Red Lodge – Jenmenke

Tuesday, July 21

Sioux Charley 'lake' which is really a widening of the Stillwater River. Beautiful. — Sioux Charley ‘lake’ which is really a widening of the Stillwater River. Beautiful.

Luckily, when Dave did finally come back from his “15 minute” run to Nye, he brought good news. He had lucked out and been able to book an all-day fly-fishing float trip for Wednesday. A trip on Wednesday would necessitate us staying three nights at our site in Woodbine – a heretofore unheard of length of time for the Menke’s to stay at the same camping site. The kids were appalled: “What are we going to do for three days?”

The answer: hike.

Well. And drive to Red Lodge in the afternoon to buy water shoes for Dave.

Let me tell you something about Dave: He’s the boss. If he wants to shop, we shop. If Morgan wanted to shop? We would not shop.

I’m not complaining. I’m just sayin’…

[I didn’t think it was worth mentioning in my daily journal, but upon reflection, this is getting added in as I upload to WordPress: I enjoyed my first morning coffee in bed. How am I certain it was this day? Because I snapped this picture:

I snapped this pic of my first coffee in bed in the camper. Little did I know... — I snapped this pic of my first coffee in bed in the camper. Little did I know…

For our first breakfast, Morgan made her famous hash with leftover baked potatoes, bacon, onion, and – for two of us – a runny egg on top. It was delicious. Morgan did not appreciate all three of us giving her ‘tips’ and ‘pointers’ on how to cook.

Morgan's bacon, potato hash with an egg. — Morgan’s bacon, potato hash with an egg.

Charlie's hard-roll campfire toast. I tried this once. It's a lot harder than it looks. That boy has developed a real life skill. — Charlie’s hard-roll campfire toast. I tried this once. It’s a lot harder than it looks. That boy has developed a real life skill.

Too bad, Morgan. Next time, maybe don’t try to cut your thumb off and we’ll trust you a little more.

This is Morgan's bandage after slicing into her thumb, saying "Oh My GOSH did you sharpen this knife?!" Yes. I did. It is now razor sharp. You are welcome. — This is Morgan’s bandage after slicing into her thumb, saying “Oh My GOSH did you sharpen this knife?!” Yes. I did. It is now razor sharp. You are welcome.

Our pleasantly cool morning was quickly turning into a baker, so we cleaned up and set off for Sioux Charley – a 4-mile hike from our camp site to a wide spot on the Stillwater river. The plan was to get there, exclaim its awe and wonder, then turn around and head back. The challenge? No snacks or food. Another first for the Menke’s. {This was not an actual challenge, but more of an oversight.]

Gimme the camera. Gimme the camera GIMME THE CAMERA.

Well, no snacks or food, but we did bring water. I post this rare pic of Jennie looking like she might actually enjoy Dave. (no, I have no idea why I just wrote that in the third person.)

I did get a few pics of all four of us, but you never know: they might be a christmas pic and I wouldn't want to tip my hand early... — I did get a few pics of all four of us, but you never know: they might be a christmas pic and I wouldn’t want to tip my hand early…

All unfolded according to plan until it began to rain. Then pour. Morgan and I decided to run. Dave and Charlie decided to take cover and wait it out. We left the boys in the dust. Two out-of-shape chubbettes running on a muddy path in their sports bras. I wish I had the video.

Actually, maybe I don’t.

I have news for all of you people who – like me –really don’t enjoy running at all: Trail running is fun. Well let me preface that: Trail running downhill is fun. I’m guessing we ran about 1.5 miles on the trail. You are so busy concentrating on where to put your foot, that you simply don’t think about how much you hate running. And how out of breath you are. And how much your feet hurt. Or whatever.

I can say this with authority because as soon as we hit the end of the trail and started on road to the campsite we were dying. Well, let me preface that: we were running uphill. But still. We immediately ceased having fun and started making bargains with each other, like “we can stop at that next tree.” And, “Let’s just walk for 15 seconds.”

And so on.

So we got back, jumped in the car and ‘rescued’ the guys. Who really didn’t need rescuing at all. In fact, they were hardly wet. They took cover for the worst of the rain and never saw the hail that pelted us toward the end of the trail and caused mild hypothermia. I don’t think they even believed us that there was any hail.

So we dried off, changed and set off for Red Lodge, about an hour away. Red Lodge is kind of sleepy and small for a ski town. Cute. Quaint. With little opportunity to buy water shoes.

Cool ski-fence in Red Lodge. We dallied while Dave expounded on how many of these skis he actually had at one point in his life or another. *yawn*

Poor Dave. Welcome to the real world of shopping, where you set out to get something and can never find it. Solution: plan ahead and shop online.

Charlie got a pair though.

We bought our fishing licenses and headed back. Straight into the rain again! Rather than try to dry out our site and cook in the rain, we opted to eat at Grizzley’s in Roscoe. For a town of about 10, it was a hopping supper-club type place. And – get this: they had Leinie Grapefruit Shandy!

It's a little early to be playing the "eat-out card" but this damn rain is calling the shots. — It’s a little early to be playing the “eat-out card” but this damn rain is calling the shots.

We came back and pretty much went to bed. Fishing in the morning!!

Road Warriors Six, D2: Dave Goes Shopping

jenmenke