This day has gone by so fast. I did laundry this morning. Usually the washers go 15 - 25 minutes. I had one washer that went more than an hour. I actually had clothes dry before it quit washing. And it was so loud that you could hear it way down the sidewalk, by the next building.
Jim worked in the trailer all day and I did too after I finished with my housework. I don't know how we would survive without Sabbaths for worship and rest, and another day in the week to catch up. Some of our shelves were all but empty.
Jim and I have new 'pet names' for each other. It's either 'excuse me' or 'I'm sorry' or on bad days 'MOVE'. It gets so close in the truck sometimes that one usually has to move so the other one can do something. We're always bumping into each other.
We're seeing a lot more color in the trees, reds and yellows. Some of the leaves are already falling. It's warm during the day, but definitely cool or even cold at night.
There's a big motor home parked next to ours. They were outside watching a ball game on their TV on a big flat screen TV built in the side of their motor home. Now they are really roughing it!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
August 27 Billings, MT
We got up early to get on the road. We had about 250 miles to drive with a stop at Bozeman on the way.
We had some books sent to us at the academy so we needed to stop to pick them up. We were lucky to make the right connections to find them. UPS delivered our package to the elementary school. They opened them thinking it was something they ordered. Luckily nothing in our order was the same as what they ordered. Someone from the school put our boxes in their car and have carried them around for a few days. Anyway the right person at the academy asked the right person if they knew about our boxes and we ended up with our stuff! Thank goodness we allowed extra time to play detective.
I went to the cafeteria to see Vonnie while we were there. Ours has been one of those special friendships that has gown from the start. Not only is she a great cook, she's a fantastic person and friend besides.
We stopped at Livingston for lunch and still got to Billings early. No matter how early we are, there is usually someone almost as early, in this case 45 minutes early. Other than our first customer, our sale started out slow. But it ended up very busy. We enjoyed enough product that we'll end up spending a lot of tomorrow restocking to get ready for a new week.
We had some books sent to us at the academy so we needed to stop to pick them up. We were lucky to make the right connections to find them. UPS delivered our package to the elementary school. They opened them thinking it was something they ordered. Luckily nothing in our order was the same as what they ordered. Someone from the school put our boxes in their car and have carried them around for a few days. Anyway the right person at the academy asked the right person if they knew about our boxes and we ended up with our stuff! Thank goodness we allowed extra time to play detective.
I went to the cafeteria to see Vonnie while we were there. Ours has been one of those special friendships that has gown from the start. Not only is she a great cook, she's a fantastic person and friend besides.
We stopped at Livingston for lunch and still got to Billings early. No matter how early we are, there is usually someone almost as early, in this case 45 minutes early. Other than our first customer, our sale started out slow. But it ended up very busy. We enjoyed enough product that we'll end up spending a lot of tomorrow restocking to get ready for a new week.
August 26 Butte, MT
I forgot to write about the deer we saw yesterday. After we left Wendy's after eating our lunch, we saw two deer crossing the street about a block from us. So we drove that way to see where downtown deer live. When we got there, we saw three deer in a front yard, eating the leaves off the tree. This was in the capitol town of Helena, MT.
Be sure to double click to see these deer....
Butte is over the mountain from Helena. It was another pretty drive.
The Bookmobile hasn't been to Butte before either. These towns are too close to where the ABC used to be, to have been part of our route. With that store closing, it's really increased our stops in Montana.
We watched a neat thing happen tonight. While an older couple (Our age!) was in our truck buying product, a couple teenage girls came in. One picked out an item, then was waiting for her turn to check out. The couple decided to buy her item. She was thrilled! Then he realized that the second girl didn't have anything, so he encouraged here to find something she wanted and he bought it too. About 10 minutes later these girls brought in another girl to the store, so he could buy her something too. He didn't let her down, he bought her book too!
I was thinking that in years to come, all three of these girls will always have good memories of the bookmobile. They'll come back. And I know the gentleman felt good about his small mission project! It doesn't cost much to spread a little love and kindness.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
August 25 Helena, MT
The truck got a bath today. When we took the road from Missoula to Ronan, on that road construction, we followed a truck that was putting liquid on the gravel. So between that and 12.2 million bugs that died on our windshield, the truck was filthy.
The drive from Great Falls to Helena was beautiful. I like the mountain roads as long as there aren't big deep drop offs into rivers. And it helps that Jim has more experience driving a semi. Our first trip in the mountains was 2 - 3 weeks after he got his CDL. He had very little experience driving a big truck, besides no experience driving in the mountains. He's good and I'm not quite as scared as I was.
Helena was a nice sale. The pastor used to be in Olathe, KS, where we used to live. We went to his church once, but ended up going to Chapel Oaks, since that used to be my home church for years, before Jim and I got married.
