Food and fishing

July 23 – Our day of rest, since it’s Sunday, always starts with sleeping in and big breakfast!  Then the “rest” ends.  It’s cleaning day and the start of several days of laundry.  I don’t like doing but one load a day so it goes on until it’s all caught up!

Once all the “housework” was done I changed the cloudy sugar water in my hummingbird feeder as Sue and I had seen at least one hummer at the feeder but I think my water got “punky”.  I had a couple of cups leftover from the first batch in the fridge so once it warmed up some I switched it out. 

After lunch I showered and sat out to relax and read and watch for birds.  No luck!  We left for West Yellowstone just after 5 so we could get dinner and then Bill went to his free fly fishing lesson at 7.

The Mexican restaurants all have the best ratings, but they are in buses so not really where I want to have my one night out for the week.  The “Spanish” restaurant with great reviews is closed on Sunday, strike 2!  So we opted for Madison Crossing Lounge.  We hit a homer!  We arrived while it was only ¼ full and the menu selections were great, lots of variety.  I started off with a Huckleberry Lemonade Cocktail.  Oh boy, was it yummy, so much that I could have had a second!  Bill had a flat iron steak with baked potato and a squash medley (which he especially raved about).  He said he was surprised how tender his steak was as he’d never tried a flat iron steak before.  I had a Buffalo sirloin steak salad with feta cheese, raspberries and an assortment of other vegetables.  Would have liked a bit more of the creamy raspberry dressing but made do.  May be going back there again!

Bill and his new best friend, Bob!

Bill wasn’t 100% sure where the lesson was, just the general outdoor area near the museum and old railroad station.  We did a drive by and didn’t see anyone so made a stop at a gift shop for a while.  Once we drove back there was a crowd.  We parked and he checked in and I walked back to the shopping area and spent my hour being amazed once again at the over priced items and how many people buy them.  I didn’t buy anything but did see a pair of slippers I might go back for.

As 8 PM approached, I headed back towards the fly fishing field.  I stopped at the police station and called Bill to pick me up there.  He said he liked the lesson but didn’t do very well.  He said he got a “D”!  That was his self-grading system.  The gentleman giving the lesson is Bob Jacklin, a well renown fly fisherman.  He owns a shop in town and has given free lessons in the same spot for 43 years.  The only fish he’s ever mounted is a 16 pound brown trout.  Since we should have one more Sunday off, Bill wants to go back and take the lesson again and then schedule his half day fishing excursion. 

We stopped at one of the grocery stores in town and I bought a pint of Huckleberry ice cream to share for our dessert.  It’s addictive!!!