The Craftsman rides again!

Thanks to Riva and Matt (we bought their Craftsman mower when they left Utah), the lawn is getting a good trim.  Good thing we have a riding lawn mower, the majority of the yard is lawn.

When we unloaded the mower from the back of the truck, with the help of my Dad's homemade ramps (those ramps have seen the country), we noticed that there was a flat on the left rear tire.  We took it to Les Schuab Sat. morning to get it fixed.  Dave and I put the tire back on the mower that afternoon and started it up.  I was going to take it for a spin to see how it was working.  When I tried to engage it in reverse, nothing... the motor was running fine, but no movement. Forward, reverse, more gas, different gear speed, nothing worked.  What the Hell?  After going thru all that a second time, I decided that it must have something to do with the tire.  It worked just fine before the tire was taken off.

So off with the tire! Checking, checking...what could it be?  After some thought and much frustration (emphasis on frustration), I see a 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch metal piece/pin on the floor of the garage.  I also notice that there is a notch in the axle, that matches up with the notch in the rim of the tire.  Could it be some type of key that engages the transmission to turn the wheel?  Hmmm...

The maiden voyage on the new lawn took place July 3rd, 2010

Dave took to it like a natural.

Going to Montana For the 4th of July

Kent and Julia came to visit over the 4th of July Weekend. We left American Fork around 1130 on Friday July 2nd. Kent and I drove up with our trucks to take stuff to the house. I had the riding lawn mower and snow blower and Kent helped take some stuff from the house.

Every time I drive by this Silo I think to myself "I need to take a picture of this".

So this time I did.

A lot of Idaho farmers grow barley that Budweiser uses to make beer.

These silos covered with a picture of the Budweiser Clydesdale's looks pretty cool from the freeway.

We stopped in Spencer, ID., "The Opal Capital of America".

This is one of the stores where we looked at some Opals.

Apparently there are 5 locations in Spencer where you can purchase Opals.

We looked in 3 of them.  This location seemed to have a good selection

(owned by an older couple).

Further up the road we stopped to eat in Dell, MT.

I had been wanting to stop and take pictures of this place when I drove by on previous trips.  Julia's Grandparents used to live in Dillon and her family would stop here to eat on the way.

I didn't know that it was a working restaraunt.

The Old one Room School house now called the Calf-A

Pun intended.  he he

They kept the inside as the school room. 

It even had the original chalk boards.

We all ordered the chicken fried steak.  It was a huge piece of meat.  They bring you 2 plates.  One for mashed potatoes, gravy and cooked carrots and the other plate/platter for the chicken fried steak. 

As you can see we had a lot of left overs to take with us. 

Treats for Dave! (he wasn't with us).

How convienient to have chalk boards to write the daily specials.

Busy Busy Busy

I have been really slacking on the blog lately.  I have tons of pics to post, but haven't taken the time to do it. 
Maybe I will get some time this weekend.  But maybe not. 
I have been having way too much fun playing and really busy unpacking. 
In case you didn't know, I have moved to Montana! 
(Dave and I are finally living in the same house again, yea!)
I am lovin it up here!  It is sooo beautiful. 

Last weekend I went tubing down the Bitterroot River.  A float trip that I had expected to be two to three hours ended up being 5.5 hours.  We got out of the river just at dark.  We started at the Stevensville Bridge and went to the Florence Bridge.  Next time we are thinking that we will start at Stevensville bridge and get out at Poker Joe's access point.  That should be a good float distance.

This weekend is the Western Montana Fair.  Horse racing is today and tomorrow.  We might have to go experience the races.

I love the Missoula Farmers Market.  I have been going every Saturday since I have been here.  I stock up on lots of fruits and veggies for the week.  I love the fresh variety.  It has been a fun weekend activity that I really enjoy.