I am not the pack leader...:(

Thought I would send an update as we sit on the  porch while a gentle rain falls.  We have been on the road a week now....just over 1000 miles traveled.  From Vernal, UT we stayed in Dubois and Cody, WY.  Both are quaint small towns but nothing compares to where I am now---Red Lodge, MT.  Probably the CUTEST, MOST QUAINT and BEAUTIFUL town in MT.   I have been to several places in MT in prior years so I feel comfortable saying this!  The mountains that surround the town and BIG and the famous Beartooth Hwy is here.  The Hwy goes to 11000 feet and the views are breathtaking.  The stores are better than most....not just crappy t-shirts shops or food here.. Real quality.  I would recommend everyone visit and feel the small town hospitality.  Tomorrow we head out to our next great adventure after staying 4 days and it's been great.

I have met yet another wonderful pair--a mother and daughter from just up the road in Billings.  Kim and Elise (shes 11) are here for a mother/daughter summer trip and staying in the cabin beside me.  We clicked instantly yesterday and Kim and I were able to talk at the pool a while today.   Kim and her husband foster children and currently has a 9 month old that they are madly in love with & talked about the possibility of having to relinquish her soon.  Elise is way past her years in maturity and sweetness....you can tell she genuinely cares about people which means her parents have done an amazing job. She has brought the boys treats from the main office so they life her a lot :).   Thank God for people who have that calling and purpose in their life.  I'm thankful for meeting them as they have enriched my life.

The boys and I have been doing 3-4 walks a day but today we ventured out on a hike to Wild Bill Lake.   A very picturesque, small lake nestled in the evergreens.   We did 2 loops around the lake and started on a 3rd when the boys were picking up on a scent so I decided to turn around.  There, about 40 feet off the trail stood a HUGE moose staring at us through the bush.   My heart raced knowing that if the boys saw him and barked or lounged, he may charge.   Luckily--they didn't and we proceeded quickly to the car.  I went back for a picture and he was gone.  It definitely had me thinking of future encounters with wildlife and how we should react.    A nice adrenaline rush though!!

I have realized I am not the leader of my pack but am working on it.  We bark when we shouldn't, we don't really like kids (J), we don't ride in the car well, we are protective of our camp and the list goes on....BUT we are working on it and hopefully by the end of our trip we will realize that mama is the boss :).

Do you know what I miss the most so far??? You would think my bed, my shower, a TV maybe....nope ---a refrigerator!!  It's been really tough keeping ice in the cooler everyday or 2 and all I have wanted is cold stuff like: yogurt, salads, cheese,etc.  If I could have only packed a fridge we would have it made!!  Daily I look forward to the formality of dinner---if you can call it that!  You will see a pic below.  A tablecloth & music with dinner, what a concept.  Speaking of that----if anyone can dry some peppers for me when they go on sale at City Market that would be AWESOME!!  I have enjoyed my dried fruits and veggies with each meal but already out of the peppers. 

I am definitely living a more simple life and appreciating it. I have traded my perfume for bug spray & makeup for sunscreen. I always have dirt under my fingernails--no matter how hard I try to keep them clean.  I sweat ALL day long! I have an injury on every limp and appendage! The boys have never stayed this tired in their lives & love it!  At about 6pm---after dinner they are ready to hit the bed!  And life is GRAND!!

Below are pics of  Beartooth HWY, Red Lodge, my dinner table, Wild Bill Lake and Red Lodge countryside.