Greetings from the “Little House on the Prairie.” I would take a minute to ponder which of us is Ma and which is Pa but I am afraid just thinking about all that would take me to a frightening place and really, what good could come of it?
It has been awhile since we departed the lovely home and fabulous hospitality of Bonnie, Jacki and Louie, who is truly and without argument, the most spoiled dog in the universe. I know that is hard to believe when Ali, Merlin and Kevin are in the mix but I believe it is true. We had a great time in Santa Fe.
I do just want to take a moment and thank Jacki and Bonnie (especially Bonnie) for taking us (especially Kim) to a place called “Back at the Ranch.” Back at the Ranch is a “custom boot” store so you KNOW my thanks is less than sincere. Actually I would call it more of a custom boot “salon” than a store. I knew it was trouble from the moment we walked in. Two of the four extremely attractive and well dressed sales persons greeted us immediately upon our entrance and within a minute asked if they could get us any water or tea! Now you KNOW when they ask to bring you refreshments to make your shopping experience more enjoyable, you are talking big bucks. I shot Bonnie my best “let’s get the hell out of here look” but all she did was smile and browse. There were beautiful and unique boots of every shape, size and color on every wall, floor to ceiling, beckoning us further in. The older predator, I mean, sales associate asked who the shopper was in the group and Bonnie and I replied in unison, “Kim.” Then they began to seduce Kim with their evil ways. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like some water?” “Where are you from?” “Boulder, oh I love Boulder.” This was not good. While they were hovering around Kim, I managed to quickly and surreptitiously look at the bottom of a pair of boots. OK, it wasn’t that quickly because when I saw the price, my head starting spinning and my eyes were having a hard time focusing on the numbers. “Well, shame on you, Nancy for being so judgmental, $320 isn’t bad at all.” “Hell, she was looking at a $500 pair yesterday.” “Wait a minute, something is not right.” Let me look again…. please remember that I was trying to be polite and very sneaky. Ah, there it was…..that other little zero that my brain had ignored in an effort to make the information something I could actually comprehend. Ah, there it is…..if you wait long enough, my brain will catch up….now I understand, I was actually holding in my hand, me, personally, a pair of $3,200 boots. I looked up to see Bonnie laughing at the look on my face…..I have to say, I have never really seen this vicious side of her before. I turned around just in time to hear the saleswoman say to Kim, “Would you like to try those on?” Kim said yes before I could do or say anything. This was so bad. I was lightheaded so I sat down and reminded myself that Kim was a big girl who typically makes really good decisions and besides this didn’t have anything to do with me. I have to say, they were some cool ass boots and of course, they fit perfectly. And they were only, $1,000!!! A bargain compared to everything else in the place! After 20 minutes of charming chit-chat and first-class sales womanship (damn these women were good), I was ready to buy them for Kim myself. However, Kim was not seduced by the truly gorgeous and unique boots that fit like no others or the truly impressive sales efforts of her new best friends. We thanked them for their time and wished them a lovely day. I have to say I was amazed we left with NO boots. I will say that I saw the young sales woman slip Kim her card on the way out as she told her that shipping was free…..sort of like someone slipping her their number in a bar ….”Call Me.” So obviously, the story may or may not be over. I was very proud of Kim for not buying the boots but I was most proud of me for not buying a pair for myself and then using those crazy, expensive, fabulous boots to kick Bonnie’s backside all the way home.
We arrived at the house on Saturday and were thrilled to find it in great shape. Pat had done an amazing job cleaning, organizing and even was thoughtful enough to hire a window cleaner so we could enjoy crystal clear views of the prairie and mummy as soon as we got here. As the street name says, when you look to the mountains from the house, they look like a mummy lying down. I am the only person I know who spent more than a month here before realizing where our street got its name. Most people seem to see it within the first 5 minutes. I think since I was the last to see it, I should name it. I will have to ponder an appropriate moniker.
We loved exploring the house and all the things we had left here. It was kind of like Christmas discovering some of the sweatshirts, shirts and shoes we had left. Speaking of footwear, I was especially excited to rediscover my slippers. I have a pair of trailer slippers and some amazing hand made slippers given to me by Claudia Burris. But these are my high-end, prairie foot warmers I bought at our friendly neighborhood Wal-Mart about two years ago for $8.99.