I found a classmate here in Montana that I haven't seen in at least 28 - 30 years, Larry Scholz. Unfortunately I didn't get to see him. He is an undertaker and was busy undertaking. Some things really are a matter of life and death. I did get to visit with him on the telephone and plan on getting with him the next time we come to Montana in the spring.
The drive from Great Falls to Helena was beautiful. I like the mountain roads as long as there aren't big deep drop offs into rivers. And it helps that Jim has more experience driving a semi. Our first trip in the mountains was 2 - 3 weeks after he got his CDL. He had very little experience driving a big truck, besides no experience driving in the mountains. He's good and I'm not quite as scared as I was.
Helena was a nice sale. The pastor used to be in Olathe, KS, where we used to live. We went to his church once, but ended up going to Chapel Oaks, since that used to be my home church for years, before Jim and I got married.
I found a classmate here in Montana that I haven't seen in at least 28 - 30 years, Larry Scholz. Unfortunately I didn't get to see him. He is an undertaker and was busy undertaking. Some things really are a matter of life and death. I did get to visit with him on the telephone and plan on getting with him the next time we come to Montana in the spring.
August 24 Great Falls, MT
The KOA camp offered a free breakfast with their ridiculously high nightly rate. The best thing about it was that it was different than our normal breakfast. We had cold biscuits, eggs, cereal and fruit.
It took about 5 hours to drive from Kalispell to Great Falls. We took the route through the mountains. We were actually in Glacier Park for several miles.
We even had time to eat in a restaurant for lunch, find the post office and bank, before our sale. We looked for WalMart, but they must have moved it.
Today would have been Jim's dad's 99th birthday. He really wanted to live to be at least 100. He's been gone a year and a half now. We miss him.
It took about 5 hours to drive from Kalispell to Great Falls. We took the route through the mountains. We were actually in Glacier Park for several miles.
We even had time to eat in a restaurant for lunch, find the post office and bank, before our sale. We looked for WalMart, but they must have moved it.
Today would have been Jim's dad's 99th birthday. He really wanted to live to be at least 100. He's been gone a year and a half now. We miss him.
Aug 23 Kalispell, MT
This was a 2 sale day. Our first sale was in Libby. The Bookmobile hasn't gone there before, so they were glad to have us. After that sale, we hurried to Kalispell for our second sale. It was a full and busy day.
At Libby I recognized a lady that used to be a student in Caldwell, ID when I worked at the elementary school there. Her name is Pam. She said that her Mom, Peggy lives in this area too. But she had gone to Kalispell for the day. So we missed Peggy in both towns.
So now we have completed on full week of sales and only have 13 weeks to go!
At Libby I recognized a lady that used to be a student in Caldwell, ID when I worked at the elementary school there. Her name is Pam. She said that her Mom, Peggy lives in this area too. But she had gone to Kalispell for the day. So we missed Peggy in both towns.
So now we have completed on full week of sales and only have 13 weeks to go!
August 22 Troy, MT
We had a big day planned to celebrate the Sabbath out in God's nature. First we went to the Kootenai River. There's a big Falls there and a swinging bridge across the river. This is the river that they filmed "River Wild" with Meryl Streep. We did the trail to the first bridge. Once you got across the river, there was about 5 flights of stairs that you can see through clear to the bottom. I decided that I didn't need to go down there. So we didn't walk the swinging bridge or even get close to the falls. But it was a beautiful day out and a nice, but short hike.
Next we went to Ross Creek Cedar Grove. These are big red cedar trees that are hundreds of years old. To get there, there was 4 miles of one way traffic, with a few turnouts. We didn't meet anyone going up. There were about five cars we met coming down, but we met them all at a wide place in the road. Good!
The cedar grove is actually in a rain forest. It had a great hiking trail, about a mile long. We really enjoyed that. I must have taken 50 plus pictures. The trees aren't as big around as the Red Woods, but they are tall. It would be easy to spend hours up there.
Next we went to find Yaak Falls. The highway going up to Yaak is only 3 miles from the Idaho border. We went north about 5 miles. The turn off to the falls is a narrow gravel road that didn't look like we needed to be on. So we turned around and came back.
All these places were very close to our campground. We left the trailer here so we could go sightseeing. What we really did was make memories. It was a fantastic day!
August 21 Troy, MT
Jim got up early and went to work in the trailer. We just haven't felt very organized yet on this trip, but with his work today we may finally feel good about it. He worked several hours back there.
It was my day to do laundry. When we have a washer and dryer at home, it's hard to want to pay between $5. - $10. per week, depending on the individual machine cost.
We drove to Libby to be ready for our Sunday sale. We couldn't find a RV Park on the GPS, so we drove to Troy. Our camp is by the river. Jim took a walk tonight. He saw a coon and a deer. The camp manager said a few days ago someone saw a bear out their RV window. Glad we're not in a tent.
