So, we made it to Missoula and were warmly greeted by the sons of our friends, Brooke and Joe. Rudy wasn’t with us the past couple times we rolled through Missoula, so he really was looking forward to seeing the “Montana Brothers”, as he’s affectionately called them since he was little. He chose to stay with them while we popped into Downtown Missoula to play their “Out To Lunch” Summer music series, and cash in on some much-needed friend time.
Speaking of friends, we were connected with an old friend by way of a new one after our show. It was so cool how this transpired. This woman approached us and said, “Hi! My name is Phoebe, and we have a mutual friend, Abby Posner.” YES!! We love Abby. We started Champagne Sunday around the same time she had started her band, Fear Mia, both of us original local acts in the Ventura music scene. Abby went on to live, teach, and work in L.A. Please check out her music if you get a moment. She is wonderful. So anyway, Phoebe shared that she actually plays bass with Abby in L.A., and she heard us playing and took a video to send to Abby. She said, “These guys are so good and they kind of remind me of YOU!” Well then Abby wrote back, “OH MY GOD!! Those are my friends from Ventura!! You have to go say Hi from me!” So Phoebe came and told us the whole story and we all just freaked out. She also said she’d love to play bass for us if we were ever to head down to the L.A. area and were in need. What a small and wonderful world of musicians we get to be connected to!
Enjoying two GIGANTIC açaí bowls after the gig.
While we were at our gig, the boys decided to take Rudy to play some tennis, pickle ball, and go swimming in the river. I asked Rudy how he did, and the boys were all excited to let me know that Rudy was one of the better players. I then asked Rudy if he’d ever played either sport before. He said, “Nope. I just knew I’d be good!” I just love that about him. Total confidence in the face of uncertainty.
We promised Rudy we’d take him to “Rocking’ Rudy’s”, his favorite novelty store in Missoula. Plus, someone had mentioned a “small” and “easy” hike we could all go on, and maybe ice cream from the “Big Dipper” afterwards. So once Brooke and Joe got home from work we all put on our tennis shoes and set out to accomplish three days of activities into the one evening we had together. We went to “The Bridge” for pizza first, then hit up Rockin’ Rudy’s. Pictured here is Rudy’s “suitable for mom’s blog” version of the photo. He made me even more proud with the one not shown! Hahahaha!
Ok, so I specifically asked the boys (who had all just purchased candy cigarettes) to do a real “bad boy” pose. I’m certain that the oldest boy doesn’t even know what that looks like. Of course, it was OUR kid who took it the furthest. The bench has a small plaque that says, “No Smoking”, so the kids loved doing this. I’m actually shocked they all hang in there with my contstant photo taking, but that just tells you what great kids they are and what awesome parents they have.
Something I learned this trip. Never trust a CrossFit-loving fire fighter and his three wildly athletic sons when they say, “It’s just a little hike.” “I ran it in five minutes once.” “There are only, like, seven switchbacks.” These are ALL LIES!! (Except maybe the five minutes part. I wasn’t there for that and maybe it happened. However, even Brooke and Joe admitted it was a little harder than they remembered and everyone was breathing heavy by the end. But what a view when we got there!!! Our goal was to catch the sunset. Here we are trying to do just that!
Me and my boys at the “Top of the world”…
As an eleven-year-old, I wonder what he thinks about when it comes to his future and the world around him. I don’t often get to observe him in his places of silence and peace, but this was a really special moment. I hope he was feeling proud of the young man who wouldn’t have been able to climb that mountain just a short two months ago. That young man who would have asked to stop, go home, or dragged his feet the entire way. THIS young man actually beat his father and I up the mountain, never once complained or got frustrated. His two months of camping and hiking built up his muscles, but even more built up his confidence and really began to open his eyes to his own capabilities.
So glad Jared behaved for this photo! (Jared here: I’m mooning everyone behind us.)
As the sun was setting, the moon was rising right behind us! It really looked like a Pringle.
The well-earned and much-anticipated Big Dipper Ice Cream!
The adults marveled at how we were able to actually do all the things we set out to do in the actual time line we aimed for! The kids were just glad to have ice cream. Well, I mean, the adults were also very glad for that. Another successful time with the Wagget family in the books. Super short, but jam-packed with fun and memories made. And to think we actually did all this AFTER we played a gig!
