Almost Trailside: A True Story Read Online Free PDF

town. She was divorced from Tommy’s grandfather years ago, but she never mentioned it.
    Before we left, she graciously gave each of us a jar of her home made jams and jellies from the fruit trees and berry bushes in her backyard. She was a strong self-sufficient attractive woman and a wonderful grandmother to Tommy and great-grandmother to our boys.
    Sadly, it was the last time we ever saw her.

Chapter III

    W e had been traveling for one week and not once slept over night in our little travel trailer…that was about to change.
    Heading east to Tommy’s grandparent’s house in
Philipsburg, Montana
, we were excited to begin our first real camping trip. The grandparents wanted to take us camping at the
Lodgepole Campground
and fishing at
Georgetown Lake
up in the mountains not far from their home. They were great nature lovers and campers, and especially loved to fish.
    Tommy’s grandfather was a big man with a booming voice, built strong and sturdy, a product of his Danish ancestry. His hands were huge. Although he could be crusty sometimes, there was something about him that was charming and endearing. He was a retired lumber jack who worked very hard during his lifetime.

    P
hilipsburg, Montana, or “P-burg” as it is known to the locals, is a quaint former mining town located 13 miles northwest of Georgetown Lake. The main street is filled with beautifully restored painted Victorian buildings featuring wonderful shops, galleries, and eateries
.
    T
he Lodgepole Campground is situated along a scenic highway in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest which is the largest national forest in Montana. The Lodgepole Campground derives its name from the long and slender lodge pole pines, which surround the area. The area is also home to abundant wildlife, including moose, elk, white-tailed deer, and even bighorn sheep. Hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers find many trails within a few miles of the campground. The campground is conveniently located across the street from Georgetown Lake
.
    G
eorgetown Lake is located high up in the Rocky Mountains, at an elevation of over 6,400 feet. Built in 1865 by damming Flint Creek, the lake is relatively shallow with an average depth of 16 feet. The lake is used primarily for recreation and for providing ranches further down the valley with water. It is widely known for its tranquil and beautiful scenery. Georgetown Lake covers more than 3,000 acres and has four public boat ramps. It is Montana’s most prolific lake with more fish caught each day per person than any other lake in the state. Georgetown Lake is one of Montana’s premier blue ribbon fisheries…offering nearly year- round angling for trophy rainbow trout, brook trout, and kokanee salmon
.

    Tommy’s grandmother was a delightful woman with a sweet smile and pretty blue eyes. She knew just how to handle grandpa when he got too grumpy. Together they were a wonderful, fun-loving, and adoring couple. We always enjoyed being in their company.
    We met Tommy’s grandparents at their apartment in the quaint little town of Philipsburg, Montana then followed them up the mountain side into the beautiful Lodgepole Campground. They drove to a specific area of the forest and showed us where they wanted us to set up. A group of their friends were already camping nearby, some in trailers others in tents. Tommy’s grandparents camped in a tent.
    The thin trunked lodge pole pine trees were not like the huge redwoods that we were use to in California. Even so, the aromatic lodge pole forest was green and beautiful.
    The campsites were small, lined with many tall lodge pole trees. Tommy had to maneuver the little travel trailer into the spot just right and he needed me to help guide him. It was a pretty ugly scene. Even with my help, Tommy couldn’t angle the little trailer just right to back it into the space. A lot of swearing took place and it wasn’t by me!
    Finally, one of the other campers came over and offered to