Footloose and Fabulous (2025)

04/07/2025

Happy 4th of July!!! 🇺🇸🎆

Every year on July 4th, Americans come together to celebrate Independence Day—a holiday full of red, white, and blue spirit, backyard BBQs, booming fireworks, patriotic music, and lively parades from coast to coast.

It’s a day to honor freedom, remember our country’s beginnings, and appreciate the people who continue to shape it. Fun fact: Benjamin Franklin was 70 years old when he signed the Declaration of Independence—making him the oldest signer. Just goes to show, you’re never too old (or too young!) to be part of something monumental.

One of our most memorable 4th of July celebrations happened nine years ago while Keith and I were in Hawaii. We lucked out with a front-row seat to their annual Independence Day parade. Keith, ever the patriot, had a blast waving his flag and soaking in the joy of the moment. The fireworks later that night lit up the tropical sky—it was magical.

However you choose to celebrate this special day—whether it’s a quiet moment of reflection or a big ol’ block party—stay safe, have fun, and let freedom ring!

Happy Independence Day from our corner of the country to yours. 🎇🇺🇸

03/07/2025

Montana is wild — and I mean that in the best possible way. It's the 4th largest state in the U.S., but with one of the lowest population densities, it’s not unusual to see more elk, deer, and antelope than people on any given day.

From the soaring peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the rolling Great Plains, Montana's geography is as diverse as it is dramatic. It’s also home to some pretty epic landmarks — Glacier NationalPark and Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. In other words, it’s not hard to see why so many people (and animals) love it here.

We left Choteau full of hope and with our eyes set on a lakeside or riverside campsite. We were dreaming big: dispersed camping, afternoon cocktail by the water, and maybe even a moose sighting or two.

But let me tell you — Montana had other plans.

We stopped at a ranger station, picked up a couple of paper maps (remember those?), and headed out into the wild. We drove through several National Forest Service campgrounds, stopped to help a guy back his massive 5th wheel into a tight spot (teamwork makes the dream work), and kept our fingers crossed.

No luck.

To make things more exciting, we had zero phone service, so we were flying by the seat of our pants — a phrase that sounds a lot more fun than it actually is after hours of driving in circles.

The closer we got to Kalispell and Glacier National Park, the busier things got. Every open campsite was either already reserved or $100+ a night. That’s not camping — that’s a boutique hotel with mosquitoes.

Just when we were about to give up and sleep in the truck, we stumbled on a Hipcamp listing for a spot at someone’s house. It wasn’t lakeside, but it was $50, had a flat spot to park with 50 amp service and water, and some peace and quiet. At that point, it felt like a win.

So no riverfront views this time, but plenty of laughs, a few learning curves, and a deeper appreciation for the wild beauty (and unpredictability) of Montana.

02/07/2025

In a recent post, I mentioned that Keith had a bad case of mountain fever. Well, friends—we’ve found the cure. It’s called The Rocky Mountains, and let me tell you… they’re massive, majestic, and exactly what the doctor ordered.

The Rockies stretch over 3,000 miles, from northern British Columbia all the way down to New Mexico. In some places, they span more than 300 miles wide. These mountains are home to some of North America’s highest peaks—including Mount Elbert in Colorado, which tops out at 14,433 feet.

We’ve been hanging out near Choteau, Montana, a quiet little town nestled right at the base of the Rocky Mountain Front. Here, the mountains don’t just roll in gently—they rise up almost vertically from the plains, creating jaw-dropping views in every direction. It's the kind of scenery that makes you stop mid-sentence and just stare.

Feeling adventurous (and maybe still a little feverish), we decided to head up to the Teton Pass Ski Resort, which sits in the Lewis and Clark National Forest just outside Choteau. The resort boasts 400 acres of skiable terrain, zero lift lines, and prime access to some serious backcountry skiing and snowboarding.

The first five miles of the drive were smooth sailing—fresh blacktop and gorgeous scenery. But after that, the road turned to dirt, potholes, and classic Montana washboard. We made it a few miles into the rough stuff before deciding to turn around. We couldn’t help but wonder: What’s this road like in the middle of winter?! (Spoiler: probably gnarly.)

Still, we got our mountain fix. The views alone were worth the drive. And how's Keith? He’s officially on the mend. 😀

If you ever find yourself in Montana with a touch of mountain fever, head toward Choteau. The cure is waiting—towering high, stretching wide, and whispering, “Welcome to the Rockies.”

