My Journey

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

ITTOG.....that's pretty cool that you gave peak bagging a try. Can I assume that you are addicted ? I've never done Mt. St. Helen's and I'm not sure why I haven't. Of course I've climbed most of the volcanoes in Washington but I never got to that one.....

Foy.....you could be correct as I have no idea. We sat in construction traffic that day and I kept staring at that mountain and of course was thinking that I need to climb it one day. And yes that area of Montana is fantastic. It amazes me how much you know about the area. Using your own words....."keep it coming" Foy.....



Today is June 21, 2020.....the first day of summer.....snow yesterday and last night here in Montana.....I love it.....



For people that have been reading my blog for awhile now you'll recall that last summer I spent a few weeks helping out a friend on her small ranch property in southwest Montana. Unfortunately this year my friend was diagnosed with cancer and has left the area for treatment, therefore I decided to return to the property and help out once again. The first thing I did when I arrived was to take the camper off the truck.....



The second thing I did was to plug into shore power and what a difference that makes. Life is easier with electricity.....no debating that fact. And the third thing I did was to jump into that hot shower. It's just amazing to be able to shower every single day.....damn I love that.....

The morning views outside my kitchen table window are remarkable.....







The dogs.....well, they just love it here too. They're back out roaming the land and hanging out with some of their buddies that they made friends with last summer.....



The Jeep is now a doghouse for Tanner.....he lays in the back of that Jeep and basks in the filtered sun.....



We had a birthday party for Yukon the traveling dog.....she turned eleven a few weeks ago.....ice cream cones at McDonald's didn't last long enough for pictures.....





Life is simple here.....we are healthy and we are happy.....what more could we want or ask for.....

 

[Sierra Valley]

What mountain range is that? Beautiful country! Debating on hitting Montana up over the 4th.

 

[longhorn1]

Jerry and Foy, 4 years ago we also visited the Big Hole Battlefield. We stood there in silence looking at the teepee poles. We had spent the previous night up in the Pioneer Mountains in Vipond Park camped in the pine trees thanks to Foy. Can't wait for late September.

 

[longhorn1]

Looking back, we had similar feelings and thoughts when we visited the Little Big Horn Battlefield and looked out on the battlefield and grave yard where the 7th Calvary were killed and buried. Our visit was shortly after they had built the Native American monument.

 

[longhorn1]

Foy is our Montana tour guide. We will be heading to Ennis, then down the Gravely Road Scenic Byway south to the Centennial Scenic Byway, East to Henry's Fork to fish, then Crater of the Moon NM, Stanley and fishing on the Salmon, McCall, ID and some camping and fishing, Clearwater River and Hwy. 12 over the Lolo pass back to Montana. My great grandfather was one of the first Norwegian's to settle in Big Timber. My grandmother was born there in 1884. My cousins still own large cattle and sheep ranches around Big Timber. The Indian teepee rocks still remain along the ridge with holes dug by my father in the 30's looking for treasures. Early October for a visit on our way home. If you get to Big Timber stop at the Grand Hotel for an amazing meal. Both you and Foy should write a book. jd

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

SV.....those are the Bridgers. I'm currently holed up in the Gallatin Valley with great views of the Bridgers and the Spanish Peaks. Everyday I wake up thankful here. I try to get up early every morning to watch the sunrise with my hot mug of coffee. As I post this it's 5:25 a.m. and this is what I see.....



JD.....cool stories. That's great that you and Foy will be hanging out together in Montana and Idaho. I would imagine that the fall colors will have begun to show up high by then. How long is your planned trip? Are you camping ? Should be a special trip.....



So now that I'm going to be stationary for a bit, maybe even until September first, I thought I'd share a few pictures from the past few months of travel, and eventually I'll post up on what I'm doing on my summer vacation. Here's a few vehicles that I photographed along the way.....







Often people will admire my rig.....but when parked next to something like this you'd think my rig was invisible. I think we all love the behemoth rigs from foreign countries that travel the U.S. highways.....





This old beater is simply amazing.....





I believe that that is the new Jeep pickup all tricked out. I'll take my old beater anyday.....



I'm guessing that the idea here is that he travels slowly.....



That's all I got for cool vehicles.....I see so many on the road.....not high priority for my camera I guess.....

 

[Ace Brown]

I shoot the weird, strange vehicles too. I’ve got lots on my phone but digging through 10,000+ to find one or two is near impossible. I really liked that old Ford with home built camper.


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[dwh]

NAF. (Not a Ford. )

 

[Foy]

Looks like a late 1950s NAPCO conversion Chevy or GMC. NAPCO did the 4WD conversion and they were sold through the regular dealer network. Whatever the provenance, it's a totally cool truck. My favorite is the IH Scout half-cab. I've got a '65 and a '67, one a Scout 80 and the newer a Scout 800. The part of Montana in which Jerry is holed up has long been a good place to spot 1960s IH Scouts, probably since they were then sold through the IH tractor and truck dealerships.

Foy

 

[longhorn1]

Jerry, will be camping in our Four Wheel Camper. Foy won't be there. We met on Wander the West. He has that love for Montana that you and I have. I'm hoping to wander into North Carolina in the future and meet Foy in person. Hoping get as much fly fishing in as possible. jd

 

[Sierra Valley]

Beautiful sunrise thanks for sharing the cool trucks as well.

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Thanks for posting up guys.....I love the feedback.....


So now I'm "holed up" (as Foy appropriately put it) here in southwest Montana and I've become a very busy man (more about that when I do my "what I'm doing on my summer vacation post"). Anyhow, I was talking to the guy that lives up the road and one thing led to another and I found myself considering the purchase of this vintage truck camper.....





The owner tells me that everything is working.....it just needs some love.....





He has no idea what year it was built.....couldn't recall who the manufacturer was. I did find this.....



He's asking $100 but also said he'd entertain my offer if I thought that was too much. I'm not sure that my conscience would let me negotiate off that price.....especially since the guy just celebrated his 80th birthday.....doesn't seem right.....









With all that being said, is it worth the effort & the time restoring it ? Looks like it could be fun.....is it fun ? We are still thinking about it.....

 

[furbucket]

That project might help pass the time depending on how long you’ll be holed up... You did say you might be busy for a while though - as for fun?? At least for me, seeing progress on a project makes for fun days. Wonder how much costs for renovation will be?

Edit- tons of results came back when I just googled “Vista Liner Camper”


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[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Furbucket.....yes, I have now officially become incredibly busy therefore the thought of restoring that truck camper is nothing more than a passing thought. I feel like it might be fulfilling to rebuild it and I've got 2 months that I can stay here but oh well.....I've got into something else.....



The first day of July has arrived and here in southwest Montana.....the temperatures are finally beginning to edge into the lower 80's late in the afternoon. It may be time to move the camper into a shadier spot.....possibly along the tree lined fence line. The mornings.....they're still cool often starting the day in the upper 40's. Flannel shirt mornings.....and I sure am enjoying that electricity.....first thing I do each morning is crank up the space heater and get a pot of water boiling for that early morning mug of coffee.....

So.....there's one more small collection of photographs that I'd like to share / record in my travel journey. Like many people out there I love old barns and outbuildings. So often I'll pull off to the side of the road if the opportunity presents itself and take a few pictures. Here's a few of my favorites from Utah, Idaho and Montana (I actually don't have all that many).....

 

[ITTOG]

The log barns are beautiful.

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