Here's a shot of the band during practice before the service. Natural light doesn't work the best. The band consisted of flute, violin, clarinet/saxophone, guitar, cello, piano, snare drum; not all members were there for this shot. The rabbi is standing on the left. As for guitarman/vocalist in shorts...it's Montana.
I know the pic interferes with stuff on the right, but a smaller version just doesn't work.We had all intentions of heading out into the back country but lack of ambition and a Main St. sidewalk sale guided us to the easiest path.
It was a bit chilly, here's verification.
I was passing by this old timer when I remembered my enjoyment of the street musicians of Paris. He appreciated the buck I dropped into the hat.
A sign of the times everywhere. Lots of re-purposed bank buildings.
The sale had its share of characters...this lady with the basset hound & a beehive on top of her head.
Some Montana observations. The drivers keep to the speed limits although they're higher than you'd expect. A two lane highway (one lane in each direction) will have a 60mph limit in the mountains & 70mph on the open road. 75mph on the Interstate.
Driving the Interstate Scottsdale to Prescott as we did last year & early this year, we set the cruise control on 75 (the speed limit) & still was often passed. Not in Montana.
Looking at pick-ups, there are many more Tacomas & Tundras here than I'd expect. Usually in the back country, everyone drives Amurrican.
At the BBQ joint last night, we found out where Santa spends the off-season.
Sunday morning we went out for b'fast. Here's about as contemporary brunch menu as you'll ever see.
Susanne had to get a shot of their slogan & logo on the staff's T-shirts. Our server gladly accommodated.
Bozeman tango has a milonga at a French cafe Sunday mornings, 10am to 1pm. We didn't go to Paris, so Paris came to us.
Because there were tango festivals this weekend in other cities nearby, the turnout was poor but we got a chance to chat with the few folks there. Susanne is dancing with Chris, one of the local tango teachers.
It's Monday, we took the day to explore the area to the south & west of Bozeman. We headed south, it was around 7:30am. Some Big Sky pics.
The scenery changes rapidly.
Had b'fast in West Yellowstone, MT, the western gateway to the Park. Near here, three states, Wyoming, Montana, & Idaho come together. We headed west & a bit south towards Henry's lake. It turns out the continental divide forms the boundary between MT & ID (we crossed it twice), the lake is in ID so for a time, we were in another state.
The lake wasn't so grand when we got there.
We stopped in the delightful little town of Ennis and shared an iced coffee in an all purpose grocery store, souvenir shop and coffee place.
As we looked around, we saw tchotchkas. The big ones...
And a small one, on our table. It has to be the UGLIEST Montana item on the trip so far. I have to share it, sorry!!
OK...here comes a major Big Sky thing...a panoramic video, with the wind providing the sound track. If you are seeing this in an email, click on the "Steve's Travel Blog" at the top to get to the web version. Suggestion: View it full screen.
The video quality isn't that great cuz I shot it in VGA. If I go Hi-Def, the file sizes become huge.
According to the guide book, there is this nothing town called Laurin (pronounced law-ray) with a Catholic church worth seeing. It's a bit less than the the grand churches of Paris, but for being in the middle of nowhere & built in 1901 of native stone, it was worth a shot, two actually.
Inside was quite lovely.
Our plan for Tuesday is a 6:30am (killer) yoga class, some routine shopping, gas up, lunch at the French (tango) place, dinner @ the apt. (leftover Mexican) then a tango class & practica in the evening. For Wed., return to that historical place, then on to Butte & Red Lodge to check them out.
'Slate. Early day tomorrow. Bye!
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