Let me start by apologizing if at any point this post makes no sense. I am home from work due to an allergic reaction and the meds I am taking make me a little groggy, but I have nothing to do and am bored, so thought I would try getting another post up on my trip. Ready? Here we go........
So, last time i wrote, we had finished our lovely trip to Feathered Pipe and were ready to carry on. Anne and I were starving and really wanted something good for lunch. We had passed this sign on our way to Feathered Pipe and thought it might be a fun place to check out.
Well, let me tell you, we were so happy that we decided to check out this little gem. It just might be as authentic Mexican as the Taco Truck in Harrisonburg, Virginia, not far from where I live. We just couldn't help but be drawn in by the handmade signs and the pretty pink and salmon colored stucco building. Not to mention the picnic tables with an upholstered chair at the helm.
Anne looking lovely while awaiting our food.
We had to knock on the window and door several times before someone finally came, but then we were greeted by the one and only Louie. The namesake and owner himself, and as he says, "a one man show." Louie was quick to tell us that although he normally had 4 meats to choose from...shredded beef, ground beef, shredded chicken and pork, today he only had two, ground beef and shredded chicken, because, as he said, he is only a one man show and hadn't had enough time to get the other meats cooked. Anne and I asked what the best thing he had was and he said his burritos were a huge hit. So, we each ordered a shredded chicken burrito with the works. He also advertised Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs which didn't seem very authentic Mexican to us so we passed. We later were to find out that these were the most amazing hot dogs around and that they truly were a Mexican treat. They apparently are a special type of hot dog served on a special type of bread. Oh well, there is always next year ;)
Louie also had one of my favorite drinks which I had learned to love years ago on a trip to Belize with my bestest friend Karin, Tamarind Juice. So, of course i had to order one of these too because in Belize, Tamarind helped to keep my insides happy and regular and I was already having a problem with this and we were only two days into our trip. Unfortunately, it didn't have the same affect on me in Montana as it did in Belize, but I really won't bore you with the details:) Anne and I picked our picnic table of choice and sat and waited for our food to be ready. We were the only ones there at the time, but while we sat there, a solider from Fort Harrison dropped by to order food to take back to base and a handful of power company workers dropped in. Not sure if they normally come there or just wanted to check out the pretty blond who was sitting at the picnic table at LOUIE'S. But, they did order food too, so I am sure Louie was happy.
Soon, our food was ready and boy, were we happily surprised. This was without a doubt, the freshest most tasty burrito I had ever had. I am not sure what type of sauce Louie makes to put on his food, but it is sooooooo good. A little kick to it and super fresh. Anne and I were in heaven and very full when we were done.
I wish I could reach through the screen and eat this again.
Louie was such a sweetie, and at one point poked his head out of his little window to tell me that if I wanted a photo of an authentic Mexican, he would be happy to pose for me. How cute is that? I could not pass up such and offer and had wanted him to actually come outside so Anne could take a picture of me and Louie together, but he got too busy and wasn't able to come out. I did however get him to poke his head out after taking another customers order and he smiled a big ole smile and waved. Isn't he just the most adorable man ever?
My buddy Louie.
The Archie Bray Foundation
We said adios to Louie and told him we would see him again whenever we got back to Montana. Our next stop was going to the
Archie Bray Foundation. The Archie Bray is an amazing educational institute for artists who work in ceramics. It was founded in 1951 by Archie Bray who was a brick maker. It is on the site of a brick factory that was known as the Western Clay Manufacturing Company and was a working brick factory from 1905 until 1961. There are still remainders of the buildings that were a part of the original brick factory. Walking through was sort of like walking through a ghost town, however, the Archie Bray is very much a living, breathing place.
Pieces of pottery and ceramics lie scattered everywhere outside. A sign explains that these are all castoffs and mistakes by the resident artists, but I would have gladly taken any and all of it back home with me. The sign clearly states that you are not allowed to remove any of the pieces, as they themselves have made their own gallery among the grounds. One of my favorites was this one which featured 3 people having tea surrounded by chickens and a dog. I just about went nuts over this one. It reminded me of 3 of my boys sitting outside with the chickens doing some chicken therapy. I told Anne, if I could have fit that on the plane, I would have begged and pleaded to have been able to buy all of the pieces and brought them home for my yard. Another little bit of chicken love in my life.
If you look closely, you will see a dog sitting next to the guy on the far left.
A black lab just like my Beauty!!!!
