Summertime in Montana - Days 11- 16 and Home

 19th - We are back to finishing up the family room desk today and come across an envelope full of pictures.  Mom settles in to put names on the backs of them (so happy for this) and while doing some comes across this picture of a great-uncle.  She starts telling me his story and I'm getting that "this has to be an exaggerated family legend feeling" so I head to the internet.  Lo, and behold - everything she's said is right there in print.  Want to know?  Let me share what I found and it's not always in order, but still intersting.

Please meet Ole A. Olson, a.k.a., The Hermit.  

"He was a quiet, unassuming fellow who didn't seek publicity.  But oh, how he could carve.  His name was Ole Olson, but he gained the fame he didn't want as Ole the Hermit.  He didn't always live alone.  He was married in 1921 to an Irish girl named Hazel but after her death in 1934, Ole settled down in Valley City, N.D., with only Bertha, his cat, for company and spent much of his time carving.  Ole died in 1966 but he left behind many carved figures which are popular because of their intricacy and the wry humor he carved into them."

Now for the details:

Summertime in Montana - 6-10

 July 14 - Mom and I are off to Kalispell this morning for her stress test, a stop at the bank, and to pick up her new car.  No point in pictures from the first two, but TA-DA --- she's driving it home even - back from Kalispell.  This is further than she will usually be driving, but excitement is the same no matter what age we are and a new car, well . . . . dang, that's jus exciting period.

Summertime in Montana - Days 1-5

 July 9 - It's my sister's birthday and we are off to Montana.  I haven't spent her birthday with her in oh so many years - in fact, I can't remember the last time.  It's time.  We have snagged non-stop flights from Dallas to Kalispell and that is amazing in itself.  It's a nice day and we are outta here.  Hours later, lakes begin to appear and we are getting close.

To The Zoo to Meet Gus

 Independence Day has come and gone and since the weather is semi-decent, we are out early for a trip to the zoo to HOPEFULLY meet Gus.

Upon our arrival, the lemurs are already showing off and we spot the little brown ones that have been noticeably absent for awhile now.