Peaches Prattlings











Day 8 started about 7am, load the bikes at 730a, breakfast right down the road at the Pony Expresso! Do you love it!? It was a drive through/walk up coffee/breakfast place with a sign on the door that says “STOP, Employees Only, try our walk up window to the right”…guess where the guys tried to go? VGT earlier for his first cup of coffee, next DJH when we walked up to get some food.

Did I mention that VGT is a bit of a coffee snob? Yeah, and he didn’t sleep that much on the trip, so…there were many mornings he would be up early and go in search of coffee, sometimes happy, sometimes not so much. So, we got breakfast, chatted about our upcoming ride, so excited, we’re going to ride Beartooth Pass!

Oh! I think I mentioned yesterday that it was also the Riveton Rendezvous Balloon Rally weekend, well, it definitely did not disappoint! I wish we could have stayed and watched, but we did get to see a few hot air balloons as we were loading up. I’m not 100% sure what this was, but it looked like a turtle with, I don’t know, 20 legs! lol

Now we’re off! The GoPro was aimed and ready to go, finally getting the hang of controling it while riding! There are tricks to it, especially controlling it with your phone. First, when you put a new battery in, if it takes a battery, is to turn it on, so it talks to the phone, if you don’t, then sometimes they don’t talk, and when you’re riding, not fun!

We rode Hwy789, which reminds me of the bad dad joke “Why was 6 afraid?” “Because 7 8 9!” Say it out loud, you’ll get it! HA HA. Here are a few videos to enjoy the scenery! 30 seconds 4.5 minutes

The hard part, with the scenery as amazing as it is/was, limited battery and SD card space, you have to pick and choose what you’re going to take pictures and video of. PSM and I always had 2 batteries constantly charging in our saddle bags, they went fast!

Eventually, we entered Shoshone National Forest, just look at it! wow! Then we were on US Route 212, a section known as Beartooth Pass or Highway, in Montana and Wyoming between Red Lodge and the NE Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. It is 68.3 miles and is comprised of steep zigzags and switchbacks, you may remember us talking about them a few days ago, they are hairpin turns and wonderful! The first time I did Beartooth Pass was in 2023 when we did our first 3 week trip, and I did it without a helmet, no, I am not a fan of going without a helmet, it definitely wasn’t intentional! After that experience, I totally get why some people choose not to wear a helmet, but I promise, I am not one of them!

The half-way point of Beartooth Pass is Top of the World Store, it’s also a vacation rental destination. This is a biker’s hangout if you ever saw one! You have every type of bike, rider, skill, everyone just hanging out, sharing stories, a drink, food, enjoying the camaraderie, kindship, and common interests. The store has all the good touristy items you’re looking for; patches, stickers, magnets, tshirts, and all the other branded stuff you might want! You heard that, patches and magnets, who’s in heaven? You guessed it!

After a brief stop, purchase, and bathroom break, we were off again! The sky, the road, the view, there is nothing like it! And…it’s July and there is still snow on the mountain, I hope you can see it in some of the pics and videos! We stopped at at Quad Creek Scenic Overlook to marvel at Mother Nature and three green MGs pulled up, what are the odds?!

Here are a few more videos of our ride: 5.2 Minutes, 11:51 Minutes. I’m working on creating a YouTube channel that can host all our videos, I’ll share when it’s up!

We came down off Beartooth Pass into Red Lodge, MT, yes, somewhere along we crossed into Montana and I missed my Google Maps State screenshot, and stopped at the Red Box Car for lunch. It’s a 100-year-old boxcar! They have burgers, fries, salads, ice cream. It’s a 1903 Box Car from the Rocky Fork Line that ran from Laurel, MT to Red Lodge, MT. 1903, how fitting, Harley Davidson started in 1903! It was right next to a stream, so peaceful!

The, back on the bikes to Livingston, MT, we were staying at the Comfort Inn Bozeman. The funny thing…it’s called Comfort Inn Bozeman, but it’s in Livingston, MT, go figure! We settled in, then headed down to the pool for a dip, then tried to get an Uber to one of the restaurants I found, but it turned out there were a few weddings in town and we wouldn’t be able to get an Uber or taxi for hours, so…we walked across the road to Big Sky Thai and what a treat that was!