As you can see, they are beyond stylish but I don’t care because they are functional! Kim hates them beyond words. She mentioned at least three times that they were ugly. I believe she thought I would get rid of them after the last comment but when I didn’t, she finally said “I will buy you a real pair of Uggs if you will just get rid of those hideous slippers.” Bingo, sometimes I am not nearly as dumb as I look.
We spent a few days getting things put away. There is truly no extra space so we had to clean out things we no longer needed. Within a few days, we were settled and enjoying the quiet prairie. Pat put an antenna up so we get about 6 channels…..my favorite is ME TV…..it has all the old TV shows….Andy Griffith, Gun Smoke, Bonanza and even MASH but my favorites are the original Superman, Batman, The Rifleman, Night Gallery, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and Mission Impossible. They are so much fun to watch. I think Perry Mason is on as well but I haven’t figured out when yet. Classics!!! They really take me back and make me smile. We have been reading quite a bit and watching some movies on the DVD player (courtesy of Patricia…..yes, she totally rocks). We highly recommend “PRIDE” about the miner’s strike in England in the 1980s and a group of Gay and Lesbians who try to help them. It was a wonderful movie and very touching and heartwarming. Kim and Nancy give it 4 Airstreams! After Pride, I selected three clunkers in a row and had to put myself on movie probation.
I also really like the radio stations here because they play old (oops, make that retro) country and western music as well as retro rock and roll. The other day on the way to work out I heard some classics like Barbara Mandrel (You Can Eat Crackers in My Bed Anytime), The Partridge Family (I Think I Love You) and Edison Lighthouse’s One Hit Wonder (Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes)!!! OK, in the spirit of honesty, that last one was on my own playlist. I am sure that surprises no one.
Kim is still fighting a nasty sinus infection. I think we are on Day 8 but the good news is she is a reading fool. I think she has read somewhere between 6-8 books in the last 8 days. Oh and as long as we are recommending movies, we both recommend a book called “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.” Again, 4 Airstreams!
The pronghorn finally showed up yesterday right outside our door. Something spooked them and they took off running. They were so beautiful to watch. It was not wonderful when Tuffy decided to go run with them. I am sure it was quite a sight…the pronghorn and Tuffy gracefully flowing across the prairie with a 58 year old, gimpy lesbian dressed in sweats and crocs flailing along far behind.
Well, I must sign off for now. Gotta to head out front and enjoy the sunset.

I am thrilled and honored to share my first published article in over 30 years! My article was published in the Summer 2014 Issue. Special thanks to Robin Enright, Jennifer Olsen and Kim Hodges.

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Did I mention that I really, really liked Wenatchee, Washington? I believe I did. We arrived and got the last site in the Wenatchee River County Park. We have had really good luck finding sites along the way.

This one was in a great location but alas, not a stick of shade at our site with 90 degree heat. It really was a cute little park. We are finding if they have any trees or grass, they automatically receive “nice park” status.

We got up and walked the nature trail in search of wildlife, birds and some exercise. We saw osprey, blue herons, deer and were tormented by what we believe was a belted kingfisher who stayed just out of viewing range but called to us incessantly.
Wenatchee bills itself as the “Apple Capital of the World” but they grow just about everything here from apples and pears to peaches, grapes, melon and corn. I am sure they grow all sorts of other things but that was all I saw. We made our way to the public market

and spent some time at the Jones of Washington Wine Tasting location within the market. They had some wonderful, reasonable priced wines and the two folks pouring were kind enough to sit and chat with us. Once they found out we were from Boulder, they told us to go the cheese store nearby because they owners used to live in Boulder and work for some tech company. Since he couldn’t remember where they worked in Boulder, he called them to ask. We didn’t recognize the name but I thought it was really cool that he took the time to call them. Did I mention the pace was nice and slow in Wenatchee?

Jones of Washington Winery Logo

In light of all the cool food and wine they produce in this region, I should have been prepared for Chef Kim to make an appearance. We had been running pretty fast and had eaten a few dinners out so her appearance was timely. I decided since I mention “Chef” Kim in the subtitle of my blog, I probably needed to be sure to show a few shots of her cooking. (Note: Chef is in parens because Kim does not wish me to show disrespect to professional chefs by referring to her in the same fashion).

Last meal (another fabulous one) at one of my new favorite places.

So we bugged out of Rapid City early on Sunday morning (08/25) so we could start making our way across South Dakota
Through Wyoming

And into MONTANA

Two really long days of hot (90 degrees) driving. Spent the first night at a cute little KOA in Livingston, Montana just outside Bozeman. Our campsite:

It was a nice little campground on the river, the camp hosts were really nice and Basil Boy seemed to really like it.