It was my day to do laundry. When we have a washer and dryer at home, it's hard to want to pay between $5. - $10. per week, depending on the individual machine cost.
We drove to Libby to be ready for our Sunday sale. We couldn't find a RV Park on the GPS, so we drove to Troy. Our camp is by the river. Jim took a walk tonight. He saw a coon and a deer. The camp manager said a few days ago someone saw a bear out their RV window. Glad we're not in a tent.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
August 20 Polson, MT
It was quite a trip to Ronan from Missoula today. Not only was there road construction, there wasn't even any road in some places. I'm glad that we weren't in a hurry. It took twice as long to get here as it should have.
We're in a KOA camp across the highway form the southern part of Flathead Lake. It's so beautiful here. I know we enjoyed the lake last year.
We're having some hot days. It's in the 90's here. We had the air conditioner on in the trailer during our sale. It got down to 86. Wow!
We're in a KOA camp across the highway form the southern part of Flathead Lake. It's so beautiful here. I know we enjoyed the lake last year.
We're having some hot days. It's in the 90's here. We had the air conditioner on in the trailer during our sale. It got down to 86. Wow!
August 19 Hamilton, MT
Seems like we must be getting in the groove already. The days are looking somewhat alike - getting up, breakfast, driving and having a sale. The people are different in each place and special. We're starting to look for certain people at different places. Hamilton has always been one of our favorite places.
Montana has been more interesting this year since got to know more people while we were working in Bozeman in June. Also this is the third time we've seen some of these people since May. Usually our sales are about 2 hours long, with 50 to 100 people coming through and we don't have the chance to visit and get acquainted with them.
We're staying at the Black Rabbit RV Park again. There's lots of rabbits around. The water in the creek by the park is not overflowing it's banks like it was in May.
We're seeing the first fall colors in the trees here. It has gotten pretty cold already here. I imagine we'll watch fall develop most of the way on this trip, as we go south. We are taking this trip backwards from what we have done before. It's too hot in the south right now and could be too cold and snowy in the north in three months.
By the way, only 90 more days until we get home!
Montana has been more interesting this year since got to know more people while we were working in Bozeman in June. Also this is the third time we've seen some of these people since May. Usually our sales are about 2 hours long, with 50 to 100 people coming through and we don't have the chance to visit and get acquainted with them.
We're staying at the Black Rabbit RV Park again. There's lots of rabbits around. The water in the creek by the park is not overflowing it's banks like it was in May.
We're seeing the first fall colors in the trees here. It has gotten pretty cold already here. I imagine we'll watch fall develop most of the way on this trip, as we go south. We are taking this trip backwards from what we have done before. It's too hot in the south right now and could be too cold and snowy in the north in three months.
By the way, only 90 more days until we get home!
August 18 Missoula, MT
I haven't mentioned yet how cold it's been so far. The first night we had to put two blankets on during the night. It was in the 30's. Hard to believe that's it's still August. Last night was cold, but not quite as cold. Tonight it'll be in the 50's. Right now we have the air conditioner on.
We made our way west today to Missoula. I got a nice nap in while Jim drove. I did watch out the window some. It's so beautiful in Montana. When we drove in a couple days ago, it almost felt like we were coming home!
After we got set up in the RV Park tonight, a lady stopped by to see us. They were on their way home from the BIG Pathfinder Camporee in Wisconsin. They saw our truck and knew we were Adventist. They had 10 cases of vegi-dogs left and wanted us to buy them. We did. We have a much better chance of reselling them, hen she does. She said there was 35,000 Pathfinders at camporee. She's from Washington and 2 of her passengers were from Alaska. Can you imagine 35,000 kids in one place? I wonder how many countries were represented.
I just read our new book, "Camporee of Doom" on Sunday. It was a funny book, but it made me wish that I could have gone to Camporee at least once. It must be so much fun.
I'm just finished reading my 3rd book since we left 3 days ago. That's one of the fun parts of this job. I love it!
We made our way west today to Missoula. I got a nice nap in while Jim drove. I did watch out the window some. It's so beautiful in Montana. When we drove in a couple days ago, it almost felt like we were coming home!
After we got set up in the RV Park tonight, a lady stopped by to see us. They were on their way home from the BIG Pathfinder Camporee in Wisconsin. They saw our truck and knew we were Adventist. They had 10 cases of vegi-dogs left and wanted us to buy them. We did. We have a much better chance of reselling them, hen she does. She said there was 35,000 Pathfinders at camporee. She's from Washington and 2 of her passengers were from Alaska. Can you imagine 35,000 kids in one place? I wonder how many countries were represented.
I just read our new book, "Camporee of Doom" on Sunday. It was a funny book, but it made me wish that I could have gone to Camporee at least once. It must be so much fun.
