Bismarck

Quick jump here to keep this kinds current. We will come back and fill inwith other stories about Dickinson and other places but I wanted to do a quick bit on staying with the Stromstad's in Bismarck.
We came here for Con Hillman's retirement tribute and it was a very fitting night. Lots of accolades and standing ovations for a guy that really deserved them. Con retired from DU back in November of '05 and the party planners finally got him to stand still long enough to get him to the party.
It was like an old reunion of sorts as we saw lots of friends we hadn't seen for months. We had dinner with Craig and Joyce Jones whom we hadn't seen for years! What a treat. More on this night.
The day after the tribute was opening day of Sharptail Grouse season in ND and Jeff Essler let me join him on a great day of hunting. We walked about 3 1/2 miles and saw lots of Sharpies and pheasants, managing to bring down 5. Jeff shot his limited and helped me to bring down two. Should have had a third but muffed an easy shot. Those of you who know "Pete" will be pleased to hear that he was able to hunt (he is ten years old) and retieve some of the birds. My first Sharptail Pete actually flushed, I shot and he retrieved to hand. It would have made an awesome video. What a great day of sport and Jeff is a very gracious host, guide, hunting mentor and friend.
Then as luck would have it, Pete and I were able to horn our way into a second day of hunting with our host, Ron Stromstad, and his friend Kevin. Another great day, beautiful weather for a walk resulting in 4 more birds and lots of memories.
Dorothy fixed dinner on the evening of opening day for Ron, Peg and us, at their house grilling the fresh birds and fixing lots of other good stuff. Another day in paradise. How can one couple have so many great friends?
One of the days that Barry hunted, Dorothy went to the United Tribes International Tribes Powwow at the United Tribes College. What a spectacular event. There were tribes from all over the US and Canada, and as any of you know that have ever attended a powwow, they dance all day long in all their wonderful costumes. Just amazing how they can even walk in some of those costumes, let alone dance as they are so beaded. Must weigh a bunch. The colors were so vivid and beautiful it was really something to behold! They had age catagories for the dancers from Tiny Tots to Golden Age, both for the men and women. It was very cool.
We leave Bismarck today, September 11th, 2006, headed back to MT. Doesn't seem like five years since the brutal attack on our country and yet, except for some flying and traveling across borders, not a lot has seemed to change.