Ace Brown
Retired Ol’ Fart
It IS a book. Jerry’s Book. He keeps saying nobody would read it. I disagree.
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My Journey
- Thread starter YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
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It IS a book. Jerry’s Book. He keeps saying nobody would read it. I disagree.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Been in the Timber Bar a couple of times. The best food is kitty corner at the Grand Hotel, a stop for the sheep herders and ranchers bringing their cattle and sheep into town to the trains in the early days. The chef (Amy) was the chef on a cruise ship and has been at the Grand 15-20 years. Funny you found the fairgrounds. A great place to stay down by the river and the Rodeo is in town?. The view North on McCleod Street is beautiful. Spent a lot of time at the fairgrounds when I was young and then the 4H Fair when I was their in August in 2008, 2010, and 2012. Enjoy BT
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
tgil.....yes, I immediately thought the same thing. I had just cleaned up several miles of roadway in the Judith Mountains a few weeks before. But it didn't take long to understand the concern.....there were quite a few trash cans on that property and quite a bit of trash that didn't make it into those cans.....
Ace & Arjan.....yep, this is my book and it's all free.....and free is good.....
JD.....as you probably know, the fairgrounds in many Montana towns are often a good bet for a free nights rest and yes, the rodeo is in town.....every Wednesday night.....what I got in Big Timber was better than a rodeo (I think) and, thanks, but of course we are long gone.....
Now we had some free time on our hands before our commitment would begin, and with a left knee that was throbbing pretty good, and the fairgrounds being flat & fairly well groomed, it seemed like the perfect spot to chill & relax.....
It was late on a Sunday afternoon, our second day here, that I noticed the first truck and horse trailer pull into the fairgrounds.....
Then came another, and then another.....I'm not certain how many cowboys showed up at the fairgrounds that late afternoon.....
Now this wasn't a rodeo in the sense of being a formal gathering.....
This was just a bunch of local cowboys getting together to have a good time.....to practice the sport that they love.....to down a few beers and tell a few dirty jokes.....at least that's what I observed.....
Ace & Arjan.....yep, this is my book and it's all free.....and free is good.....
JD.....as you probably know, the fairgrounds in many Montana towns are often a good bet for a free nights rest and yes, the rodeo is in town.....every Wednesday night.....what I got in Big Timber was better than a rodeo (I think) and, thanks, but of course we are long gone.....
Now we had some free time on our hands before our commitment would begin, and with a left knee that was throbbing pretty good, and the fairgrounds being flat & fairly well groomed, it seemed like the perfect spot to chill & relax.....
It was late on a Sunday afternoon, our second day here, that I noticed the first truck and horse trailer pull into the fairgrounds.....
Then came another, and then another.....I'm not certain how many cowboys showed up at the fairgrounds that late afternoon.....
Now this wasn't a rodeo in the sense of being a formal gathering.....
This was just a bunch of local cowboys getting together to have a good time.....to practice the sport that they love.....to down a few beers and tell a few dirty jokes.....at least that's what I observed.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Over the years of traveling these roads of the wild, wild west.....
.....I've had the opportunity to attend a few organized rodeos. But I enjoyed this evening much, much more because it was so casual in every way possible.....
While I certainly wasn't a participant or even a part of the local crowd, I was included, and I was made to feel as if I was a part of everything.....
And I think that's something that is very valuable to every traveler.....we want to participate and be a part of the life that we see.....a true traveler needs to absorb himself into the lives of the people that he meets along his way.....
Nobody here was more welcoming than Little Big Man.....he opened that dinner pail that he carried everywhere that he went, and he offered me one of the peanut butter & jelley sandwiches that his "grandma" had made for him and his dad. Little Big Man said he was 6 years old and he said he was ready to ride his first bucking bronco if they'd only give him a chance.....
Yea.....Little Big Man.....and the tradition lives on.....
.....I've had the opportunity to attend a few organized rodeos. But I enjoyed this evening much, much more because it was so casual in every way possible.....
While I certainly wasn't a participant or even a part of the local crowd, I was included, and I was made to feel as if I was a part of everything.....
