Big Sky Country....

Many of you know that the boys and I headed up to my old stomping grounds this past week. I have been looking forward to this trip for quite some time - for many reasons. It has been almost 4 years since I have been back "home," and despite the fact that none of my family lives there anymore, I was going to be able to meet up with my sisters, grandma, and other extended family! My mom was able to make the 14 hour drive with me there, unfortunately she could only go one way with me so the boys and I were on our own for the way home! We made it home safe and sound this afternoon - we are a little worse for wear, a little tired, and very cranky, but the boys couldn't have travelled any better!!

It has been quite some time since I have blogged, so this first post is for you honey!!

Judith Gap, population 164, is a little north of Harlowtown Montana...about an hour and a half from Billings! It is a tiny little community, home of this little mercantile shop! If there are any missilier's reading this, you have probably frequented this little joint, famous for it's many flavors of milkshakes. Inside there are squadron patches from the guys stopping to and from their alerts. The woman told me that just last week she turned around from making a shake to see a "sea of green" flight suits behind her! She said they are so thankful for the business and support they receive from our men and women in uniform!!

I wanted the boys to sit at the table, but the sun was "too bright." So they found a little splotch of shade so I could take a picture of them!

Zach peeking in the door! Notice the windmill paintings on the window. Since we have left Montana, Judith gap had become hometo a wind farm in 2005. According to Wikepedia this is "one of the most ambitious wind power projects in the United States. The 90 mammoth wind turbines at the Judith Gap Wind Farm produce 135-150 megawatts of power, representing about 8% of the electrical power on the NorthWestern Energy grid. The total cost of the project is likely about $150 million. It was spectacular to drive through them.

Zach and Seth very impatiently awaiting their milkshakes!!

Zach ordered Strawberry, Seth chocolate; and Eli, Mom, and I shared the leftovers!

Eli thoroughly enjoyed this!! He could hardly get enough!!

A treat like this is always a MESS!! We were sticky and messy all the rest of the way to Great Falls!!

According to the lady at the mercantile shop, during the wind farm project, this windmill arm was dropped and cracked, the city of Judith Gap asked if they could keep it...here it is, all 128 feet of it!! It was AMAZING and the boys especially enjoyed running around and climbing on it!

This was such a fun stop...and brought back so many Montana memories!! Even though they boys didn't completely understand it, it was so fun to say "This is where Daddy used to..." "This is where we did..." Some people hate Montana and can't wait to get away, especially in the winter; others love it and would love to get back...I am the latter!