2017 Montana

August 4, 2017

Bair Museum

Left Helena around 8:30 and took the scenic route to our next destination of Billings, MT.   Matt told us about the Bair Museum in Martinsdale, MT, so we headed there.  So glad he told us about this museum, it tells you of the history of the Bair Family.  Charles Bair was a sheep rancher that also made money in the gold rush.

He and his wife Mary, had two daughters (Margariette and Alberta) who became antique and art collectors.  They knew that one day they'd have a museum, so collected art and antique pieces for it.  Today, their home in Martinsdale (they also lived in Portland, OR for a period of time, had a ranch there) is the museum. 

Some of the items date back to the 1700's and many in the 1800's.  Also they knew Charles Russell, so they have many of his pieces.  Our guide told us that they don't know the price of the art/antiques, but I bet each of their paintings by Sharp and Russell are worth over a million each.

Artist Charles Russell

They have a separate building that houses the original art pieces, in the house/museum are prints of the originals.

If you ever get to Martinsdale, this is worth you time.

We continued on to Billings, stopping at the Walmart to spend the night.  Great Walmart in that it is surrounded by stores and restaurants for us to send our time and money...lol.  Of which, I did!!!

August 3, 2017

Anita, Bobby & Matt on tour boat

Ran to Walmart to look for a new 50 AMP plug, didn't have one, so then we did a little grocery shopping and then headed back, as we are going to Gates of the Mountains with Matt and Anita.

Left around 11 for the trip to the Gates of the Mountains, which is a boat ride on the Missouri River.

Young Bald Eagle

Got on the boat around 12, ride took about 2 hours.  Our guide explained the history, pointed out wildlife (Mule Deer, White Pelicans, Baby Bald Eagles, Bald Eagles, ducks, Ospreys, etc.).  Also told us about the Mann Gulch Fire, worse smoke jumpers disaster in USA history.  This occurred in 1949.  From this fire, many improvements to fighting fires occurred, to bad 13 individuals had to die before they were discovered.   Greatest one being the back fire, it saved the captain, while 2 others scrambled to the top of the ridge with fire chasing them.

August 2, 2017

Me, Matt, Bobby & Anita

Arrived at Matt and Anita's in Helena, MT, got coach parked in their driveway, then went to their new shop.  They own Tizer Meats and have enlarged since we were here 4 yrs ago.  The new location is much bigger and the store provides twice as much product!

Once Matt got off work, they took us to Montana City (about 5 miles away) for dinner.  Had a wonderful meal.



August 1, 2017



Last day in Rollins!  Not sure what's on the agenda but sure a boat ride will be involved!  Stay tuned!

On their deck...notice the hats

Ok, arrived at Ron and Deb's to find Ron working on their water system.  Apparently they are losing pressure, Bobby and Ron worked on it for several hours with no luck finding the problem.

Guys pushed us in...we'll get even

I cleaned up the paddleboard and played in the lake.  Deb cleaned up and fixed lunch and then around 4 we took a drive to Mary Ronan Lodge but found it closed.  Stopped at a small bar on the way home, kids were starving, had chips. 

Headed home for dinner, had hamburgers and fresh fries.  They were delicious.

July 31, 2017


Everyone left today, so we decided to spend the morning resting and giving Ron and Deb a break from us!!!

Homer and Sharon Budd with us

Went into Kalispell and caught up with Homer and Sharon Budd, who are spending a few days there.  Had lunch at Finnigans, nothing spectacular but good.

Did a little shopping after lunch and then went to Ron and Deb's.   Spent the afternoon just relaxing.  Deb fixed leftovers (they have tons!) for dinner.  After dinner, went for a kayak ride around the bay and then home.



July 30, 2017

Ron, Deb, John, Linda. Ted, Larry, Kristy,

Ed, Bobby and Me

Part of the gang went to Glacier (Larry, Ed, John and Linda) while the rest of us played in the lake.

Once they returned, we spent the afternoon on the lake again, went to a new restaurant/bar called the Saddlehorn.  Great place over by the Raven on east side of the lake.

Water was very rough coming and going, so a very bumpy ride.   It's our last day on the lake with the entire gang!!!  Been a wonderful time with everyone!

July 29, 2017

Gang at Del's

Ed, Bobby, John & Ron

Boy's played golf at Buffalo Ridge in Kalispell, girls just spent day relaxing.   We got a surprise in that Ed Salvi had driven up to play golf with the boys and is going to spend two days with us!!

Later that evening, we went to Del's and had dinner.  Very relaxing day for us!





July 28, 2017

Took another ride on the lake, this time to Big Fork.  Lovely day
for a ride.

After the ride, came home to have steaks, etc.  Ron and Deb are the best hosts!!!!



July 27, 2017

Ron and Deb fixed breakfast for everyone, John and Linda arrived late yesterday, so no the entire gang is here.   Everyone is hurting from last night, so I took the paddleboard looking for our lost items.  I found the glass but it took Ted in his snorkel gear to locate my glasses.  Riley dove down and got them....Thanks Riley!  Paid the boys $10 just for retrieving them!!

You can buy this for $25 Million

I took the paddleboard around the bay that they live in, while Ted used one of Deb's daggers.  Great time.

Around 3, we went for a boat ride, Ron showed us some of the homes on the lake, very relaxing day.

Came back to have a ham dinner, it was delicious!!  Played on the paddleboard while the boys watched TV.

July 26, 2017

Left Waterton around 7:30 and arrived in Rollins around 1:30.  It took us about 3 1/2 hrs to get to the border and we had no problems crossing back into the USA.

We stopped in Kalispell for supplies and then arrived at Rollins RV Park (located about 2 miles from Ron & Deb's) and then went to their house to catch up with the gang.

Got to their place and immediately went for a boat ride with everyone (Ron, Deb, Ted, Kristy, Larry, Holden (friend of Riley's) and Riley (Ron and Deb's grandson). This is the crowd we hang out in Havasu with!  Had a great time on the lake!!!  While on the lake, we went to dinner at the Indian Casino, had a great meal!!!

Took the paddleboard out and played on it once we got back.  I certainly like it!  Deb and I tried to get the two of us on it, we were not successful.  Lost her beer glass and my sunglasses.  Think we drank to much so went home around 9:30...going to be a long week!!!!