Intermission Tour

Begin the Intermission Tour June28, 2013   Bill and Karen Glasgow 

These entries are intended as a journal.  I tried to capture hi-lights from the moment we left Austin, TX.  However, you may find it dull reading so feel free to scroll forward to July 1-9th.  I combined the first 9 days to summarize activity.  If I capture everything this will result in a BOOK.  Not the intent but, I did want to capture this adventure.

Spoiler alert:  The Glasgow's are having a great time. 

We left Austin at 5:30PM headed to our first pit stop in Abilene Texas.  We arrived Marriott Residence Inn at 9:00 pm.  The Residence inn was beautiful.  One of the nicest I’ve ever seen.  We took in the local flavor for dinner at Lyle’s Land and Cattle which was REAL Cowboy.   After a low key dinner we returned for the night knowing we would have many miles to cover the next day.  We planned 700 miles for th3e 29^th.  Abilene to Denver.  

June 29, 2013

We were up and out by 6:30AM.  We traveled through many small Texas towns which at one time were the true spirit and heart of Texas.   We traveled through Lampasas, Rising Star, Hamlin, and Paducah.  All of the towns we traveled through resembled Mayberry only scorned by sprawling urban communities, malls and downturn in economy.  50% of the downtowns businesses were “closed”.  It tugged on my heart to see what was once thriving now, on a respirator.  Homes were in quiet disrepair and many abandoned.  We traveled miles and miles before seeing any real signs of activity.  We stopped in Childress to grab a bite to eat and the experience had us both tickled in laughter.   We stopped at what looked like the local favorite, Dawson’s Family Restaurant, only to realize that in a small town that everyone knows one another and Bill and I clearly stood out.  There’s only one cook in the kitchen and I think the locals eat first.  It took an hour to get eggs.  We laughed just observing the “town folk”.   Once we regained our composure we were back on the road heading to Amarillo then up to Denver CO.  700 miles of driving today.  We arrived Denver at 6PM and had dinner with our nephew Harry Dorcy Jr (Digga) and his lovely wife LeeAnn.  When we finally retired for the evening it was 9pm.  Pushing on tomorrow.  

June 30, 2013

Today’s journey has us leaving and traveling to Billings MT.  550 miles to cover through Colorado, Wyoming and into Montana.  We had a peaceful evening the night before and ready for our journey.  When we packed and arranged the jeep for the day, Bill couldn’t find his IPHONE.  After tearing through his briefcase, hotel room, and parking lot we deemed it “lost” and called Verizon.  No sooner had we suspended the service then I remembered the IPhone feature for “Find my Phone” and fortunately, I had Bill’s phone listed.  The feature worked like a charm and we found Bill’s phone in his briefcase.  Now another call to Verizon to unwind the suspension.  And, this was how the day started.   We traveled I25 and while on the Interstate, there was an abandoned Van with someone walking the shoulder.  We stopped and picked up the HITCH HIKER.  This was how we turned around a bad start.  We rewarded ourselves by doing something helpful.  We picked up Steve from Guam who was engaged and ran out of gas getting to his future father in law’s business.  The nearest gas was 5 miles.  We took Steve for gas then carried him back to his car.  He told us he had just prayed to the Lord asking that someone might help him out.  Then, Bill and I pulled over.  He was so appreciative he wanted us to stop at his father in laws lodge on our way back through Wyoming.  We exchanged blessings all around and we got back on the highway.

The landscape from Colorado to Wyoming changed swiftly.  The Mountain ranges were in your face and the further North we travelled the greener everything became.  We stopped for lunch in a new small town we think was Evansville.  (Already can’t remember)   Fire Rock Grill was perched in the Mountains.  I’d be taking pictures but, my good camera is buried in the U-Haul and the IPhone really can’t capture this magnificence.  We got back to the highway and pushed through to Billings Montana.  I can’t adequately describe the beauty.  WHO KNEW?  Seeing these wide open spaces and mountain ranges on your door step throughout Montana.  There are only 1mm people in the entire state.  More cows than people.  So much land.  I couldn’t help but reflect on history however and feel burdened by what our ancestors did to an entire race of people to claim land that didn’t belong to us.  Sad stain.  We passed through Little Big Horn and the history although an Indian victory resulted in their final fate in being erased or forced to flee to Canada.  When you look at this Country you truly develop a lump in your throat.   If it weren’t that we were driving 80mph I’d be clicking off pics.   Once we get to Plains and pick up the Motor Home I’ll be able to video journal.

