Meet Me In Montana

I have back from Montana for two weeks and am just finding the time to recap. Having a job sure gets in the way of my Leigh Leigh Land Communication. Ugh. Even though some time has passed and the trip is over...it is certainly not forgotten.

This particular Montana trip was an annual college girl's reunion trip. Not my college girl's, but the W&L college girls. But because I am the (self-proclaimed) "Captain of Fun" I've finagled myself a spot on this traditional trip.

The trip has traditionally been a girls trip, but this year we opted for boys aka the husbands of the two married girls. We only ended up with Andy thanks to a forced reschedule of the trip. You see, we had originally planned this trip for January (Yanuwar to some) but thanks to a burst pipe in the house we were forced to postpone to April. In doing so, we lost David, so Jenn had to represent the Coon family on her own.

We all departed from our respective homes scattered throughout the US...New Orleans, Austin, Charlottesville, and Richmond...with plans of arriving in Montana on the first of April. April Fools....the Daters were delayed, missed their connection, and had to spend the night in Denver...so they didn't arrive until April 2nd. Again...we wouldn't let this get us down. (Also note, that Alicia's bag didn't make it until April 2nd either.)

That first night, while we were sans Callie and Andy, we hit the grocery store, got settled in the house, and cooked up a great meal. As always we immediately fall into our usual roles and catch up over many a bottle of great wine. That night the snow fell heavily and we awoke to a winter wonderland. What a treat.

Day 2...first priority was to head to our favorite brunch spot...Echo Lake Cafe. I don't know what it is about this little place, but I long for it. They make killer homemade soups and I have dreams about their spanish omelet. But whatever the order, you know it's gonna be good.

As we finished up our meal, the Daters arrived in one piece and with their luggage in tow. After lunch we headed into town to hit the liquor store....I mean you gotta have priorities. After walking the town of Bigfork (which incidentally isn't very big at all) we headed back to the house to fish, rest, relax, and just generally kick it. Dinner that night was out on the town at Showthyme...which is typically a favorite, but seems to have gone a bit down hill. Oh well, once again our spirits were not dampened....even if my pants were. After dinner it was back to the house for a mean game of Texas Hold 'Em...which I am proud to say I have come a long way!!!!

Friday...Day 3,,,was our day off. I don't think I got out of my pjs until happy hour. Now that's a good day. Ash warmed us up with homemade tortilla soup and quesadillas. Andy donned his waders and gear and took to the Swan River to throw a few dry flies (except they weren't dry at all, but I like the way that sounds better than "nymphing").

That night Ash once again treated us to her delicious fare. We snacked on crack balls for appitizers and then enjoyed tenderloin with a port sauce reduction, her famous twice-baked potatoes (which I think are THE best in the world), and roasted asparagus.

Saturday the sun was out and the snow was melting. The weather made for a great day to head to Whitefish...about 30 minutes north of Bigfork, so we piled in the car and hit the road. We shopped the town and had lunch at LuLu's...who might very well have the best pies ever. I had huckleberry. You don't even know!!!

After the day trip, we headed back to the house, cleaned ourselves up and headed to Bigfork for dinner at Invite. Invite opened a couple of summers ago and hasn't let us down yet. You start with a Huckleberry martini...this will set the mood and tickle your taste buds. You move on to fried cheese curds and venision carpaccio for appetizers. Dinner could be the Char Grilled Elk Chop red currant and sage pinot noir sauce + butternut squash risotto. Or the my favorite....the Cedar Planked Sea Scallops bleu cheese crust + pomegranate cherry reduction + corn bacon risotto. Or....the pheasant, the bison short ribs, etc, etc, etc. Delicious! Dessert was a couple of bottles of bubbly....Jacob's Creek Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot...which is a fabulous Australian sparkling wine!

