Headwaters of the Yellowstone Bed & Breakfast

Rest in Peace, Dear Friend

We all lost a good friend recently when Geoff Faerber passed away September 25th.  Geoff and his wife Liza owned the Flying Pig Rafting Company and provided so many of our guests, friends, and family with Yellowstone River adventure over the years.  Geoff was a true adventurer and someone who challenged me to think differently about our business and about my life in general.  Geoff's rafting guides set up camp on our beach four nights a week and we grew as a business thanks to his influence.  I will miss his presence in our community and in our lives. 

If you had a great ride on the river compliments of Geoff, please consider making a donation to the Myles & Kenyon Faerber Fund c/o 1st Interstate Bank, PO Box 810, Gardiner, MT 59030.  Liza and her sons mean a lot to us and, as they miss their dear husband and father, we commit ourselves to enjoying our little stretch of his favorite river as fully as possible.  It's what Geoff would have encouraged us to do. 

When he shall die
Take him and cut him out in little stars
And he will make the face of heav'n so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.
~William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

Growing

One of the things I let go this summer was any illusion that I could do it all.  Whenever people asked me "How do you do it?" (in response to my schedule, which I'm sure sounded insane and manic to most people), I'd tell them that that my secret was to do everything poorly.  

I can only tell you that this is true and a terrible tactic.  After awhile you end up feeling incompetent and proud of very little.  Multitasking just isn't good for any living things in excess.  It started to erode my self confidence.  Something had to give. 

Unlike my mother, I've got a bit of a black thumb.  This year our rather huge square foot garden just seemed like it was too much for me.  Rather than being an exciting project, it just seemed like a heavy burden.  So, I gave away the garden.  

I surrended all but a few squares (green and herbs) to my friends John and Nina.  They transformed our garden from a patch of weeds (and my pathetic attempt at plantings) into a beautiful green oasis. It was a garden complete with sculpture, art, sunflowers over 6 feet tall and the most tomato hopefuls we've seen to date.  

I highly recommend this community garden tactic.  I got to look at all this planted beauty, see my buddies regularly, eat several bags of sugar snap peas, take full credit for the garden with unsuspecting visitors and (if my evil plan succeeds) I might even get a few tomatoes.  Thanks John and Nina!  You are great gardeners...and even better friends! XO

Thanks for lightening the load. 

Our Montana Summer Reboot

The mark of a successful man is one that has spent an entire day on the bank of a river without feeling guilty about it.  ~Author Unknown

Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.  ~Will Rogers, Autobiography, 1949

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.  ~Ovid

It’s been over a year since I posted on my blog. The weight of having to write something fantastic keeps me away from another run at consistency.  I got nothing – so I’m jumping right in! 

Last year we ended another successful season on the brink of exhaustion.  Maybe it exposed some weakness in my character or spoke to the workload of a growing family and a business – either way, we were worn out! 

After lots of talks about family and balance and lots of long looks at our growing daughters, we decided to take the summer off.  We needed to see Yellowstone ourselves this year.  Get up early and go wolf watching.  Soak in the Firehole River.  Go to the Livingston Farmer’s Market and the new Harry Potter movie. Sit on the edge of Antelope Creek and watch grizzly grazing.  Sleep in. Breathe. 

So, we’ve spent the summer enjoying our visiting friends and the Olson Family Reunion (so fun!).  We built a bathhouse near the garden (with amazing outdoor showers!) and Tim built a beautiful shade shelter on the beach.  We crossed all sorts of small things off our to-do list and added a few for good measure.  I baked like crazy and tried out a number of new breakfast recipes.  We breathed a big sigh of relief when my dad finished his cancer treatments and we cheered on my mom’s golf game.  Our kids traveled far and wide (Utah, Texas and Illinois) and ended their summer by leaving Tim and I alone for a week.  We became acutely aware of how quiet it was going to be around here soon.  Tim caught a few fish and Olivia took a great course with Yellowstone Country Guardians that gave her a great fly fishing introduction. We enjoyed our cabin guests and the camaraderie of the Flying Pig overnight guides (thanks Brogan, Tyler, Michael and Paul).  We watched the Yellowstone rise and fall and counted drift boats when they started to appear in August.  We played Scrabble and Kick the Can.  We took in all the Montana summer had to offer.  It was sweet and all too short.     

