Billings, Wal-Mart and Indian Tacos

Tuesday 7th August

Rick rang this morning and invited us up to his house to eat Indian Tacos this evening. We were heading to Billings and shopping today. But first Emma had to find the little ones mum. We held our breathes once more and I prayed not to be let down.

Emma was clearly a bit stressed and I felt a little guilty adding to it. But I was spurred on by trying to make the trip memorable for the Venturers. They hadn't complained and had dealt with the disappointments really well. So I held my tongue.

Finally we headed towards Billings- a 2 hour drive. We went to a Mall and then onto Wal-Mart. The Wal-Marts are huge, selling camping, hunting and fishing equipment, DVDs, perfume, games, bikes, magazines, food etc etc. Nicky and I bought some camping kit that we wondered how we would get back!

Then we had to pick up a kid from Social Services down town who had been arrested for under age drinking. We got back to Lame Deer about 7.30pm and had Indian Tacos and Brownies at Rick's. Indian Tacos are fry bread with sort of chilli con carne in it plus salad- bit like a donner kebab!!!! Afterward we sat by the fire in Rick's yard (he lives about a mile outside Lame Deer with his nearest neighbout about half a mile away!) and chewed the fat. Emma was tired so we headed back at 10? As we drove back heat lightning lit up the sky in a way I have never seen before. We all sat outside the trailer gasping and "wow"ing like on the 5th November. The raw force of nature was stunning.

Wednesday 8th August

I got up late today, I was tired and had a headache. I checked the flight details.

When I got back to the trailer there was a friendly arguement in progress- about young people's rights? About neo imperialism and the power wars that are evolving? Er, no. Cats and dogs! Which is a better pet!! Oh well...

We went to the heritage centre at Ashland in the afternoon, had lunch and met the tribal elders who live there- its an old people's home! Heritage Centre sounds like something different. It was great to meet the elders. These men and women had a real sense of their history. The building, rooms, and gardens were beautifully kept.

I then went over to St Labre and bought Kaz a Star blanket.

Then we headed back to the trailer to start packing for tomorrow's departure. We wombled Emmas back yard and took the tents down.