When I have errands in Bigfork, Karl and I usually take a walk in the state park that sits between the village of Bigfork, Bigfork Bay and Flathead Lake. There are several trail loops of different distance, but our favorite is a combination of 2 that take us from near the park entrance, up and over a hill and then down to the lake. We putz around the lake front and then loop on the road back up the hill, around the far border of the park and finally back to our starting point.

Today was the second time we walked in the park since returning to Montana. I was thrilled to find these little purple-magenta wild flowers – they are a favorite of mine. I think they are called “common blue-eyed grass” and they are like a mini-iris. I love iris which may explain my love of these beauties. Now, if someone sees these photos and says to themselves, “Oh for Pete’s sake, those are ….whatever” – feel free to leave a comment with the correct name… ***Reader Montucky from Montana Outdoors supplied the correct name: Shooting Star, from the Primrose family (Dodecatheon pauciflorum). Thanks Montucky!

The sun was out, but there were also clouds throwing shadows on parts of the lake. The lake has been “drained” a bit…it always amazes me how much water they must let out to drop the level of this large lake this amount – see the sand and the islands? – the sand bars will be covered with water leaving the trees on small islands as soon as the mountain snow melts and the lake fills to its normal level. There is concern about flooding this year as the snow pack is so heavy and spring has been cool. A sudden warmup will melt the huge snow pack quickly sending more water than the rivers and lake can handle. Flathead Lake is the largest fresh water lake west of the Mississippi – larger than Lake Tahoe – that is a LOT of water.

As we finish the loop walk, Karl is getting a bit warm. We’ve been in the sun for about 1/2 of the last loop. Even at 50 degrees – full sun on a black dog…he gets hot and the tongue comes out. There is water in the Jeep and we make for that.

A nice walk in the park by Flathead Lake on a beautiful day…