July 30, 2023 - BEARTOOTH ADVENTURE

Interior Airstream: 64*

Exterior Airstream: 60*

Today we should have been departing but we decided we should stay one more day to give me a full day of rest before traveling. Rest means a trip to the laundromat and grocery store. And some cleaning inside the Airstream.

 

While at the laundromat we drove just down the road to grab a quick hamburger at the Red Box Car. There are no fast food restaurants here. We just needed something quick between loads of laundry. Bacon cheese burger, fries and a chocolate shake hit the spot. Also Tim met a guy who was stationed at the Orlando Naval Base. 

After laundry we made a quick stop at the Beartooth Market to get a few groceries. Another fun activity! Later when we returned to the Airstream we had a tough time deciding on whether to go fly fishing or drive Beartooth Highway. Since we will be fishing in Montana we decided on Beartooth Highway. Elevation at basecamp is 5,800’. 

Beartooth Highway is known as Americas most beautiful drive. When we departed from base camp it was close to 80*. At the base of the mountains the temperature was 76*. The high in Red Lodge was to be 83* today. It was 46* at the pass which stands at 10,947’. Last month they had to close this pass due to over 4 feet of summer snow. Beautiful scenery up here even above the tree line. 

I didn’t take the best pictures up there but weather contributed to that. 

Once at the pass the sky continued to darken, next came rain. Heavy rain … THEN … wait .. what is that?! Hail? Sleet? After talking to my friend Barbara, who lives in Montana, she called it slush. Then we noticed the 10’ height of the snow plow markers up there. Wow! While heading back down we passed many motorcycles driving in this bad weather. This highway is very popular with the biker crowds. I would not want to be out in this weather on a motorcycle! 

Once back at camp it

was 70*. We had our family Zoom. Spotty reception with Dishy due to a very large 5th wheel next to us. Then once the wind calmed enough we enjoyed a campfire. Decided the vertical firewood holder that I made works and is a nice little gadget to have. 

Tomorrow is a travel day!! It

will be nice to move into new territory! 

July 29, 2023 - BACK TO RED LODGE!

Inside tent temperature: 57* 

The sounds of everyone starting to pack up in the field began early. I had to get myself moving too. Tim was coming at 11 AM to fetch me! 

Everything was soaked. I needed to get the tent unloaded to be able to get the tarp out from underneath so that it could dry. As far as dealing with the tent I needed to 180 it to expose the backside to sun. 

While stuff was drying some of us walked to the Fire Department for their Pancake Breakfast! Donation based and the money goes straight to them. It was good … especially after a late night out. ;-) No one could remember what time we got back in last night! LOL 

Tim came and got me as planned. I hated telling everyone goodbye. Absarokee Days and a parade were in the works too. However it was great to get back to Red Lodge and to my Airstream. Jett was super excited to see me. At least that’s what she made me believe. We did take her to a local dog park in Red Lodge today. 

A nice hot shower felt really good. We were able to go to town for dinner at Bogarts. Saw one of my sisters (SOTF) there. Small town! Now to unpack and repack all the tent camping gear back to the front of the truck bed. At bedtime I had to take back my spot in bed! Jett happens!! Hah. 

July 28, 2023 - DAY 4 SOTF WELDING CLINIC

Hah. Not sure how cold it was this morning as I forgot to make note! 

The week went by so fast. Like really fast. Can’t believe we spent four days in the welding shop. AND seven nights total in a tent by the time I depart. 

Everyone got to be creative again today. Searching through scrap metal and making personal projects. I found a chicken feeder that I took the plasma cutter to. Then added some additional flower pieces from a chandelier. Everyone made some great projects! 

With this being our last night we were treated to dinner at the 5 Spot. It’s THE local hangout along with the Chrome Bar across the street. It was great having us all together at one place before we all departed. There were ladies from all over the US … New Mexico, Vermont, Washington, California, Montana and of course Florida. 

Before the night was over a few of us gals landed across the street. Glad that we all walked there! Good times!! 

Bed time temp 63*

July 27, 2023 - Day 3 SOTF WELDING CLINIC

Morning interior tent 56* temperature. Perfect for sleeping. 

Turkeys visited us this morning. Horses did too! Then in the shop we had a puppy visit!! Squeaaal!! Serious work here! Might kidnap her. 

Today being Day 3 of SOTF Welding Clinic we were given the day to do our own personal creative projects. It’s a great opportunity to step outside the box and make something you need wether it be functional or artistic. We were all able to pick out scrap metal junk to do our projects. 

Nice to see everyone come up with their own designs and ideas. Last year I did the metal horse head for my sister. This year I made a vertical campfire log stand. Not really about the welding on this one but more about ability to bend the metal that I am not capable of bending at home. 

This evening we were to do a cook out at the river like we usually do. However Mother Nature had something to say about that. A small rain shower became a big one. Us tent dwellers are hanging tough. 

The entire group landed back at Maurie’s instead. Actually worked out great. Everyone was able to mingle and socialize without getting wet. Base camp out in the field was another story. We had barely been able to dry out from the rain earlier in the week. Now back to more puddles and more rain. And one more visit! 

Last day of Sisters on the Fly Welding Clinic 2023 is tomorrow. 

(Sorry about blurry pic … she was fast!)

Bedtime temperature: 63*

July 26, 2023 - Day 2 SOTF WELDING CLINIC

Morning tent temperature: 65*

The base camp in the field had a couple of visitors before class. It’s nice having the morning off. However tomorrow we switch, giving the now afternoon girls the afternoon off. 

Scott, the owner, has just been amazing to us all. So patient (that was almost an auto correct to ‘pathetic’) with everyone. He just may think we are all a bit pathetic as much as he helps us all!! And Tammy one of our hosts has gone above and beyond to take care of us … she always puts on an amazing event. 

So about Day 2 of Welding Clinic. What an amazing day! With all our lessons learned from mistakes that we made we realized that our team work is what made our project. Everyone in our group participated and had the right suggestions to get the job done!

By end of day we were nearly complete. And will have Scott check over our saw horses that we made. What a fun project to be able to fabricate with some amazing women. Tomorrow we will be able to do our own personal creative projects. 

Bedtime tent temperature 74*. Seems cooler than that. 

July 25, 2023 - Day 1 SOTF WELDING CLINIC

Inside tent - 61*

Great tents/sleeping bag weather!

How was the first day of welding clinic you ask? Great. Fabrication! It had it’s challenges but we worked through the problems as a team. Put our heads together. Solved the issues. Learned so much. And that’s what it is all about! 

The first year students had horse shoe projects to make. The advanced students had two metal saw horses to fabricate. We were shown a similar item to take measurements from in order to begin. Angles had to be determined as well. But wait … you will be using different materials! 

By the end of the day we had all of our materials cut for both and had one partially assembled. Tomorrow we will see how much farther we get on both of them!

Temperature inside tent at bedtime - 72*