Happy in Montana: End of summer welcoming Fall

Ninepipes Resevoir 

 Saturday brought me to the Mission Valley for a time. Last day of summer . The wetlands are at low water . We are north of the National Bison Range a particularly dry area . The Ninepipes wetlands have been restored to be a wild fowl sanctuary for ducks and geese making their way north and south. The silence is immaculate with an occassional punctuation of bird call.

Mission Mountains

 The Mission Mountains rival the beauty found in Glacier. McDonald Peak stands at 9820 feet. This last week had some temperature drops and the tops of the range is now with snow.

Mission Mountains from the Ninepipes Resevoir 

 The Mission Valley lies within two ranges with the lush Mission Mountains rising on the East and a drier ranger to the West . Ninepipes is a 2062 acre refuge located on Tribal Trust lands of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The area is managed by Fish and wild life services under an agreement with the BIA.

Dried flower art with wetland background

End of summer ripeness

Seeds for the wind

 The Ninepipes area is expansive . It is a place to lose yourself and thus to find yourself . A nice side jaunt on the last day of Summer .

Change of seasons and a time for reflection

Happy in Montana: Another Little Feet Adventure in the Clouds

Spermophilus columbianus

We are not alone. All over the alpine meadow the little Columbian ground squirrels chirp back and forth to their friends. In the heavy mist you can hear them calling to each other .

Heaven's Peak

 On the way to Logan's Pass the clouds thicken and collect around Heaven's Peak. This is one of my favorite peaks as the rock strata has a swirl to it.

Hidden Lake Trailhead

 Trail head to Hidden Lake. Today with the clouds hanging low the lake is truly hidden.

Going to the Sun Road

 Last ascent to Logan's Pass. Above the Going to the Sun Road you can see the High Line trail clinging to the edge of the mountain. The mountains are beautiful but you have to watch your step as the trails are also hazardous. 3 lives lost this season in 2013, two to missteps one alledgedly from a spousal push. Always be mindful about where you put your little feet.

Last Curve before the Continental divide

 Final curve before Logan's Pass. A nice water fall greets us .

Going to the Sun Road below the High Line trail

 Across from the High Line Trail the clouds shroud the high mountains.

McDonald Lake looking East to the Continental divide

 Back down in the valley floor ,warm waters lap the shore of McDonald Lake . Late summer brings a golden moment before the snow flies.One more opportunity to soak in the vibes of the beautiful water spirit.

 Another satisfying Little Feet adventure. Truly we are happy in Montana.

Silent Monday: Cool and clear

End of summer heat and the creek is still cool and clear

Happy in Montana: summer days

the most coveted Marley

Summer days slowly winding down. Warm days and cool nights. Good swimming weather if you are a lucky dog. The North end of the lake is busy with boats and paddle boarders. Lots of families enjoying the nice warm waters. 

North End of Flathead Lake

 A sheltered cove where the Swan River enters the lake , the foothills are in the background behind Bigfork.

Foothills

 Back at home the babies are growing quickly but still have their spots.

one of the twin fawns

Twins  snacking

Mother deer

 Mother deer watching for threats to her twins. She is ever vigilant.

proud bucks

A couple of bucks munching their way through the forest. They still have their fuzzy antlers and I have to say each time I see them I tell them to be careful . Hunting season is just around the corner.

Happy in Montana:Thinking about water

Hungry Horse Resevoir courtesy of JohnHunterDesigns

I have a day off so I have time to wax philosophical. I was thinking about water. Without it we are history in about 3 miserable days . There have been wars over the control of water and probably will be in the future. Above is Hungry Horse Resevoir. How much water ? dunno , but a  lot. I could google it but the Dam below is 500 feet high. Now the funny story about this picture is my son and daughter in law were visiting so they walked across and took pictures. Unfortunately in this post 911 Era that is not allowed. If you were bad you could think of ways of playing havack with the Dam after going home and viewing the pics. Myself I am just dizzy looking at the picture. So any way I didn't see the sign saying " no cameras" until they were halfway across on foot and I was bringing up the rear with the car. My concern was to avoid fainting as I drove across. Those who know me well know my problem with vertigo. This was some aversion therapy. There is also a sign advising against sitting on the top of the wall. Why would anyone want to do that in the first place ?

Hungry Horse Dam courtesy of JohnHunterDesigns

So what is the big plan for water ? Do we just take it for granted until we have no more clean water. In America the Beautiful we have abundant clean water or have had historically. Now there are several cities ( mostly in TX and NM ) that have their city water supplies at risk. Much of the South West and Southern California exists on the good will of the Colorado River's generosity. Do we wait till we are in crisis or do we start in our own home and think of ways to conserve . Do we fix leaking pipes and water mains or we just wait till the sink hole forms and swallows a building ? Instead of expecting a large utility or city government to fix things why don't we look at home and be more locally responsible. It is nice to have large utilities but so much waste can be avoided. Additionally what are we putting into our water? Left over pharmaceuticals, herbicide runoff, giant agribusiness waste runoff and petrochemicals. How much can we push on our environment to absorb? At what point is the poisoning of the Earth irreversible? Small steps. Save water , use less chemicals , dispose of toxins properly at your central waste facility. Water is an incredible resource , vital for life , a gift. Please care for it wisely.

Happy in Montana : Destination Hidden Lake

Hidden Lake

This is a nice panoramic shot my son John took at Hidden Lake, obviously not so hidden if we found it. However you do cross the continental divide on the way up and are rewarded with a long range view. The blue of the waters below are particularly enticing. The trail down to the lake was closed due to bear activity. Another day perhaps .

For additional information on John's  wood artistry ,visit his web site!

Happy in Montana: Can't be serious all the time

My first October here we stopped at a convenience market for gas and a drink. On the door going in was advice that there would be no hunting in the store. Good times. Remember Hunting season is just around the corner.You never know when a good looking buck will be coming down the chip isle. Once again happy in Montana.