Aug 052013
 

Angler's Roost Montana with our Airstream

Four months ago we began planning our “Rockin’ the Rockies” Airstream road trip and finally, here we were, at the very beginning.

The Bitterroot Beginning.

We found ourselves at the “Angler’s Roost” campground in Hamilton, Montana tucked along the Bitterroot River.  We softly landed in site #19 after a full day of driving from Seattle.  Daylight was still ours for a bit so we settled in and took time to relax.

I kept thinking to myself  “three weeks away from corporate America,” and those words, in and of themselves made me feel very happy.

And relaxed . . . 

Angler's Roost Montana Airstream

The following morning we enjoyed a bowl of Greek yogurt complete with fresh berries, sweet honey and crunchy graham crackers.  This was so easy to put together and it kept us satisfied for a long time.

Angler's Roost Breakfast - Berries and Yogurt

“Can I go fishing now mommy,” B asked me.

Our boy, he was so excited to be here.

So after breakfast, when I told him he could go fish —  he swung open the Airstream door, grabbed his fly rod which was perched up against the picnic table and ran straight for the river.

I was following right behind him with my camera.  The light was perfect and he was so happy and I could hardly believe my eyes when I watched him walk right into the river almost up to his waist.

The air was very warm, even this early in the morning and the water was so cool and refreshing.

Fishing in the Bitterroot River at Anglers Roost Campground in Montana

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Breakfast in the Airstream

Cast after cast, he patiently waited and watched his fly atop the water with eagle eyes.  One bite, two bites – he would yell out “fish on!” and then — well . . . not really.

These fish were smart here.

Very, very smart.

But he kept at it.  Determined.

Fishing in the Bitterroot River in Montana

Angler's Roost Montana Campground

Anglers Roost Montana Campground Fishing

Aside from fishing on the Bitterroot, this river is also popular for floating.  At the general store at the campground, you can buy yourself an inner tube and leisurely float your way down the river.  There is a shuttle provided that will bring you right back to square one.  It looked like so much fun, and if we had scheduled more time we would have definitely experienced it.

Later on, I wanted to check out the local market in nearby Darby.  There I picked up some Bison tenderloin for dinner.

After all, we were in the West — so why not?  I love to embrace the local culture and cuisine where ever we may be.

Another beautiful thing about traveling with your trailer or RV – you can truly live like the locals do.

Anglers Roost Montana

Tenderloin with a simple butter leaf salad, blue cheese and sliced heirloom tomatoes with sweet red onions and thyme.  Salt and pepper were all those juicy tomatoes needed.

Just perfect.

Anglers Roost Campground

During our last day at Angler’s Roost, we decided to really explore the quaint town of Darby.

Darby, MT Airstream Trailer Trip

Darby, MT Airstream Trailer Trip

There are some really cute places to shop including a huge vintage boutique where we got a kick out of this rather large cage.  It looked like something straight out of an old circus movie that possibly held some fierce animals inside of it.  Our imaginations ran a little wild that afternoon . . .

Darby, MT Airstream Trailer Trip

The sweet town of Darby, MT

This house.  This one.

I fell in love with it.

Look at the structure.  The bones.  The charm.  The greenhouse off the kitchen maybe?

This is truly my dream home — oh the possibilities with this house and whoever may buy it one day — they are very fortunate.

Darby, MT - Airstream trailer road trip

A poem that B and I read together in the Darby Museum.  So sweet.

Darby, MT Airstream Trailer Trip

P.S.

I have been a little late with my first post about our big trip but I was delivered  some sad news when we arrived home.  

I lost my little brother, my only sibling.  Unexpectedly.

Through this first posting here on J5MM I have learned that it has been a help for me in dealing with this sad loss.

It keeps my mind busy.  

And occupied.

Thank you for following J5MM ♥

Monica xoxo

  18 Responses to “The Bitterroot Beginning ★”

  1. Monica,
    I wanted to express my deepest condolences for your loss. There are no words, may you find peace in your own time. Thank you for your wonderful blog, I enjoy your posts and travel stories, my family and I want to buy our Airstream as soon as m husband returns from a deployment, your blog makes me anxious to get started. Take good care.

    • Thank you, so much Dunja – your words mean so much to me. I know very well the patience one must endure while waiting for an Airstream — I hope you will have yours very soon xoxo

  2. Oh, Monica.
    What a bittersweet post. I’m so sorry to read about the loss of your little brother.
    I hope your beautiful writing continues to bring you healing.
    Sending you a lot of love.
    Love,
    K.

  3. Those are some beautiful pictures and makes me want to go camping right now. I’ve never gone camping but I feel like I have been missing out. Thanks for sharing, Monica!

    • Thank you Konrad for your nice words about my pictures. I hope you get to experience camping – it really is such a peaceful feeling to be one with nature ♥

  4. Monica,

    Your blog is such a perfect vision of beauty and love and family. Thank you sharing these parts of your life and your loss. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.

    Joanne

  5. My sincere and deep condolences and peace be with you and yours. May your little brother’s sweet memories bring you comfort always. Sending you hugs.

  6. Monica, with all the beauty you bring into the world I am so sorry for the sadness that has entered yours. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I’m sure your little brother will be watching over you forever

  7. Monica,

    I am so sorry to hear of your brother’s passing. As writing your blog brings you comfort during this difficult time, please be assured of the joy J5MM brings your readers. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Susan

  8. Wow, trip of a lifetime much? Can’t wait to see the rest of it! -Jen

  9. It has been a year since you posted the news about your younger brother’s sudden death. I know you are still grieving and missing him because we are still grieving about the death of my husband’s younger brother, who died 6 years ago. He was also our best lifelong friend. It does become easier with time — and prayer — and traveling and camping in our 3 year old Airstream. We do get by with a “Lot of Help from our friends”.
    Your blog has been very inspiring to me while camping in our Airstream. Your cookbook was the first book I downloaded to my iPad, I love it as a beautiful photo book as well as for its great recipes. Your Montana/Yellowstone trip photos and comments have been instrumental in helping us plan to do a similar month long trip this summer of 2014. However, our fifteen year-old dog became ill in June and we could not leave her, even with our friend who boards her in his home. She died this summer and we still miss her too. Thus we are planning to go next summer and will use part of your itinerary, though we will be coming from Georgia. Thank you so much for creating such a wonderful blog and beautiful cookbook, especially relevant for Airstreamers but meaningful for all campers.
    With my best thoughts and prayers for your family, Mary Margaret Ware (WBCCI 3607)

    • Hello Mary, I am incredibly sorry and please accept my most sincerest condolences over the loss of your beloved dog. In addition to the loss of my brother, putting down our sweet yellow Lab “Buddy,” was a very sad and difficult time for me.

      I want to thank you for reaching out to me, a year later and gifting me with your sweet words. I mean that. Your email made me smile and feel good and it does help me incredibly to know that my sad feelings and grieving over the loss of my brother will become easier. I miss him so much. Taking trips in the Airstream really do help, you are right.

      I can’t even begin to tell you how your comment has brightened up my day.

      Thank you Mary ♥ and I am wishing you a wonderful trip next summer through Montana and Yellowstone :)

      Sending you {{{HUGS}}}
      ~ Monica XO

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