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.

This Garden of Mine...

I love gardens. I'm not really exagerating when I say that either. They are relaxing things of effort and reward. Here are some pics of mine. Now note, I didn't grow these. A lady worked in it all summer while I was gone! I came back to it waiting to be harvested! Green beans, egg plant, and tomatoes all ready to be eaten!

Back in Northern Montana

This morning I walked into my kitchen and saw a truly beautiful sight. My dish drainer was a sparkling jewelcase as the morning sun enlived every piece of new, pawn shop glassware I bought and washed yesterday! Life has great details sometimes.
















I drove in to Libby holding my eyelids open so I could see the road. It was good to step into my little house, smell it's old house smell, and see my unbelievable garden (yes, some grew a garden here while I was gone!). It was good to see my Libby friends again at church the next morning. They took me huckleberry picking too! Now, you must understand the joy this gave me. I've grown up putting up hundreds of pounds of fruit each year and, believe it or not, I felt a huge gap all summer not being able to do that. Well, I got 6 cups of huckleberries and I was probably on the edge of gleefull over it.

Two Days and Lots of Montana!

This last week has been rather unusual in that we haven't fixed food or cleaned cabins. The time somehow became used up anyway! Wednesday and Thursday we took off from the lodge with several things on our schedule: Virginia City, Nevada City, Sheridan, Twin Bridges and a hike up into the Madisons.


I'd never gone through the old buildings in Nevada City. That's a cool place! It still has a very uncomercialized feel to it, and that makes it all the more fun. Nathaniel found an old car to 'drive'. In V City we visited a museum, stopped at several stores, the old church (FYI, in which resides a baby grand piano), and totally enjoyed the whole boardwalk/old west feel. Main street is the only one that is paved. Wait, Sheridan's streets are mostly gravel too...moving on.



We drove to Twin Bridges and visited the museum there. The ladies were super nice and helpful. We especially enjoyed reading about the round barn (which we drove out to see). I read about the Beaverhead Rock while Lerrina educated herself on the round barn. Apparently Lewis and Clark left an inscription on it which was blown to bits to help a water problem. Gotta love those priorities!





We drove out to see both the barn and the rock.









Sheep Creek Trail in the Madison Moutain Range turned out to be a great hike on the second day! It was beeeeauuuuutiful! That hike would be worth doing again! I lost my sunglasses...that's three this summer...and gained 2 cups of Montana's treasure-huckleberries. What a treat!




The wildflowers were totally unbelievable! I saw deep pink Indian Paintbrush, which I've never seen before. We were following Sheep Creek most of the way and that was beautiful too.