Flatheadlake Scuttlebutt by Jos'e

"On-Line Copy #32 September 2005"

"Somers Montana"

{"There are already signs of harvest time"}

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"Part Two"
"Of a short story of some of my Mom's childhood"
As written by her.

In memory of my dearest Mother
"Martha Ellsworth"

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(The second Half and conclusion of)
"A Trip to Crested Buttes"

( By Martha Ellsworth)

     The mules and old Tom the horse had been staked out in a clearing filled with good grass not far from where we decided would be a good place to stop the wagon.  Supper of mountain trout had been cooked over a camp fire, I was sound asleep in my blankets when Dad shook me and said for me to get up.      Spotted clouds had gathered over head and it looked like it might rain, that would make the grade slippery to go over the pass, so Dad decided we should get the team hooked up and go on over now as it was starting to come daylight, the moon still played at showing through the floating clouds, I helped harness the mules and old Tom and after hitching the mules to the wagon, Dad took the reins and mounted the wagon seat, my job was to ride Tom who had been hitched ahead of the mules and see to that he helped now to pull his share of the load as we climbed this steep part of the grade.
      We had not gone very far when rain drops began to fall, we kept going only stopping occasionally to let the team rest, It was getting pretty wet as we came to the top of the hill, now that we had come safely to the top we stopped again to let the team rest.
      Dad taught me how to find dry wood to build a fire so we could cook breakfast, the egg we had found in the hen cage came in handy for the pancakes we had for breakfast.    By getting this early start we arrived about mid forenoon, on the streets if you could call them such, in the little town of " Crested Buttes", some of the children came ahead to meet us and tell us to be sure to stop by where they lived.   I drove the mules so Dad could take care of the selling of the produce, we were lucky that the cool weather on our trip had kept things in good shape to sell.
      It was a real surprise how fast the load was sold out, even the goose was chosen by someone who had visions of a goose dinner.   The chickens also did not stay with us long, live poultry seldom got here and some of these children had never seen a goose.
      Along toward evening, one family invited us to spend the night, the mules and old Tom could be tied to the wagon now that it was empty, only for the hay we had kept to feed them, it had made a cushion under the produce as we hauled it over these kind of rough roads, these wagons did not have any springs so things like tender produce needed to be cushioned!
      Early next morning we set out to go home, It was to far to make it in one day so again we made camp overnight where the grass was good for feed for the stock and Dad could catch fish for supper.   An old man who spent a lot of his time camping out and fishing came by to have supper with us, he enjoyed the home made bread we had brought along from home, but when he cooked his fish with the heads on I couldn’t eat them, I had never seen that done before.   The last part of our journey home was hot and dusty after we came out of the high country.    We passed through two small mining towns on our way home down in to the river valley where we lived, the team walked at a rapid pace for they knew to that we were all headed home.
      I have thought of making that one trip many times, the red dirt as we drove over Ruby mountain pass, before we came to it we passed by a sharp tall mountain that was coal black and solid rock, only an occasional dwarfed tree tried to grow where a crevasse may have trapped enough earth from blowing dust to let a seed grow.   Most of the timber scattered over the surrounding mountains was Spruce, Fir or Balsam, the white bark of the Quaking Aspen followed the small streams, standing taller than the Willows.
      I often remember how my father on these occasions, took time to teach us how to recognize the different kinds of trees we saw growing there, the Silver Tip Spruce make a pretty picture with their firm straight bows and the state flower the "Colorado Columbine" are found growing near the edge of a clearing, mixed with wild ferns and other flowers, in the partial shade.
      The beauty of which has painted a vivid picture in my memory, to be recalled now and then.   It’s hard to believe all this happened almost Fifty years ago, until I think of the many things that have taken place in my life since then!

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( NOTICE )

The information and directions about the " 2006 " Ellsworth reunion, can be viewed on my Neice Wendy Butler's sight at the address below.
http://www.zplace2b.com/
Just drop down and on the left side you will see "Family and Friends Pages", you will find it listed their, Come join us
.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX "This is an article written by my neighbor Markson Yde"