And I think that's something that is very valuable to every traveler.....we want to participate and be a part of the life that we see.....a true traveler needs to absorb himself into the lives of the people that he meets along his way.....
Nobody here was more welcoming than Little Big Man.....he opened that dinner pail that he carried everywhere that he went, and he offered me one of the peanut butter & jelley sandwiches that his "grandma" had made for him and his dad. Little Big Man said he was 6 years old and he said he was ready to ride his first bucking bronco if they'd only give him a chance.....
Yea.....Little Big Man.....and the tradition lives on.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
JD.....just one more example of why it's important to hang out and let life happen.....
Arjan....happy to share.....
We ended up staying at the Sweet Grass County Fairgrounds for a total of four nights.....
It was peaceful here and the manager of the facility welcomed us for the extended stay.....
At night flocks of birds gathered in the large trees that surrounded the fairgrounds and they sang together until the night took hold.....
Once the sun set it seemed as though all of Big Timber, Montana had shut down.....it was near total silence.....
Of course we didn't stay the entire time at the fairgrounds.....the road that led into town passed right by the trout hatchery.....
I believe that I was told that these are Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout.....
Tanner was much more interested than I.....
.....and he just loved walking along those six inch wide concrete walls.....
Arjan....happy to share.....
We ended up staying at the Sweet Grass County Fairgrounds for a total of four nights.....
It was peaceful here and the manager of the facility welcomed us for the extended stay.....
At night flocks of birds gathered in the large trees that surrounded the fairgrounds and they sang together until the night took hold.....
Once the sun set it seemed as though all of Big Timber, Montana had shut down.....it was near total silence.....
Of course we didn't stay the entire time at the fairgrounds.....the road that led into town passed right by the trout hatchery.....
I believe that I was told that these are Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout.....
Tanner was much more interested than I.....
.....and he just loved walking along those six inch wide concrete walls.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
There was a great little creek along the road where Tanner took refuge here each day as now temperatures had once again reached into the 90's.....
This big dog hung out often near the fairgrounds.....
I was told that he's a special breed of a sheep herding type.....he lived in the nearby fields and seemed to live a solitary life.....
And last I share an interesting memorial that I happened upon in downtown Big Timber, Montana.....
With just a few days left to kill, I decided to head into the nearby Crazy Mountains and check out Crazy Peak (11,214').....
The plan was not to climb this peak but it was more of a reconnaissance mission than anything else. The actual summit of this peak would be an all day ordeal, and not an easy summit to achieve, and with the left knee still throbbing, I had to be content with the reconnaissance mission that I had planned.....
Now you don't see it in the picture posted above but the last 4 miles of that forest service road were some of the worst forest service roads that I'd ever seen.....
I'm not sure when this happened but I do know that I first noticed the crack after driving on this road.....and it sucked knowing that I had to retrace my path.....
(I have since spoken with the manufacturer who said they have never seen this before and currently I'm awaiting a replacement at no charge to me).....
This big dog hung out often near the fairgrounds.....
I was told that he's a special breed of a sheep herding type.....he lived in the nearby fields and seemed to live a solitary life.....
And last I share an interesting memorial that I happened upon in downtown Big Timber, Montana.....
With just a few days left to kill, I decided to head into the nearby Crazy Mountains and check out Crazy Peak (11,214').....
The plan was not to climb this peak but it was more of a reconnaissance mission than anything else. The actual summit of this peak would be an all day ordeal, and not an easy summit to achieve, and with the left knee still throbbing, I had to be content with the reconnaissance mission that I had planned.....
Now you don't see it in the picture posted above but the last 4 miles of that forest service road were some of the worst forest service roads that I'd ever seen.....
I'm not sure when this happened but I do know that I first noticed the crack after driving on this road.....and it sucked knowing that I had to retrace my path.....
(I have since spoken with the manufacturer who said they have never seen this before and currently I'm awaiting a replacement at no charge to me).....
AlwaysRoaming
Member
I believe that big white dog is a Great Pyrenees. My parents used to have one for a herd of goats they got. That dog rarely left the herd even from a pup. He also liked to gather up a couple barn kittens and keep them with the goats. Those cats eventually stayed with the goats most days also. Pretty neat breed of dogs.