We arrived Billings MT at 6PM, had dinner at Old Chicago and retired early as we have another 450 miles to cover tomorrow. 

July 1, 2013

We’ve been staying at Residence Inns each night and they have been great.  We left Billings at 7AM and back on the road headed to Plains.  There are all these quaint towns nestled in the valleys.  When I say the Mountains are in your face, I mean, they are smacking me around.  Bill has been doing all the driving and the UHAUL has been handling beautifully.  Today we move into the motor home and we are getting excited.  Darby has been the best travel dog.  Never squeals.   When we arrive at the owner’s home, deep in the Mountains, he is so gracious he permits us to unload our U-Haul on his land.  He was so helpful.  I videotaped the “walk through”.  MERCY!  So much to learn.  The “BUS” is huge.  Bill’s grit will be tested.  The owner’s name is Dave Devault.  He was a retired detective from Seattle WA.  He and his wife had decided to move to Montana as they just feel in love with the State.  They built a modest home and invested “large” in the motor home as their plan was to travel the States.  Sadly, Dave’s wife passed away at 50 years of age to Breast Cancer.  Their plans were derailed.  Dave just couldn’t manage to spend time in the Motor Home anymore so, he sold his home to Bill.  It was an emotionally charged day.   Dave had many offers for the motor home but, he choose to sell it to Bill.  He said he knew when he met Bill that Bill would take good care of his Home.  There were personal touches in the Motor Home that were hand made by Dave’s wife, Dorita.  I promised to keep her florals and handmade accessories in the motor home in her memory.  I also promised to send Dave emails and pics of our adventures.  Darby was such a great little traveler.  He stayed close to us the entire time which was a good thing as bears are prevalent at Dave’s house.  Dave walks around “holstered”.  Just in case.  He was a wonderful person and I’m glad we met him.  Another friend for life. 

 

 

 

July 1 - 9th 2013

 

We arrived Polson's Motor Coach Resort on the 1st.  When you pull into the resort, you call "valet" and they greet you by taking you to your "condo Unit" and moving you in.  It has been quite the experience.  We set the bar too high for our first travel experience.  The park has developed their tiered lots by design and ownership.  Like buying a new home you have the opportunity to select your lot and size, how paved (gravel, concrete or pavers), parking for car (tow vehicle) and just how elaborate you want your outdoor living.  There are units where you pull in your bus and open your doors facing your private fire place, fire pit, bar, outdoor kitchens, living and entertainment facing the bus, elevated seating areas and fire pits, ... just unbelievable!  A variety of different "floor plans".  Each bus condo lot is landscaped with individual addresses and night lighting.  The "yard" is maintained with a daily sprinkler system and weekly lawn cut.  Trash pickup (yes I said PICKUP)  is twice a day at 9 and noon.  There are so many amenities I don't know where to begin.  (so I won't.)  It is suffice to stay that a 5 star hotel has nothing on this resort.  

 

 

 

 

 

The 4th of July celebration was fab.  It was like tearing out a page of a time when small town America was proud of their town and being American.  We attended the down town parade which was very nostalgic.  We rode our bikes (Sheriff Dillon and Miss Kitty) into Polson and sat with the "locals" watching the parade.  I was all teary when it was over.  I miss that sense of pride in our neighborhoods.  They truly live it in God's Country.  It doesn't get dark until 10pm here in Big Sky Country so fire works weren't until 10:45PM which we couldn't miss even if we tried as they were on the Lake.  They were going off for what seemed like an hour.  Spectacular.