1Scuttlebutt Rebuttal; "A View From the other side of Boon Road" Dateline: 09.03.05 By Mark"Twain" Y de; Somewheres from the darkest forests and canyons of Uptown Somers, Montana. Unedited. Unexpurgated. Unintelligible. But! The truth; ALL the truth that's fit to print. Jos'e EI Swarth hit a milestone! It was just a short time ago that Joe first started bicycling. It is unlikely that most people with but one good leg would consider becoming a viable biker (cyclist; not motorcyclist). Finding himself in a dilemma of blood sugar management or face the tribulations of diabetes, and, the nagging of his family, Joe decided to take positive physical action. Walking was O.K. for short distances, but irritated what was left of his original leg. Couldn't even consider riding a conventional bike, what with the awkwardness of mounting, and starting off on the bike. Markson was familiar with recumbent bicycles; himself having gone through the tedious process of rehab after having been run over by a car while practicing for a bike race. Joe had the "guts" to try such a contraption. He careened down the bike path, ran into the ditch and crashed repeatedly. Skinned knuckles. Embarrassment! But persistence and courage won the battle. It wasn't long 'til Jos'e was racking up many miles. Needing some new stimulation, he eyed Markson's old,-but fancy double-suspended mountain bike with admiration and lust. Markson had found it too painful on hands, arms and shoulders. Joe and Markson swapped bikes, and the serious (semi-serious, anyway) bicycling began. Joe's strength and endurance were improving steadily. Blood sugar was under control. The more he rode, the better his blood sugar levels became. 3 miles, 7 miles, 10 miles, then 15, and 19, then 17 & 20 miles. Then 21 miles and more. A few days ago he bicycled 24 miles; a personal best!. At this time, it looks like Joe has accumulated about 2,000 miles of bicycling. He got so good he was asked to join Markson's Triathlon Team, holding down the bicycling part of the race. Joe won a "Wild Mile Triathlon" T shirt. Team Ellsworth and Y de did not finish in first place. In fact, they finished last. {Markson's not much of a runner} But, they were the oldest competitors to challenge the race. And for the 3 person team event they jumped in with only 2 team members. The Race Organizer made the pair stand up and receive the accolades of the other racers and their supporters; showing that age is not a barrier, and, that a one legged man, and a half-brained ex-rancher, can race. In the process of getting this fit, Joe took on the challenge of the Hiawatha Trail, a dirt bike, "Rails- To-Trails" path through the mountains of Montana & Idaho, passing through dark tunnels over a mile long, over trestles 200 feet high, past moose and other wild things. Markson, as usual, was following dutifully behind Joe, saving him from a surprise rear attack by malicious bears, or other critters, such as the Swedish Female Mountain Bike, Tunnel Running Racing Team. Speaking of Markson, he now has the lowest blood pressure he has had in several years. Must be due to riding in the after-exhaust of Joe's "vapor trail" Lance Armstrong would call this "drafting", providing an easier ride for Markson. But at times, I believe that it's more rightfully called, "gassing". Anyway, we're both healthier. Joe requires no insulin. Markson requires only a hot bath occasionally and some healthy food. As Lance says; "Live Strong", and we is; the two "Clydesdales" of local bicycling mythology, with their strange bikes and gray hair, yelling at pedestrians and other bikers and dogs; "Get out-a-my way! I ain't done living YET! Mark "Twain" Y de, Guest Contributor to the: 'Flathead Lake Scuttlebutt' WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
     Ah! September is here at last, Laurie and I both are happy to see September as it is a reminder that fall and Winter (Our favorite time of year) is just around the corner. I have been trying to get some pictures of what I thought were " Highland Cattle " when I was able to get the pictures I found that the animals were "Tibetan Yak's" what a pleasant surprise, they are such stately and beautiful animals, I have included a picture of one of the cows with calf.     We have installed an 11 gal water tank below the house for the deer to drink from, we are in hopes it will keep them from going to the lake to drink, as they have to cross the highway to get to the lake and too many of them get hit by cars and trucks.
     We also have been working hard to get our winters wood ready to bring in to the wood room, as you know it is a never ending chore! We both are still riding the local bicycle trails as time permits, for when winter comes the bike riding stops for us old folks, cant afford to break any bones.
      Be sure and drop by if you are in our neighborhood, until next time
"Have a Great Day".

Joe and Laurie Ellsworth

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"Two Black headed Grosbeak, females ." "Some of Lauries flowers & the sun flower the Squirrels planted." "Some of Lauries Flowers".


"This is the "Sun Flower" the Squirrels planted." "A Feed-Tray full of Pine-Siskins." "Tibetan Yak Cow and Calf"

"A look at some of the weather we are having."

August seemed to have had pretty normal weather as far as we were able to recollect, anyway we have been here in the Flathead Valley long enough to have observed quite a few years of weather, and have formed opinions of what we consider normal. Our Prayer's go out for the people in New Orleans and sorrounding states that the Katrina hurricane devastated, those people are really in a bad fix.

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We have enjoyed having you come to visit us here on the net and
hope you have enjoyed your time here. We would like to hear from you
if you are so inclined! So with an old country "Thanks" it's bye till next time.
( Joe and Laurie Ellsworth )

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"View our Last Issue" "Our Past Issues"

"Left click the next line to view paintings"
"A place to view Paintings by Jos's"

Another way to view this page is to visit:
"zplace2b.com"and click on the text link on the lower left side marked "Jose's Place" ".

Which is owned and maintained by my niece, "Wendy Butler".

{"There are already signs of harvest time"}

In memory of my dearest Mother"Martha Ellsworth"

"A Trip to Crested Buttes"

( NOTICE )

The information and directions about the " 2006 " Ellsworth reunion, can be viewed on my Neice Wendy Butler's sight at the address below.http://www.zplace2b.com/Just drop down and on the left side you will see "Family and Friends Pages", you will find it listed their, Come join us

Another way to view this page is to visit: "zplace2b.com"and click on the text link on the lower left side marked "Jose's Place" ". Which is owned and maintained by my niece, "Wendy Butler".

In memory of my dearest Mother
"Martha Ellsworth"

The information and directions about the " 2006 " Ellsworth reunion, can be viewed on my Neice Wendy Butler's sight at the address below.
http://www.zplace2b.com/
Just drop down and on the left side you will see "Family and Friends Pages", you will find it listed their, Come join us

Another way to view this page is to visit:
"zplace2b.com"and click on the text link on the lower left side marked "Jose's Place" ".

Which is owned and maintained by my niece, "Wendy Butler".