Great pics and stories as always Jerry.
Great pics and stories as always Jerry.
ghostdancer
Member
I’m towing my Jeep with the same “old school” tow bar as you. How many miles do you think you have towed? I always grease up my ball and coupler. You should take a look at the ball and make sure it’s still round.
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
galvyork.....SORRY I MISSED YOUR POST ! Yes, I'm really lucky that I noticed the broken coupler. The hitch broke back in the day when I drove the Chevy truck and had the Arctic Fox truck camper.....really scary stuff.....and thanks.....walking has definitely become my thing.....
JD.....exactly.....
Jbynum.....yes, I think that's what the guy said. That dog would not allow me within 30' of him without a terrifying growl.....on the other hand, he trusted Tanner completely.....
ghostdancer.....I've towed the Jeep for between 200,000 & 300,000 miles (I can hardly believe it) but the setup that I have now was all new when I purchased the truck and camper. I did check the ball and it's in perfect condition. My guess is (based on the representative saying that they've never seen this before) is that the coupler was defective. Did you return to Florida (just curious here) ?
We spent a quite night just outside the limits of the campground.....here it was not only free but away from all the nonsense that may come with life in a campground.....
Flowers.....or maybe they're just plain old weeds.....flourished between the steep mountain walls.....
In the early morning after downing a couple mugs of steaming hot black coffee, Tanner and I hit the trail to see what we could see.....
Not too far up that trail we connected with the side trail that took us to the waterfalls.....
With Tanner on leash we hung out here but only briefly.....
Thunderstorms were in the forecast for the afternoon and there were several lakes much futher up the main trail, and reaching these lakes was our goal for that particular day.....
The trail followed the meanders of the creek.....and it went on like this for several more miles.....
JD.....exactly.....
Jbynum.....yes, I think that's what the guy said. That dog would not allow me within 30' of him without a terrifying growl.....on the other hand, he trusted Tanner completely.....
ghostdancer.....I've towed the Jeep for between 200,000 & 300,000 miles (I can hardly believe it) but the setup that I have now was all new when I purchased the truck and camper. I did check the ball and it's in perfect condition. My guess is (based on the representative saying that they've never seen this before) is that the coupler was defective. Did you return to Florida (just curious here) ?
We spent a quite night just outside the limits of the campground.....here it was not only free but away from all the nonsense that may come with life in a campground.....
Flowers.....or maybe they're just plain old weeds.....flourished between the steep mountain walls.....
In the early morning after downing a couple mugs of steaming hot black coffee, Tanner and I hit the trail to see what we could see.....
Not too far up that trail we connected with the side trail that took us to the waterfalls.....
With Tanner on leash we hung out here but only briefly.....
Thunderstorms were in the forecast for the afternoon and there were several lakes much futher up the main trail, and reaching these lakes was our goal for that particular day.....
The trail followed the meanders of the creek.....and it went on like this for several more miles.....
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YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
The trail made multiple creek crossings.....and the multiple bridges I loved cause dry boots are always amazing.....
This one appeared to be an abandoned vehicle bridge, and what it was for I have no idea.....
There were long stretches of the creek that flowed over long stretches of smooth river rock.....very similar to what I've seen in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York.....
Eventually the trail departed the meanders of the creek.....
.....and the trail continued to climb at a pretty good clip.....
.....and as we continued upward the dense forest thinned out and we found ourselves hiking through large rock slides.....
.....and then we were finally close to our destination after a morning of hiking.....and I was loving the very remote.....the Crazy Mountains of Montana.....
This one appeared to be an abandoned vehicle bridge, and what it was for I have no idea.....
There were long stretches of the creek that flowed over long stretches of smooth river rock.....very similar to what I've seen in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York.....
Eventually the trail departed the meanders of the creek.....
.....and the trail continued to climb at a pretty good clip.....
.....and as we continued upward the dense forest thinned out and we found ourselves hiking through large rock slides.....
.....and then we were finally close to our destination after a morning of hiking.....and I was loving the very remote.....the Crazy Mountains of Montana.....