Trip to Virginia City

July 30 – Our time with Bruce and Sharon is coming to an end!  So sad, but at least we know we will catch up with them again in a couple of months in New Mexico.  Today we headed out at 10 for Virginia City, MT. 

Bruce drove and we had a beautiful morning as we drove along the Madison River where numerous fly fishermen were hard at leisure.  The fields were dotted with antelope, some resting and some enjoying the fruits of some farmer’s labor.  The guys talked up a storm in the front and Sharon and I commented on the sites along the way. 

I think he's the boss

His entourage

We drove through Ennis, which is a big fishermen area and swells up during the summer months.  It’s only about 14 miles from there to Virginia City.  As we were exiting Ennis, I spotted a small herd of antelope in the same field area that Bill and I had seen them 2 years ago.  Bruce turned around and they were all lying in the grass, enjoying a beautiful day.  The moment I got out of the truck, one stood up and then they all did.  I guess they were preparing to flee if necessary.  We all got our photos and were on our way again.

We stopped again at a scenic overlook of the valley and mountains in the background.  Very beautiful stop.

Parking was easily available when we arrived in Virginia City, so Bruce snagged a spot along the main street and we hit the gift shops and checked out the various open buildings that look just like they did back in the day.  Stores’ shelves were stocked with clothing, sewing materials, canned goods, you-

Working safe from the
1800's

name-it!  The original old western part of the town is only a few blocks long.  There’s a train station and train that are not original but they take people a few miles to the town of Nevada City.  It’s collection of old buildings that were going to be bulldozed from all over the state.  They are set up like a town.  We chose not to go, as Bill and I have been on it.

The old Opera House

We all did a bit of shopping and also left the candy store with bags for each couple.  Never know when you will have a food emergency and candy can do the trick!

The plan was to have lunch in Ennis where Bill and I have eaten before.  We got parked easily but the place has changed hands and is now more upscale and didn’t open until 4.  So we went to the café we’ve also eaten in before and they serve breakfast all day in addition to a lunch menu.  Bruce and Sharon both went with a breakfast meal while Bill and I did lunch.  It was OK, but not nearly as good as the pork belly sandwich I was planning to have at the other place.

We made a quick stop at Madison Grocery as I thought I might get a couple of bargains but left with only 2 bananas, a bottle of wine (always a bargain) and 2 post cards.

Just outside of Ennis was an old steam tractor.  We stopped so Bruce, a train aficionado, could get some photos and see what kind of engine it was.  It was built in Battle Creek, MI.  We also saw the field of llamas but there was no where to pull off to get photos or see if they’d walk over and spit on us!

They sky was getting dark on the way home and we could see storming in the distance.  There was not an antelope to be seen!  They got out of Dodge at the first sign of bad weather.  We made it home before any rain and kept getting warnings of hail and other weather conditions but it really didn’t do much and no hail so it was a peaceful night after a busy day!