It started with horses and rattlesnakes and ended with a road warrior...amazing!

We drove through Yellowstone on the way to Cody, WY and had a lunch guest near the Old Fishing Bridge. A few years ago, we drove through the West side of the Park. This time we went through the East side of the park. We stopped, made lunch, and stood outside to eat. While the kids and I were inside making sandwiches (and knowing that we are in rattlesnake, bear, moose, elk, bison, and other things that don't like us here), I heard Kelly yell, "Dave, come out here...hurry!" I pushed the kids out of the way, step on them, accidentally kick the dog and jumped outside so that I can protect my wife from some large carnivorous animal about to eat her! Then, I see her pointing to a Bison across the street. Don't worry, she was safe! Then, we got to see some yahoo running towards it and trying to see how close he could get to get a picture. I will just say that it was quite interesting to watch. Especially when the bison dropped it's head.   We also stopped at one of the geysers and were met by a Ranger.  She wanted to know about our badges and had many questions.  She told us about a new badge that was out and told us where to go to get it and who to talk to.  We spent some time with her and she took a few pictures of the kids with their vest and badges and we were on our way for the collector's badge. 

One of the springs at Yellowstone.

The scenes of these geysers against Yellowstone Lake were amazing

Breathtaking scenes

The minerals that run from the water cause amazing colors.

Stopped by Ranger Ellen to be talked to about our vest.  She had many questions and even took a picture!

This is famous spot that people used to stand on and fish from when it was legal.  I wouldn't want that blowing up my shorts!

See our lunch guest?

We stopped and saw Cody damn and then got back in and headed through the tunnel. 

If it seems like the pictures from here don't follow a timeline, they do.  We worked while we were here but we also played some.  So if it seems like repeated pictures in different places, its because we were working hard, again, and making more memories!

We arrived in Cody, Wyoming and were excited as were so close to the CWAM (Cowboys With A Mission) in Meeteetse, Wy.  Another 45 minutes of driving and we arrived.  There was great excitement as there were horses everywhere and we pulled into the ranch.  We stopped and were greeted and showed where to go to park the RV.  The director, Kevin, came over and welcomed us and gave us the run down and it all began.  We walked over and got to help get the cattle in the arena to practice roping.  Then, the kids got a ride on the horses which became plenty over the next few weeks.  We went to dinner with the crew that night and met everyone and the fun began. 

Forming a line so the cattle don't run past us. 

A little roping right after we got there. 

A little welcome ride. 

Welcome ride for Caleb

Our 40 acre yard

Whatever kind of work that you would like to mention here, we were able to do.  We were blessed to be able to not only help with the cabin that was being built, but we were able to also be involved in all kinds of jobs.  Cleaning water troughs, chicken coups, and fixing wind fences started the list.  Then, we were able to fix some things, shovel some manure and fill some holes, work on trucks, and do so much work on the cabin.  We were able to do doors, windows, gas lines, electrical, plumbing, and so much more work.  I even got to play medic a few times and enjoyed every second of it.  I also had a number of "good ol' days" conversations with Kevin because he is an old firefighter/EMT-P.  One of the most different jobs that we got to do was a rattlesnake roundup.  Three of the horses got bit on the noses one night so we all met early one morning and went scouting...no luck though but the horses recovered nicely.

A new home for the chicks

Doing some vents

Yup...they put me in a hole.  Working on some water pipes. 

Feeding some chickens

 We also got to move a little bit of hay;  a total of almost 50 tons, nearly 1,700 bales was moved at about 60 lbs a piece.  It made for some of the most amazing memories that we will ever have.  We had to drive about 40 minutes to the fields where we had to load the hay and the fun began on four different occasions.  There was an art to driving the truck (which I got to do...and there is nothing unmanly about that!) and for about 4 hours each trip, we drove, threw, and stacked and then drove, threw, and stacked some more.  There were laughs, yells, screams (especially when the mice almost got Kelly).  Everyone did great and we had a great time.  When we were done in the fields, we drove back to the ranch and got to stack it in the barn.  Again, it made for some great memories, sore hands, stickyand itchy clothes, and stuffy noses but also for an amazing experience for all involved. 