01/07/2025

If you're driving the scenic Park-to-Park Highway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Park, there’s a good chance you’ll roll right through Choteau, Montana. And trust me—you’ll want to do more than just fill up your gas tank.

This charming little western town, often called the “Front Porch of the Rockies,” offers sweeping views of the Rocky Mountain Front from just about anywhere in town. It’s the kind of place where the pace slows down, the sky stretches wide, and history runs deep—really deep.

Just 12 miles west of Choteau is Egg Mountain, one of the most significant dinosaur excavation sites in the world. This stretch of land has produced more insight into dinosaur biology from the Cretaceous period than any other dig. Scientists have uncovered fossilized eggs, bones, and nesting sites that show Choteau was once a major dino-daycare zone millions of years ago. Jurassic Park, eat your heart out.

But dinosaurs aren’t the only creatures making Choteau a hotspot.

If you’re into birding, mark your calendar for mid-March. Just south of town lies Freezeout Lake, where thousands upon thousands of snow geese, tundra swans, and other migratory birds make a dramatic pit stop on their way north. Locals say "it’s a jaw-dropping natural event that draws birdwatchers from all over the country. You’ll hear them before you see them—and when you do, it’s nothing short of magical."

Whether you’re a science nerd, a bird lover, a road tripper, or just someone chasing mountain views, Choteau is one of those off-the-beaten-path gems that sticks with you. Just ask David Letterman. He owns a home here. 🏡

30/06/2025

After a peaceful stretch of boondocking along the Yellowstone River (front-row seats to nature, anyone?), we rolled into the Bozeman area with a mission: get our stubborn RV furnace back in working order before the mountain nights got any chillier.

Bozeman, located in southwest Montana, is a hub for outdoor lovers—surrounded on three sides by the Bridger, Gallatin, and Madison mountain ranges. The scenery? Absolutely stunning. The snow? Let’s just say the Gallatin Valley sees more than its fair share, which might explain why we were motivated to get that heater fixed fast.

We needed a place to land for a few days—somewhere with hookups, a grocery store nearby, and access to an RV parts shop. Enter Gallatin River RV, a hidden gem we found in Manhattan, MT (not that Manhattan), just a few miles from Bozeman. We fell in love with the entrepreneurial spirit of the family who owns the land. They carved out four RV spots right in their front yard—nothing fancy, but full of heart and hospitality.

It was the perfect base to restock groceries, refill our propane, mail a postcard to the grandsons, and most importantly, tinker with the furnace. (Keith may or may not have said a few words to the heater that can’t be printed here.)

Perfect! Here's a Facebook-friendly version of the hashtags—casual, relevant, and with a touch of humor:

28/06/2025

Remember that classic Saturday Night Live sketch where Chris Farley shouts about living in a van down by the river? Back then, it was the punchline to a joke about hitting rock bottom.

Fast forward 20+ years, and wouldn’t you know it—all the cool kids are doing just that!

Except in our case, it’s not a van… it’s our Airstream. And we're not lamenting—we're loving every second of it.

We snagged a front-row spot along the Yellowstone River, and the view? Absolutely unbeatable. A family of bald eagles kept us company, swooping and soaring like they knew we were watching in awe.

Keith took full advantage of the wide-open skies to get more drone practice in (he might say it was for my Facebook content, but really it’s just a good excuse to play with a cool toy).

As for me, I’ve been soaking up the peace, catching up on some reading, and letting nature do its thing. There’s something about hearing the river roll by and watching eagles glide that resets your soul a bit.

So yeah… we do live in a van (okay, fine—an Airstream) down by the river and we're grinning like a couple of possums.

27/06/2025

Who would've thought we'd be sleeping in the parking lot of a winery in our senior years?! 🤷‍♀️🍷

But thanks to our Harvest Hosts membership, that’s exactly what we did — and we loved it!

We parked our home-on-wheels at Tongue River Winery in Miles City, Montana. Not long after we arrived, I got to enjoy an informal wine tasting with Marilyn, one of the owners. 🍇 She not only shared the flavors of their wine, but also gave me a mini lesson on the types of grape plants that can survive Montana’s cold winters. Pretty cool!

With Harvest Hosts, you're encouraged to support the business in exchange for a free overnight stay — no problem there! I happily picked out a bottle of red wine, a dozen farm-fresh eggs, and a fancy bar of chocolate (that may or may not already be gone… 😄).

And no worries about drinking and driving — I was just ten steps from “home”! 🚐✨

Winery parking lots might not be what we pictured for retirement… but honestly? We’re not complaining.