After Invite we ended our trip at the Roadhouse....our favorite road side bar in Montana. The cast of characters never disappoints although we have yet to have another Sassy run-in. This particular night at the Roadhouse it was karaoke night. Not my first karaoke night at the Roadhouse and hopefully not my last. As you know, I'm no stranger to the stage, but a typical karaoke night at Ego's in Austin might get you on stage once or twice. At the Roadhouse it's a different story....I made at least six solo performances and a couple of duets with Alicia. A very successful night!

Sadly we all parted ways on Sunday heading back to the real world. Another reunion trip down....hopefully many more to come. Of course we planned out the trips for the next few years...the Outer Banks, Napa, and more. Always an adventure with this group. Once a year is just not enough, but will have to do for now. Until next time girls (and Andy).

Before signing off, I will leave you with the infamous quote list from the trip.

It’s where I first learned I wasn't a rapper. - Leigh
I want to wear the khaki pants and carry a whip. - Leigh
What happened to the days when a vagina was just a vagina? - Leigh
I wish the Mormon's would wear a scarlet M so I know who they are. - Leigh
Speaking of creepy....I got sexually assaulted on Monday. - Alicia
...I paralyzed his ass. - Alicia
All I need is a blender, a microwave, and an oven. - Terri Jenn
He came in my bathroom, shut the door, and did weird things to me. - Alicia
Alright I need one of you Terry’s to help me with wood. - Ash
Winter is a bitch up here. - Ash
Not only did we not get wood but I broke a nail. - Ash
I used to not need anything, but now that I have something expiring inside me.... - Alicia
That felt creepy. - Alicia
I was Gilligan to her Skipper. - Jenn
But when the sun goes down and the liquor starts flowing... - Alicia
Will anyone else drink Bourbon? - Andy .... I will...during the day. - Callie
You haven't felt me up this trip. - Leigh to Alicia
It’s harder to get drunk simultaneously than it is to climax together. - Jenn
What do you want to talk about? - Ash ... Not panties. - Andy
..with modern travel... - Andy
I want a big nut. - Callie
Bacon bits and walnut chips. - Callie
SEX! - Ash
I like that her pants were unbuttoned. - Leigh
So if I didn't talk would y’all just not say anything? - Leigh
I think you're being a little self important over there. - Alicia
I like to use my hands. - Leigh
Would YOU order that? - Leigh
That's the only Jonas Brother I would date. - Andy
Have you ever caressed a placenta? - Jenn
Don't fuck the fucker. - Leigh
Jenn... Little Dripping Bear. - Callie
It’s not ribbed for my pleasure....its ribbed for my pain. - Jenn
She's got her paws in a lot of stew! - Jenn
I like a good caper....both in my salad and on the big screen. - Leigh
He was nice...for a KA. - Andy
I wouldn't let him anywhere near my vagina. - Jenn
You can get Montana caviar. - Jenn ... Isn't that Moose Balls? - Callie
I have issues with beef photography. - Jenn
There's a level of drinking I'm not satisfied with. - Leigh
I don't have a particularly wide hole. - Jenn
…With your money issues. - Alicia
You're killing all our dreams
I didn't know you had small orifices. - Alicia
I don't set many goals for myself. - Callie
I don't want to know about the strength of your vaginal walls. - Leigh
If you wrap that around a poop it would be good. - Andy
I feel like I have to get on the bar for this song. - Jenn
Put some meat on that boy and he's the one. - Leigh
I like some canned asparagus with Miracle Whip. That's the Mississippi redneck in me. - Callie
His masters in midgets. - Callie
Are you sure its a penis and not a tail? - Ash
I'm gonna pee in your face. - Leigh
Stop seducing me with your eyes. - Alicia to Leigh
I'll never look at turtle genitalia the same. - Jenn
I don't do public access. - Jenn
How do you spell genitalia? - Leigh
Yeah...we need to put you on someone. - Ash
Do you all need help? - Whitefish Store Lady
Is that your ass? - Andy
You don't stick it to your tenders. - Jenn
That moose and I got intimate. - Leigh
Look at those milk veins. - Andy
Puss Patch
Look... he has a bigger harem than you do. - Invite rivals
We drink a lot....its just fun. - Invite rivals
What do you call that towel....the one by your bed? - Leigh
Dickerchief. - Andy
Mini muffs are good. - Andy
Callie and I got jiggie with the carcasses. - Jenn
There are no rules just fun. - KJ @ The Roadhouse
Yeah....we're in the Twilight Zone. - Andy
I changed my mind....she's a girl. - Andy
It felt weird to go to bed with you last night. - Leigh
Cause usually there's a big production when you pull it out of your breast. - Ash
I talked to this weird guy at the bar with no teeth. - Leigh

