In March, Billie got to go on a once in a lifetime bear adventure. Along with Bob Facklam of Choteau and Dr. Dick Kinyon DVM of Conrad, they delivered a one and a half-year-old Polar bear and a twelve-year-old Alaskan Kodiac Brown bear to the Buffalo Zoo in New York.

They picked up "Toby", the brown bear, in West Yellowstone at the wolf
and grizzly discovery center. He was caged in a round holding cell that Bob fabricated out of his shop in Choteau. "Toby" was quite a gentleman. Billie got to pet him and hand feed him his daily rations of fruits and kibble. His favorites were celery and apples. His size was quite alarming-being 860 pounds, he was quite a brute !

After picking up "Toby", they drove to Salt Lake City to pick up " Anana" the polar bear at the Hegle Zoo. She was small, only 165 pounds, but that was all teeth and attitude! She was kept in a separate holding cage at the back of the trailer. (Which was also made by Bob) She was a very aggressive bear and did not like us near. We did feed her the daily rations prescribed for her and hand watered her-she bit the nozzle off of the water bottle !

They got to travel through many states and big cities. Billie even drove through a few. ..despite the 20-foot gooseneck trailer she had to pull. They also met a lot of nice people, and cool animals-like giraffes.

It was a great trip and many miles later. ..they got home to the wonderful state of Montana.