- LastBestPlace - mm4.emwd.com

09/16/20 West Glacier Commutes Woes
by LastBestPlace 16 Sep '20

16 Sep '20

Sandy is substitute teaching at the elementary school this week, a 3 minute drive away, but had to wait for traffic to clear in our driveway this morning. I was actually outside getting ready to start some yard work. The bear was about 40 yards away from me when I noticed him — a wee bit too close for comfort.

1 0

09/14/20 The 18th hole is no longer unbearable to play
by LastBestPlace 14 Sep '20

14 Sep '20

Pretty big black bear was playing through this morning. I guess this means we’ll be picking the apples off of our tree before he tears it to shreds.

1 0

Paddy humor
by LastBestPlace 11 Sep '20

11 Sep '20

The mother-in-law arrives home from the shops to find her son-in-law Paddy in a steaming rage and hurriedly packing his suitcase. "What happened Paddy ?" she asks anxiously. "What happened!! I'll tell you what happened. I sent an E-mail to my wife telling her I was coming home today from my fishing trip. I get home.... and guess what I found? Yes, your daughter, my wife Jean, naked with Joe Murphy in our marital bed! This is unforgivable, the end of our marriage. I'm done. I'm leaving forever!" "Ah now, calm down, calm down Paddy!" says his mother-in-law. "There is something very odd going on here. Jean would never do such a thing! There must be a simple explanation. I'll go speak to her immediately and find out what happened." Moments later, the mother-in-law comes back with a big smile. "Paddy. I told you there must be a simple explanation .....she never got your E-mail!"

1 0

old political humor
by LastBestPlace 09 Sep '20

09 Sep '20

Nicolas Longworth, Republican Speak of the House for many years, was funny himself... he was bald, and some pol once rubbed Longwworth's head and said "why, it feels like my wife's rear end." Longworth then ran a hand over his own head and replied, "so it does!!"

1 0

marriage broker humor
by LastBestPlace 07 Sep '20

07 Sep '20

The family is most concerned that their 30-year-old son is unmarried. So, they call a marriage broker and ask him to find their son a good wife. The broker comes over to their house and spends a long time asking questions of the son and his parents as to what they want in a wife/daughter-in-law. They give him a long shopping list of requirements. The marriage broker takes a long time looking,and finally asks to visit the family again. He then tells them of a wonderful woman he has found. He says she's just the right age for the son. She keeps a clean home, she regularly attends church and knows the prayers by heart, and she's a wonderful cook. She loves children and wants a large family. And, to crown it all off, she's gorgeous. After hearing all this, the family is very impressed and begins to get excited about the prospects of a wedding in the near future. But the son pauses and asks inappropriately: " is she also good in bed ? " The marriage broker answers, " Some say yes, some say no...."

1 0

Poor pensioner humor
by LastBestPlace 05 Sep '20

05 Sep '20

A widow, her son and her daughter were driving to the mountains to scatter Dad's ashes. Mom held the package on her lap and wept. "Poor dad, I wish he could have seen grandchildren," she said. "Poor dad, he wanted to take me to Paris." "Poor dad, he never got to write that novel." They walked a short ways to a secluded clearing. Mom handed the package to the son and said, "Pour Dad."

1 0

08/28/20 Am I in Heaven?
by LastBestPlace 29 Aug '20

29 Aug '20

I certainly must be in heaven today. Before my eyes I view an Angel Wing. Where else could I be?

