Not Rocking R Bar

July 6-7st, 2004

Bozeman, MT

GK) – Happy hour was a especially happy today as we pulled into Hysham, MT and found a park with a horseshoe pit. Sparky and I got waxed again. We just don’t have the spirit to win. Hysham was deserted so we took off towards Billings. I never want to spend more than 15 minutes in Billings at any one time and we ran over that edict by stopping at Hardees for hot ham n’ cheeses. Bozeman was sleeping by the time we got there so we paid KOA fifty bucks to park for 8 hours and use their electricity. Had breakfast at the Western Café, all you could want in a diner. By 2pm the next day I had already broke the fly rod I had rented (no fault of mine) and spent the remainder of the day staring at the gorgeous rivers and mountains around Bozeman. We had cocktails at the Crystal, still a dive, and had two cocktails and an Oly for $4.50. Dinner was at Looies, which was overpriced and the salmon overcooked. We ended our tour of Bozeman at the once grand Rockin R Bar, which is now reduced to a frat boy sports bar. I guess eight years changes a lot. Too bad, it was a super cool place. Now we are off to Missoula…

Now I’m Yellin’ Domino

July 2-5st, 2004

Sherwood, ND

(GK) – Fargo now a distant memory, we strolled our way close to the Canadian border and parked Powder Blue in the sleepy town of Sherwood. The itinerary was already set for us and we just needed to follow the dots. Happy hour went down on the Farm, thanks to Byrle and Don, et al. Gin and juice out on the farm never tasted so sweet. We then headed to town; we weren’t in town more than 34 minutes and we sat down to play a game of “84”. Lots of good memories lurk around Rich and Rondi’s hometown. They frequently dumped Jellybean and myself off there with the Grandparents many a summer. Great to see the Miller boys again. Pat’s place was rockin’; the only bar in town was packed with street dancers and farmers. We had a blast with my parents and their friends. Sparky and I destroyed some boys in pool. July 3rd went down much the same; hour long parade down main (captured on DV). Breakfast and dinner at Sherwood High School, numerous games of dominoes, and more beer drinking. Culminating in a spectacular fireworks display. Sunday night we headed back to the farm for dinner and two games of “Nickels” with Don & Byrle. Always a blast. Breakfast the following morning and back to the cocoon to continue the westward momentum…

(STA) – 4 days and 25,000 calories later we’re back on the road outta the ‘wood. Sherwood rules the school from the deep end of the pool, and we were treated to the utmost in hospitality by all 112 members of GK’s extended family. We made ourselves regulars at Pat’s Place, whose slogan is “Where Rumors Get Started,” and considering it is now the only bar in town, it probably has good claim to such although the basement of the Lutheran church is a good guess as well. I think all drinks and bottled beers are $2.50 for easy math purposes because I don’t remember ever paying anything other than multiples of $2.50 despite varied orders. Bloody Mary Sunday at Pat’s was a good base for a good session of tossin’ tiles with Rich and Rondi before heading back out to the farm to see Byrle and Don. After ingesting about another 5K calories, it was time for Nickels and Windsors with 7-Up. After a great night’s rest in country quietude and a full-frontal breakfast barrage, it’s westward-ho with adventures in Montana forthcoming.

Things to do in Fargo when you’re dead.

July 1st, 2004

Fargo, ND

(GK) – We spent today participating in the 1st Annual Fargo Triathlon. Since we stayed up playing Pitch until 4am it was difficult to make the first event at the El Zagal Golf Course; arrived at noon and promptly completed the first event in 1.5 hours. Then off to a quick lunch in expansive downtown Fargo. Next event started after a stop at Steve’s Package for a sixer of Old Mil pounders and a forty of Old English. Horseshoes at the Oak Grove park was fruitless for a two of us as we lost 4 of 5 matches. But still, we were not at work… Dinner occurred at the Speak Easy in Moorhead which was delightful; then back to the scene of the crime(s) circa 1992-97, Chub’s pub. Still a damn fine establishment, not a chair has changed. Stopped for one drink, the newly named Peter Sellers (previously mentioned), at the new Hotel Donaldson. We had to drive down to the Bowler to find and karaoke and arrived too late to display our talents. The Triathlon was saved and the third event completed thanks to Devon who allowed us to bowl a few games after hours. A truly spectacular event…