So, the summer Is over.  And with trees full of apples and the cool morning signaling that winter is just around the corner, we are starting to think about bears and snow boots.  It’s time to get back to work. 

We will be making a few small changes here but our business’s mission remains the same.  We want to provide everybody who stays here with the opportunity to relax and enjoy this special place.  When my parents wisely purchased this property over 40 years ago, they instilled in me a respect for its location.  Being on the banks of the beautiful (sparkling, green, fish filled, un-dammed, rushing) Yellowstone River and on the boundary of Yellowstone National Park is a privilege AND a responsibility.  We want to continue to make good decisions that preserve what’s good about being here. 

And, we want to find away to enjoy it ourselves.    

So, here’s to what’s ahead.  And to even better cookies.  

 

Goodbye Chickens - Hello Beautiful Pitcher!

It appears that Mr. Reid has a gift for raising chickens.  He's the keeper of our coop and he does a fine job keeping them laying eggs and away from grizzly bears.  The chickens flourish under his watchful eye.

Our little flock is a productive one - we get between 10-12 eggs every day and, this time of year, we use every one.  This spring we decided that we needed to add some new chickens to the flock to keep their ages varied.  (So the eggs just keep on coming...)  A friend down the road fired up her incubator (thanks Wendy!) and just after spring break we became the proud parents of 18 new baby chicks.  

The chicks grew and some show signs being roosters.  Eventually these chickens will become part of the great circle of hobby farm life (dumplings, anyone?) and their female companions will stick around and keep our guests in the best eggs we've ever eaten.  

Which brings me back to Mr. Reid and his chicken raising talents.  Usually, you expect about 20 percent mortality with baby chicks.  We didn't lose a one.  We found ourselves with too many chickens.  What to do?    

The heroic teacher of driver's education at our local school (bravest man we know) came to the rescue!  He and his artist wife arrived this evening to take some of the chickens to their new home in Paradise Valley.  We gave them chickens and Sue gave us the most beautiful rooster pitcher.  What a good trade!  

 

You can visit Sue's website and see other examples of her beautiful work at:  www.suetirrell.com

(Ask her about her chickens!)  

Butterhorn Pastries - One of our most requested recipes!

These little pastries are deceiving.  So simple...and so perfect.  Whenever I make these as an evening guest treat or use the dough for morning pastry, I always get a request for the recipe.  The recipe itself is so simple that its easy to be fooled into thinking that these might be TOO plain, but don't be tempted to embellish.  They are sweet and buttery; flaky and delicious.  The dough MUST be made in advance but beyond that, they are easy to make.  Don't worry about them being perfect - the imperfections make for more crunchy edges. 

This recipe came to me through one of my soul sisters - Jean Bean!  Jean and I first lived together on the West side of Rocky Mountain National Park where we both worked for the National Park Service at the west entrance.  Yes, it's true...I began my "illustrious" park service career as one of those cheerful "box bunnies" - taking cash for entry, answering questions about the park, passing out maps and park newspapers and rockin' those hot ranger uniforms.  

Our first home was a trailer.  A trailer with a squeaky floor, cardboard walls, ranch oak furniture and a shady forest location.  Very typical seasonal quarters.  Definitely not glamorous, but cheap and serviceable if your priorities included being outside and having as much fun as your twenties allowed. We later got an "upgrade" when we worked as dispatchers on the East side of RMNP in Estes Park, CO and lived, along with our dear friends Margie and Linda, in the Johnson House - a large inholding with a beautiful mountain view, a deck to die for, lots of space for chili cook-offs and big dinners with friends...and the same cardboard sheetrock and lots of mice.  

Jean is much more than a friend of mine.  We've laughed hysterically together and cried over boys and bosses.  We avoided a nearly certain car crash while listening to Greg Brown and have remained friends through marriage, children, career choices and beyond.  We had a reunion of the Johnson House girls a number of years ago and it was amazing to see how we picked up right where we left off - and how beautifully our little herd of children fit together! 

Jean has given me counsel, love, great stories about her grandmother, nephews and large Italian extended family, loans of cash and clothes, encouragement...and the recipe for these butterhorns.  Thanks Bean - your friendship is a treasure!  I love you. 

