We headed to Montana last night, for dinner in the clouds and overlooking the Bull River valley.

View from the deck where the steaks were cooking on the grill.

View from the dining room.

We were all so happy about the rain.  I’d wondered if the dinner would be cancelled due to smoke or fire danger.  Folks around here have had to evacuate before.  So it was extra special to be here again, looking at clouds and knowing that wet weather was in the forecast for the next few days.

So this is life off the grid.  Kathi and Jim make their own electricity with solar and hydro power.  They heat with propane and cook with propane and yes, their refrigerator runs on propane.

It’s always a pleasure to be up here.  Their “winter” driveway is 3.5 miles long.  We used the “summer” driveway, which may only be a mile off the road.  Their home consists of 113 acres; the prospector cabin that served as their original home and then their kitchen finally fell apart, but their old house is now a revitalized guest house.

They made us feel so special.