Click here to see more of my pics from Montana.

Click here to see Alicia's pics from Montana.

Click here to read Jenn's recap on our Montana antics.

Click here to see Jenn's pics from the trip.

Spring Break 09

I’ve clearly taken advantage of March (and a bit of April) being Spring Break for youngsters across the nation and been on a blogging hiatus. There’s nothing like being M.I.A. for a bit to know just how appreciated you are. My friends…you can now stop the hate mail and the treats, because I’m back in the saddle (thanks to a little ultimatum from Alicia).

One of the reason’s I’ve been out of pocket is due to non-stop activities over the last month. I mean it was one thing after another. And because I say it’s never too late for a recap I will attempt to recap March for you in this entry. Here’s the breakdown of the fun. Warning: this entry is not known for it's brevity.

March 6 thu 8: The Fort Worth gang come for a visit.

The Visitors: Brett, Keri, Wally, and Sarah

The Schedule:

Friday night – The gang arrived and we met Tedder for dinner at 616. After very little discussion we headed to Ego’s (or Eggo’s as Wally referred to it) for introduction to our favorite haunt. None of the FWers took to the stage, but I feel the people watching was enough to make up a great night.

Saturday – The obligatory lunch at Maudie’s was followed by miscellaneous shopping. Keri and Sarah took to San Marcos for some outlet shopping and Ash and I stayed behind and did some gun and fly shopping with Wally and Brett. The outlet shopping proved unsuccessful, but the gun shopping was a hit since Ash walked away with a killer (no pun intended) new shotgun.

Saturday night – We hit Vivo’s for dinner and had a special toast for B-rett’s bday…which was actually that next day, but since he had to get back to his chicken at an early hour the celebration commenced on Saturday night. After much debate, dinner was followed by late night porch shenanigans at Ashley’s.

Insert work week and some catch up zs and we are off to the second weekend in March.

March 13 – 16: Rodeo Weekend

The Visitors: Alicia (Friday and Saturday), Mooring (only Saturday), and Weston (only Saturday)

The Schedule:

Friday night – Ash and I had dinner with some of the Austin gang (Cronins/Wheelers/Dunlaps) while waiting for Alicia to arrive on a late flight. Dinner was at Maria Maria…very fun and yummy food. Oh…and the sangria…fabulous. My favorite part of dinner had to be Dunlap and Ash walking down HPHS memory lane. After picking Alicia up we headed straight to Ego’s. I love that it was really never questioned, just assumed. There we met up with Ted, Hogan, and Kari where we were clearly behind in the drink count.

Saturday – I slept in. Can’t believe it, but I did…didn’t even get up to eat. But, it was a must in preparation for the Randy Rogers concert at the Austin Rodeo…formally known as Rodeo Austin.

Saturday night: Weston arrived from Fort Worth early Saturday afternoon and Mooring arrived from H-town just before departure. Other concert goers were Sara and Greta. Not a shabby night for Weston. In the name of safety and pomp and circumstance, we went all out and hired a limo (more commonly known as a church van). There we met up with Hogan and Kari for the end of the bull riding and the concert….which did not disappoint. After the rodeo, again with very little debate, we headed on to Ego’s so that our new guests could begin their initiation. This is when things went south. I’ll leave it at that.