Clearing some area for the hay coming in

One truck load of many coming

...here we go.  About 10 high...only 1650 more to go!

 We worked as much as we could but also had some down time.  We had a great time spending time with the people there and learning about the horses and other animals, hanging out, and having meals together.  We cooked two meals while were there and I think they went over well.  Everyone pretended to like them so I left feeling okay about it!  We were also there during the end of one their classes.  We were able to meet some of their students and see their graduation.  It was a nice experience and we got to meet some very great and blessed people.  We had ample time to spend together with the other staff and also with the horses...no complaints about spending time with either one...staff or horses!  The people that we met there really did become friends.  We were able to share some good moments with some and learn great stories about others.  They had great patience with us and the kids.

Kamryn and "their Kelly" playing some ball in the shop

Mr. Bill teaching Caleb some roping basics 

...and Kamryn too!

Practicing some bronc riding!

Practicing some roping skills!

Cleaning out the water trough...it was nasty!

Caleb is helping to run some electrical wire.

 I had a birthday while we were at CWAM and had a blast.  There was work to be done but I got in some fly fishing and some shooting.  I even got the "cowboy rendition" of Happy Birthday.  I couldn't load the video because the internet may have shut down.  Trust me, it was marvelous...

Lunch time

Local shooting range

Birthday boy

What is manure good for?

Filling in holes around the garden!

The horses trying to figure us out

Checking for eggs in the hen house

That is just a golf ball...have to give it to them when we take their eggs!

Finding eggs, this is more fun than an Easter egg hunt!

Who needs a pool when you can swim in the irrigation ditch?!

This guy taught Kamryn how to give a wet willy...she is an excellent student!

Our kids with the staff and DTS students on graduation night

Zachary praying with our favorite Australian student!

Zachary helping to get water down to the garden

Welding 101

Time to feed the chickens so they can feed us!

 We all had a family date night to the Cody Rodeo, the rodeo capital of the world!  We loved it.  Sammy, the director's daughter was running barrels that night and we all went to watch.  She did an amazing job and we had a blast.  It was a late night but we all went to Dairy Queen afterwards (at 10:00 at night) and the kids leaped for joy; especially Kamryn who clapped in the back seat and yelled, "We have never gotten to do anything like this!"  It was a great time.  The drive back into Cody was a long one but well worth it.  We made it a few times as we went there a few times for church and for shopping but that is the way when you live that far out.  We really enjoyed the town that they lived in.  The local folks were great and there is a ton of history there.  Zachary got to make a bunch of the rest of the crowd jealous...he got to hang out with the Deputy on a few occasions.  Went on a ride and also got to go and check on some cattle.  Also got to go to an old ghost town, Kirwin, and to see where Amelia Earhart and her husband started to build a home right before she disappeared.  They both seemed to have a great time and came back with some good stories.  The CWAM base also has a Thursday night Cowboy Church.  It was great to be able to meet some of the folks from around and attend.  Also had some good fellowship before and after.  Each week, we were able to meet and chat with some great folks.  We were able to meet and get to know Val Geissler from the movie Unbranded and he is a marvelous cowboy poet.  He is a great guy and real treat to chat with.  He is involved all over the place and invited Kelly to give a call to an organization that works with horses and veterans...more on that at a different time after much prayer. 

Kamryn and her favorite Mikaela

Sammy running the barrels

The two boys switched hats

Kamryn looked so tiny.

Caleb loves it here

Sammy, Zachary, and Caleb hanging out

Because this is what you do after the rodeo!

...the hay

rolling them to the trailer as I rolled by in 4 low

I had a cute cowgirl join me

No need to stop...

After you load about 50 tons of hay...go for a swim!

Then, be like Caleb and get stuck!  Then, be like Mikaela and get stuck with him!

