Back to Montana

Often the travel back and forth between Oregon and Montana means a train trip for me. Trains are nice for sure, but they can't beat traveling with people you know. This Christmas my brother and his friend drove me back to Montana. Sweet! On the way up we stopped at Cabelas in Idaho and the frozen Yaak Falls. Teaching began for me on Monday, but my guests found plenty to do. They called for wolves, hiked up hillsides, explored the old haul road, visited a world-class taxidermy shop, and toured the dam.
Picture ~ Cabelas and the MT/ID border


The Yaak River Falls are a gradual stairstep of the river hung with 2-foot icicles and trimmed with ice and snow. The middle is running clear, but the edges remain cold and frozen on top. I haven't explored that are much yet, but I'm beginning to.
Picture~Te-bowing at the falls



The guys got special treatment at the dam. A personal 2-hour tour and and all the info they could learn. Susan, the tour guide, is great up there! She gave my class a tour and did a great job. The staff seem to enjoy their jobs. Their interest and cheerfulness make visiting the dam an even better experience!
Picture~Libby Dam



Bryce, Marshall, and I went up there a couple of days before their tour on a clear, cold, beautiful Sunday afternoon after church. It's been dry and cold here which is great! That afternoon was one of the most beautiful so far. Maybe it helped them feel intrigued enough to go back for a tour.
Picture ~ Marshall and I

Aunt Milli's house of my childhood always reminds me of hot cocoa in a rich -feeling maroon mug, sliding up onto the smooth dining room chairs for yummy lunches, playing in the sandbox and dodging slugs on the hike down to Wiley Creek. Last month she and my uncle came to MY house! My aunt and uncle's company was a delight. We saw the Yaak Falls, visited downtown Libby, and they ventured out on their own to see Kootenai Falls.

The picture was taken at the Yaak River Falls. My uncle saw it and pulled over to look. I'm so glad he did!





Company is coming! One of the best characteristics of my life here in Libby is that visitors come. I can't help but say here, that God provided in such a perfect way in the home He opened the door to. It's old, quaint, and large enough to be inviting to visitors.

This picture was taken at Mountain Meadows ~ fabulous antique, coffee, and gift shop.

Fall in the Flathead

Yes, I'm a member of the I-Love-Fall club. How could I not be? Fall is crisp. gorgeous, still flowery, and complete with the autumn colors and smells.


Last month, in an effort to enjoy the fall colors, Lesli and I hiked up to a place called Strawberry Lake in the Jewel Basin.

The trail was steep with switchbacks most of the way. The weather which had begun as cloudy and rainy (I know, I was locked out of my car in it for an hour or so) turned sunny and clear. The air smelled of fall and each leaf held it's own beauty.

Today I drove up to the Yaak settlement. Fall has progressed far enough to where the maple leaves are down up there. It's the bright yellow candlestick-like larch trees which bear the torch of fall colors. The hills are covered with them.

Creeks and Pronghorn

Visiting Elk Lake Resort is a pretty experience. Hiking reveals panoramic vistas. Boating provides a tranquil yet majestic view of the Centennials. The drive out is even pretty. It's an opportunity to see animals, mountains, and everything in between. These pictures were from two different drives out.





Pronghorn are plentiful. In fact, on my way out for the last time, we saw a large herd on road. Once on a hike with Rosie, I saw a lone pronghorn about 50 yards away. I'd never experienced the curiosity of a pronghorn before. It acted similarly to our llama--curious yet wary. The little thing kept taking steps toward Rosie and I. It did eventually get spooked, but it was fun while it lasted.

Morning Walk

Yesterday morning, Labor Day, I took advantage of the free morning hours and took a walk behind my house. There's a great view of the mountains plus a motocross track! Libby Creek is off to the right, and the sun streamed upon it so golden and pretty.

The large mountain in the middle is Treasure. Dome is peaking out from the righ of the picture. It's the round-topped granite one. My kiddos learned to identify that one Friday.

Bramlet Lakes...6,000 Feet Up!

Yesterday I saw two more of the lakes scattered about in the Cabinets. Upper and Lower Bramlet can be reached by a short and sweet hike from a goat trail of a road (which, by the way, my little Honda navigated just fine!). Ann and I hiked to Lower Bramlet, had lunch, then decided to 'bushwack' to Upper. That proved very fun. We climbed a waterfall, saw an huge version of a hamster laying on a rocky ledge, 'discovered' a magnificent waterfall over layered rocks, and gained elevation very quickly.






Upper Bramlet sits right underneath the rocky point known as Carney Peak. The lake is small and emerald green. It's banks are formed of huge rocks, some of which are partially submerged in the turquoise water. Little pollywog's dart about between them. Fish surfaced here and there while close to shore, little stonefly larvae scoot about on the lake floor. Plus...I was, in spirit, doing handsprings and backflips of delight over being on ground that was over 6,000 feet.

It's a place I hope to visit again before the snow flies through the air and piles into high, impassable drifts.

The Creek

Just beyond my little house is a creek called Libby Creek. It's beautiful in the winter under it's icy shell. Right now, however, it's beauty is of another kind. It's clear, cool, rippling, and sparkly. I rolled up my jeans and waded in yesterday, and this was my view.