I don’t know HOW it can be September already, but sure-nuff, the calander says September 1. Time marches….skips…runs…streaks…on.
The Casita Rally here in Ronan, Montana officially kicks off today. Casita people have been arriving since Tuesday, except for me, the early bird, who arrived a week ago Wednesday.
Here are a few of the cute little Casita butts present at the rally.
Here we are, and you can see more Casitas beyond us, too.
Would you believe…..
Dear friends Laura and Joel (creator of the Joel Pole, my internet antenna), paid us a visit yesterday! When Laura and I were talking on the phone quite awhile back, we discovered that our paths were going to cross here in Montana, completely unplanned, so we arranged for a day together, and it turned out to be really nice. We visited, and Joel, computer guru that he is, updated some important stuff on my computer-type toys. Later we went out for dinner at the restaurant in the Ninepipes Lodge while Joy and Shiloh lounged in WS under the air conditioning.
So far since we’ve been on the road, Laura and Joel have been able to meet up with us at the Salton Sea in CA, at Gilbert Ray Campground near Tucson, AZ, where we camped side by side for their first RV experience, at Yosemite National Park, and now in Ronan, Montana. (Have I missed any Laura?) They are literally world travelers, but have been experiencing more of the USA in recent years.
The temperature since we arrived here has reached into the 80’s daily, which I know you probably like but Joy, Shiloh and I think it’s too warm. Days have been lazy and if we go somewhere it’s in the mornings. The rest of the day is spent either in the A/C or visiting with other Casita folks in the shade.
One morning we went to St Ignatius Mission, about 15 miles south of Ronan. The present church itself was built in 1891, and it is famous for the beautiful murals all over the inside. They were painted by Br. Joseph Carignano, S.J., the mission COOK!!
Amazing!! The stained glass windows were beautiful too. Mostly the colors in the windows weren’t showing up in my little IPhone camera, but in the above picture they showed up fine.
The smoke in the air from the many fires burning in western Montana varies from day to day, but is ever present. I still haven’t been able to smell it, but I can see it. Makes for some interesting pictures….
By the way, my truck, Joy Ride (JR), is doing great. Now that I’m not towing, mileage looks like this:
Wandering Spirit 
Love those little Casita butts!! Too cute!!
The St Ignatius Mission is absolutely beautiful!!!
Glad the truck is doing great! Love that mileage!!
Hi Gerri, the murals…..I know. How does someone paint beautiful pictures on the ceiling?? And on a ceiling that high off the ground….and his main job is to be the cook….mind boggling.
Would be so much fun to see all those Casitas all in a row. I’m sure it was a great time of sharing stories. Beautiful murals!!! Hope it cools down soon and the fires end!
Hi Dawn….I guess they say the fires won’t go out till the snow comes! Or rain, but apparently there is none of that expected. So hard to believe this is just a few days drive from rain soaked Michigan.
It’s always pretty cute when Casita’s hang out together. You can’t help but smile. Then people come in with gigantic rigs and their eyes get very wide. 😊 And they have to smile too.
Hi Mickey!! I’ve finally figured out, (perseverance wins) how to actually follow you, rather than just think I am following you! Whew, who knew tec stuff is sometimes a pain!
So glad to find you again. . . .glad to hear all is well, truck, dogs, you, the world! Sept. weather is a little moody here in Wisconsin right now. Changing daily and unpredictable, even for the weather forecasters. Haven’t ridden (with camping) much since so wet this summer, but want to get a few in yet before heading out to CLR.
Safe travels! Beautiful, informative posts as usual!!!
Hi Ruth! Didn’t realize you were having trouble hooking up with the blog!
You know, when I was in MI is was raining just about every other day…all that green, and those wildflowers. Then I get here to Montana and they are in the midst of a terrible drought! Out of control fires everywhere…at least in western Montana. The weather is doing such crazy things….
Hey, November will be here before you know it and you can ride to your hearts content! Can’t wait to see you! My plan is to get to CLR November 9, (but leaving again for most of December. ) I miss the place!