Day 19- Deer Lodge to Kalispell Montana-- Big Sky

Today the weather report threatened thundershowers, but by the time we left the motel in Deer Lodge, the sky was blue and sunny. Not until we went to walk to pick up oil for Linda at the Napa store in Kalispell did the thundershower appear and only for a few moments to cool us down. The temperature was 87 degrees.

The ride today was lovely Morgan ride at 70 mph through rolling hills, farm land, mountains, rivers and streams. The speeders in the group reported only going 85 mph and there were no reports of tickets being received. We (Philip and Elaine- Linda, Callie and Collin, Fiona and Anne, George and Kathy), stopped for brunch at the only restaurarant for 100 miles.  We arrived at the lovely Kallispell Grand hotel, in the middle of downtown, by 1:30 PM.

The kind ladies at the hotel  provided freshly baked cookies, tea, and assistance in unloading the cars, and although on the smallish side, the rooms are nice. Several people in the group stopped at Big Fork for an enjoyable lunch, but we had our usual ice cream for lunch. The pants are getting tighter.

Linda and I treated ourselves to 1/2 hour wonderful massages, which were the best we have ever had and  the guys sat in lobby drinking beer . By the time we were done with massages, Michael was very happy and sharing stories of his honeymoon that I doubt Sherry would want us to know.

Before dinner, Annick and Manu and Philip and I went to a local concert in the park where 60's music was being played. It was delightful to watch all the small children dancing to the music.

After the concert, we went to the local japanese restaurant where we were the only diners. It was very good and very welcome. The others either ate at the hotel restaurant or the Moose's Saloon.  Sue, Steve's wife, arrived at the tiny airport to join us for a few days. After dinner Sherry told us about the tricks she has played on husband Michael- very funny but not to Michael. Then I tried to blog. but fell asleep the computer. So while I should be getting ready now, here I am trying to catch up.

Today we are off to Canada. Paul has his Morgan in the garage to attempt to fix the taillights which are not working.

For all those checking the blog- I don't believe anyone is sick or injured. Susan had a sore throat, but that is better. We are getting tired.

Incidentally DaseMay ran well yesterday with her new spark plug wires- didn't even burn any oil, the first tine since she has had her.

Day 18- Yellowstone to Deer Lodge

First of all, Bob wishes Thorlee a happy anniversary. They were married just 2 weeks before we were- 41years years ago.
Leaving Yellowstone, we saw a few buffalo, elk and other wildlife, on yet another beautiful day. I had a hard time capturing pictures of these animals as we drove by.

We stopped in West Yellowstone to mail some packages home. On leaving the town, we saw a few Morgans stopped at the roadside but they waved us on, unfortunately. As we neared Bozeman, we stopped for coffee and received a phone call from our leaders, Ken and Pat. A piece of air filter metal had sheared off and caught in the cylinder and damaged the top of a piston. They were towed to Bozeman where it was determined the Morgan needed to be shipped home and a new special piston ordered.K en and Pat flew home the next day, and hope to join us in their Plus 8 in Quesnel on Sunday. This is why we keep more than 1 Morgan- they have 3. This puts Elaine "in charge".

We completed our trip to Deer Lodge to the Budget Motel- which was adequate. The sites for the day were visiting several museums in one- a doll/toy museum, a car collection, a western collection and the old Montana state prison All were execellent except the prison. After visiting the Laramie prison, which was fantastic, this one wasn't so great.

Most of the drivers washed their cars (Philip did ours early the next morning) then we went to the Broken Arrow Casino for a decent dinner- although very slow.  We heard that Manu had been stopped for speeding outside Yellowstone, and he had been told of 2 black roadsters doing 85 in the 45 mile zone in the park. (Bob copped to 110 during the day-not in the park, and we suspect Michael as the other). Everyone was warned that Montana cops are "Morgan aware". Since the speed limit is frequently 75, it does make for fun driving.

So far, almost all places we have stayed have had free internet- even the Budget motel.

Another successful MOA day.