Highway Side Attractions

A follow up on my last blog post. Michaela sent me this picture of her plant in bloom. 

When you're driving along the highway whether it's interstate or back roads, do you see signs for some type of attraction and say to yourself "I really should stop and check it out"?  When we were RVing we saw a lot of this country and yet as many times as we drove between Helena and Billings, there were still things we didn't take time to stop and see. So I decided I was going to leave early and check out a few of these places.

First stop was near Big Timber at Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park. It's not a large park at only 98 acres but it provides a protected preserve for blacktailed prairie dogs.

 

Blacktailed prairie dogs do not hibernate but if it's cold out, they will stay underground.  And it was plenty cold the morning I stopped. So I wasn't lucky enough to actually see any prairie dogs. Maybe next time.

 

 

Next stop was Fort Parker near Livingston.   

Fort E.S. Parker, the first Crow Indian Agency, was built in the fall of 1869.  It was named for Ely Parker, a Seneca lawyer who served as secretary to Ulysses S. Grant, wrote the Confederate terms of surrender, and was appointed as Commissioner of Indian Affairs under President Grant. 

The fort was built as a center point for distributing Crow annuities and to encourage the Crow to take up farming. It was a difficult location to teach farming, due to constant winds, cold weather, and buffalo herds roaming the area.

Just a couple of pictures along my way.

One more stop before I get back to Helena. White Sulphur Springs, MT.  Main Street.

And then there is The Castle.  It wasn't open for tours when I was there. Another thing to put on my to-see list.

This is the only castle in Montana. Built in 1892 by Byron Sherman, on the highest point in town, overlooking the Smith River Valley. The entire castle is made from solid granite hauled from the Castle Mountains by oxen. 

A couple pictures of beautiful Big Sky Montana

 

And a perfect picture of Elias and his beautiful Mom, Michaela.

 

More Billings Memories

 Todd and I were able to take some time to visit with Aunt Mary and Uncle Bob. Mary is my Mom's youngest sister. When I first moved to Billings, I stayed with them until I found my own place. We had a wonderful visit and we will see them again next year.

 

Look at this fantastic new painting that Michaela did for me. She heard on the news about Arizona's saguaro cactus dying this summer from the heat and lack of rain.  So she made this creation for me.  Such an amazing talent.

I needed to post what Todd wrote about fatherhood on Elias's sixth month.  I am so proud of him.

We went out to eat a few times and if you are ever in Billings, MT you need to check out the Marble Table. The food is fantastic and the service incredible.  Of course, it doesn't hurt to have the cutest baby in the world with you for the servers to fawn over.  Michaela had the pork chop, Todd had mac and cheese with bacon, and I had crab cakes.

This plant is an amazing example of my daughter-in-law's green thumb. She loves plants and flowers. This particular one is thirteen years old.  My dad died in 2010 and people gave us so many flowers and plants we weren't sure what to do with them. Michaela asked if she could have this one plant and we gladly let her have it. This is how it looks today.

Todd and Michaela have a gang hanging out in their neighborhood. I think they have learned not to mess with Michaela's flowers after she threw her shoe at them.

 One more picture of the happiest little boy ever.

Time for me to be going. I sure didn't want to say goodbye and my heart broke into a million pieces. But I know Elias James has parents who love him to infinity and beyond. What more could I hope for.

My Heart Is Full

You can't say I didn't warn you. 

My trip to Billings was uneventful and then I met the newest member of the Dixon clan. I thought my heart was going to burst.  We didn't "do" things while I was there except spend time together and watch Elias as he started exploring his world more and more.

These pictures are in no particular order. And I really did try to keep the number of pictures reasonable. 

 

Meeting Grandma

Look at those eyelashes

 

My friend Linda made this quilt for Elias. Beautiful.

My friend Elaine made this blanket for him.  The colors are just perfect. Thank you my dear friends.

I was beyond exhausted when this next picture was taken.  I should have demanded a retake but the pictures of Elias and Todd and Michaela turned out so good.

I just love the grin on his face. Honeybear doesn't look too happy though. 

Then Todd found this picture taken many years ago with our beagle, Ginger. Like Father Like Son

I haven't been back for a full month yet, and look how much he's grown and changed. He can now pull himself up and he will soon be walking. Boy, won't his folks have fun then!

I love you Elias James Dixon.




 

Sisters

 When I originally planned this trip, Judy (my sister) was going to go to Billings with me to see my grandbaby. However, some issues came up and she couldn't go with me.

Don and Judy

 

But we had a wonderful visit. We laughed and cried and sat in silence and relished our time together. We also had a very special destination for her and me. They have a new temple in Helena, and we wanted to be able to go through a session together. Being in the Celestial Room with my sister, meant the world to me.

 

Helena has its fair share of wildlife and Judy and Don's beautiful yard and apple tree definitely lure them in. We saw these gorgeous creatures almost every day.

 

I also got a couple of good sunrise pictures.  

After a few days it was time to move on. I do have a couple more blog posts for Helena but it's time for the good stuff. So be prepared for lots and lots of pictures of Elias, Todd and Michaela.