1 0

07/28/20-07/30/20 Scamp Trip #1, Logan State Park
by LastBestPlace 10 Aug '20

10 Aug '20

First "scampout" in the Scamp. 2 nights at Logan State Park. Electric hookup. Filled the 12 gallon fresh water tank from a spigot. The location was on Middle Thompson Lake, about 1.5 hour drive west of home. Scamping beats tent camping!! A bed; a sink; hot water; toilet ; shower; fridge -- very cool. We thought we had tested all parts of the Scamp in advance. We had tested the hot water heater with propane, but had missed using it with electric. There is a light switch inside that is labeled "Water Heater", but not labeled On or Off, and after trying it both ways and waiting half an hour each time it still had no effect, so the first night we just went with propane for hot water. The next morning I re-investigated and discovered in the fuse box it was turned off; problem solved! The only other concerning item was while driving going down a hill at 65mph we felt some sway from the trailer, and will be installing an anti-sway bar to prevent that. The campsite. Only took a few tries for us amateurs to get it backed in to place. Yep, we are at the right site. Prepping for the first dinner. We actually cooked outside on a camp stove, as it was 94 degrees. Our neighbor generously provided an incredible wonderful Scotch to help properly break the Scamp in. The campsite was about an hour away from Libby MT. I had never been to Kootenai River swinging bridge, so this provided an opportunity for a visit. This is the new bridge, installed last year, that allows 5 people at a time on the bridge. I think the old bridge only allowed one at a time. Signs for social distancing directed that the bridge was "one way at a time", so 5 people cross one way, wait for it to clear, and then 5 cross the opposite direction. It was pretty busy; the parking lot was full with lots of out of state visitors. The joys of Montana -- you don't have to travel very far for beautiful things to see. Yikes! Sandy is ready to go. Double yikes!!! Train tracks beyond the bridge. We've ridden past this spot countless times on Amtrak, but it usually goes by around 3am whether you are heading east or west. We were on a late train once that went thru during daylight hours, and the 2 hours where the tracks parallel the Kootenai River are stunning. Also went and saw the Libby Dam. The visitor center is closed. The dam was completed in 1972, the last of the large western water works projects. While the dam does generate some electricity, the primary purpose is to hold back water to ensure a steady waterflow for Grand Coulee Dam in Washington. Lake Koocanusa, 90 mile long, was formed behind the dam. 48 miles of it are in the US; 42 are in Canada. When it was formed there was a contest to name it. The winner created the name from KOO -- Kootenai River CAN -- Canada USA -- USA Also as part of the dam project /The Great Northern Railroad line was also relocated, proving to be one of the most complex of all the projects related to the Libby Dam. This rail line relocation included the building of a seven-mile railroad tunnel through Elk Mountain, on the upper Wolf Creek Drainage of the Kootenai National Forest. / When traveling on Amtrak heading east, this tunnel is a sort of wake up call in the morning before arriving in to Whitefish. It takes about 20 minutes to travel thru, and the pressure change in the tunnel causes ears to "pop" a number of times, waking you up if you are still asleep. The Scamp is very cozy Our emergency spare water supply. Be prepared for every emergency (read the label). Not really sure how 5 gallons of water is helpful during a Zombie Apolalypse. False advertising?

1 0

July 2020 Roof Reconstruction
by LastBestPlace 04 Aug '20

04 Aug '20

We were a small job for the roofers. As such we were their backfill when they had free time. They had come out and waterproofed the roof to protect the wood and prevent leaks, which would hold until they could come out and finish the roof. We were delighted when about a week later we received a 5pm text asking if they could come out at 7am the next morning. It took a couple days to complete the roof work. Needed to replace full panels of sheet metal and replace the venting at the top.

1 0

mid June 2020 ~ mid July 2020 Carpentry Reconstruction
by LastBestPlace 04 Aug '20

04 Aug '20

With demolition complete, reconstruction begins. The most excellent news is that water damage was minimal. A few boards and portions of plywood were replaced, but no serious structural problems occurred. At this point we have a hole in a bedroom wall, and a roofless hole where once stood a chimney. Both areas are tarped up. We were very fortunate to have a carpenter we have worked with before who agreed to be ready to "jump in" immediately after he demolition was complete. Steps one was to remove the old cricket and removed all damaged wood. Putting in a new frame over the exposed chimney area. Create a new frame on the upper roof. The completed carpentry for the roof, which was finished the morning of Friday June 26. The afternoon of June 26, the roofer came out to apply the tar paper to waterproof the roof. This had been planned in advance, and we were delighted it all played out according to plan. Waterproofing the roof occurred just in the nick of time! More carpentry work remained on the upstairs bedroom, repairing the area where the chimney had been. I've since repainted this room and have baseboards cut and ready to be installed. Just need new carpet installed first and this will be complete.

1 0

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

LastBestPlace