It was a great week.
The ride to Bozeman for the AARP event began in 45 degree temps and turned into a sunny day in the 60's. Roads were all good, traffic light for a Wednesday on US 12 and I-90.
It's always such a beautiful drive through the Three Forks and Missouri Headwaters area where the Gallitin, Madison and Jefferson rivers join forces to create The Big Muddy, the Missouri River.
US 287 carries me through Townsend, the community claiming the title of #The First City on the Missouri.
The newly expanded road from Townsend to Three Forks has made the ride even more enjoyable.
Topping the big hill I pass Wheat Montana Farms.Their claim to fame has always been that the wheat grown here is grown at a higher altitude than any other US wheat and that makes it better in many ways. It seems like a good thought, whether true or not. It does bake good bread.
The showers in the forecast held off until I reached the Bozeman Hilton Gardens Inn.What a good time visiting with my many AARP volunteer friends. as we went for dinner to the famous Ted's Restaurant.
Presentations at the conference concentrated on the work of volunteers across the state.The many areas that are already being covered and many more areas in which volunteers will make a big difference.
AARP is a Non-Partisan and Non-Profit organization which began in the 50's in California when Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus discovered a retired teacher living in a chicken coop because the Retired Teacher pension was so small it would cover the cost of an apartment.
Dr. Andrus began lobbying the legislature and her efforts boosted retirement benefits for California teachers and the small group she started mushroomed into the organization we now know at AARP.
Following the conference I rode through light rain to The Bozeman Lodge Retirement Center.
A small crowd gathered around the rig as I set up the Mini Mate tent so residents could look over my home away from home and the motorcycle that carries it across the country.
Carrying the banjo and guitar inside brought many residents to the music/reading room for the program.
How many of these Assisted Living Centers have I carried the instruments to.
Always fun and it's good to hear some laughing, even though the jokes have been told a thousand times. I never get tired of telling them.
The ride home began just after 5PM.
Rain gear was donned before I began the two hour ride home and was needed when rain began sprinkling down as I picked up I-90 toward Belgrade and Three Forks.
The sun was beginning to drop lower in the sky and brought great colors to the lowering clouds.
A rainbow lit up the southern sky for a few minutes and sun shining in the clouds sitting on the mountain tops brought some truly spectacular views.
The usual stop at Wheat Montana Farms Deli at Three Forks didn't look like a good choice on this ride. Heavy black clouds were coming fast out of the west.
I opted to make a run for it and see if I could outrun them .
It worked.
30 minutes later as I was passing through Townsend the sun came out. The rain was behind me and the remaining 35 miles along the Missouri River was a great ride with sunshine, light traffic and a few antelope grazing in the fields.
Saturday brought a new adventure, the Helena Farmers Market.
The idea was to set up a booth, show our books and maybe make a few sales.
Fifty Cents and Hour-The Builders and Boomtowns of the Fort Peck Dam, was the book Lois had published in 2006. Discovering Life After Alzheimer's - The 26,000 Mile Ride, was the book I authored after we completed our journey through Alzheimer's Disease.
The motorcycle ride across the country brought me great therapy and hundreds of new friends.
The Farmers Market seemed to be a good place to offer the books for sale to the crowds that filled Fuller Street, the markets home.
I moved the motorcycle/sidecar unit into place and parked the Mini Mate camper next to it.
Both the bike and the trailer attracted visitors.
Of course the banjo helped too and I had a ball playing some of the old songs and passers by responded with dollar bills in the banjo case.
I was a BUSKER!
In Europe and other parts of the world busking is a recognized entertainment career and there are many street entertainers. Not so many here.
What a great time singing, playing and visiting with people. So good to see people smiling and laughing at my old and somewhat corny jokes.The market officially opened at 9AM but hundreds of people were there early looking for bargains in produce, hand made things and even "Doggie Treats" at the booth next to mine.
My first experience as a vendor at a Farmers Market was a blast and I decided I would rent my market space for the entire season.
Well, that was the last week in the month of May and it was a good one.
Well, that was the last week in the month of May and it was a good one.
June starts off with a ride to Butte, Montana, or Butte America as Butte residents like to refer to their city. I'll be taking the banjo to The Springs Retirement Center.
These programs are fun to do and are a good excuse for a ride through the mountains.
The trip to Butte on I-15 is one of the best rides around.
Sweeping curves on the interstate lead you up Boulder Hill which is a great 5 mile ride up and then when you top the hill you see for many miles across the valley to the mountains on the other side.
I am looking forward to the ride and the program.
Thanks for joining me on this weeks adventure.
Be Fantastic
Watch for me, I'll be in the Right Lane America.
Del "Lonnie" Lonnquist
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