 

 Jean Bean's Butterhorns

• 2 cups butter (1 pound box) - softened
• 24 ounces large curd cottage cheese - softened
• 4 cups flour

Blend cottage cheese and butter.  Add flour and mix just until combined.  Place in a large zip lock bag, flatten, and chill overnight in the refrigerator.  (There really is not substitute for the time in the refrigerator.) 

Roll out on (thin as you can) a lightly floured board, cut into small triangles and roll into crescents.  Bake at 375 for 25 minutes and cool completely.  Frost with powdered sugar frosting - I use 1 cup powdered sugar, a tablespoon of milk and a tablespoon of vanilla - you can also use lemon juice if that suits you in place of the vanilla.  We have also rolled these in granulated sugar while hot - not as good, in my opinion, as the glaze, but certainly less messy and a little more kid-friendly.   

I have also used this pastry to make larger "danish" pastries.  Formed as a turnover and fill with your favorite fruit and a little sugar these work great - just chill the pastries thoroughly BEFORE baking for best result.

Our Wonderful Guests - Daria and Bernardo & Tortilla Espanola

We've just confirmed that Daria and Bernardo have nearly closed in on the purchase on a new RV and are planning a maiden voyage our way in September.  I'm sure our excitement puzzles you; don't we own a bed and breakfast that we'd much rather have them stay in?!?  Well, with Daria and Bernardo we don't' feel the need to worry - we'd chase this lively pair down no matter where they are staying.  Tim's holding onto Bernardo's gift of a Cuban cigar to smoke it in his company (and besides, I'm not sure he really knows HOW to smoke it!) and Daria still owes me a few cooking lessons! 

Daria and Bernardo originally came to us because I'd bragged confidently about the easy accessibility of fishing from our shores over the phone.  Imagine my chagrin when they arrived and I realized that the rainy spring meant that our river was far from fish-able!  Bernardo bore my "bad intelligence" with a smile and used the time to research his next fishing trip and thoroughly enjoy the park and the company of his lovely wife. I'm quite certain, however, that he'll ask to speak to Tim about all things fishing in the future.  We loved hearing about Bernardo's experience with AFS (American Field Service)as we are hosting a Finnish girl at our home for the school year.  (I'm sure we'll have more to say about Liisa once she arrives in early August - we can't wait!)  

Daria became an immediate friend; not just because she kept her promise to teach me how to make THE BEST Tortilla Espanola I've ever eaten, but because her warmth and kindness towards our entire family were evident as soon as they walked through the door.  We had a lot in common and I was sorry to see them leave. 

About Bernardo:  I was born and raised in Spain and at the tender age of 16 I became an AFS foreign exchange student spending a fantastic year in Reseda, CA and graduating again from HS. Returned to Spain and finished a BS in Chemistry at the University of Madrid. Spent two of my college summers in Germany (Berlin and in 1965 I was fortunate to get a Fulbright scholarship to Purdue University where I completed a MS in Environmental Engineering and more importantly met Daria and got married in 1967. Returned to Spain for a couple of more years to complete my military service as a 2nd lieutenant in the Spanish Army. Returned to the US in 1969 and got a job with Nalco Chemical (Fortune 500) where I had several jobs from R&D to management including a stint in Japan and Mexico. Since 1992, I have managed two start-up companies in Chicago and in Columbus, OH and after 42 years in the business world, I retired on December 2008.

About Daria: I majored in Spanish and studied other foreign languages after spending my sophomore year of college in Spain.  We returned to Spain after college and our two sons were born in Madrid.  Our daughter was born in the States.  I spent the next 23 years raising our children and “dabbling” in various other pursuits like banking and retail.  We moved around almost every two years and two of those years lived in Japanand wish we never had to leave.  While the kids were in college we spent two years in Mexico City with Bernardo’s career and then returned to Naperville, IL. 

After all three children were married I started teaching ESL for a local college and loved working with adults who wanted to learn!  We tried “retiring” to Floridabut Bernardo wasn’t ready for retirement and neither of us was ready for year-round Floridaso we moved to Columbus,Ohio to be near our daughter and her family. 

