Monday, July 9
Leaving Casper in search of a basketball hoops on an Indian Reservation. We rush to load the van, hoop, the dogs are fed, pooped (except for Pebbles) and settled, ready to pull out of the driveway as planned at 7 a.m. …
I look at Kim and say, “Okay, let’s go” … and she says, “Where are we going?” … I reply “I have no idea”.
We both laughed out loud. We are very tired, almost punch-drunk. We need to figure out where we are going after a little brain-food from Starbucks.
We are trying to decide if we should go to two reservations or just one and we decide on the Crow Nation. After speaking with Kim’s amazing husband, David, we decide to head towards Crow Agency. And boy, am I glad we did!!!
We drove through this alley and saw this really small and weathered hoop. I asked the owner if I could buy it from him, and he said, “That old thing?” He was going to GIVE it to me, but I insisted on paying him. Here I am getting it off the garage with a crow bar. He said it was handmade in 1982.
We keep driving around through the neighborhoods and we came across the MOST AMAZING HOOP YET!!!!! STOP THE CAR!!!!!!!! It’s red, white and blue with white plastic stars. The woman told me her kids made it. She said I could have it but again, I insisted on paying her. I’m SOOOOOO excited!!!
What a high! We decided to drive around some more and came across this beauty.
The owner said his grandfather built this in 1960. I asked if I could buy it and he said yes! HOWEVER, I wanted the entire pole too. After trying and trying to pull it out of the ground (it’s a NINE foot post) he realized he needed more help. So he left to pick up some friends and a chain.
Now we have to fit THREE hoops, THREE dogs and TWO women to fit in the van. Not to mention, all the suitcases, camera gear, and food and supplies we’ve picked up along the way. We spent hours in 106 degree heat, packing and then unpacking, repacking, trying to fit EVERYTHING in the van. We managed to squeeze it all in but left a couple of bins full of good behind with the guys. Now we have a 8 ft. pole, basketball hoop, another two hoops, equipment, 3 dogs carriers, 3 dogs, our stuff … well, you get the picture. We are literally crammed into this van. To the point where Georgie is walking up and down the 8 ft. pole from the back of the van to the front. It would be comical if we were not so tired.
When we pull away, we can’t believe all the cool hoops and photos we got. The clouds are so beautiful, thank you Crow Agency!
Kim finally got to go shopping at the Custer Battlefield Trading Post. Bought her husband some great gifts. She is happy. (I want to keep my Two-fer happy!)
Headed for Butte, check out the sky! SO beautiful!
We are going to try and find really, really nice hotel and stay put for the night!
