September 9, 2017. Big (smoky) Sky Montana

CAMPGROUND:  Big Sky Brewery parking lot!

LOCATION:  Missoula, Montana

 

WEATHER:  Warm.  High about 90.  Still smoky in parts

 

We awoke at our campground in Riley Creek.  The smoke was much lighter.  We took a walk around the river and could even see things in the distance, as the smoke had dissipated quite a bit.

 

We said goodbye to Tony and Jenny with plans to see them in Yosemite in about a week.  (Funnily enough, we ran into them again in about an hour at the Safeway grocery where we both had stopped for coffee and wifi).  Another quick goodbye.     

 

We drove about 3 hours southeast towards Missoula.  We started seeing fires about an hour out of Missoula.  They were high in the mountains, but seemed quite strong.    

 

In the small towns that we passed through,  all the motels said "no vacancy" as the firefighters from other states are staying there.  We also passed this firemen's camp.      

 

We recently joined a RV group called Harvest Hosts. For $40/year, we can stay FREE in wineries, breweries, museums, orchards and farms that are part of this group.  It is patterned after the host farm camper association in France, where we were hosts while housesitting in Brittany.  

 

Tonight's stay was with Harvest Hosts at Big Sky Brewery.  We had called ahead and they welcomed us to stay in their big parking lot.  When we arrived, one of the brewers was outside and guided us to our site.  (We are the only ones here).  He said that there is a concert at the Harley Davidson store across the street.  Would we be perhaps interested in attending?  Why not, we said, so he gave us 2 tickets free @$15/each.  

 

We walked to the concert.  The music was sort of country.  I have never seen so many odd-looking people together at one time.  It was a strange combination of patriots, religious zealots, Harley die-hards, tattoo recipients, and lots of leather trying to cover mounds of fat.   Bernie Sanders would not have been a hit here!!!!!    

 

We had a Big Sky beer, some excellent BBQ from a food truck and enjoyed the music for awhile.  Then, back to the Airstream to be by ourselves. 

     

 

 We have reservations tomorrow night at another Harvest Host site - a winery, then another one on Monday at an organic farm.  This is going to be another great twist to our Reids on the Road adventure!!!!!