The Gun Show

Saturday Sept. 17, 2011

A beautiful Saturday morning at the Farmer’s Market in Helena.  Diane, Bruce, Baron (D&B’s Doberman) Jeff and I enjoyed snacks, jewelry (I have to stop buying Jewelry) and chatting with D & B’s acquaintances. 

About an hour’s drive south of Helena took us to their cabin in Clancy, MT.  Bruce just purchased a 15 passenger van to convert to a semi-camper, which was sooo long.   Bruce took the middle seat out for Baron. Diane and I christened it and named the van “Stretch”. The girls in the back with Baron and we couldn’t even hear the guys way up front talking about breaking and downshifting. Their cabin is a log cabin with propane power, an adorable outhouse and coal oil lamps and stove.  Beautiful secluded 60 or so acres part of their family’s original ranch.  Bruce built it in the 70’s.  You can see Diane’s design touch. It is absolutely precious.  I’d love a little cabin like that. So relaxing.  Check out the bathtub, Bill!!!! (Brother Bill that is!)  We had a relaxing couple of hours at the cabin, enjoying the sunshine, eating carmel, nut apples and pumpkin chocolate cookies before heading off to the Gun Show in Whiting, MT.  Bruce being a Gunsmith and collector was our tour guide.  Jeff ended up buying, at Bruce’s advice, a 12 gauge shotgun that was used as a riot gun at the Montana State Prison (has the engraving) in the 50’s or 60’s.  He’s thinking of getting into skeet shooting at the MV Rod and Gun club.   Diane is a great markswoman and really seems right at home in Montana.  

Next a stop at Brian MacAdoo’s place in the outskirts of Whiting.  Now this is funny and will show you how small this world is.  His aunt Janet was one of my best friends growing up in Pa.  Janet’s  sister, Sue and Diane are good friends and we never knew the connection until now.  Can’t wait to talk to Janet (Helmig) who I haven’t been in touch with for about 30 some years. 

On the way home we stopped at The Windsor Bar in Boulder, MT.  A small cowtown bar with live music, where we danced to oldies, and had the best steaks, texas toast and baked potatoes, grilled right at the bar.  Delicious and cheap too.  Of course we had to short stop at another saloon, Mr. Ting the original owner, was one of the many Chinese brought to work in the mines now long closed. This used to be Bruce and Diane’s wateringhole and grub bar when they lived in Clancy.

It was another fun packed, great day with Diane and Bruce.  We love you and Mr.Von Baron!