A few years ago I was diagnosed with cancer and was lucky to be near The Ohio State University and The James Cancer Center.  Because of the wonderful people there I decided to volunteer at The James.  Presently I am co-chair of an advisory council focusing on patient/family centered care and also volunteer weekly in the Family Waiting Area. 

We have 8 grandchildren – 4 boys and 4 girls from ages 5 to 14.  Three of the boys live with our son and his wife in Guatemala.  Three of the girls live in Atlanta with our other son and his wife and the other two here in Columbus.   So, we spend a lot of time traveling to see each other….and love it, though I wish we were all closer.

Why did you decide to come to Yellowstone? 

For years I have talked about going to Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore and finally decided last summer to make reservations and “just do it”.  I am so glad we went!  It was an awesome experience.  Neither of us was prepared for what we saw and the incredible people we met.  We had never been before and are now planning our return in the Fall.  A close friend asked me what my favorite three things were.  I could not answer.  It was all combined into one set of favorite “things” for two weeks.  We drove 4400 miles in the two weeks and loved every mile.  Of course, when we got back home we realized how often we had to get out of the car to see whatever other wonderful sight was out there.  We think you are two of the luckiest people to have all that at your doorstep everyday! 

What were the highlights of your visit?

As for highlights?  all the wildlife sightings.  We never tired of the bison, though we saw many!  We loved seeing the baby bison and baby sheep climbing down the rocks….and of course our one baby bear with his mother.  We’re glad we spent the extra money and had a guide for one day.  Steve was terrific.  (Yellowstone Glacier Adventures)  It was like taking a private class and surprisingly, I do remember most of the wonderful things he taught us about Yellowstone wildlife and plant life.  He was more than knowledgeable.  He was gracious, accommodating, perceptive and enthusiastic.  We never would have seen the Great Grey Owl without him.  He knew where everything lived and also gave us a binder with material to take home and study!  And no tests, afterward…..

But, we can’t leave out finding Headwaters of the Yellowstone B&B.  People have asked how we found you and all I can say is that I got a good feeling from your website and then your call.  We were so lucky!  The four days we spent at HYBB were not only fun, but relaxing.  I really felt like we were with good friends who really loved having us there.  And, of course, I love being with someone who loves to cook and explore new recipes.  The “tortilla lesson” was great fun.  You daughters were so cute about helping.  I loved every minute of it!

Do you have any trip planning advice for your fellow guests?

Yes, don’t “overplan” every day.  But do plan ahead for places to stay.  If possible, go very early in the season or later in the Fall (did I mention we’re coming back?).  Dress in layers and be ready for colder weather.  We loved having our own picnic stuff for lunches along with plenty of water or other drinks in the car.  It’s a lot easier and cheaper than relying on restaurants every day.  Get up early! Keep a small journal of places and events along the way.  It’s fun to look back.  Talk to people who have been there before and compare notes about places not to miss.  We were so glad we listened to other families who had been there before. 

And, last but not least, Bernardo, how was the fishing?

I am an avid fisherman and for the last two years I decided to add another challenge to my life by taking up fly fishing. My one-day fly fishing at the Firehole River was incredible (8 rainbow trout), helped by my guide Travis Hansen of the West Yellowstone Fly Shop. Travis is 23 years old and not only knows fly fishing in Yellowstone but he is also a great teacher with a combination of patient and skills. My other big hobby is photography which has been enhanced by having a chance to watch wildlife in Yellowstone.  Among other things I would like to fish the Yellowstone and a great small lake (Trout Lake) that we discovered while hiking in Lamar Valley.  I also promised Daria to do something besides fishing!

We promise to give Bernardo better advice the next time he comes to visit (at least about fishing) and look forward to more cooking lessons over a glass of wine as well.  Daria and Bernardo are part of the reason we enjoy this business so much; we get to meet lovely people who remind us how to enjoy life fully and not to take our surroundings for granted.  Daria's tortilla espanol is a favorite at our family dinner table and, if I get a little better at the flipping part, it might be joining our breakfast repertoire soon.  With a lightly dressed salad and a glass of red wine it is the perfect meal. 

 

Daria's Tortilla Espanola

• 4 large Yukon gold potatoes
• 4 eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup chopped white onion
• salt
• olive oil

For each tortilla you'll need a 8 inch non-stick frying pan.  Peel and slice the potatoes.  I use the food processor slicer disk. 

