BEAR!

We spent a week in Paradise recently.  Arriving late in the afternoon on June 1 and returning to Pocatello late in the evening on June 10.  It is always soul refreshing spending time in Paradise.  No television is the biggest thing for me.  In Pocatello, we must start every day with politics on the big screen, and end it with politics on the little screen.  I would just as soon not surround myself with such constant negativity and Paradise gives me the much needed respite from all of the speculation, name calling, besting, and mud throwing.  Granted, there are a few times that what is said on these political channels is actually informative and interesting.  But mostly, not.  So off we went, looking somewhat akin to the Beverly Hillbillies, pulling our new 24' trailer fully loaded.

We're ready! Lets get this show on the road!

Friday June 1 - arrived to deer in the front yard and TWO, yes TWO, healthy granddoghters that were ready to play chase.  We unloaded all our supplies and our evening walk-about was blessed with the heavy scent of pine.

Saturday - This day was dedicated to a Sudden Valley Landowners Meeting in Great Falls.  We have been to only one other because usually these meetings fall on a weekend that we are both working.  We were able to reintroduce ourselves to other landowners we see only occasionally on the road and meet a few new land owners.  Always a good thing, knowing who is coming and going out there.  After the meeting we went to Home Depot to pick up all the insulation that was not delivered to us last year.  Went into Great Harvest in Great Falls for some wheat rolls and know what was on their front door?
           No Shoes?
           No Shirt?
           No Problem!
Only in Montana. Gotta love it!

Sunday - We were able to put the roof end caps on the land side of the cabin.  Will put up the other side when we get a deck to put the ladders on.  It was cloudy and cool and deer and elk as well kept us in delight all day.  We decided to pull our red yard cart behind the ATV's to the water spot and were able to get a full 23 gallons on one trip!  We are not sure how much H2O will be needed when we start pouring the footings.  Ron put the screen door, doggie door up for us today.

One side done!

Doggie screen door and the beginnings of new steps

Monday - We started and completed the flooring insulation.  Solar showers were wonderful and in came the rain along with a tornado watch.  The cloud formations over Mt. Cecilia were fascinating to watch!

One of Mt. Cecilia's many faces

Tuesday - awoke to cloudy, misty and rainy weather.  Water running in end of cabin without the end caps on!  We tried filling the gaps with foamy crack repair.  Must get the end cap on in July!  We finished all of the foam insulation around the windows and doors and then into Great Falls to order a garage door from pro-build and get footing supplies.

Wednesday - Cold - rainy - windy - SNOW!!  We finished the ceiling insulation today.  With all of it up - the cabin stays toasty warm with the heater set on low.  Fabulous!

Thursday - Even though the wind was quite hardy, the cabin was quiet and warm.  Actually, we have to crack a door or a window in order to hear the coyotes and the wind! Amazing!  We spent the day digging the holes for the deck footings and placing the forms.  Gracie spent her day laying beside us protecting us from the evil that was lurking in the mountain behind us.  She was intently watching the mountain and would bark and bark.  Since it was so windy, we both assumed that she was being spooked by the blowing and swaying grasses and tree branches.  When we had completed our tasks, I decided to walk up the mountain with the girls to show Gracie that there was nothing to be afraid of.  BOTH of the girls stayed behind me - and then turned and high tailed it back to the cabin!  Leaving me there alone!  So I just thought to myself - HELL IF I'M STAYING HERE, and high tailed it back as well!

Footings dug and forms in place

Friday - We dug out an old barrel that was left here years ago and set up a "burn barrel" spot.  We had been filling it with everything burnable to help keep down the amount of trash that we have to haul out of here.  Early this morning, Ron set the barrel contents on fire and we started also burning all of the scrap lumber that was accumulating.  I did not want to leave the fire unattended so Ron made a water run alone.  On the way to the spring he met Tim - the supposed "owner" of the spring.  At least now we have permission to use it and I will not feel so much like a thief when we fill up our water jugs.  I also purchased a camp water filter, which claims to filter out all harmful bacteria.  Just one extra precaution for good health.  Then we started mixing and pouring concrete.  We had three visitors today.  Bob, of course, and then Tim and Cornell.  After we were done with our chores, it was into Great Falls to return extra insulation, concrete and concrete forms!  Dinner at MacKinsey Pizza!  Pizza bones for the girls!  Win- Win!

our burn barrel

On our way to G.F. - when we passed the 2nd Cascade exit, we both looked and saw a brand spanking new YMCA building!  Dark brown brick, Large White Y.M.C.A., welcoming us to come and shower there! We decided that perhaps we would go check out if they offered that service on our next trip into Cascade.

Saturday - This morning our little munchkin, Gracie, was the first to spot the deer in the next meadow over and off she went!  All we could see was her flag tail bounding through the grasses.  Soon, Jackie realized that she was missing out and took off like a shot to catch up with her sister.  The deer, by now, must think this is a fun game, they always trot off and then come back.  Actually, one morning they were very close to the cabin, Gracie was still napping in her bed and Jackie was out by herself on a tiny walk-about.  She came within 20 feet of the deer - she looking wide eyed at them and they looking at her - Ron and I were watching the entire thing from the sliding door - the deer and Jackie - frozen in an eye contact stare down.  Finally, the deer leaped sideways and took off, Jackie on their heels!  Great fun!  We planted 13 small sapling hardwood trees, and scattered wild flower seeds in the meadow by the cabin and then we started packing up for our return back to reality.  As the evening fell, we were settled in for the night, Ron playing angry birds on the tablet. 

I decided to fix myself some hot tea.  As I looked out the window while waiting on the pot to whistle I noticed something moving in the trees up the mountain side.  It was much to large to be a deer so I figured it must be a large elk - and then the entire animal came into sight and it was our BEAR!!  I hollored at RON!!
BEAR!!! BEAR!!! I was so excited! 

The girls started running around the cabin, feeling my excitement. When he moved into the trees and I was unable to get a picture, Ron and I ventured outside to get a better look.  We kept the girls INSIDE!  And there he was, in all of his splendor.  Big and Magnificent.  He on top of a large fallen tree looking at us, and us, near the cabin door (not completely without sense) looking at him.  Soon he stepped off the tree and sauntered off.  The elation I felt then , I can not describe.  I apologized to Miss Gracie.  I am sure now that she could smell him Thursday and was truly protecting us.  Her continued barking was her way of telling whatever Evil she was smelling in the shifting winds, that this was her domain and he had best keep at bay.

Grandma and paw - it is exhausting keeping you safe!

Sunday - We awoke to rain and snow.  We finished packing the trailer and closing up the cabin.  My raincoat neatly tucked in the car somewhere, we pulled out of paradise before noon , soaking wet..

Oh, and our Brand spanking new, Dark Brown Brick, YMCA building?  It does not exist.  We went into Cascade and drove around to find it, finally stopping at the market to inquire where it was located.  Not there - Both Ron and I saw that building, at the same time, in the same spot.  We have described to each other exactly what we saw and our visions were identical.  Hmmmm. Curious.  Maybe Cascade will have a new YMCA someday, and if it does, I am betting it will be built with dark brown brick and will be clearly visible from the highway, right before you get to the second Cascade exit.  Just sayin'.