There was only one other person in the restaurant, I have a feeling everyone was at one of the weddings! But…while we were there, several people came in for to-go orders, a good sign. Our server was great and her helper, the son of the owners, a charming and spirited 8 year old who charmed DJH! And the rest of us, of course! He was so excited to take our order, but jumping all over the place, it was great!

The food was really good, again, another great meal, we’re on a roll! After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to chill, then crash. Tomorrow, we’re heading to Yellowstone and guess who’s meeting us there?! PSM! YES!

Day 8: July 18 Relive

Day 8: 369.7 Miles, 7.5 Hours, Hot air balloons, Twists, turns, and switchbacks! Tomorrow…Yellowstone!



So…here’s the thing…we don’t have cable, or ‘regular’ tv, we have a bunch of streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, just to name a few, and PSM gives me grief because I also like YouTube.

There are shows we watch together on Netflix, Hulu, Paramount+, and Peacock, there are things we watch separately, there are things we watch together on Plex, but for some reason, I still like to watch clips, movies, and tv shows that I can only find on YouTube, I can’t help it!

For example, just before I started talking to you, I was watching a series I like on YouTube, but now…when we finish talking, I am going to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race on Paramount+. But… there are things you just can’t find on the other streaming services, so I look to YouTube. Also…YouTube has shorts, or mini series, some of the same content you find on TikTok, it crosses over, but I don’t have to deal with TikTok.

I can also search for almost anything on YouTube and find it, or at least a snippet, you can’t do that with the other streaming services, not everything is there. Don’t forget the music, the videos, rare, out of date content, and sometimes I find some new and fun things. I created playlists to save things to for later. And admittedly, I have a lot of holiday movies saved on YouTube and I am not afraid to watch them throughout the year!

There, I’ve said it. I like YouTube and you can’t stop me!



{February 15, 2024}   This made me laugh

I’m still a bit melancholy, I am definitely not trying to bring anyone down, I promise.

Today was tough, moments of normalcy, moments of happiness, then a memory triggered and… There was more texting with friends, other people reaching out who just found out, I am touched that people thought of me when they thought of him. It’s amazing how people come in and out of your life and how they touch and affect it.

I needed a few moments of nothing, so I went to YouTube, I always find it interesting what’s going to come up in my feed. Some stuff is relevant, some stuff is entertaining, and some stuff, well, I just scratch my head!

I was talking to CWB today and she was telling me about a band she saw last night, Sammy Rae & The Friends, Sammy Rae is American jazz rock and indie singer-songwriter, I listened to their music and I really liked it. I shared with her Postmodern Jukebox, SDL, Miss A, and I saw them when we were in Memphis last year, they are a rotating music collective, reworking popular modern music into different vintage genres, especially early 20th century forms such as swing and jazz. I’m currently listening to Pour Some Sugar On Me, by none other than Def Leppard, but with their twist on it, gotta respect.

I went down a YouTube spiral and happened upon this: ABBA – The Last Video. There are no words, seriously, but it did make me smile. Just watch it and see if you can’t help smiling. Exactly what I needed at the moment. But…I’m now thinking I might need a few more smiles, that means my comfy jammies, my trusty, tear stained, well loved Winnie the Pooh, and anything Muppets is in my future. The Muppets and Winnie the Pooh, that’s my childhood, oh, and Snoopy, just to name a few, but those are really what works and can put a smile on my face.

Thanks for listening, tomorrow is a new day, and now, I am going to leave you with one of my favorite individuals and songs, Kermit the Frog singing Rainbow Connection from The Muppet Movie.



{April 28, 2021}   The thunder spooked someone…

Our two dogs are so very different from each other, they are wonderfully alike in so many ways when it comes to wanting affection, giving kisses, snuggling, getting treats, but Bee ain’t skered a’ nutin’! On the other hand…sometimes Ruby is afraid of her own shadow!