Heat about 2 cups of olive oil in a 10 inch frying pan.  Add sliced potatoes and cook on medium-high until tender.  Add the onions during cooking - near the end so they get tender, too.  I like to have a little crust on the edges of the potatoes.  It really adds a nice flavor, but some cooks do not. 

Drain the potatoes and onions, reserving the oil.  Let the potatoes cool in the colander, and then slightly beat the 4 eggs in a separate bowl. Add a little of the reserved oil to a 7 or 8 inch sauté or frying pan.  When it’s nice and hot, add the potato mixture to the eggs and pour into the pan.   During cooking, push the sides of the tortilla in so that it cooks evenly.  It’s really like making any sort of omelet, but it’s not folded over.  Instead, take a plate larger that the pan,  put it on top and holding it very carefully flip the tortilla over and slide it back into the pan and let it cook until done.  This is the hard part.  If you press the middle with your fingers you can tell when it’s cooked through.  This just takes practice.  You can also pierce it with a knife to see if it’s cooked through.

When it’s done, slide it onto a plate.  If you’ve used a lot of oil, I put it on a paper towel to get rid of some of the oil.  My sister-in-law told me to never put the tortilla in the refrigerator because it will dry out.  In Spain they are left out of the counters.  Usually they’re eaten up the same day.  They are great to take on picnics and of course, all Spanish kids take tortilla bocadillos to school for merienda.  (A bocadillo is a sandwich made with a baguette).

The Turner Twelve - A Dozen AMAZING kids!

We had the privilege of hosting twelve very amazing young people here last week.  Along with their wonderful chaperons (Miss Gwen and Coach Carter) they explored the park with the Yellowstone Association Institute and amused us endlessly with their charm and positive outlook on the world. 

The group was here as part of a non-profit organization called The Turner Twelve who's mission is to "encourage and empower intercity youth to become first generation college attendees; and more importantly, to become leaders and positive role models within their own community."  After meeting this group we feel as though any community would be lucky to have them in it.  They were truly an inspiring bunch.

Of course, being kids, they were also silly and a lot of fun to have around.  Their kindness to our youngest daughter did not go unnoticed...and they sure did like our chickens!

Ariel, who plans to be a pediatric nurse when she graduates from college, made this casserole for dinner one night and was kind enough to share it with our family.  My kids loved it.  Thanks for the recipe Ariel! 

We'll keep track of this group of amazing kids - we wish them nothing but the best.  And, in the future, we look forward to seeing them back again with their own kids in tow!

   Tosha (who plans to become a veterinarian) and Ariel with her Nacho Casserole

Ariel's Nacho Casserole

• 1 bag tortilla chips (Ariel recommends Doritos)
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup milk
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 16 oz. jar salsa
• 1 pounds ground beef

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

Cook the ground meat and let cool slightly.  Mix together the soups and the milk in a saucepan and heat until well combined and creamy.  Crush the tortilla chips until they are broken into large pieces. 

Place a layer of chips in the bottom of a 13x9 pan.  Top with a third of ground beer; then the soup mixture; then a third of the salsa; then a third of the cheese.  Repeat, beginning with the chip layer and continue layering - end with a layer of cheese.   

Bake until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is lightly browned.

Tumbleweed Bookstore and Cafe

It can be hard to find a good meal in Montana.  We aren't exactly known as the culinary capital of the west.  That being said, there is good food to be had in our little village - you just need to know where to look.  The Tumbleweed Bookstore and Cafe (406-848-2225) is located in the heart of Gardiner, Montana.  Their wraps and sandwiches are excellent picnic food for park adventures.  If you are moving at a slower pace, they have a sunny little deck where you can enjoy a great salad, a bowl of homemade soup, a wrap, sandwich, locally made brownie or a great cup of coffee.  They also have a great book selection - particularly books that pertain to the park and western history and culture. 

The owner, Anna Holloway, is not only a bookstore owner.  She also transcribes oral histories, guides boats down the Yellowstone River, gives out excellent advice to new chicken owners, and keeps the kids at the Gardinerr Elementary School on the right track in math.  I had a chance (over a great panini - my favorite has ham, pepper jack cheese and apple slices) to ask Anna a little bit about herself and her business. 

