OK. Everybody together now -- "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Sandra, happy birthday to you!" Thursday we celebrated her BDay (a day early)at an old fashioned "Chuckwagon dinner" with 750 other tourists. They served us all within 20 minutes!! Fantastic! The food was super, and the entertainment was terrific. The "Wranglers" provided an hour's worth of song, instrument, and humor that kept us all stompin' our boots!
Yesterday we said farewell to Rolf and Celeste, took a final drive through both the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, and headed up into Montana as our "Pilgrimage" took a turn toward the East. As had been true all week, the wild life and the scenery continued to put on a show!
"Stalk flower" (actual name unknown at this time)
Mt Moran from Oxbow bend overlook
Buck Antelope
Bison
Rolf and I had discussed the best route out of Yellowstone and had decided that the Northeast exit was shorter and more direct than the one AAA had chosen. What neither of us knew was that our preferred route passed directly through the Shoshone Mountains - miles of winding roads, switchbacks and horseshoe turns that went up and up to well above tree line where there are still ten foot high snow banks, and the highest lakes are still frozen!Shoshone Mountains (note frozen lake on July 4th!!) 
We finally made it to Billings, Montana where we spent the night, and today we drove to Beach, North Dakota. 53 years ago, I spent the summer preaching, teaching, visiting, and just generally testing out the life of a pastor. I was one year out of high school at the time, and as a result, I launched a career that would last over 40 years in the ministry. I served two churches here, one of which was Trinity Lutheran (pictured below).
We finally made it to Billings, Montana where we spent the night, and today we drove to Beach, North Dakota. 53 years ago, I spent the summer preaching, teaching, visiting, and just generally testing out the life of a pastor. I was one year out of high school at the time, and as a result, I launched a career that would last over 40 years in the ministry. I served two churches here, one of which was Trinity Lutheran (pictured below).
The terrain here is different from anything we've seen earlier on this trip, and it has a beauty all its own. We took a drive up Sentinel Butte - one of my favorite places to go when I lived here.
Looking toward the Butte
Looking off the Butte
So that brings you up to date! We'll go to worship here in Beach in the morning, and then head out to Fargo, ND for the night. Monday we will head to my aunt Bernice's home in Willmar, MN and begin several days of connecting with members of the Gustafson/Halmers clan.
Our best to you all!!
David and Sandra
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