Re-connecting w Rich, Becky & other relatives in Butte, Montana

We ventured up north of Ketchum/Sun Valley, and made our way through Salmon, Idaho, then over to Big Sky Country via Wisdom, Montana. We found ourselves in the rugged, western town of Butte, Montana by evening. There, we met up with Layli's cousin Rich and wife Becky. Rich started us off with a fine tour of Butte, which included the mining heritage and the unmistakable and massive downtown historical buildings of Butte. He insisted we try the signature Butte pork chop sandwich, at "John's" and got us in to where the best are made in just the nick of time. Man, were they tasty.

Rich has a great home with an amazing comfortable layout. There's a Firebird sports car hiding in the separate garage, and a semi-circular hot tub with separate fridge. Out front, Rich commissioned a massive  wood sculpture of a wolf to be created from the stump of a hundred year old tree in his front yard. We posed happily next to it because it was hard to believe how large and well-carved it was. Now that's what I call "howlin' at the moon !" ...

Becky in August was recovering from knee replacement surgery and on the couch that day, but she was looking great, advancing quickly and anxious to get mobile again. She wasn't going to play the "sick card" on that one, she was rarin' to go as soon as possible, and I am sure she beat the normal recovery time schedule on that major surgery. (She's probably got the spring in her step back these days....). I very much liked Rich and felt a surprising connection to him, and Becky was great to be around as well. I can't wait to see them both again.

The next morning, Rich took us over to see his mother Irene, who was sharp, friendly and actively painting wonderful outdoor scenes at the age of 90. Then we looked at historical homes of Layli's relatives and came to the grave markers of her grandfather and grandmother.

No kidding, a Butte pork chop sandwich doesn't sound that interesting, but you will never run across something so tasty and filling. Thanks for the great tours, humor, and conversation Rich. (Becky, you too, despite being "laid-up" at the time.) And, there's more to see and do, in and around, Butte. So, this is unfinished business. I am looking forward to seeing Rich and Becky again. Layli's with me on that.

Click on the following link for a YouTube creation that captures the one-of-a kind spirit of Butte, as recommended by Rich. And he would know.

 http://youtu.be/xDHaK8_N_Y0