Friday, July 13, 2018

Serenity Pines

June 29-July 3, 2018
Roundup - Great Falls, Montana

Last year's fires and weeks of smoke kept us from visiting Peggy and Kaylee at their new home in Roundup, Montana. Getting back to see them was a priority, and definitely worth the 300-ish mile detour on the way to Glacier National Park.

Another beautiful drive takes us north on Hwy 191 and east on Hwy 12 through miles of green hills and not much else. We wave at Janna and Mike as we pass through Big Timber, and I regret not making the time in our route to stop and see them :-(

Rain has been pounding the area and creeks and rivers are at flood level. We track the latest storm in front of us, taking our time to arrive at the little town after it has passed.

Peggy posts this photo of Zeus and Kaylee dancing in the rain.
The Ideal Motel and RV has the potential to be a cute little stop, but is in need of some TLC, and a few truckloads of gravel to fill the holes and mud. We get set up and head out to Peggy's 20 acres - Serenity Pines. Roundup is a very small town and her place is out a dirt road, at the edge of the forest. It's absolutely beautiful.

Peggy's back yard.

The sky is definitely bigger!
Peggy makes us dinner and we get to know her daughter Kaylee. A lovable five year old, full of energy and bright spirit. Tessa is a bit freaked out by the large shepherd, Zeus, but we all take a walk to one of many lovely places on her property.

Saturday morning we join them for breakfast and another walk in the woods. What a wonderful place to live and raise a child.

Ten years ago our mutual friend (Peggy's friend too), Michelle, was key in getting Bill and I back together. When we finalized our plans to visit here, we reached out to include Michelle. Peggy picks her up in Billings in the afternoon, and they come by to see our little home when they get back. Kaylee wants to know why we live behind the gas station :-)))))

Another wonderful meal with a few adult beverages, and so, so much fun with these wonderful friends.

Bill, Peggy, Jodee and Michelle - friends since high school.
Sunday we cook and eat and drink and walk and laugh and play with animals and share for hours. What a great time we had with these dear friends, and a little girl who steals our heart.

The perfect place for spending a perfect day.

One of the neighbors.

Enjoying the view.

Ziva finding high ground.

Handsome Zeus.

Tessa enjoys the wide open space while avoiding the giant dog.

Inubus sneaking up on us.

Michelle and the drama-warrior.

He's having a good time - really.

Pretty girl and Twizzler straws.

Sharing photos.

We had a good time getting to know you, Kaylee.

A lovely finale. Thanks Peggy, we had a wonderful time.
We're back on the road Monday morning. Hwy 87 takes us north to Great Falls, Montana. Dicks RV Park is a large park on the Sun River, at the junction with I-15. Long, narrow and level sites, with dirt and some grass. 50 amps is nice in the heat for our one night.

Next we're on to one of the most magical places we've ever seen.

17 comments:

  1. What a wonderful get together with friends! Peggy has a lovely home and all those acres would be so fun to explore. Love that Montana Big Sky! Kaylee is a doll !

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    1. It's been a lot of work and bravery for those two - but it's paid off with that gorgeous place.

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  2. You picked a good time to visit Roundup--safe travels!

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    1. I agree - it was wonderful. That flooding has been crazy.

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  3. Your friend has a gorgeous piece of property. Beautiful views. Sounds like a great time for all. Zeus is so handsome but I can imagine Tessa's reaction to the size. You have to love the innocence of children...why do live behind a gas station? Too funny!!

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    1. She was such a crack up! She assured me we didn't drive our home because there was no steering wheel (it has the table and lamp on it when we're parked). Zeus wanted to play so bad, but Tessa saw those big big paws swatting at her and was having none of it!

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  4. Can’t wait to see your next stop!

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  5. Kaylee is a beautiful girl. Love the shot of her with the twizzlers. She's going to be a heart breaker. I can't imagine having a 5 year old child. SO much energy. Gorgeous place to grow up for sure. Would love to hear the story of what Michelle did to bring you guys back together.

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    1. Kaylee is so, so pretty and in touch with the nature she lives in. Definitely lots of energy!! The short version is that when we were both single again, and starting to date other people, Peggy told Bill he was an idiot and we should be together. She had a party and invited us both. We've been together ever since :-)

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  6. Sure like the looks of Peggy's place and her daughter Kaylee is a cutie. Now she needs to put in a RV site so you can stay longer.

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    1. That's the plan, although we will have to drive her road very, very carefully in the rig!

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  7. What a sweet and fun time with good friends! So funny that Kaylee thought you lived behind the gas station. I love the way kids think and the things they say. She probably felt sorry for you, haha! Glad you checked in with your matchmaker and she could see the results of her good work. :-)) I think the kitties are more Tessa's size.

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    1. Oh yes, Tessa was much happier to chase the kitties :-)

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