A few months ago, I wrote about our son, Cooper, heading off to Spokane, Washington, for his first contract as a traveling nurse.

My wife traveled out with him and helped him settle into his new place... moms are good at that. But that was three months ago, and that first assignment just came to an end.

Last week, I flew out to Spokane and traveled back home with him. It was a long drive!

We spent three days on the road cranking out the miles, but we also took a little time to enjoy the trip. That included a stop in Bozeman to visit my brother and several detours along the way to do a little sightseeing. Our stops included the Devil’s Tower, Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse monument, the Black Hills, and a whole bunch of miles pushing through Montana and South Dakota. It really is beautiful country up there.

We even bumped into an old high school friend enjoying dinner with his wife at a random brew pub in Rapid City, South Dakota. How crazy is that?!

It was a fun trip! We got to spend some quality time together, and we got a chance to see some amazing sites.

But now I’m back home...and it’s time to get back to work!

As I’m writing this, I’m looking at the calendar and it’s telling me that it really is the end of October, but the weather has only just changed! Summer really held on this year, kind of like it has the last several years. But the cooldown is finally here, and I’m loving it. I think a lot of us are!

My hope is that the fall weather sticks around for a while and lets us enjoy it!

Regardless… It’s fall, and that means it’s a great time to do some planting! This is the easiest time of the year to get things going. Warm soils and cooling temps combine to create the ideal scenario for planting success. Take advantage of it!

Maybe you’ve put off a project until the higher temps finally broke. Let’s talk! As always, we’re here to help if you need it. Come out, ask questions, and we’ll get you started or help guide your project in a more successful direction.

It’s such a pretty time of the year out here in the nursery! Ornamental grasses are at their best, fall color is setting in, late blooming perennials are still drawing in the occasional butterfly...it’s just a beautiful and fun time of the year.

I hope you come by and see us!

—Cameron

It’s redemption time! cash in your Skinner buck$

Our 2nd Skinner Buck$ redemption period of the year is underway! Redeem your Skinner Buck$ between now and November 2. We know you’ve been collecting, and there isn’t a better time to use those Buck$ for some great fall plants, holiday decor, or garden maintenance and winterizing materials.

If you haven’t heard of our Skinner Buck$ loyalty program, check out the information below. You can start collecting anytime! However, all 2025 buck$ must be used by the end of the Winter Redemption Period. Then, we'll start fresh with new buck$ for 2026.