This trip west has proven to be different from my former ventures in so many ways.  Four days of nothing but highways, covering SO MANY MILES.  I don’t love this necessary important piece, but the results are sweet.  On the afternoon of day #4, Lexi the Golden and I rolled into Sheridan, Wyoming, to meet my long-time Virginia friend, Erin.

So that you have a point of reference, know that Erin = Amazing Woman, in more ways than I have words to explain or space to recount.

Moving into the Next Chapter

Let’s just leave it at this . . . in the midst of incredible life changes, she moved herself to Montana from Virginia just three weeks ago, yet was happy to welcome me to her family’s perfectly charming cabin in the Big Horn Mountains north of Sheridan as if she had nothing else on her plate. There aren’t many like her.  We met 15 years ago, as a former teacher and lawyer, both trying to keep the bar high for our children as homeschool moms who bonded over grammar and writing.  Now, the youngest of our 8 total children are turning 18 shortly (her lovely twins!), and the next chapter in our lives is already in full swing.

How good, then, to slow down in the mountains and just enjoy our time together.  As a bonus, Erin’s eldest, the equally amazing Brenna, joined us as she divided her time between studying for the bar and storytelling with us.  Not to paint too idyllic of a picture here – added to this is the reality of not just Lexi, but two more dogs.  The fun-loving, fanatical swimmer Penny, and then a canine of a completely different – well – everything.  Pinecone (yes, that’s really his name – perhaps part of his issue) wreaked havoc on Lexi and the cabin in general.  Poor guy.  As a mostly beagle, he can’t help his attitude and mouth, but some trauma from his former life makes him a little nuts.

Little Cabin in the Big Horns

I loved learning the history and traditions of Erin’s family that has tied them for four generations to this idyllic horse ranching community, high above Sheridan.   Known as TP, this magical little settlement is hard to explain. A former dude ranch from the 1920s, the property still maintains a healthy stable full of about 50 horses and two full-time wranglers.

Charming old Montana log cabins dot the landscape nestled within the forest, many of which have been renovated and added onto over the years.  The community building (also of pine logs) remains the center of activity, boasting a gorgeous massive stone fireplace and beautiful new floors.  Everyone is friendly, right down to the big bull moose who welcomed me just yards below the cabin.

A Heavenly Community

It was heaven to be there, and hard to leave.  Our days were spent hiking, touring the wilderness of the Big Horn Mountains, and just hanging out on the fantastic front porch.  As their cabin sits at the top of the community, all those heading off for a hike to the nearby lakes must saunter by.  Such a fun mix of the very young and old, and the cabin:dog ratio has to be about 1/1.  It doesn’t seem to far a stretch to imagine heaven being just a bit like this!  Blissful all the way around!

Continuing westward!

Shoutout to the Wildflowers

In the east, we spend so much time and green-thumbing effort to get a quality perennial garden established.  In the Big Horn mountains, and all over the west, the colors and textures of lilies, pinks, gaillardia and all kinds of beautiful blues and yellows abound naturally.  Entire hillsides are blanketed with them, and the incredibly sweet smell and unmistakable scent of pine wafts through the mountain morning air.  God is so very good!

Just Being Lexi

Her days were filled with hiking and swimming in all three of the lakes on the property.  We took a drive to a gorgeous reservoir a few miles across the top of the mountains and she and Penny tried that out as well.  I put my new kayak in the water, though Lexi still isn’t sure she wants in.  We’ll get there.  She and Penny made fast friends, though I doubt Lexi shed tears upon leaving Pinecone, whose parting shot was to bite Lexi on the butt, just for fun.  (No damage done – ha ha!).

Missing Pieces

We did spend our third day of western travel in Minnesota and South Dakota.  I loved the quick stop in Sioux Falls, South Dakota near downtown Falls Park, and I’ll share some photos via Facebook or elsewhere on my website.  The day ended in Pierre, South Dakota.  The Missouri River slides by this capital town (I hesitate to say “city”, as it is quite small!), and the beautiful capital building and grounds sit on a gentle rise above it.  We didn’t stay long, but enough to appreciate the higher points!

Come Along!

To stay up-to-date with our adventure, head over to Facebook and like Just Being Bing. I’ll post each update there as well as on my website.

As you can imagine, traveling for an extended period of time takes a lot of planning and preparation, and I love the planning!  Once we’re on the road though, there’s room for all kinds of twists and turns in our travel.  I love so many of the unexpected moments of our trips.

There’s also a ton of prayer involved – both as part of the planning, and when we are on the road.  If you’d like to pray for me (and Lexi!) while we are adventuring, we would be grateful.  I’ll share a few specfics in my updates.  Thank you!

Maybe we will see you Around the Bend!

Future Just Being Bing & Finding Freedom News

I’m excited to share the road with you!  If you’re keen to follow along on my Northwest Passage trip, check back on the home page of Just Being Bing, or follow me on Facebook or Instagram for all the updates, news and photos.  My ultimate goal is to inspire others to find their own freedom on the road!

To make sure you get all the upcoming news about my upcoming book, Finding Freedom:  A Girls’ Guide to the Open Road – join The Wander-Bings, a Facebook group for anyone looking to find and share the wonder in their travels.

Travel on!

Bing