Guard Kitty

Want to find out how sharp my claws are??

SEVEN LAKES, NC - - Max, the guard kitty at the family BBQ reception we recently went to,  didn't sound off much.  Just a flex of the claws was enough to let folks know if they were on the invite list.

Grits for breakfast

SOUTHERN PINES, NC - - After some  sage advice from Lydia, I decided not to take photos of the "Y'all come back now" eatery.  Oh, the advice: "They probably shoot tourists taking photographs."  We stopped in Liberty, NC for breakfast.  Perfect.  Sausage and gravy;  buttery biscuits; red-eye gravy and GRITS.  Nearly four months without grits and you can get a craving.  Or not.   (My choice:  Sausage and cheese omelette plus grits and a biscuit. Got to save room because we have a BBQ get together to go to this afternoon).
      The small eatery, tucked in the middle of a row of buildings, was filled with people who seemed to know everyone's name.  No computers or smart phones until a Youngster (40-ish) joined those ready to fill up on good southern cooking. 

A battlefield along the way

"Know the power that is peace"    Black Elk

GRAYSON, KY - - One of the things we do on days we spend needing to put in some big miles on is look back.  One of my favorite places to visit if we are in the area is the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (Crow Agency, MT).  A great majority of folks have heard of the Battle of the Little Bighorn and General Custer.  A visit to the area and the battlefield toward setting the  story straight.

On the trail of the Tin Man

Fay man in kilt checking out the pizza menu

Forest fire  damage in G;acier NL

Golden Marmot in Rockey Mountain NP

DANVILLE, MO - - We were in Montana in my last blog.  It's been a long road, some computer problems and not too many places with wifi since then.  We've been through apple country (Wenatchee, WA) , cherry country, smoky areas covered with haze from forest fires, hay fields, hay stacks, fields of what I call " cow corn" waiting to be harvested for winter feed.  Now we're near St. Louis so I'd guess we're back to civilization.  It's been interesting, but not real photogenic although we did  see some characters.  The chubby guy waiting for the pizza joint to open so he could chow down and get back to the Scottish/Irish festival just outside Rocky Mountain NP was one.

Bear day

WEST GLACIER, MT - - We took a trip to Many Glacier Lodge on the East side of the mountains hoping for some better weather.  No such luck.  Rain, low clouds, wind and maybe 40-degrees.  We figured maybe we would see some bears.  We usually do...if you use binoculars.  Luckily this beary fellow (or ms.) was grubbing the hillside just above the roadway.  The sound of cameras clicking did seem to irk a bit judged by the facial expression we got every so often.

On a cold and rainy day

Porky

WEST GLACIER, MT - - A colorful blanket on the couch; a favorite 'frog' pillow and a nice gentile rain.  That's all the inducement Porky need to take a nap.  Of course Porky doesn't real need any inducement to take a nap because 'every day is nap day all day long.'  As a watchdog at the campground he has a pretty good job.

Polebridge day trip

The center of activity.  And the bakery is open.

The "Lending Library."

WEST GLACIER, MT - - Polebridge is a bit off the grid.  No power, no phones and the folks who live out there like it that way. Solar panels or generators are the 'make-do' system. The Merc has been serving the area for over 100 years.  The  real drawing point is the bakery  with bear claws; scones; fruity buns plus cookies, coffee and other delicious items.  The drive is mainly on a bumpy dirt road and well worth it.
      If the residents need a library book they can walk over to the Polebridge Lending Library and take or exchange one.  The selection may not be huge, but it's nice to know you can tell folks:  "Hey, we have a library."