We planned on staying at CWAM for two weeks originally.  When we got there, we wondered if there would be work but then it started...the work that is...and  had enough for us to earn our keep.   We ended up staying for three weeks because more supplies showed up for the house.   We had such a great time here though.  After the fact, we realized that the work was true blessing as we were able to step in and help everywhere we could.  The blessing also came though when we were able to bring in a few extra (and different) laughs, and some more love for these people that work so hard every day. They were a real blessing for us and we hope that we were the same for them.

It is actually a bit funny, as I sit here and type this, it seems that the time went by so fast.  Man, there were days that worked our fingers off and others were filled with odd jobs but we tried to stay as busy as we could.  But, I smile because we connected so well with the people here.  It was a relatively small base in comparison to where we have been in the past.  We didn't know how that would be, but it went very well and I THINK they would say the same!  :)

The favorite hang out and waiting spot

Kamryn and her Mr. Chris

Zachary was a natural at riding horses. 

A happy pappy

Yes, Caleb is helping!

Almost done...

Zachary is learning to drive a stick on one of the farm trucks with his daddy

I thought this was cool.  This was about the Pitchfork Ranch.  This is an old ranch of about 250,000 acres that has an amazing history and wasn't far from where we were.  This wall was all of the pictures that were used for the old Marlboro advertisements and commercials.  I remember  all of them from when I was a kid and now I know where they were from.  Note***I do not condone smoking I just thought it was cool!

In a local museum

Getting ready to ride.  If we wanted to ride, we had to know what to do and do it all ourselves.  Of course they were there to help but we loved being able to do it all!

Mommy and daddy on a date!

 Quick story about the two Kellys.  There was my Kelly and their Kelly.  Each time someone yelled, "Kelly", they would both answer.  So, when I spoke to or about them, I would just reference them as "My Kelly" and "Their Kelly".

Zachary and "their Kelly" feeding the horses. 

Eating at a local restaurant from 1898.  Awesome pizza!

Old town Cody.  It was about $20 a person...we took a picture outside and left!

Going to church

 Zachary did a great job here.  He did anything that needed to be done...if I did it, he did it.  The only job that he did that I didn't do was throw hay...I drove the truck and he threw it on the trailer (that's what numerous back surgeries will get you!) but hw worked so much and we are very proud of him.  He also had a great time playing with and spending time with Kevin's kids.  Amanda, his other daughter, was great with out kids and also with us on the horses.  WE loved being able to trust the kids together.  All of the kids did great together.

Lunch time

Zachary talking to Deputy Wagers (aka Mr. Joe)

 This was one Kamryn's favorite jobs.  She loved Friday (the calf) who lost her momma to a lightning bolt.  Kamryn also loved the chickens, taking care of them and their eggs, feeding animals, and loved the days we went out to do the hay.  The kids all did whatever work needed to be done and whenever it needed to be done.

Feeding Friday

Zachary and Mr. Joe

Zachary and Mr. Joe going to count cattle

Putting up a door.  Everything that Bill and I did turned into fun!

We couldn't do anything without an audience!

Caleb found a hammer head lying around and took a log and split a piece of wood off of it.  He shaped it, put a nail in the top of it and made a working hammer.  He wrote a verse on it and gave it to Mr. Kevin as a gift. 

 A few of my favorite times were the staff meetings and the meals.  The staff meetings were times to share was in store for the day and also follow up on anything necessary.  It was also a time to just share...anything.  That led to amazing conversations and I loved it.  The meals were eaten at the director's home after the student's graduated.  That was great.  Don't get me wrong, I loved eating with the students, but the smaller group was great.  Everyone around the table, eating and goofing off sharing stories and cutting up; it was great!  A few of us were usually the Last ones there and then we ended our evening.  The folks here welcomed us like family and treated us like one of their own.  We plan on coming back to help with a camp next year.  We will be praying for them as a base and also for them individually and can't wait to see them again. 

Dinner was always great.  The lady of the house was always marvelous!

