Broken WIndhsield Wiper Leads to 90-Min Target DIversion

Some of you might recall our service-oriented Bozeman campsite. On Monday as we were packing to leave a storm blew in that was "like none I've seen in my 26 years here" according to a man I stood with inside the Holiday Inn, watching. Black fingery storm clouds reached down and touched Bozeman, quickly whirling up into a strange sky formation.

In short order, we loaded up and soon the rain was pounding. We drove maybe 100 yards and CLACK! the passenger side windshield wiper flew off. Happily we were still getting out of the giant mall area the hotel was in, so Art cruised up to Target and off we went in search of a replacement, which entailed walking back and forth between truck and store to ensure a good fit.

Meantime, the storm picked up steam and when next I saw Art he'd purchased an effective pair of rubber-footed boots at Target. Hmmm, nice buy, honey. I need a pair of those to go with my new Carhart wool hat and gloves, previously picked up on a cold day at a truck stop in southwestern Montana.

And that's how the fashion statement came to be.

You know you're camping when this feels like just the thing...

Jacket: DKNY Bozeman Goodwill (for some reason it reminds me of Agent Smith from Matrix)
Boots: Boys section at Target (girl boots seem always to trade fashion for dry)
Pashmina: gift from the wedding
Leather gloves: Birthday gift from my oldest pal in the world, Kathy McG. They're like butter and get better with every wearing. Kisses, Kathy, and thank you!

Campsite: Holiday Inn Express Bozeman

Well here's an unusual campsite: Holiday Inn Express Bozeman, our wedding home base and an unusually lovely accommodation with equally lovely staff. First order of biz: 5 loads of laundry. Second, iron wedding clothes. Third, get on the graciously provided shuttle bus to the festivities.

Today, work and Costco, an easy walk across the parking lot.

  

Got stocked up for the road ahead

(are those peanut M&Ms down there?)

 

A friend who's not on holiday reminded me that the threatened government shut-down would also close national parks. We don't need fewer options this time of year, when many state parks up this way are shutting off water and closing toilets, but we'll survive the lunacy.

Laura and Tyler: Ain't No Mountain High Enough

 
Ain't no mountain high enough
ain't no river low enough
nothing can keep me
keep me from you...

Did we tell you we're heading for a wedding in Bozeman? You gotta love a bride who leaves her wedding shower in Chicago to go climb Denali...for the second time.

Here are Laura and Tyler at 14,000 feet on Denali, Alaska.


We've been deep in the Montana woods without a way to upload posts, but we'll catch up with you down the road, after a couple long hot showers to freshen up for the festivities.