Billings, Montana

As you all noticed, I was AWOL this week for a couple of days. It’s because I took a trip with my cowboy, out to the Big Sky Country, also known as Montana. He cajoled me into leaving the ranch with a bribe. Wait, it wasn’t really a bribe, more like a trip to the tack store in Sheridan, Wyoming. It’s not any tack store, really- it’s more like an historical tack store- Kings Saddlery. On the surface it’s like any other tack store, really- except this one has miles and miles of rope in it. And a museum. Of all things western, but primarily saddles that are old. I do mean old. And no, I didn’t bring my camera to the store. I should have, as an afterthought, but it was raining that morning and I didn’t feel like packing it around.

I’m sure you’re all wondering if we shopped. We did. But I won’t bore you with details of what we bought. I will tell you that we won’t be purchasing any new mecate reins or buckaroo length ropes anytime soon, and that due to our purchase, they threw in two ball-caps for free. So there’s now more pink in my wardrobe!

I had the better part of the day on Wednesday to shop, as the cowboy was in a meeting all day. That is, after all, why we ended up in Billings. And here’s what I learned about Billings- it’s a really spread out ‘burg for containing only around 140,000 people. I visited Cabellas, Michaels, Old Navy, and Borders books, where I purchased “The Lovely Bones” (which I read completely on the way home!) and “1st to Die” (James Patterson).

Since Zach’s meeting was in Downtown Billings, I figured I’d eat lunch down there, and wrap up my day with browsing and shopping the Downtown area. There are very few cities that have a downtown that can be loved as much as I love Downtown Fort Worth, Texas. It has got to be one of my favorite places! But Billings’ Downtown is just nearly as lovely! I lunched on a hot ham and cheese sandwich from McCormick Cafe. It is one of the cutest cafes ever. And their french fries- are dusted with Parmesan cheese. So yummy!

After lunch, I visited the Harry Koyoma Fine Art Gallery. I must say, his work is breathtaking! While he considers himself to be more an impressionistic painter, I’d say he’s the western version of Thomas Kinkade because his paintings just glow. From the looks of Downtown Billings it’s quite an artsy city! There’s galleries all over the place, and they even have an Art Walk that occurs 5 times yearly.

I then visited H Bar Hat Works. I just wanted to browse!

Right down the next block from them, was Oxford Antiques. I didn’t purchase anything.

I probably could have spent hours downtown, but I decided to check out Granny’s Attic– a few blocks away, as had been recommended by someone on Twitter. It’s 90,000 square feet of antiques! I purchased a few items there- not as much as I would have liked to come home with, but I made some good finds nonetheless! When I finish photographing them, I’ll be sure to share!

As I was wrapping up my purchases from Granny’s Attic, Zach called and we met just in time to check out The Buckaroo Business shop. We have seen them in Vegas at Cowboy Christmas and so we’d decided to visit Scott and Staci Grosskoph’s store, while we were there. We purchased another rope, and three palm leaf cowboy hats. I’ll do a before and after on at least mine- before we shape it up.

This afternoon we have a high school rodeo and this morning, the sun is finally out! It’s certainly time to have some breakfast (thank you chickens) and enjoy the sunshine! I hope you enjoyed reading about my Billings trip as much as I enjoyed sharing it! Happy Friday!

XO,

Jenn