I'm just finished reading my 3rd book since we left 3 days ago. That's one of the fun parts of this job. I love it!
August 17 Bozeman, MT
We got to the Academy at noon. It was nice finding our new friends again. Vonnie had our lunch ready for us. It was great, as usual!!! We delivered a big order tot he school. Then from 5:00 - 7:00, we had a sale in Bozeman at the Church.
Kathleen came to that sale to see us. She worked with us at the ABC in June. I tried to get her to ring up some sales, but she wouldn't do it.
We had a super sale of sales. We don't have days as good as this very often. It was a great way to start our journey.
Kathleen came to that sale to see us. She worked with us at the ABC in June. I tried to get her to ring up some sales, but she wouldn't do it.
We had a super sale of sales. We don't have days as good as this very often. It was a great way to start our journey.
August 16 Dillion, MT
Where did the summer go? Of course, we were only home 40 days and 40 nights. That makes for a very short summer.
We felt like we were busy the whole time with unpacking and processing the stuff from the Montana ABC, getting our orders in for food and books and then packing the truck again. I could go into much more detail, but it's already midnight on our first day out.
First we had to finish packing our personal things, then go to Boise and pick up the rest of the frozen food, then start driving. We drove about 8 hours, to Dillion, MT. We went to two RV Parks, trying to find a place to stay. Both were small places with short spaces. We couldn't have parked there even in the daylight. So we went to a Super 8 motel. They are going to let us park in their parking lot, plug in to electricity and not charge us. We're very happy about that. It's late, we're tired and don't want to try to figure out a "Plan 4".
We felt like we were busy the whole time with unpacking and processing the stuff from the Montana ABC, getting our orders in for food and books and then packing the truck again. I could go into much more detail, but it's already midnight on our first day out.
First we had to finish packing our personal things, then go to Boise and pick up the rest of the frozen food, then start driving. We drove about 8 hours, to Dillion, MT. We went to two RV Parks, trying to find a place to stay. Both were small places with short spaces. We couldn't have parked there even in the daylight. So we went to a Super 8 motel. They are going to let us park in their parking lot, plug in to electricity and not charge us. We're very happy about that. It's late, we're tired and don't want to try to figure out a "Plan 4".
Monday, August 3, 2009
July 15 Meridian, ID
It sure feels good to be home again. We're not really unpacked, but what's the use, we'll be leaving again in a month.
We got home on a Thursday evening. On Friday we went to Boise and started unloading at the ABC there. We got most of the books and food off the truck. Poor Betty! She has to inventory everything and either store it or return it to the vendors. Right now she basically has enough stock for 2 stores. Sunday we went back so Jim could determine how much food he would be able to transfer to the Bookmobile for our next run. Betty already had the food sorted and put away. She's fast!
Monday we unloaded other stuff at the press. things like office supply and miscellaneous office equipment. We also have boxes of papers to shred, boxes to ship to another store and some of our stuff. It's a trick to keep it all sorted right.
Also last week our landlord painted the outside of our house. We helped paint the trim. The house really looks nice. We've done a bit of yard work this week too, trimming trees and weeding. That can sure get away from you, when you aren't at home for months at at time.
The best thing so far is that we got to see Jeff and Holly and our beautiful, sweet granddaughter, Anabella. I don't get to see her nearly often enough.
Tomorrow we're planning on going to the Oregon coast and Oregon Campmeeting. It'll be our 26th anniversary, so we want to do something special. Last year we moved into this house. We've lived on the road more than we've lived at home this year. but we've enjoyed a good deal of that time!
We got home on a Thursday evening. On Friday we went to Boise and started unloading at the ABC there. We got most of the books and food off the truck. Poor Betty! She has to inventory everything and either store it or return it to the vendors. Right now she basically has enough stock for 2 stores. Sunday we went back so Jim could determine how much food he would be able to transfer to the Bookmobile for our next run. Betty already had the food sorted and put away. She's fast!
Monday we unloaded other stuff at the press. things like office supply and miscellaneous office equipment. We also have boxes of papers to shred, boxes to ship to another store and some of our stuff. It's a trick to keep it all sorted right.
Also last week our landlord painted the outside of our house. We helped paint the trim. The house really looks nice. We've done a bit of yard work this week too, trimming trees and weeding. That can sure get away from you, when you aren't at home for months at at time.
The best thing so far is that we got to see Jeff and Holly and our beautiful, sweet granddaughter, Anabella. I don't get to see her nearly often enough.
Tomorrow we're planning on going to the Oregon coast and Oregon Campmeeting. It'll be our 26th anniversary, so we want to do something special. Last year we moved into this house. We've lived on the road more than we've lived at home this year. but we've enjoyed a good deal of that time!
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