Circle Diamond Finds A New Home

Megan and I traveled to Roswell New Mexico in October of 2014, one to visit our dear friends and two for me to cook at the Lincoln Cowboy Symposium Chuck Wagon Cook Off. This would be my 6th year, competing with my friends (Walt Lowe, Bob Wooley, Robert Floyd, Bill Hartman) from Roswell. Bill did not come this year and was replaced by a new cook. Walt and Bob bought a new wagon and named it Black Iron, which is the name of our gang the Black Iron Gang. I had a great time, seeing my old friends and making new ones. We cooked but did not win any awards. Our goal has always been to put out a good product and have a great time. If we won anything then that was a bonus to us.

They had herd that Phelps Anderson was going to sell his wagons, I guess he was down sizing. it was really strange as we were traveling I had asked Megan if I should call Phelps to see if he would sell us a wagon. I heard from Bob that he indeed was going to sell a wagon.

I called and talked to Phelps about which wagon he was selling, he said it was the big wagon, I did not know a big wagon, I knew he had two the Circle Diamond and the Diamond A, after some discussion we were talking about the same wagon that I would like to buy the Circle Diamond.

I had cooked on this wagon for 5 years, had taken it to the farm when we lived in New Mexico and re-oiled the wood and some good cleaning. So I had history with this wagon.

We struck a deal that made both of us happy. He new it was going to a good home and to a person that would take care of such a great part of history. I promised to give it a good home and cherish it with the respect it deserves. I also promised that if I competed with it that I would fly the New Mexico state flag. Unfortunately one of my first projects is to find a new one as the rats at a hole in the old one.

The journey to the north began on October 13th from Roswell to Columbia Falls, Mt our new home. Unloaded and repacked the wagon for the trip.

Reloading for the journey home.

We left early and headed to Fort Morgan, Co. to Megan's brothers farm (whom we unfortunately lost a couple years back). He had picked up some harness from Roswell that his dad had. We asked if we could have it if they were not going to use it. They were very happy that we would like to use it on the Circle Diamond since it would of meant so much not only to Megan's dad but her brother Cary. We arrived late on the the 13th, had a great visit and departed the next morning heading north to our next stop, Billings, Mt.

 

Casper, Wyo.

We just overnight-ed in Billings and stayed with my Mom. She rearrange her house so guests would have a comfy room to sleep while visiting. Also its always good to go home to Mom once in awhile. We did manage to meet one of Megan's friend who joined us for diner.

Big Timber, Mt.

We took another way home to show the wagon to our new friends and fellow Chuck Wagon owners Chris and Julie Munson from Helena, Mt.. I had cooked last summer with them twice and had a great time and became good friends. We had lunch looked the wagon over and departed as we still had another 4 hour drive ahead of us.

We left and made arrangements with friends of our son Lewis who had a big empty barn that we could keep the wagon until we got settled. It was a big winter and we had 20 inches of snow in one day. I'm glad the wagon was in a dry barn. Can't wait till spring to get the wagon out and continue the adventure.

Winter storage in Big Fork, Mt.