Family Finds Its Own Fun

Hello Folks. — The Barnes  Clan is a close - knit family that likes to go on picnics. They must know every canyon, gulch, creek and stream in the Gallatin Montana Empire. When they decide to go on a picnic it seems to me that the first one finds the picnic spot and the rest just scent their way; at least they can go to the most out - of - the - way spots and somehow they all find it and usually in time to get in on the food.

They think nothing of going to places that a greenhorn like me would swear the rest of them couldn't find and that if they did they might ruin their car in so doing. And if and when we do get there you couldn't get the car turned around to get back.

Yesterday we went to such a spot and when we got there sure enough the canyon widened out just enough for a picnic and to let us turn the car around. We ate fried chicken, beans, salad, jello, and watermelon until most of it was gone. then a bunch of them went somewhere to pick huckleberries; they seemed to just know were to find them.

When they got their containers full and still wanted more Nella took off her shoes and they filled them too. I don't think she minded walking barefoot. She is pretty much of a Mountain William anyway; in fact if the truth were known she was probably 17 or 18 before they caught her and put shoes on her.

I don't know if the shoes influenced the huckleberries or vice-versa but we are going to have a party tonight and we will be eating huckleberry pie and ice cream. The whole gang will be there and Ben says if there aren't enough berries to make the required number of pies to just put in a little more thickening as the huckleberries are plenty strong anyway.

At the picnic Neal had a good supply of his homemade juice he makes it out of chokecherries, lemon and pineapple. It is all strictly legal too, no added spirits or sugar. He made 50 gallons of it last year. It is really good too, especially the thick stuff in the bottom.

At the parties there is always plenty of playing, singing and dancing. The Barnes used to have their own orchestra and still do a little pinch - hitting for others. Neal has a $300 steel guiter that he really knows how to play. That guy has more talents than you can shake a stick at ... work shop with almost every known tool in.

Speaking of the party — it is going to be held in the old house. With the family growing like it is these parties are getting pretty crowded. There are the eight children, 27 grandchildren and a couple of great - grand children, ...eside all the in-laws of whi... m one.

One unique think about th... ...here is no smoking or drink and about the worst cuss word you here is heck or darn.

The family was discussing building of the new house. Wh... they got around to the heating they talked about forced - air. Grandma couldn't figure out why anyone would want four stairs in a home.