This was the second time at the rodeo.  This time the boys and I had a daddy date and we went. 

Just hanging

This is Earl.  He was one of the ones that was bitten by the rattlesnake but he recovered.  We were buds.

Great day for a trail ride.

Time for windows!

 Caleb put together a night for everyone.  It was really great.  He organized a movie with popcorn and also worked all day on putting the Greek mythology and stories on some of his favorite constellations.  After the movie, he had everyone go outside and we told them about them.  He really had a great time here.  He had many duties which included egg gathering, coup cleaning, cooking, and moved hay every time we went out. 

Caleb's movie and astronomy/ night.

Amanda playing with the kids. 

Trying to figure out some names for the new calves

Cooking it up!

Cowboy Church

Going to do some rabbit eradication.

Practicing some roping.  Did I mention that I used to rope when I was a kid?!?!

Going away pancake breakfast. 

Love these folks and gonna miss them...but we are missing one out of the picture.  Jordan felt like coming out after the picture but we still love her and we got to tell her bye!!

We left Meeteetse and headed for the Big Horn mountains.  Those things were amazing!  It is so cool to see so many different mountains on this journey but they are all so different.  Anyway, we had a great and beautiful drive towards Malmstrom Air Force Base and stopped for our 50th National Park.  We went to Battle of Little Horn.  We learned so much history there and earned another badge.  Read more of the history here.  We left there and went to our camping spot for the night, Cabelas in Billings, Montana. 

We thought we would stop thought it would be a typical night in a parking lot.  (Funny thing is that a comment like "a typical night in a parking lot" is no linger odd for us!)  Well, I started dinner and I heard Kelly taking to someone outside.  Then, Caleb was talking.  Then, Kamryn and Zachary were talking.  Then, I heard another voice outside my door and looked around to meet Mr. Raymond.  He is an amazing trucker that was parked a few spot over from us.  Well, Caleb invited him over for dinner and he accepted.  I cooked a few extra taco shells and we stood in the parking lot and had us a marvelous time eating tacos and having a beverage.  Then, Kamryn asked if she could see his truck and he said he had to clean it up a bit.  He picked up and the kids jumped in.  We had a great visit and met an amazing man with an amazing story.  When we said bye to Mr. Raymond, he made a comment that meant a great deal to me.  Without going into detail, he simply said something about how kind we were to him and how much it meant to him.   It was nice to hear from our two hour acquaintance. 

Reading about Sitting Bull

Custer's Last Stand in the background 

At the last moment the men shot their horses and used them as barricades as they knew that they were going to be overtaken.  All of these headstones are where the men fell and the one with the black shield in the middle was Gen Custer, the Civil War hero who once said that he would never kill another Lakota just years before.

This ranger said that he had never seen so many Jr Ranger badges before!

Mr. Raymond over for dinner.  His truck is the one you can see the back of a few spots over. 

This is what our kids do when we are stopped overnight in a parking lot.  Wallball with a tennis ball. 

I think he's missing the horses...

Now they are getting to check out Mr. Raymond's place. 

We are leaving here and heading to Glacier National Park.  We will be dry camping there for a bit after stopping at a YWAM base for a short time to check it out.  Then, we will be heading to another YWAM base to stop again to serve for a few weeks.  One of their missions at this base is to serve the local Natives.  So, again, we will see what God has in store.

It is times like this that I am quickly reminded of why we have been allowed to do this trip and feel so blessed.  We got to spend the last three weeks meeting new people and loving on them.  They loved on us just as much and then we were rewarded with down time of laughter and beautiful animals.  Then, we get to see new country, beautiful country while meeting new people.  Some people we get to know very well, some people we know for a for a few minutes and others we have "over" (to our "yard" in the parking lot at Cabelas) for a couple hours.  We do our best to be the Light for many people.  I know that we miss opportunities and I am know that I fail at times, but The Lord knows that also. 

My point is this, I am thankful for where we are at any given moment and hope that we take full advantage, and to be the Light, of what and who He places before us.  That is my prayer.