July 29, 30, 31-August 1, 2001

I’m on the road again and in Deer Lodge, Montana found the nicest fabric store. I thought about my neighbor who quilts.  She would love this two story shop.

Inspired, I bought a pattern and some coordinating fabric to make a fly fishing wall quilt to commemorate my trip.

(This is the quilt that I made when I got home. It now hangs in my Adirondack style screened porch. Two places have come together but to the trout and nature it’s all one beautiful world.)

I got a campsite near Missoula, Montana. I like to make a campfire, drink my coffee and read for an hour or so in the morning.  A lot of times I have to hide deep in my site so I’m not disturbed.  People see my New York State license plate and that I’m traveling alone  and want to know what I’m doing so far from home.  They are just trying to be nice but sometimes I  just need a little quiet time.

For some reason, one afternoon  I felt like heading home. The thought was very persistent. But I had made a 70 day promise to myself or some strange force had planted the promise in me.   They say in life we don’t regret the things we did as much as the things we didn’t do.  Good life lessons are crystalizing for me everyday. They are catching light and strengthening within their faceted structures. They make me happy as they flutter beams in all the colors of the rainbow across my mind. I am glad for it all, the variety and all the possibilities ahead. I can’t give up.

Some people in the campgrounds invited me to join them for their family reunion.  I had fun and my first elk burger.