Posts from the ‘Montana’ category

Morning glory

I made an early morning run to town to catch a big sale at a favorite natural food store. It was such a gorgeous morning. This week I was out early on Monday and Tuesday for Bear’s surgery and now this morning. I turned to Bear, who was watching the scenery and told him that we needed to go out in the morning more often!

Out, as in down out of the trees to see the sky and the clouds and the light in the valley.

On a roll, I took a detour turn on the road to Somers. Bear and I do not walk the trail in Somers like Karl and I did. There are more people and dogs and they are developing things along the trail … just not the best for Bear and me.

But, the road is scenic and there is this barn that I love. It has been painted since I last was past…a perfect red.

Later, after returning home…

Morning glory.

North shore Flathead Lake

The North shore of Flathead Lake.

It was 40F and raining. What looks like shallow water is snow melt turned to ice over sand.

The entire area will be covered with water when they allow the lake to rise in the spring, but right now, the lake is about 100 yards out.

The sand has been snow covered, but 2 days and nights above freezing and a little rain took care of that.

But, we had a good walk.

Happy Bear!

Today is week 8 post-op – hard to believe! Due to scheduling conflicts we could not get an appointment for radiograph and checkup until next Thursday at week 9. We continue on leash which is just as well considering the ice and snow and walking conditions.

Inversion’s end

A weather disturbance is forecast for tonight. If all goes as forecast, it will end the inversion, scrub the valley air and the freezing fog will be gone.

Bear and I went to the wild fowl area to walk in the fog and sunshine before things change.

I like the road through the Ponderosa Pines.

To the right of the road, the trees and frost and fog…mysterious, close, beautiful.

At the end of the road, the lowered level of the lake – dry lake bed – if Bear could run he would have a grand time. Still…plenty to smell and explore and look at.

Returning to the Jeep, I took a last look and a deep breath of the cold, moist air.

And we headed for home.

As the inversion breaks, the sky at my house clouded up. But inside, sleeping boys – they are my sunshine.

Freezing fog along the road home

Enjoying freezing fog is a guilty pleasure of mine. It can make the roads slick with black ice. But I love a little of it – it has made for some of my favorite photos and whether it is with or without sun, there is something about the air when it is filled with freezing fog.

I left home this morning, with Bear in the Jeep, to run some quick errands in Bigfork and take the boy for a walk somewhere. The sky was blue, clear and sunny at my house.

As we descended through the treed section, I caught glimpses of fog over the valley.

Freezing fog.

The fog was low, the sun was high and above the fog, the sky was icy blue.

Sunshine at the right angle flashed thousands of miniature rainbows in the tiny prisms of fog and snow crystals. I had no success catching them with the camera and they seemed almost surreal in peripheral vision, disappearing as I turned my head to find them.

Headed home, the fog thinned as the road ascended from the valley floor.

At home…

…it was still sunny and bright. Bob, Bear, the herbs (the parsley is in the other window enjoying its own sunny spot!) and I enjoyed.

Big Sky

Bear and I returned to the wildfowl regeneration area early this afternoon. It is the perfect walking spot right now as it is level, the footing is good for both of us and there are lots of good smells to interest Bear. We are now walking on a short leash. Bear and I are both pretty happy about that and we continue with increasing walk distances as healing progresses. All continues good.

Thursday’s sun gave way to a full valley inversion yesterday with snow squalls in the afternoon and freezing fog overnight. I held off leaving for town this morning until things had warmed a bit.

Turning on to the lane – this lane is partially a rancher’s “driveway” as well as access to the public area – the sky seemed so dramatic and…no other words for it: Big Sky

Sunshine on a Winter’s Day

There is a sliver of lake visible – to the south – from the parking area of a walk spot that is part of a wildfowl regeneration area. (That is the official name, but it is also open for public hunting…)

The orange band is sun shining through a break in the inversion layer of stratus covering about half of the Flathead Valley.

Looking to the north – northeast, the edge of the inversion opens up to blue sky.

Sunshine to the east…

Sunshine on the on the road home.

Sunshine in my yard…on a Winter’s Day.