Ever camped somewhere totally unexpected? I'd love to hear about it!

26/06/2025

When most people think of museums, they picture quiet halls filled with artwork that makes you tilt your head and whisper “What exactly am I looking at?”

But not all museums are like that.

Tucked away in Mobridge, South Dakota, the Klein Museum is a quirky surprise that breaks the mold. Its main mission is to preserve the history of Mobridge and the surrounding area—but this place goes way beyond dusty documents and black-and-white photos.

You'll find fascinating Native American artifacts, arrowhead collections, and... wait for it... a stuffed two-headed calf. Yep, you read that right.

And if you plan your visit for a Saturday? You’re in for an extra treat—a charming rummage sale right on the grounds. It’s a perfect mix of history and small-town treasure hunting.

The Klein Museum is one of those places where every nook and cranny holds something interesting. You could easily spend hours exploring—and still feel like you’ve only scratched the surface.

Have you ever stumbled across a museum that completely surprised you?

25/06/2025

I’m a big believer in listening to your gut. You know that little voice inside that whispers, “Hmm… this doesn’t feel right”? Too often, we try to reason with it, ignore it, or convince ourselves we’re just being overly cautious. But more often than not, your gut knows what’s up.

We were on day 3 of a 5-day reservation at Downstream Campground near Hazen, ND, soaking in the beauty of the Missouri River and enjoying the peace and quiet. Life was good.

Then, almost at the same time, Keith and I each picked up our phones to check the weather. (Something we do pretty regularly, especially when we’re in the Airstream.) The forecast had taken a serious turn: what was supposed to be sunny and pleasant was now looking like severe thunderstorms, with large hail and tornado warnings headed right for us.

Not the kind of “exciting adventure” we were looking for.

We both paused. Looked at each other. And just kind of nodded.
Let’s listen to our gut—let’s go.

Fifteen minutes later, we were packed up, hitched, and rolling south.

While Keith drove, I pulled up the radar and started scouting for a safe zone. We found a campground about 200 miles south in Mobridge, South Dakota, and by 9:00 PM we were parked, plugged in, and feeling very good about our decision to run from the storm instead of ride it out.

And here’s the bonus: Mobridge happens to be the final resting place of the Lakota leader Sitting Bull. So not only did we dodge the storm, we got the chance to learn more about an important part of Native American history. (Win-win.)

Sometimes, your gut tells you something for a reason. I’m glad we listened.

Have you ever followed a gut feeling that totally changed your plans—or maybe even saved your bacon? I’d love to hear your story.

24/06/2025

Keith flew the drone while we walked over to enjoy the Missouri River. Absolutely peaceful—and gorgeous!

Stick around for the end of the video if you need a chuckle… I might not be as graceful as I once was. 😅

23/06/2025

Our just happens to be on the shore of the longest river in the United States—the Missouri River. Not too shabby, right?

We’re staying at Downstream Campground, a beautiful and peaceful Corp of Engineers site near Hazen, North Dakota. It’s one of those places that makes you pause, take a deep breath, and say, yep, this is why we travel.

The Missouri River begins way over in the eastern Centennial Mountains of Montana, and from there it meanders east and south for 2,341 miles until it finally meets the Mississippi River just north of St. Louis. That’s a long, winding journey.

While we’re soaking in the views and enjoying the peaceful surroundings, we’ve also been brushing up on our history. This area played a key role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition, that ambitious government-funded adventure to explore the Louisiana Purchase and find a trade route to the Pacific. From 1804 to 1806, those two and their crew, journeyed much of the same river we’re now camped beside. It's humbling to think about them navigating this land with nothing but grit, maps they had to make themselves, and zero cell service.

Modern conveniences are a bit sparse here too—the closest grocery store is 30 miles away. So we’ve been getting creative with our pantry staples. One day we did splurge on lunch at a local café, and we also discovered a tiny gas station with old-school pumps—no card reader, no pre-pay required. They just trusted you to pump and pay inside like it’s 1985. Keith was thrilled. I think it made his day.

It’s remote, it’s peaceful, and it’s full of history. Sometimes, the places with the least convenience offer the most beauty and perspective.

Would you trade a quick grocery run for a front-row seat to the Missouri River?

Footloose and Fabulous

04/07/2025

03/07/2025

02/07/2025

01/07/2025

30/06/2025

28/06/2025

27/06/2025

26/06/2025

25/06/2025

24/06/2025

23/06/2025

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