Category: Montana

Posted on

A little sunshine

I like rainy, gloomy days…for a bit. We have had about 7 rainy, gloomy days in a row! Enough, I said and went looking for a little sunshine.

The photos below are from November 4 – photos that did not make the to see what we could see post . These photos show the shallow end of Echo Lake that is now more puddle than lake. But the mountains bordering Jewell Basin curve around the edge and still make for a pretty scene.

following added 6:30 a.m. this morning

… and a little moonshine – a few breaks in the clouds let a bit of moonshine through this morning. Karl is lying outside the sunroom slider in a narrow moonbeam that is shooting through the trees…

A little sunshine and a little moonshine for this Thursday morning.

Posted on

to see what we could see

We had to get a bit more creative with our walk location yesterday. The neighbors on our “scenic” route were briefly in residence. It is deer season so I prefer to avoid the adjacent state land. We could have gone to the state park but the sky had cleared between forecast storm fronts and I thought it might be a good day to get what might be the last look at fall color on a sunny day. We went over the hill (my road) which drops down to Echo Lake, a small lake that is beautiful, although a bit crowded and noisy during the summer. This day, though, it was quiet and peaceful. When we arrived there was not even a breeze ruffling the water…

We took the “long way” home and passed by a favorite view of the Swan River…

and the Swan Range with a bit of powdery snow on some of the peaks…

It was an idyllic hour break – I had reached a good point to stop working, the sun was out and we went. Shortly after we returned, things clouded over and the afternoon was gray. All afternoon as I worked I kept thinking how glad I was that we went when we did.

Another bonus last evening – the sky cleared again and the waxing moon lit the old garden area enough for Karl and I to play a bit of soccer by the “light of the silvery moon” …and when we were done, it stayed around long enough for me to take its picture.

Posted on

A summer of blue and green

This spring was full of sky blue and grass green and this summer it continues. There have been no fires close as yet and very little real heat. Although a mini-heat wave of 3 days above 90 is forecast for this week, we have maybe had 3 days all summer where the temperature went above 90. Mostly it has been a very pleasant mid to upper 80’s during the day and 50’s overnight – theoretically our seasonal norm.

The heavy winter snow pack gave the mountains a good drink as they have remained green above the tree line…a good sign I hope as we head into the worst time for wildfire starts. The cool nights and moderate days have kept the skies that clear shade of sky blue that provides for a beautiful background for the fluffy clouds that build up afternoons as well as the green of the mountains.

I caught a bit of the blue and green yesterday morning when Karl and I walked. We’ll be away from this path after today as our neighbors are to arrive this afternoon and we will be off the ridge path until they leave in a week or two…

This summer of blue and green and moderate temperatures, a bit of rain, soft breezy days … it is a summer to enjoy and remember.

Posted on

Dogs in the sand (from the archives)

Karl and his friend Bella, a 1/2 Karelian-1/2 Yellow Lab – April 2003 on Flathead Lake while the lake was at its pre-runoff low. We got to the sand from Somers. The dogs ran in the sand, seemingly just for the joy of running.

It was one of those idyllic mornings – still, beautiful, serene.

Posted on

Back in the woods

Several weeks ago it was reported through the neighborly grape vine that a female grizzly and twin cubs were in the area. I started avoiding the 40 acres of state land that is part of our walking loop – it is brushy without any real paths, contoured enough that it is hard to see over and around … it just seemed prudent to avoid that area for a bit. It is/was unlikely that she would stick around – there is no food source and too much (relatively) people activity to be comfortable. At any rate, it has been weeks and no more sightings and more importantly no scat to be found…and believe me, Karl would find it if it was there. Bear scat is his most favorite doggie cologne – it is incredibly rank…

The “maps” above show the lay of the land here. On the plat – the yellow block is my 8 acres. The loop to the “right” (east) goes across subdivision land that is 5-10 acre parcels. There is only one house and no sign of any other activity – I hope for some time. The home that is there is only occupied occasionally. The homeowners also own several of the other parcels and ok’d my walking there when they are not in residence. That is the part of the walk with the spectacular mountain views and meadows as the original developer went a bit crazy with tree clearing.

The loop to the north (top of the map) is on the 40 acre state land. That parcel is landlocked and so only adjacent owners and people granted access by owners are out there. I have seen another person(s) twice in nearly two years and never any tracks but my own in the winter. The state selectively logged this land several years ago – nicely, leaving good, healthy trees. The land has retained its natural look. The selective cut made the area more fire-safe as well as healthier.

Karl and I are back to walking the full loop. The “neighbors” have gone to their full time home, the bears to their summer home.

…somebody lives there, but we did not stop to visit or inquire…

…somebody slept there – actually several somebodies as there was a group of spots…probably the deer as some very small spots and there are a number of does with fawns around.

It is nice to be back in the woods.