Basil Boy is Kim’s basil plant that decided to make the trip with us from Boulder. So far, he has provided his own unique contribution to many of our meals. We have provided him with a high-class container (a shout out to Ted and Claudia and the FIREBALL) for the trip and other than leaning over a bit, he seems to be enjoying the trip. Whenever we arrive at a new location, Kim takes him out, makes sure he has sufficient water and sunlight and asks him to contribute a leaf or two for dinner. She seems a bit obsessed with Basil Boy and as hard as it might be to believe, it is not the first time she has had a thing for a boy.

If you are Kimm Gillogly and you decide you need some adventure in your life years ago, you buy a camera.  And if you buy a camera, you will want to go someplace exciting and take some pictures.  And if you want to go someplace exciting, you might think about Yosemite National Park.  But you might decide against Yosemite because of bears.  And if you were afraid of bears, you might decide on Badlands National Park instead.   And if you decide to take pictures in Badlands National Park, you might be walking along a trail and decide to disregard the trail markers and climb up the nearest hill.  And if you climb up the nearest hill for a picturesque shot with your camera, you might get lost and have to yell for help.  Don’t be Kimm Gillogly and disregard the trail markers and get lost in the Badlands!!!

We spent the day at the Badlands.

OK,
So I am too lazy to go to the car and get the book to figure out how to add my image to the previous post. Not to worry, I WILL figure it out. Although, I wouldn’t recommend anyone hold their collective breaths.
So a few others things from Day One to share before we pack it up and prepare for a hike in the Badlands tomorrow. We drove through Lusk, Wyoming and thanks to a partially obscured sign wondered why anyone in the world would name their drug store “Peckers”. We subsequently extended our heartfelt apologies to Mr. or Mrs. “Decker”. About an hour out of Lusk, we passed a sign for the “Reed Ranch” at which point I laughed and noted that my peeps must be flush to own such an expansive and majestic homestead. Just across the street from the Reed Ponderosa, we saw a very pathetic, decrepit abandoned site which we immediately dubbed the “Hodges Ranch.” Probably should have been the “Hodges Hut.” Of course, knowing Kim, that wouldn’t have phased her in the least and she would have immediately set about fixing it up.
We finally made our way through Custer, South Dakota and to the campsite which is perfect. It is a heavily wooded site and although many of the sites are a bit close to each other, ours has quite a bit of privacy. I think Kim started her campfire before her feet got out of the truck. She loves them and we aren’t at all sure how often we will be permitted to have them with all the wildfires still burning in this part of the country. When we entered the park, there was a sign reminding folks that the Buffalo are indeed dangerous. We immediately thought of Uncle Bill and our trip to Yellowstone years ago. Although that is a story for another time, suffice it to say, despite being a very bright man, he got overly familiar with a buffalo and now is on the Ranger’s 10 most wanted list.
Signing off. More to come and thanks for reading.

August 21, 2013 (9:00 PM) Greetings from Custer State Park, specifically the North Stockade Campground-Site 24E. We left Boulder at about noon and made it here about 7:00 pm. Would have gotten here sooner but the GPS steered us wrong before we invoked the time-honored tradition of actually reading a map. We also drove through one of nastiest thunderstorms I have seen. Lightning striking all around us and really compromised visibility. Luckily the truck (heretofore known as Harriet), kept us safe and on the road. We were cruising along in Wyoming which was absolutely gorgeous. The sky alternated between black and bright blue so it cast some amazing shadows and colors on the yellow prairie. We came along a sign for Lost Springs, Wyoming and we were amused to see the population was “4”. We immediately looked left to see what a city of 4 looked like. I can only tell you the only discernible sign was “BAR”. We wondered why you would need a bar for 4 people. Couldn’t they just go to each other’s house and drink. After consulting the internet, we learned the population had been one (the mayor) until it was discovered that the census had overlooked the other three councilmen and so the sign was updated.  We also learned that the bar is only open on holidays and during hunting season. Apparently, Lost Springs is the smallest municipality in the US. As such they are eligible for state funding which has allowed them to pave the main road as well to pay for trash pick up. I believe I have an image to add but am not sure how. Wish me luck.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Springs,_Wyoming

OK everyone,
Thanks for the encouragement and support. Love you all!!!
So here is my first blog! Yippee! Since I am learning as I go, you all need to cut me some serious slack. Feel free to make suggestions. Just want to thank EVERYONE (our family and friends and everyone we love). There is no way we would be out on this grand adventure without you all.
We will be carrying you ALL in our hearts as we go on our epic tour of Northwest America. Kim suggested we call it the “Tub Tour” since I was insistent that most everything be packed in lovely, plastic containers. She should just count herself lucky I did break out the label maker.
More to come soon. Just trying to see if I can get something/anything posted.
Hugs to all….