September 6th - 10th

Here I am  again folks - back hard at it, writing my Tally Book entries.  On Sunday after church, we headed south to Douglas to visit our friend Fronie Hendren.  We knew Charley and Fronie when we all lived in Texas over 20 years ago.  We made contact with Fronie last year on our trip to Yellowstone but were not able to spend any time with her which was unfortunate so this time  we made sure we had the time.  Fronie has a neat house (it has a lot more room than it looks from  the outside) and we were fortunate enough to be able to "camp" in the empty lot right next to her.

We got to know Charley and Fronie through St. Mathews Church in Arlington TX where we were both part of a group that sang/played at the Saturday Night Mass.  After Mass we would all head to the Tole's (we were the only ones with small children) for Nachos, visitin and jammin.  It was a great time. 

Charley and Fronie went to El Paso after we left for GR and they soon moved on to Sheridan WY and then to Douglas WY where Charley passed away in 2006 from a brain tumor.  He was a real cowboy at heart and started writing songs, cowboy poetry and finally, became an ordained Cowboy Preacher.  He touched many lives over the years and continues to do so with his CD's and books.  You can find more about Charley or obtain one of his CD's or books at Charely Hendren - Cowboy Extraordinaire!

Did I mention that Fronie is an excellent cook... peach cobbler, cookies, pecon pie, plus lots of food that is "good for you".  Sure am glad Arda and I gave up sugar before getting to Fronie's - HA!

Fronie is a bit of a slave driver though... she locked me in the basement office for 2 days until her computers where working properly.  No I didn't break them in the first place.  In spite of this terrible hardship, we are planning to visit Fronie again next year only this time she wants us back for a week - hope it is not in the basement again.

On Wed. we headed for Deadwood SD where Arda has to stop anytime we cross east to west out here.  It is interesting to see the topography change as we travel east.  The land goes from prairie with miles and miles of rolling hills and very few trees to the SD Badlands where the hills get higher and the open land gives way to trees and rocks.

We will spend a few days here catching up on some things while Arda "entertains" herself... if you know what I mean. 

Take care and keep your loops open!