Ruby can step up to a dog, let them know when they are not welcome, haven’t seen that with a human, and that’s only some dogs. I have to say, she’s great, well, they both are, great with puppies and older dogs, hmmm…we always test the water to see if a meet and greet will go well or sideways.

When anyone comes near the yard, well, dogs, and they are in the backyard, they will let everyone know it’s their yard. Before 8am, if they happen to do that, I stop it, if it’s after 8am, people are usually working, it’s ok. I love hearing the laugh when I say “You are fine, no one is invading your yard!” Both Ruby and Bee let those passing by know who rules the roost!

One way they are different is with sirens, if there is a fire truck or a police car siren, Bee could care less…Ruby, on the other hand…either she’s worried or trying to help! I have to reassure her they have it under control. It does make her nervous and she will come for comfort, it’s cute. She also whines along with them, like I said…worried or helping! Who knows.

Another way they are very different is when it comes to the weather. I’ve told you what Bee was like when it was snowing and icy, she wouldn’t step foot outside, while Ruby, on the other hand, was ready to run through the raindrops, bring it on! Thunderstorm, hard rain, lightning, you name it, Bee is asleep, she doesn’t even notice. Ruby on the other hand…wow! She is at our sides in a flash. Today, she even tried to get on the sofa, I stopped that! Mostly because we both had to work, so I got her to come into my office and finally convinced her to sit under my desk, she’s done that a few times. It really reminds me of Mollie, she was the same way with loud noises, big dogs, go figure…

I stepped out of my office to use the bathroom and I didn’t shut the bedroom door. Now…usually, when one of us is in the bathroom for business or showering, if the door is open, the dogs will sit outside waiting for us to come out and pet, snuggles, whatever. Today…however…Ms Ruby was on the bed! Oh no! Not happening! I think I’ve told you that the dogs are not allowed on the furniture, but on special occasions, like a Saturday or Sunday morning, if there is some lounging happening…I let them on the bed, if PSM gets in there, it’s usually a lick fest, ha ha, but with me, I get licked for a minute, then they settle down and just snuggle. They know they can get on the bed when I give them permission, and when it’s not given, a very stern no!

Well…I came out of the bathroom and she was sitting on the bed, pretty as you please! And when I asked her what she was doing on the bed…did not look at me! It was like all those videos people post on youtube! Cheeky monkey! Of course I took a video!



{April 7, 2021}   A rainbow! What a storm!

The storm is here and it is raging! Wow! We were predicted to have rain, but this is one of those ka-razy storms! We were watching the news and the weather report said possible hail. Hail? In April? I’ve heard about April showers and all, but c’mon!

PSM had to go somewhere earlier today and it was one of those raining sideways, can’t see the car in front of you, wipers at full tilt and it still isn’t enough storms. He didn’t mention thunder or lightning, that’s ok, we had that tonight!

He had taken his bike into the shop yesterday to have something checked and we went today to pick it up and we were moving fast because the rain was coming, it sprinkled on me, but that’s about it. Dropped him off, got home, took the pups for the evening walk sooner than later because it was coming and about 630p, the sky was dark and the weather was messing with the antennae on the tv. I know, I know, we decided to watch a tv show in real time, crazy town! The signal was all messed up, going in and out, skewing the picture, you name it, it was happening!

Then…our sweet scaredy cat of a dog, Ruby, was looking for her parents, big time. She didn’t leave PSM’s side wherever he went, there she went. Mollie, my step-doggie I used to tell you about when I met PSM, and was with us in Hawai’i, she was the same, loud noises, thunder, lightning, fireworks, you name it…I’m sorry I didn’t get any pictures, PSM took one of the beds we call a burrito, because sometimes when she gets in it, it folds around her. He brought that back by the chair, she got in it and he covered her with a towel, like a blanket, and she was safe, oh, she also made sure to be touching him any time he was in the chair! Eventually Bee crawled in there, it was a family affair!

At one point, Ruby came out of the burrito bed and laid down right in front of where I was on the sofa and gave me that look. She definitely knows who mom & dad are! SO stinkin’ cute! I was telling PSM, I might have to start a YouTube channel with some of the videos I take of the dogs!

