Today was Jim’s 60th birthday and the early morning (5:30am ish) crowd welcomed him to the category of old!!!  Jim usually is the last out of his tent but turning 60 today he cowed to turn over a new leaf. Of course the 85 degree predicted temp today may have had more to do with his early morning get up and go. He vows to change his ways and become an early riser. We’ll see!!!!

The early birds get the water boiling and help get out the breakfast and lunch goodies , , ,

The biggest hill of the day may have been this one out of town. Some were not warmed up enough yet and had to walk it!!!

This looks like a great example of a large operation trying to do the right thing. Even TNC is a sponsor!

Here was a good use for an old piece of junk . . .

. . . not a faded blossom to be found. Snaren . . . how about for your front yard?????

We still can see Chief Mountain in the distance. We can’t get away from it!!!!

Canada has several religious sects who are active in farming. The Hutterites are one group. They live in sort of communal colonies and there farming practices are always top notch and their farms VERY tidy!!!

The Alberta rose growing everywhere in the right of ways!!!!

. . . not the question here is, What happened to the rest of the deer???

As we neared the Canada/US border to reenter the United States we turned into a headwind, we would have for most of the rest of the day. Here Connie has one hoof in and one hoof out!!! The monument says USA on the left side and Canada on the right side.

The Canada entry side looked very pleasant for a custom station, and had signs welcoming you to Canada and not to bring in the Elm Bark Beetle. Our US station looked like Guantanamo Prison. Eight foot fences topped with barbed wire and cameras everywhere. We all crossed within an hour of each other and many of us had Officer Friendly who must have had a bad weekend. Not so friendly. AND  . . . he didn’t say. “Welcome Back home” as they have many times before. Which has always left me with a warm feeling. Not a very pleasant experience . . . but we all got back in!!!!

. . . and no official ‘Welcome to the USA’ sign only this lonely sign out in the middle of a field provided by the Lions!!!

We headed south from the Del Bonita checkpoint and soon reached the steep banks of the Milk River. Whisky Gap had been a favorite smuggling point for liquor . . .

. . . which some tried to smuggle through in hog carcasses!!!

Yes . . . we celebrated Canada two days ago and soon we would celebrate the 4th of July!!!

After a long and hot ride we reached a very windy and dry Cut Bank, our home for the night. Cut Bank, like a lot of small town, have murals painted on some of their buildings. This one didn’t seem to paint a very happy picture of the oil industry!!!

Here is where we are staying for the night, right off Hwy 2. Very windy and it took two people too pitch a tent to keep it from blowing away.

Lots of rock but the owner was very nice and took us Wade, Allison and me to town in his pickup to get our groceries. Easy  . . peasy!!

Even though it is only the 3rd of July, Wade and I chose a 4th of July picnic theme. Johnsonville brats, Polish sausages, potato salad, coleslaw,  potato chips, baked beans and apple pie with whipped cream for dessert.

Everyone was beat from the 70 mile, HOT, windy day . . . but had great appetites’!!!

Interesting  . . . on the side of the campground, overlooking Hwy 2, was this figure of Christ and a crucifix. Evidently someone donated it 20 years ago and it has been there ever since!!!