 

 

 



  We had a wonderful BBQ with all the neighbors at the veranda club and the views that we wake up to every day are just breath taking.  The views from the Veranda Club say it all.  We are on top of Flathead Lake with the Rocky Mountains in the background.  I'm taking these pictures with my IPhone.  Imagine what they would look like with a good camera.  Each morning we have coffee outdoors and are so appreciative of this adventure as we had no idea Montana was this beautiful.   We have the Polson Airport in view and get the pleasure of watching planes "practice".  It's a small town and small airport.  Just one runway.  We get to see maybe two, three planes a day.  I love it as I've always been fascinated with airplanes.

We have been taking in the local flavor and have not been disappointed.  "Swanees" has quickly become our local spot.  Everything is laid back.  No schedule.  No urgency.  Everyone is calm.  Imagine Bill and I trying to fit in.  (I hear the laughter).

On July 6th we traveled with our neighbors, Ashley and Linda Pardue, to the Bison Range.  WOW!  The National Park was incredible as these animals are truly massive beasts.  The buffalo appear used to having so many visitors that they will cross in front of your car.  At least that's what happened for us.  I kept thinking of the Stat Farm Commercial instantly realizing that we could most likely be in harms way but then, we have Bill Glasgow.  I was immediately calmed but my new friend Linda was so alarmed and frightened.  Ashley and Linda didn't know Bill so they didn't know he could tame wild beasts but I did.  

We also got to see ELK and ANTELOPE which of course I immediately broke into song "Oh give me a home, where the buffalo roam and the deer and the antelope play...."   Yes, this was the place.  It was grand.   Later that same day Bill rented a boat for a few hours and we headed out on Flathead Lake through the Rockies and arrived at WILD HORSE ISLAND.  We didn't see any wild horses although there were many signs warning of the wild horses.  We took Darby with us and he managed the boat, island and ride like a champ.  The Lake is huge.  I could see no end and it traveled through the mountain ranges for what look like infinity.  I was so taken by the beauty.  I've been on many lakes and oceans but never ever have I seen anything to match the splendor of this Lake and Mountain Range. 

 

After our boating experience we took in the local Mexican Restaurant which was situated on the lake and we proceeds to indulge and celebrate our blessings and beautiful day.  I'd like to say that we retired after such a busy day but, that would be a lie.  We continued our celebration at our neighbors "condo" and didn't wrap up the day till very late.  So the 7th will be a day of rest.

 

We did rest on the 7th but on the 8th we were right back in the mix and our plans for the day were to travel to the Glacier National Park where the spine of the Rockies border the US and Canada.  I truly can't put into words the experience.  We took "GOING TO THE SUN" road and that's exactly where the road took us.  I lost count of what elevation we finally hit but, the narrow road took us straight to the top where the snow caps were melting and creating waterfalls all through the rocks.  I was in awe of God's Creation.  Unbelievable!  It is impossible not to recognize the author of such magnificence.

 





Today we are headed out to walk and bike then, catch some lunch at Swanees.  It appears that whenever we have a full day experience, we "rest" the next.  Today is a "take it easy" day.  Although for Bill, there is no such thing.  More to come.
Each day is a new awakening.  The air is clean, fresh, brisk and plain awesome.   I don't know how people live here and not think the rest of the Country is insane.  So wholesome and fresh.  I expect most believe the Kardashian's are foreign, probably aliens.  Well, that's probably a bad example because everyone must believe the Kardashian's are sick, self centered, no talent, crude, ill mannered, disgusting, deceptive, no nothing ignorant young women with a crazy mother.  Sad!   Anyway, since each day presents new adventures and most involving pictures which if you aren't here you probably are bored to tears.  To prevent painful boredom, I am "bundling" my comments to cover multiple days. 

July 10th - 11th
On both days we traveled through neighboring towns.  All just slightly bigger than Mayberry. (not much though).  Life travels at a much slower pace in Big Sky Country.  We spent time at Kerr Dam and Canyon.  I felt that I was at the Ponderosa and would see Hos and Little Joe any moment.  I realize the Ponderosa was in Nevada but these views will remind my generation of time when.  Loved the Cartwright Family.  I most likely won't update the blog again until we head out for Yellowstone - Wyoming. 

Kerr Dam and Canyon

 

 

 

July 12 - 17