Follow Our Bliss

Stopped in Ogden to see friends Travis and Katie along with their growing family of boys — Jack, William, Harry and Charlie.

We shared a beautiful song of grace, a delightful brunch, a game of Doodle Dice and caught up on all the latest! I baked individual plum tarts for the boys which they pretty much devoured. Not a picky eater in the bunch! Wish I had taken pictures of their home as it had been transformed since our last visit. Love their enthusiasm, creativity and dauntless energy!

The boys sent us off with an adorable homegrown pumpkin from their garden!

Narrow and long stretch of peaceful terrain — small farms, schools, churches line I-15 through Pocatello, ID. Dry and barren hills hinting the arid lands before the irrigation of the Salt Lake Valley.

As we enjoy the landscape, we begin The Baker’s Secret…

“On June 5, 1944, as dawn rises over a small town on the Normandy coast of France, Emmanuelle is making the bread that has sustained her fellow villagers in the dark days since the Germans invaded her country.

Only twenty-two, Emma learned to bake from, Ezra Kuchen, a master baker in her village.

Apprenticed to Ezra at thirteen, Emma watched with shame and anger as her kind mentor was forced to wear the six-pointed yellow star on his clothing. She was likewise powerless to help when they pulled Ezra from his shop at gunpoint, the first of many villagers stolen away and never seen again.

In the years that her village has suffered under the enemy, Emma has silently, stealthily fought back. Each day, she receives an extra ration of flour to bake a dozen baguettes for the occupying troops. And each day, she mixes that precious flour with ground straw to create enough dough for two extra loaves she shares with the hungry villagers. Under the cold, watchful eyes of armed soldiers, she builds a clandestine network of barter and trade that she and the villagers use to thwart their occupiers.”

With these loaves, Emma’s gift to the village is faith that one day the Allies will arrive to save them.

Wow it’s windy this afternoon and perfect weather for a baked potato with all the trimmings!

Fascinating education on all things POTATO!

By outward appearances a small museum but SO much to see and learn here from the origin of the potato and the Russet’s path into Idaho along with the history of production techniques. There’s even VR glasses for experiencing the view from atop a humongous potato tractor. How cool is that? And larger-than-life singing potatoes in the cellar — which is where most potatoes hang out, right?? Relics of experienced and quite rusted farm equipment outside the building.

Colder than expected, pipes are frozen this morning. 🥶 Just remembered that letting a faucet drip a tiny bit through the night might help avoid that inconvenience. Lots to remember.

Short drive to Blackfoot County RV Park with electric. Asphalt surrounded by grassy areas. Good cell signal. Great dog play area. Perfect spot to gather our wits!

Thought we’d leave Montana with a drive through Yellowstone National Park but it was not to be. Pulled up to the Roosevelt Bridge at the north entrance, jumped out to snap a shot and got the news that the roads were congested from icy roads and accidents. Turned around and found another way to Idaho — west on Highway 84 and south on 287, along the MADISON River. A happy change of plans as we enjoyed rolling hay fields, neatly kept home and barns with the river sparkling alongside.

South on pine-lined Highway 20 to Ashton.

Started a new audiobook today and we sure love to be swept away by Fannie Flagg, of Fried Green Tomatoes at The Whistle Stop Café fame. New accents for mostly Southern story reader Kimberly Farr — Swedish with a side of herring!

Here’s a bit about it. “Elmwood Springs, Missouri, is a small town like any other, but something strange is happening at the cemetery. Still Meadows, as it’s called, is anything but still. The Whole Town’s Talking tells the story of Lordor Nordstrom, his Swedish mail-order bride, Katrina, and their neighbors and descendants as they live, love, die, and carry on in mysterious and surprising ways. Lordor Nordstrom created, in his wisdom, not only a lively town and a prosperous legacy for himself but also a beautiful final resting place for his family, friends, and neighbors yet to come. “Resting place” turns out to be a bit of a misnomer, however. Odd things begin to happen, and it starts the whole town talking. An unforgettable story of life, afterlife, and the remarkable goings-on of ordinary people. In The Whole Town’s Talking, she reminds us that community is vital, life is a gift, and love never dies.”

A little rain last night, clearing skies of the smoky haze this morning, making views postcard perfect for our last day in town.

The Cathedral of St Helena, a highly ornate gothic masterpiece inspired by the Votivkirche in Vienna, Austria and designed by European trained architect A.O. Von Herbulis of Washington, D.C. began construction in 1908, with it’s first mass held in November 1914 yet taking another ten years to complete. Building costs totaled $645,000 — about the price of a really nice 6 bedroom home on a few acres in Helena these days. Imagine that!

Pristine white columns stand like age old cedars turned to marble.

The incredible 37 stained glass window set was handcrafted and installed by the F.X. Zettler Firm of Munich, Bavaria and tells the story from the fall of Adam and Eve to the Christian church in the early years of the 20th century.

The cathedral’s most recognizable feature is its 230’ twin spires. Atop the spires are gold-leafed crosses that stand 12’ in height and 6’ in length. Although we only heard them, the cathedral’s north tower contains fifteen hand-cast bells, which represent the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary.

I don’t think St Francis would have been on the cathedral building committee and I wonder how Mother Theresa felt in such opulent surroundings. I’m conflicted when I ponder such things. I do appreciate the incredible beauty of such an edifice and all the talents that are not hidden under bushel baskets.

And huckleberry pie, huckleberry coffee cake, huckleberry pancakes and our favorite— Huckleberry Beer. Yes it’s a real thing and super good in the hands of an expert brewer. Huckleberry Honey Ale by Bitter Root Brewing Co in Hamilton, MT is a winner.

Serendipitously ran into a new good friend Lana in this southwest corner of Montana. Discovered parks had closed for the season so it was wonderful to have the offer of a place to stay on her friend’s gorgeous 23 acre property with horses in the pasture and Native American Art filling all the rooms.