Days 4-6

Day 4
Saturday, August 4th, 2007. Today was the big birthday celebration for Santa. Almost all of Peerless came out and most of Santa’s sisters. It was so much fun. Before the party really got rolling Santa took us out on a ranch. We saw 2 wild horses that they are trying to break and then we literally rode out on the ranch and saw the rest of the horses and cattle. The coolest thing was, the actual home of the McCloud family. The original one, the first one ever built on that land. Toooo cool. We drove over big hills and at times, I held my breath just hoping the truck won’t tip over!!!!!!! Then we spotted a gopher…..next thing I know, Santa is telling Troy to pull out his “45” pistol from under the seat….oh my…..so like the cowboy my husband is he does!!! Good thing for the gopher, that even though he’s a cowboy at heart, he’s a true city boy when it comes to shooting out of the side of a truck. Two shots and the gopher was high-tailing it out of there.

 


We got back to Santa’s and they put a ladder up on the homestead house and were jumping off the roof. This was fun to watch. Then the kids rode dirt bikes and the 4-wheeler. Carter and Tori got on today and did a great job. Both Carter and Trevor had a wipe out, but the got back up and off they went. The food was great and plenty of it. When it got dark all the kids played a game called “rescue Bob”. It was a blast. Then it was time to hit the hay. It’s hard to keep track of time because it stays pretty light out well into the evening; 9pm or so. Today was great, and am thankful to be so welcomed and treated like family.

 Day 5
Sunday, August 5th, 2007, the Sabbath in Peerless. We went to a little, traditional church. I imagine this was pretty much the way it would have been in the 1800’s. Almost everyone in town was there, plus some guests, due to Santa’s party. The sermon was ok. It was on being greedy. Good lesson, the only thing I would have added is that in our flesh we are helpless, it’s only with Christ can we have the power to over come. The rest of the day was restful as it should be, and yes my handsome husband can’t leave the West without dressing up…that’s right, like a cowboy. He does make a might fine one if I do say so myself!!! Then in the evening we went for a drive with Santa to look at the land. We saw some beautiful horses and real cool old abandon homes with lots of old cars and farm equipment. It was fun, but by the end of the ride the kids were Hungary, bored and driving me crazy in the cramped backseat made for 3 not 4. Then it was off to bed so we could be ready to hit the road and head for Fort Benton.
  




 Day 6
Monday, August 6th, 2007 we left Peerless and headed to Fort Benton. The drive was real nice. We saw some mountains in the distance (we think), but they say it’s pretty hazy, due to the fires they have been having. So the landscape wasn’t as clear as normal. Fort Benton is a cute little place down in the valley. We went for a walk around town with Paige (Santa’s granddaughter), and she knows all the shop owners and they are happy to see her come in. We strolled along the Missouri River and the view is breath-taking once again. It’s fun to imagine Lewis and Clark traveling here. They also have a replica fort and inside of it there was still parts of the original still standing, this was very cool. This is a beautiful place and I imagine a wonderful place to live. We are so thankful for the kindness of Santa’s family to open there home to us. Santa was suppose to travel with us, but when he was filling up his tank with gas he put in regular fuel instead of diesel, so he ended up turning back to go home to fix it. We just said a quick
“Goodbye” on the side of the highway!! BummerL We are hoping he comes tomorrow, so we can spend a little more time with him. Tomorrow we were suppose to go for a float down the Missouri, but it is a little cool for that (so they tell us), so we will probably take in the Lewis and Clark Museum and the local swimming pool. Then we’ll be off on our own to Yellowstone instead of Glacier due to all the fires.