My Misadventure with Sara and Old Man Winter

So on Thursday morning 11/17, Sara (the other full season WWOOFer on the farm) and I decided to hop on the road down to a place where she had a chance of getting a house-sitting gig and caretaking for their sheep for the winter. It's in Alder, MT, which is a tiny town of 100 on the other side of the mountains from Big Sky, and a two-drive from Wilsall.

The drive was tricky through a couple of mountain passes but the scary weather was all out in the distance so we did well. She got the job - the woman is amazing, lives in a beautiful converted one-room school house, and the sheep are so cool - they're like dogs but silent.

And before we left town, we stopped at the little town cafe and they hired Sara on the spot as a waitress to start in two weeks. So we're both over the moon about the success of this little trip .. except that it's clear a storm is about to rage so we have to get back on the road.

We get back on the road just as the blizzard starts rolling in. We stopped off half way in Norris to ask if we should stay there but it was only like 3 o'clock so we decided to get on. We get to 10 miles outside of Four Corners (a Bozeman suburb) and I could not get control of the truck up a mountain road, fishtailed all over, and skid off the shoulder. It was scary but all slow motion and thankfully, no driver behind me! 

By then, it was almost dark and we had no cell signal so we thumbed it and a passing school bus stopped to pick us up. We hopped in the bus to Boz and then the bus driver couldn't get going up the same road. He revved it hard and the back of the bus fishtailed right into my truck. He was skidding off the road too so we stopped and tried to call for help but he had no radio. We got out shovels (thank god I had one in my truck) and started to dig him out, he got some snow chains, and finally after a terrifying hour in the blizzard, we got moving.

On the bus

We eventually made it back to Bozeman safe and sound, thanks to the hardy bus driver and Our Hero Dan.

I had, of course, left the truck up on the mountain road and called AAA right away for a tow out.  However, they said they wouldn't tow an unattended vehicle...  So we stayed the night in Boz and the next morning Dave came out, drove us to the truck, gave it a jump and we waited for a tow out. The tow truck guy got us out and when the snow and ice finally melted off, I could see a a bunch of dents in the truck from where the bus had hit it - one big one at the back - and scrapes along the driver side from the bus. Had anything been inches different, it could've desrtroyed the wheel well or the gas tank.

After the truck was back on the road, we headed straight to an auto parts store to get snow chains and an emergency kit.

Scoreboard:

Montana Mountain Roads: 1, Liz: 0

National Public Lands Day at Yellowstone NP

On Saturday, Sept 24th, Dave, Mette, Henriette and I volunteered on a trail crew at Yellowstone National Park as part of National Public Lands Day.

Dave and I heard about the volunteer opportunity in the Livingston newspaper - they were calling for 20 volunteers to do trail work at Yellowstone.  We were excited to have the opportunity to get into the back country a bit in Yellowstone with the park rangers as a guide.

Dave cross-cutting a log in the trail

We were lucky enough to have Mette and Henriette join us to volunteer for the day and then camp in Yellowstone for the night.

It was hard work. I don't know how these rangers and trail maintenance guys go out every day rain or shine, hiking miles with shovels and pick axs to clear trails and restore areas.  We did it from 10 to 4 on one day and were sore for a week.

Henriette and Mette getting instructions

A highlight of the day was our relaxing lunchtime on a beautiful mountain vista with the whole group.  Two of the park rangers gave us a great talk on the ecological history of Yellowstone - how the canyon was formed by a giant volcano and how people used to travel through the area by horse carriage. 

Henriette being interviewed by a WY radio reporter

At the end of our hard days work, we were each rewarded with a pass for one free entrance to any national park, a sweet baseball cap, and a certificate.

Look out next fall for the next National Public Lands Day and volunteer at your local city, county, state or national park!  It's a great way to experience Our parks. 

I'm a Montanan

I went down to the MVD (Motor Vehicle Division also known as the DMV in Illinois and BMV in Indiana) yesterday to transfer my drivers license and also to register my new ride.  This turned out to be a little more complicated than I'm used to back in the midwest.


First off I checked the website to see what the deal was.  I got some information but not much.  It said I needed to make an appointment at the Bozeman location.  So a couple weeks ago I had made the appointment for yesterday.  As soon as Liz and I walked in we saw the multiple signs that said "check or cash only no credit cards".  Of course we had neither, so as I waited for my appointment she ran off to find an ATM.


Soon my name was called.  I went to the open station and set down my paperwork.  After explaining what I had come to do I found out that vehicle registration has to be done at the courthouse.  Since I lived in Park County I had to go to the courthouse in Livingston.  I still got a Montana driver's license while I was there but then it was off to Park County.


Once at the courthouse I had to fill out a couple forms.  The staff was very helpful and there was absolutely no wait.  And there I was issued my plates.

So I guess I'm an official resident here now.  Registered to vote and everything.  Go Montana!

A series of unfortunate events

Friday after work I stopped by the Cafe to see Liz at work.  I hung out for a little bit and then made my way back up to the farm.  Just as I was pulling up to the house I saw Laurie and Sara coming out.  They said there was a cow emergency and asked if I wanted to go with.  So we all hopped into the truck with Karen and headed out to the fields. 


As we rode further out a light appeared in the distance.  As we got closer we could see that it was Billy with the tractor lights.  There was a cow stuck up to her chest in the mud.  Billy put a rope around her head and Karen got behind her.  They were having no luck so Laurie and I climbed down to help.  We got her tipped slightly to one side thinking if we could get her leg out she might be able to move free.  So we tipped a little more and they pulled out her leg.


Only to find that it was broken.  Well in farm life that leaves you at the end of the road.  She had to be put down.  Karen was talking about having David come out from Muddy Creek but I mentioned that I had some guns.  And in doing so basically volunteered for the task. 


I dropped Laurie and Sara at the house and grabbed my 10mm.  I'll spare the details but it was over shortly.  Such is life on the farm.

Winter is Coming!

The days are becoming cooler.  The nights are becoming longer.  There is snow on the mountaintops once again.  Winter in Montana is fast approaching.  The house on the farm is heated by burning wood.  As we get friendly reminders of winter it's also a reminder that we need wood.

Yesterday Sara, Billy, CJ, and I set at the task of gathering wood.  First we rode down to Rich's place, across the street.  Then we loaded up the truck with slash, the leftovers from a sawmill.

Then we brought the load back to the farm (CJ wouldn't get back in the truck so we left and he followed us).  We sawed the wood down as we unloaded to save a step.

After the first load we did the same thing for a second load.  And then we took lunch.  A special treat for us we went down to the Wilsall Cafe.  It was delicious.  But then it was back to work.  At this point we began to chop the pile we had made unloading the truck.  Several hours later we had finished splitting and stacking.

It's almost two cords.  Billy's estimation is that six cords will be needed through the winter.  We've got a good start but I sense another wood collection day in the near future.

Now we're both employed

Thursday I started a new job.  I work for Gutter Solutions a gutter installation business.  I've worked two days so far.  It's been fairly easy and I think I'm getting the hang of it quickly.  Here's to making a paycheck again.

Five Chicks Hatch

This week five more baby animals joined the farm!  Baby chicks hatched a few days ago under the careful watch and 21-day nesting of Momma Hen.  The Hen has been sitting on eggs for awhile - she really wanted to have some chicks!  

Check out this video of their little chirping:

Mom and chicks are all happy and healthy.  We're so happy to welcome these little chicks to the farm and watch them grow up.