A Snowy Day at the Missoula KOA

 I'd been waiting for a day with lots of snow and good photographic conditions. This was the day! It looked like about eight inches of lovely snow. Mr. Keith and I strapped on our high boots, put on warm coats, grabbed our trekking poles and set out. And, oh yes, the camera! We started  slogging through the tenting area of the KOA. I love this old cabin, part of the original homestead on these grounds before Elmer and Marge Frame purchased the land and established the campground back in the early 1960s. The story is that there was a large, white farmhouse which they decided to tear down. Imagine their surprise when they found that this small cabin was enclosed within  the larger house. They wisely decided to leave it as it was.

 The tenting area is strangely empty. Where are the brave souls with their arctic tents?

 No children were playing on Elmer's Playground today. This area once had a pond and a petting zoo, taken out when the neighborhood began growing and streets were put in to accommodate the increasing population. Very soon the KOA was no longer out in the country!

 This willow tree must stand alone. I can't imagine its age, but it is an awesome tree, especially with its beautiful coating of snow. The willow invites a climber, so much so that there needs to be a sign at the bottom prohibiting climbing, in order to keep it safe from damage. At the base there is a large, stone fire ring and picnic tables for group use.

At the KOA there are nineteen camping cabins. These four are particularly picturesque in the snow. Many characteristics of this campground make it an especially inviting place to stay, none more so than the large number of old, tall trees of many varieties. That's not surprising in a campground over fifty years old.

Our rig is shadowed by another striking willow tree.

Our feet were getting cold, but we trekked down another row in the open section of the park. There are usually one or two rigs camping overnight even in the winter. They have full service except for water at the site, which is closed off to prevent freezing. This keeps the crew busy plowing and cleaning to give the campers a pleasant experience.

Home again! We are snug in our little home for the winter.

Parsons Ponies

One of our most fun jobs at the Missoula KOA has been to help out every Friday evening with the pony rides provided by Parsons Ponies and the KOA. We've had a crowd of kids and their proud parents lined up each time, eagerly awaiting their turn to ride. Suzi brings 3 ponies and the kids are allowed to choose which one to ride. This is Dave, leading a thrilled little boy on Frosty. Mr. Keith is the photographer.  http://www.parsonsponies.com/

Suzi is very careful to make sure each child is properly seated on the pony. She instructs them about the saddle, how to hold on, where to put feet, and then walks beside them calmly explaining about the pony and about riding horseback.

A hot day for riding, but no less exciting for the young ones! The pony rides take place in one of the KOA's fenced dog enclosures and are provided free of charge for the registered campers.

Our granddaughter Natalie, age 13, is spending 2 weeks with us. I believe the most happy times for her have been helping out with the pony rides. She's had some experience with riding at her other grandma's ranch, and she possesses a calm and careful way with children. Suzi has encouraged her and taught her the process of giving children these memorable times during their camping experience at the KOA.

We were thrilled to be invited out to Suzi and Dave's ranch south of Missoula to see all the ponies and some of the bigger horses. Suzi brought out the biggest horse, Henry, for Natalie to ride. Once again, she carefully instructed her rider in every aspect of saddling up and preparing Henry to be ridden. She even showed Nat how to clean out Henry's hooves prior to fitting him with special shoes for the ride.

A happy cowgirl out in the beautiful Montana pine forest at the ranch!

This photo is a priceless one of Natalie, back at the KOA getting ready to lead out one of the ponies for the waiting young campers. We have made plans to go back to Parsons Ponies, the ranch, for one last ride on Natalie's final day with us before returning home. I know she will long remember the awesome experience given to her by this wonderful couple and their equine friends in gorgeous Montana!