I'm going to start this post with a giant shout out to the couple that we are working for at The Travelers Rest Lodge- Diane and Bob Scalese. They have many irons in many fires; not the least of which is the engraving that Diane does. I have linked her name to a page dedicated to her craft, it's truly incredible. Not to be outdone Bob has a vast skill set, and if you click on the lodge link, you'll be able to see and read about his work that was done here. What I found to be most endearing about these people is the simple respect that they have for each other, and the pride he shows for her talents and hard work. She is in many books and The National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, and he brags on her within minutes of meeting them.
We plotted this course when we were in Mayo, FL - not knowing how things would turn out. As it turns out, this trip has become really special, in a way I never saw coming. Let's dig in. I have lived in New England my entire life, and I never once saw a moose. We weren't here at the Lodge for more than an hour and this happened.
Those photos were taken just up the hill and right outside our RV. I was absolutely stunned. It was the first of many special moments we would have. Most mornings are pretty special here. When it's a work day, we go up to Diane's studio and get everything we need for our job and let's just say with views like this, it's never a struggle to get there.
The mountains you are looking at is literally the Rockies and Glacier National Park. The views never get old. Now, because we don't have a car we opted to take a Red Bus Tour through East Glacier. It was an 8-9 hour day and we met some really interesting people and had quite the adventure. It was a truly fantastic day, and we were able to cross something else off of our bucket list.
But wait! There's more... and this isn't even half of the photos we took. It truly is a magnificent place.
The day we took this tour there was a wind advisory out, so at the following stop it was even more windy than it usually is. Have a look - you'll want to have the sound up too!
Now perhaps is time for one of the most surprising and special moments. Let me give you a little back story. Shortly after my mom passed away (10 years ago this October), I lost contact with my step-siblings. Not for any reason in particular, but just because life happens. As it turns out my brother Tim, has stayed in touch with Jeff ( one of 2 of my step brothers- yeah, I know you need to have a score card at this point- but bear with me, it'll be worth it). Anyway..... I got a text from both of them almost at the same time. As it turns out, Jeff and his wife Janine were here in Montana visiting his aunt. Now if you look at a map, Montana is pretty big freeking state, there's a reason they call it "Big Sky Country", the sky isn't the only big thing about it. What was incredible was the fact that they were less than 2 hours away from us. And thanks to his aunt and uncle we were able to meet up at Glacier Park Lodge which happens to be a mere 1/2 mile from where we are. The fact that this was the first time either one of us had ever been to Montana before, made this trip even more special. Love you guys!
Like I told you in the beginning, the owners of this lodge are very kind people, so kind that today, Diane made me birthday brownies. Helen and Terry ( the other workamper couple here) have more than once offered to bring us groceries and fresh eggs (Thank God). So once again, it's the people. It's always the people. Should this adventure of ours end sooner than we want, I will always remember that I spent my 53rd birthday in Montana, and spent time with some really special people from both my past and hopefully my future.
Our next blog might be awhile. We've got alot on our plate before our next extended stop and I really can't wait to tell you about it. Spoiler alert: there's going to be a "Proud Grams" moment...
Until Then.....Be Well, Be Happy and Safe Travels