than I hear about shooting. Matt says Grandpa's shootings skill is "awesome."

It's so great to be surrounded by youth. When Matt saw me wearing my boots, planning to ride; I got the title "Tough Cookie."

Botsy and Mary had a trunk show before lunch. It's fun. Every few years they clear out their trunks and chests and get their friends to do the same. We leave the party with stuff we didn't know we wanted. Charlotte has a pair of Argentina gaucho pants ... lots of places in Columbus, Ohio to soiree in those. We're counting on Pauline finding them irresistible.

Pauline arrives today ... think half the ranch is waiting to greet her. She's a 4th generation to visit and work here. We 1st met her when she was 2 and now she's a senior in college.

Pic of Dunker and Sundance in Red Canyon.

Afternoon: Philip and I moved from porch to soft to bed. Matt went swimming and shooting. We caught up with him at the dining table.

Cocktails were at the Eatons, Landy and Peter. Again a very small world ... the young woman next to me, Elizabeth Molfetta knows Krissie as does her husband Michael.  Elizabeth said she and Krissie have been friends for 25 years +.
We were friends with Michaels grandparents, John and Millie Goode.

Dinner was hysterical as Pauline tried to get her Dad up to speed on the current generation lingo. Matt, Mark and Pauline are trying to translate to parents and grandparents. Apparently we're all to refrain from 'coming in Hot' as we're misusing the term. And there was fleek or fleeck which none of us got; much to youthful amusement. Needed a darn dictionary.

Nice evening. We're reading, blogging and writing. No fire tonight; too warm.

Day 2

I'm still not riding ... tomorrow's the day. Steb 2 left for Denver/Nashville after we worked out next year's dates.

The rest of the gang rode to Beer Belly Gulch; comes out below Castle Rock. Apparently Sundance's horse was spooked by a jeep, horse went to his knees but the rider stayed on.

Dunker, Sundance & Preacher Lady

Yesterday afternoon 16 - 73 year olds took power naps before joining the Guastellas-Chandors on the Boulder porch. Matt and a wranger rode to Red Canyon.  He returned to the cabin and indulged his grandparents by listening to our 70's tunes. Actually both men indulged me as PB's not a 70's fan.

Dumbfounded to notice Matt's reading  "Undefeated"; a story of Jim Thorpe and Pop Warner. JT's family. I'm ultra sensitive about what's written and/or reported. Natch, I quickly scanned the book; should lead to interesting discussion this week.

The guys are shooting this afternoon; MC and I are driving to Buffalo.

Very small world at the ranch. Newbies at our table - 3 generations, from greater Boston area. The grandparents both graduated from Milton. Grandson Michael graduated from Milton last June. The grandfather's father was on the Moses Brown board. Matt attends Moses Brown.


Apparently, we're the ranch Meet and Greet committee ... 5 meals ... moved 3x's.