My trip to the states was cancelled with the virus and travel hassles, but my sister and brother, along with their kids, did a great job of putting my parents' ashes into the Gallatin River in southwest Montana... my dad's favorite trout water.
Last weekend we did the same thing here for a long time friend on the salmon river we fish. He was a great guy, always generous, and one of the best fishermen on the river.

After the ceremony, we ate paella at the cabana. Paella is a Spanish dish with saffron rice, chicken, mussels, shrimp and sausage.




Then we took a little road trip about 3 hours away and I know lots of you like churches so I took a couple shots of an 11th century church we stumbled across. The river in the photo is called the Lot, and the bridge is also built in the 11th century.



After we came back I brought down the first bale of hay as the weather has changed big time.


Hope you enjoy.

Pete

Great pictures! Sad to hear you couldn't be home for your dad's ceremony.

Weather is turning here too. 80s yesterday and not supposed to hit 50 on Thursday.

I always enjoy your pictures. The place you live in is beautiful as well. Something I've always wondered though is what made you decide to live in France? If you don't mind me asking, that is.

My Dad spent time in France and Germany. Will be showing him your pics. Thanks for sharing. Your parents have a fine resting place I'm sorry you couldn't be there in body but I'm sure you were there in soul. You will be with them again someday. Take care

Sorry for your loss. I recall my time in Europe and my amazement at architecture and infrastructure so ancient that it predates our own national existence. My take away is that life goes on even in spite of historical loss marked for future generations by what we leave behind.
I'm sure your parents and friends left their own personal monuments in you.

Awesome pics ,thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the comments. It is incredible to stand next to buildings that are so old and still stay solid and straight.

Yotetrapper30... 36 years ago I met a French gal who walked into my store and asked about buying a used shotgun for ducks. The rest was history. We came back here to Biarritz 12 years ago to take care of her mom, but it was also a good time to close the gun store with the discretionary spending crisis in 2008. Our farm is up in the mountains about an hour away in a village of 200 people.

I was in Montana in spirit. I spent four years guiding there in the 70's and many summer vacations with my family. My mom was from eastern Montana and my dad was born and raised in Bozeman. The Gallatin was his favorite place to fish and I cast my first flies there. I could smell the sage and feel the early morning cold when they put the ashes in the river. The reality of flying there caused me to bail out of the trip but my family understood. I paid for the Champagne and the gin for their stay in Bozeman.

Pete

Great Photos! Sorry for your loss !!!

We've fed out a few bales already here too!

Pete , I was just up in the Livingston / Bozeman area for a friendly protest MTA board meeting when I got up it was 33 above this morning it was 24 .
A few of the taller peaks of the Crazy mtns were shocked in that morning and all had fresh snow , Emigrant peak north of Yellowstone was also covered with fresh snow.
That's a fantastic place your dad picked , when its my time I have a few choices picked out for me too ha ha
I'm planning to send my kid's on a adventure to get rid of me !
Allan

Great pictures thanks for sharing! Paella looks really good!

Sorry about the loss of your parents and friend

John

I think the southern half of France and most of Spain outside of a few big cities are virtually unknown to Americans. It looks like a great quality of life!!

I love your story Pete. Thanks for sharing and as always the great photos.

I spent some time around Bordeaux and although the city folks of France aren't my favorite; the country folk fit right in with our type here on Trapperman.

Should have known there was a woman behind it, lol. Keep posting pics of your life over there. Never been overseas so enjoy seeing pics of the countryside.

great pic. thanks for sharing ,