That’s the storm…now…you can’t have rainbows without a good storm and I looked outside and the rain seemed to have let up, the sky was bright, brightest before the storm, right? The next one anyway, and I was compelled to look outside and there it was, right above our street, a rainbow, big, bright, beautiful. It truly was on par with some of the fabulous rainbows we used to have in Hawai’i. I have to say, I’m glad I never lost my wonder at looking at rainbows, they truly are magical and all I could do was smile.

We took advantage of a lull in the storm, it was about 930p, puppy bed time, even though Bee tried earlier! and put them in the crate, good thing, because the storm started up again and it’s going good and steady out there, some lightning and a thunder clap or roll every so often, but the pups are safe in their space, curled around each other, I just checked, they’re snuggling, music and light are on, they are fine.

I sure hope the rain lets up tomorrow, we have something planned and I’m hoping to not have to change plans completely! Fingers crossed!

After all of this…we better have some fab-u-lous flowers in May!!!



{March 31, 2021}   Movie Trailers

I absolutely la la la love movie trailers! I mean, I love trailers. One of the reasons I love going to the movies, I mean actually going to the movies is to watch the trailers before the movie starts.

Some trailers are great…they give you just enough to get you interested, but not enough to give the whole movie away. Other trailers, you wonder why they bothered, you get the entire movie, what’s left to go see? Some trailers give you almost nothing and you sit there and scratch your head!

For those of you who know me, you know I absolutely la la la love movies, well, in addition to the trailers I was just talking about. But I really do and I have a knack for knowing who’s in a movie, even if I haven’t seen the movie. I can also tell you things about a movie after only seeing it once. I can also watch a trailer and 9 times out of 10 I know if I’m going to like the movie, I’m not usually wrong.

I remember my dad calling me once because he was playing Trivial Pursuit and needed to know the name of an actor in a movie and, yup, I knew it. I had never seen the movie, but I knew the actor was Broderick Crawford, no idea how I knew, I just did. Another time that spoke volumes, I was at a friend’s house with a bunch of people and we started playing Scene It. It’s a game where you answer trivia questions about movies and pop culture. After we finished playing, we decided to play again and it was seven people against ME! What? And guess what…I lost by ONE point! Not too shabby. I really do love movies! You know I watch movies over and over, I watch movies in the background and to fall asleep, movies!

In college, I majored in Communications, focus on television. My goal was actually to work for Children’s Television, truth be told, I really wanted to work for Sesame Street! How amazingly awesome would that have been! Working in an industry I loved with a show that I adored. You have no idea! I am such a Muppet head! During my communications courses in college, we focused not only on television, but film. We disected scripts, counted beats, watched for continuity, broke down scenes, analyzed how music plays a huge part in film, you name it, we did it. I even wrote a script, it was awful, but I wrote a script. I would never have gone to see my own movie if someone made it, tried to get my money back! That bad!

What all of that did was give me an appreciation for film, I know a movie is good if I don’t start breaking it down while I’m watching it, finding things that are wrong or don’t make sense, I’m mesmerized. And one thing I always wanted to do, while in college, and then after college, was to make movies. To watch a movie and have to pick out the scenes that would entire someone to want spend their money, want to watch that movie. It’s a skill and a gift. I knew that there were certain movies I could never create trailers for, horror for one, omg! I don’t watch horror movies, no thanks! Reality can be scary enough!

One of the things I love about Hulu, Netflix, IMDB, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, even YouTube [the list goes on!] is the ability to search for and watch trailers. It’s something to do, something I love and gives me something to look forward to when I select Add to My Watchlist. I am telling you, I can get lost in trailers, especially when they have suggestions, oh man! Ooh, this looks interesting, ooh, that one too! And then it’s an hour later, what happend!? Where did the day go?

Here are a few that I love. A Song is Born, Guardians of the Galaxy, Wolverine, Animal House, The House Bunny, Mary Poppins, The Godfather, The Wizard of Oz, Grease, Footloose, Beauty and the Beast, The Muppet Movie. There are so many more, but we’d be here for ever!



et cetera