Happy June, My Lovelies!
Welcome to another edition of the Tales of the Traveling Tote. Today's post features two trips: a ski trip to Big Sky, Montana, and a family trip to Covington, Louisiana.
In March, Mr. Bookish and I went on a trip with the Birmingham Ski Club to Big Sky, Montana. It was during Spring Break, and I saw so many people from Birmingham, even a family from our neighborhood!
With all the sweaters and other winter clothing I had to pack, there was only room for Miss Candy Max. She met a friend in the lobby of the Huntley Lodge, our home for the week.
We loved it, and it's always a plus when a hotel features the convenience of ski in/ ski out.
The Huntley Lodge was built in the 1970s by the TV newscaster Chet Huntley. He was proud of his state, and promoted it everywhere. He was also a developer of Big Sky.
Scenes from the Huntley Lodge:
Starbucks in the lobby
The view from our room's window, above and below.
It was very difficult taking photos on this trip because it snowed every. single. day we were there. There were a few moments when there was a break in the clouds, and I took photos then.
Big Sky's Town Center is lovely! I was happy to meet artists at a couple of galleries, and I was thrilled that they have a brand new Cowboy Coffee! We have loved Cowboy Coffee for many years, having discovered it on another ski trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
We had a lovely trip, and Mr. Bookish loved the skiing. This is the first ski trip I've been on where I didn't ski. I have yet to have the all clear (I'm having a bone density test soon), but once I have the all clear, I will ski again! Mr. Bookish wants to return to Big Sky around Christmas so I can ski. We already have a ski trip planned for the beginning of 2024.
I had plenty to occupy my time. I read a couple of books beside the fire, took a few art supplies and did a little drawing, and met some very lovely people in town. There is a group of artists in Big Sky who host workshops year round, and I'd like to return and do both: make art and ski!
We also ate well: Big Sky has some amazing restaurants, and our three favorites were Buck's T-4 Lodge, The Cabin, and Peaks Chophouse. A friend told me that Montana is big on huckleberries, and that Montanans would try to force them down my throat. Well, the did, and I liked it! I had huckleberries on all the things....and I brought home huckleberry jam and huckleberry honey. Good stuff!
Scenes from the Summit Hotel after dinner, above and below.
Peaks Chophouse is located in the Summit, and it was a favorite with the ski club.
I brought home some Cowboy Coffee, and I'm happy to report I can now order it online!
My favorite blends are the Cowboy and Teton.
Quote from the Huntley-Brinkley Report
In April, we went to Covington, Louisiana, for a family party.
We loved staying at the Southern Hotel! We want to take a long weekend and visit again soon. Covington is a darling small town, and there are unique shops, restaurants, and activities to enjoy.
La Countess de Monet rode along with us, but she fell in with a questionable crowd...
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Our suite in The Garden House was accessed through a pink garden gate. The Southern Hotel's gardens are lovely!
Scenes from The Garden House
We stayed in the Hibiscus Suite
The Southern Hotel is so beautiful, and my favorite part was a lovely restaurant called the Gloriette. Gloriette means garden folly, and it truly looks like a whimsical garden folly.
The Gloriette serves chocolate biscuits, a Southern tradition. During the depression, Southerners saved biscuits from breakfast, melted chocolate, and combined the two for dessert after supper. (Dinner is the midday meal.)
My favorite meal of the trip was breakfast at The Gloriette.
We also enjoyed a lovely dinner at Gallagher's Grill.
The family party was fun, but I did not take a single photo. The bride (my niece Molly) and groom (Brandon) are a sweet and happy couple, and since no one else seemed to be taking photos at the bridal shower, I didn't, either. (Probably because it was a crawfish boil, and everyone's hands were messy most of the time.) There are more parties in the future, and I will insist on taking photos of the bride and groom then!
I hope you enjoyed my post! Please visit the other totes and see where in the world they've traveled. Links are listed below!
Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths
Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch
Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box
Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron
Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda
Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply
Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul
Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home
Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader (You're here!)
Also, please visit Sarah's blog for a lovely giveaway!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