You’d think us Austinites get enough action on the weekends, that we could sit this one out, but we are never one to miss a holiday celebration and we were not about to let St. Patty’s Day pass us by…so only two days after our rowdy rodeo weekend, we headed out on the town yet again. Our St. Patty’s Day celebration was far from traditional and included dinner at Taverna, drinks at The Belmont, and then to the stage at Ego’s. How could we not?!?!

So on to the next weekend in March as Spring Break 09 continues. And yes, I am fully aware that SB is only supposed to last a week..not an entire month. Believe me I paid for it dearly.

March 20 – 22: HP Girls Visit Austin

The HP Girls: Angie, Mary Beth, Layne, Lisa, and Kara

The Austinites: Leigh, Christy, Ashley, Elizabeth, Becca, Sheldon, Catherine…oh and I’m sure I’m forgetting someone. Sorry.

Friday night – The girls arrived in time for dinner. Dinner locations proved to be a challenge with this size group and the fact that it was SXSW. But we settled on Sago and enjoyed a lovely interior mexican meal. Oh who am I kidding…it was a gong show. Food was great and the drinks even better….although I don’t recommend getting the Blackberry margarita poured down your back…which is exactly what happened to Ashley and me. And you can only guess what color shirt I was wearing. Argh! Our dinner was comped so Ash and I went home to change and met up with the girls at Star Bar. We were about to call it a night when Tedder Vance appeared and coaxed (well maybe coaxed is the wrong word here) us to hit Ego’s. The girls took to it immediately and we got to sing a few songs even though it was a very late arrival. Mary Beth was the only one (excluding yours truly) to take to the stage. She did great although it was clear we needed to work on song selection. Jesus Take The Wheel probably shouldn’t be your lead off song.


Saturday – Lunch was at Hula Hut where little Sam Levy joined us for “some” queso. (note that queso was consumed at every meal this weekend). After lunch there was much shopping to be done. Adelante, Touch of Sass, Wildflower, and more. The girls (sans me who needed some down time) then took to the patio at Z Tejas for some apps and cocktails.

Saturday night – Dinner was back at 616, this time on the fabulous patio. Ranch 616 rarely disappoints and that night was no exception. After dinner we didn’t even beat around the bush…we all knew what everyone was thinking….so we headed for Ego’s. Remember it was SXSW…so any “normal” bar would have been packed. Oh who am I kidding, we would have gone to Ego’s anyway. This time more of the group took to the stage…and Mary Beth hushed all critics with a rousing performance of Sweet Child of Mine….which was much better than said Jesus Take the Wheel performance.

Whew. Are you exhausted? I’m exhausted just remembering it. However the first three weekends in March which pretty much made up my Spring Break 09 tour were a blast.

I’m proud to say that the last weekend in March was low key….well you know…for us. Friday night we (me, Ash, Ted, Lizzie, and Ford) round tabled like the old days over Bud Light (Ford) and vino (the rest of us). It wasn’t a particularly wild night and we were all home in bed by a decent hour.

That next day we opted to watch team “You Don’t Even Know” in their kickball tournament. The weather was gorgeous…just perfect for a little day drinking. Unfortunately YDEK got jipped out of going all the way (at least on the kickball field) and had to end the day a little early. That night I had a work function, so I made my appearance and called it an early night. Aren’t you proud? Recovery was still in progress.


I’ll wrap up with that Sunday. Another beautiful day for afternoon cocktails. I spent a few hours on Ash’s back porch sipping on gin and juice…actually Pink Lemonade and Vodka (semantics). The best part of the afternoon however was the surprise visit from Ben Hogan...who was in town from NYC. Always a treat…and a great way to put a cap on the end of Spring Break 09.

Like I said, not the shortest entry I’ve ever done, but maybe not the longest either. It’s really difficult to fit a whole month into one entry…but all I can say is I do it for the fans. No really, I have learned my lesson and pledge (yet again) to be a more diligent blogger.

For what it’s worth Spring Break 09 really seeped on into April. But I’ll save that recap for the next entry.

For more pics from SB 09 visit my Phanfare site...many of them are well worth the look.