A cup of bird tea anyone?
Looks like my Penny girl.
I know most of you may think this is total crap, but I just loved it!!!!! It just so perfectly captured the essence of my home and boys. Below are a few more pictures I took of the property including pictures inside of the Potter's Shrine, a bust of Archie Bray sculpted by Rudy Autio in 1952 and the shrine itself is constructed of a variety of different bricks which were produced at the Western Clay Manufacturing Company.
Remainders of one of the Beehive Kilns used to bake bricks.
How can an artist not be inspired by these types of views surrounding you.
We bid goodbye to the Archie Bray and I felt so thankful to have been able to visit a place filled with such amazingly talented artist and such a wonderful history. Montana so far was reaching inside of me and touching all of the special places that make up my sprititual self and my creative self. The only thing left was to become a part of what would speak to the nature lover in me. Not that the amazing scenery I had already experienced was not touching that part of me, but I was ready to be immersed in it for the next 4 days. We had one more quick stop back in Helena to stock up on chocolate bars from the General Mercantile and a quick stop back int the Holter Art Museum for me to pick up my birds I had to have. Seemed perfectly fitting to be buying some art made of clay after having experienced the Archie Bray. Now to find just the right home for my love birds:)
The piece of "beaver wood" that these two beauties perch on.
It will hang on the wall once I find the perfect spot.
The name of the artist who made these lovelies is
Cathy Weber. I just loved her work. Here is a picture of the card explaining her work, but if you click on the link above, you can learn so much more and see her amazing work.
At last we were on the road and on our way to the Blacktail Ranch.
But of course, I had to make Anne veer off course once more as we approached the Gates Of The Mountains. Seeing a body of water seemed so foreign in Montana, so of course I had to ask Anne about the body of water that was too our left on the highway.
During Lewis and Clark's expedition in 1805, on a sultry July evening on the Missouri River, they came across a magical spot on the river where it looked as if the limestone cliffs may tumble down on them. But rather than tumble down, the cliffs which seemed at first to block passage with each turn in the river, appeared to be opening up as they approached closer. Hence, Meriwether Lewis declared them the "Gates of the Mountains." We pulled down to the marina where I snapped some more pictures and talked of maybe stopping back on Sunday to take the boat tour. But as it turned out, we didn't have time. So I am so happy we made the short detour so I could see even more of the natural beauty that is Montana. Someday, Robby and I will make that boat tour ourselves.
Okay, so back onto the yellow brick road to OZ. We did not have much further to go and before I knew it, this is what we approached.
OMG, is it possible? Have we really finally arrived to our destination? Yes indeed we had. On top of the mailbox is a scultpture of an eagle that is made out of old horeshoes. I would come to find out that many sculptures like this were everywhere on the ranch. Tag, the owner, made all of these lovely sculptures out of metal and thousands of old horseshoes I presume are from the horses on the ranch. Such a cute little touch. I took this picture on my phone and sent it to my dad so he would know we had arrived safely. So glad Anne was driving because I would have blown right past this turn. It was just such a simple entrance to such an amazing place, I would have never noticed it with all the other scenery to look at. We drove a few miles down the driveway, and then the real entrance came into view.
I sighed a huge sigh and could not believe after all the other amazing things I seen in the past day and a half, that I was finally arriving to the Blacktail Ranch. It was every bit as beautiful as I had dreamed it would be, if not more. I can't tell you how many times I thanked Anne for making me come on this trip with her.
Driving into the ranch.
A field plowed and waiting to be planted reminds me of home.
Immediately after getting out of the car,
Anne takes me up to where we will be practicing yoga.
Do I look a little happy or what?
A few steps to the left of where the other picture was taken,
Anne takes a picture of me with the Continental Divide behind me.
One of these days, I will do the 3 Day Loop on horseback
and see it up close and in person.
The rest of the evening was spent checking in and meeting the other ladies that had come for the journey. We ate dinner, learned of our schedule for the next 3 days, drank some wine then Anne and I called it a night and headed to bed at 8:30. I know, we are hardcore right? Well, we were still on our East Coast time and had had a very full day. We opened our windows in our room and breathed in the cool Montana air as our minds drifted off to sleep.
I end here with a photo of Anne and I. The next posts will be full of pictures taken on horseback and probably less words. Some things words just can't describe as you will soon see.
Anne on Sunny and our wonderful host, Sandra, in the background.
Setting up inside the Hogan for evening yoga before dinner.
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