DAY 18 - BUFFALO, SD

THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

We dodged the bullet of  a major RV problem until the morning of July 5th, when our bedroom slide out would not slide back in.  After Russ tried to do it himself, he asked for the assistance of our neighbor, Mike.  They worked together while I had time to write ten post cards.  Yes, about an hour.  Then two additional folks on the camp ground came over to offer their assistance.  In the meantime, I called my sister, Linda, and we joined in Prayer.  To make a long story short, while all three helpers were off getting tools, Russ, my retired Engineer,  came up with a solution of installing our leveling Tripod under the slide out, and jacking it up just a bit.  It held the new position just right so that the slide out easily slide back into place, so we could be on the road by eleven o'clock.  It is a good thing we did not have a commited time schedule to follow that day.

We traveled to BUFFALO, WYOMING, a distance of 187 miles, via Interstate 90 West to Exit 58.  Along the way we saw Oil Drilling equipment in the fields on one side, and Horses and Cattle on the other side.  Then, all of a sudden we saw SNOW CAPPED MOUNTAINS coming at us, just as we approached BUFFALO, and Deer Park RV Resort where we have a lovely tree shaded site.

Our first sighting of a Snow Capped Mountain.

It was very hazy, just before a slight shower hit our area.

We spent our evening, by taking a short drive of one mile into Buffalo, where we had dinner at The Occidental Hotel, and enjoyed the music of a Bluegrass JAM session from 5:45 til after 10 PM.  Travers Chandler and Avery County were the lead group.  There were as many as twenty musicians Jamming at one time, as the evening progressed. 

I took a few breaks and walked around to see the renovations, and all the antiques in the Occidental Hotel.  The owner, Dawn Dawson Wexo, introduced herself to me, and invited me to check out the Quilts on display on the Second Floor, where she had guest rooms.  While doing just that, one couple who were returning to their room, invited me to see how beautifully appointed their abode was.  It had a special little bathroom area with an old claw foot bath tub, from the 1890's period, and the bed was adorned with a lovely quilt.   Dawn encouraged me to take all the pictures I wanted, and to share them with you.  You can see more on her website:  www.occidentalwyoming.com .  The JAM session is a regular Thurday evening offering during the summer months.  It was so much fun that I wish we were going to be there another Thursday night.  Our food was excellent too.  I had Pulled Pork and a great Salad.  Russ enjoyed their Angus Burger and fries.  The seating was cozy, community style, so we got to know some other folks who will also be at the BIG HORN BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL, July 6-7-8, 2012, at the County Fairgrounds, in Buffalo, Wyoming.   You can go to the Festival website of:   www.bighornmountainfestival.com

Second floor corridor was like a Museum with these lovely things on display.

I especially liked the Butterfly Quilt, and the Grandmother's Fan, below.

I have made several blocks of a Grandmother's Fan in my Sampler quilts.

Last but not least, here are a few pictures of the crowd and the musicians at the JAM.  Note the beautiful Trophys mounted on the high walls of this 1890's Saloon.

Although I am not a Musician, I did enjoy sitting

 at the Bridgeport Organ in the Lobby, while another guest took my picture.

It was made in Bridgeport, Connecticut.  NOTE the ornate cabinetry with places to display photographs, flowers and candles.  I wonder if the candles were to light the keys for the person playing the Organ?

I hope you will let me know you have read my Journal, with a message to:

grandmarita15@gmail.com .  The Comments section offered by Blogspot,

seems to be a challenge for several folks, myself and Russ included.  We wish it was simplier, but we have little influence on those who offer this site, FREE to us. 

All words of encouragement, and recommendations of places we should be sure to visit would be appreciated.  That is how we find some of the GEMS we have seen thus far.

Time to be "On the Road Again" to the Big Horn Mountain Festival.