This elk herd is grazing on a ranch south of Jackson. I counted about 50 head or so. The bulls were about 200 yards further away than the cows and calves.
The haze in the air is caused by forest fire burning in Nevada and Idaho. The Pintler Wilderness encompasses the mountains in the distance.
Papa T’s is part of an evolution I see in America. Most bars are transforming into an atmosphere similar to the British pubs. Food prepared to the liking of the locals, and portions to please the Montana appetite.
Where else can I play the original asteroid game for a quarter? The games don’t appear to be restored, just well kept.
I am starting preparation for the Kauai Marathon in September. I walked a few miles this morning. Two of these pictures are just north of Helena watching the sunrise. The others are not the stable where any blessed event is happening, just Pizza Hut where the dough is rising for daily consumption.
My Honda is an ’81. Even though it has been garaged since new the mufflers were rusted through. I mentioned that I was hesitant about tackling the replacement. Without hesitation my brother-in-law said “Bring it over, I’ll take care of it.” . Dave was a machinist in a former life, meaning his margins are measured in thousandths.
He quickly sized it up and finished the job.
Fixed my motorcycle, put up with my sister all these years, can he possibly get any better. “I’ll buy dinner.” he says. Somebody pinch me.
On Highway 93 between Missoula and Polson. Yes, it is July 31. Yes, that is snowcaps on the mountains. Yes, it is 90 degrees where I am standing. Highway 93 is much improved from the last time I drove it. In the past it was common to get behind a caravan of motorhomes on their way to Glacier Park. Now there are several passing lanes and four lane a good part of the way.
$1 Tacos every Tuesday at the Angus
She put the sign under the exit sign. Get away from me with that camera.
I didn’t get her name, but she called me a few names for getting her picture in those overalls. It is a local meeting place and with low cost food, can it get any better.
Heading north on I-15 take the Spring Creek Exit to the recreation road. The sign at the exit says no return to I-15 north. Silly sign, the on ramp is at Wolf Creek a few miles up the road. These pictures are of Prickly Pear Creek, less than a mile up the road. In the photo that looks like two streams, the left one is a beaver pond. I spied the local construction team with this years young a few times while I was here.
The long grass shot is about 50 yards upstream from the pond.
We cruised the north side of Canyon Ferry lake to the Norwegian Wood Golf Course. The setting is part golf course, part retro railroad depot, part ranch. They raise Highlander beef cattle on site. I was told there will soon be pork on the menu, much to the chagrin of the pink skinned critter I saw wandering around the corral.
Be very hungry if you order the Avalanche burger with potato salad and chili. The chili on this burger made me feel guilty. It is simply too good to be ordered as a topping on an entree.
The red solo cups you see in the photo are not standard fare. They have a significant wine and specialty brew selection. As we were all cruising cars that cost more than our first house, on a very sunny day, water and lemonade hit the spot thank you very much.
Reservations requested for four or more in your party.
I have often wondered about my passion for traveling. I have often lived 50 or more miles from work or school. Driven, walked, bicycled and ridden buses great distances daily. In June I traveled by train and Greyhound bus from Montana to South Carolina, stayed over night, and drove my sisters car back to Montana. I have enjoyed every moment. Where does this come from? Is it an affliction? Is it hereditary? Above is the day my eldest son returned from Afghanistan. now he lives in Hawaii. Second are my nieces sons. They traveled from Arizona to take a boat ride at The Gates of The Mountains about 20 miles north of Helena.
My cousin Matt may have answered the question of this passion for travel today. The State of Utah is celebrating Pioneer Day today. A relative was one of the pioneers with Brigham Young as he crossed America looking for the promised land. Actually my ancestor was not with the group the entire trip. It appears he had my penchant for excess travel as you will read in this excerpt of the message I received today.
I don’t understand DNA, but Grampa Woolsey put something in my blood.
In Montana not many of the homes have central air conditioning. Rarely would anyone need it. It has been especially hot the last few weeks so improvisation is the key to remaining cool. My house has a crawl space with a little door in a room we have always called the office. I don’t know why we call it the office. It has never had a desk, or even an office chair, that I can remember. Most of the time it is just a passage to put decorations in or out of the crawl space as the holidays change through the year.
The crawl space is a good source of cool air. I have a small fan I sometimes leave propping the little door open which cools the lower level of the house quite nicely. The other levels reap some benefit from this as well.
My friend Carl travels for work sometimes, which is common in the construction trades. He has been sleeping in Scott’s room. I still call it Scott’s room even though my son now lives in Kauai. Carl settled in, hit the rack.
As I was about to dose off I heard Carl making a clunk clunk noise. I thought he was restless, not being in his own bed. A few minutes went by and I had heard the noise several times. Clunk clunk clunk. Sometimes twice, sometimes three or maybe just once. Nothing steady to it, I may have gone to sleep if it was rhythmic. I turned a few times and tried to divert my attention. Sometimes at night I listen to some Chinese traditional music to relax. That did the trick. Then at three thirty six, clunk, softly, just barely audible. What is Carl doing down there?
In the morning I heard Carl leave for work. I soon got up and took my shower. As I was getting dressed I heard clunk clunk. I descended the stairs and found this fitness jump rope swinging lightly in the breeze on the office door.
I apologized to Carl about the rope clunking all night. “No” he said, ” Never heard a thing. What are you talking about?”
Nevermore, clunk clunk, nevermore.
Montana Big Sky Country 