Where did you grow up?  How did you come to Gardiner?

I grew up a Marine Corp brat so we moved every three years until I was in middle school when my father retired.  I went to high school and college in Indiana.  I moved around a lot of college because the travel bug was just still in my system.  I came out to Montana to work at the B Bar Ranch for 6 months in 2003.  I fell in love with the beauty of Paradise Valley and never left.

Did you always want to own a bookstore?  What do you want it to be?

I just bought the business in September of 2008.  It was never a dream of mine...simply an opportunity that came out of nowhere!!  We offer wireless, organic foods, vegetarian foods, coffee drinks, books (of all nature), fax services, special community events.  I would love to expand the community interaction part of the business.  By that I mean hosting story hours, live music on the deck, and a year round book club for locals and those traveling through.

What do you dislike about owning a business?

The biggest thing I dislike about being a business owner is dealing with poor employees.  I hate the feeling I get when I have to yell at someone or sit down and tell them it isn't working out.  I always fear they are devastated although they could probably care less.

What do you like about owning a business?

I love the interaction with people and being able to sponsor local events that I have spent years attending.

What is an ideal day for you?

My ideal day in Yellowstone would start with an early morning soak in the boiling river to get my body and soul to wake up and prepare for a journey into the park.  I would drive out to Cooke City taking many stops along the way.  Lunch at Beds and Buns in Cooke City.  Then, drive back home the same way I came stopping for some fly fishing at Soda Butte for an hour or two.  My evening would end with a packed dinner and a bottle of wine in my backpack as I climb under the bridge right outside of Mammoth.  I don't know if people are allowed to climb under that bridge but there is nothing better than a sunset dinner on the catwalk hundreds of feet above the Gardner River.

So stop by and have a sandwich!  And, if you need some chicken-math-river-running advice - look for Anna!

Chai revisited for Nancy

I was talking to my dear friend Nancy today, trying to convince her that today was the perfect day to make chai.  She lives in Estes Park and, along with the rest of Colorado, she is expecting a foot of snow tonight.  She noted that my chai recipe looked awfully complicated. 

"Really?" I said, incredulously.  "I just put all the spices in a zip lock bag, including the whole piece of ginger and bash away at it with my meat hammer and throw it in a pot of water." 

"You might want to tell people that." said she.

So, now you know.  It's really not a difficult recipe.  It might be a boring blog if I cut to the chase every time, however.  And, its true, I do tend to ramble in a conversational sort of way - both on the blog and in life.  Not a shock to anyone who knows me, I'm sure.  So, here it is, chai revisited for my dear Nancy.  It is just not that complicated.  (Really!)

Chai Revisited

1. Put a bunch of spices in a zip lock bag.  Fresh ginger, a cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, coriander seeds, cloves, nutmeg, peppercorns, fennel seeds, star anise.  All or most. 

2.  Bash the heck out of the spices in the bag with a hammer.

3.  Put the spices in a pot of water and boil it for a long time.

4.  Add tea.

5.  Add honey.

6.  Drain, add milk and drink.

Elk River Art

I've been taking a painting class for the last few weeks and it's becoming a weekly highpoint.  While I studied art in school, I haven't done much painting since I had children.  For whatever reason (fatigue, procrastination?) the energy I expend on my family doesn't leave much left over for art.  So, I'm trying, again, to return to something that has always been a source of great inspiration and happiness for me.   

Shirl (my painting teacher) is a talented painter and specializes in plein air painting. Her husband John is a sculptor and together they make the most amazing light fixtures and chandeliers I think I have ever seen.  To view their work, please visit their website www.elkriverart.com or, better yet, make visiting their gallery a "must see" while you are here.  They are wonderfully warm people who love art and the natural world around them.  This is evident in all their efforts.  Their gallery is a beautiful project in its own right and we've all enjoyed seeing its progress over the last year.   

You won't be seeing any of my recent painting attempts here - yet!  But I'm happy to be painting again.  It makes me much more aware of how beautiful the world we live in is and how lucky I am to be here.

The video below shows Shirl hard at work at her previous home in the Adirondacks.