Day trip

July 20 – Our last day off so we needed to put it to good use!  After breakfast and showers

Madison River

we left for Ennis, MT.  It’s a nice drive along the Madison River where the fly fishermen are plentiful and cabins and campground dot the riverbanks.  Rolling hills and a large plateau line the river on the south and larger rolling hills and field were along our right to the north.  It’s about 50 miles.

Georgia fly fisherman
we met

We no sooner got on the road and a young buck ran across the road in front of us and within a mile a doe did the same.  Two years ago there were lots of antelope along the road but we didn’t see any until we were almost to Ennis.  They chose to munch out where the commercial farm sprinkler was keeping the field plush green.  Smart!

We drove all through the short downtown and went to the Madison Grocery.  It has a pretty good selection of everything considering the size of the town.  I checked out some wine but passed.  We got a few things I had on my list and I checked on the huckleberry ice cream in case we wanted to pick some up on the way home.

There were several open parking spaces along Main Street.  I went in the kitchen shop and they still carry the flavored olive oils and balsamic vinegars so I left with a bottle of Blood Orange Oil and a bottle of Basil Infused Oil.  Bill had strolled down the street and found a dog to pet. I put my oils in the car and we went to lunch at Bear Trap Grille.  The café we had planned on going to had horrible reviews so we decided to try some place that rated better.  Excellent choice.  Bill had a turkey bacon and cheese sandwich that was so big he only ate half.  I went with a pork belly sandwich.  Yeah, sounds nasty and I asked the waitress if she knew what it tastes like and she’d never had one.  So I took a bold step and ordered it.  The hand cut French fries were crispy and hot and Bill ate part of them.  The sandwich, OMG, was delicious!  I can’t stress that enough.  The pork tasted like pork with a seasoning and was crispy around the edges which reminded me of pork rinds (which I love), BUT the best was the pepperata (sautéed and pickled onion and red pepper sweet relish).  At first I took off most of the peppers as I don’t like bell peppers, but one bite of that sweet combo and I put them all back on except for one I let Bill taste.  If we go back, I’m getting another one of those!

We walked off a little of lunch in neighboring shops and then stopped at the local ice cream shop.  Another first: soft serve huckleberry ice cream.  It was way better than I expected but more pink than purple. 

Virginia City

We drove 15 miles to Virginia City.  We spent the day there 2 years ago and took the train to neighboring Nevada City.  Been there, done that, so we parked and went in a couple of shops.  It was not nearly as crowded as our last visit.  I didn’t have to wait for people to move to take my pictures. 

As we approached Ennis on the drive back there was a mother antelope and 2 babies in a field that is part of the local rodeo grounds.  We turned around and pulled right up and they looked us over and moved a little farther away but didn’t run

One of the twins found a toy to play with

off.  The reason is the spot they were grazing in was plush green grass from a low spot in the field or a broken water pipe running under it. 

One last stop was back at the grocery and I got a box of huckleberry ice cream sandwiches and a box of chocolate coated huckleberry ice cream bars.  We’re saving the sandwiches to take home (yeah right!) I got a piece of dry ice to put in the cooler bag, can’t let that ice cream melt.  Who cares about my salad mix.

We did see more antelope on the way back but no deer bounding across the road.  Once stuff was put away I made our ice coffees and Bill put his new windshield wipers on the car while I called 2 places and made our reservations for camping in September.  We are now booked through September 22.  Don’t think I’ll get back to it until Sunday.  Tomorrow is a work day, aren’t we excited?

Bill was supposed to grill tonight but the wind picked up.  I think he orders it, so I poached our steelhead trout, microwaved our corn on the cob and heated leftover mixed veggies.  Before starting it all I put a rhubarb crisp in the toaster oven so dessert was covered.  Bill hates fish night but knows how GOOD it is for him.

I wrote some blog and posted one.  Maybe I’ll post this one tomorrow night if we don’t work too late!