I have Karl to thank for the opportunity to see these clouds and the chance to get photos…
On the alert – a herd of deer ran through the woods and Karl was barking so I went out to see – otherwise would have missed this…. Happy Birthday to ME!
Usually there is some sadness here in Northwestern Montana as summer comes to an end – this year, though, we are all not only ready for it to be over but praying for that first heavy snow – at the very least some good rain and a hard frost! Between record heat, record fires and wasps/hornets/yellow jackets it has been a summer to remember although hardly with fondness.
On the good news front, the fire near Glacier (Skyland) and west of Whitefish (Brush Creek) have calmed a bit – or at least they seem to have a handle on the fronts nearest homes, ranches and structure. Seeley Lake (Jocko Lakes) allowed some evac’d residents home. Tomorrow will be pivotal as a cold front – a REAL cold front is due to whoosh through with wind at the start and possibly strong to severe thunderstorms following. The storms are supposed to be “wet” and next week’s forecast is for a fall-type scenario with much cooler temps and real RAIN.
The bad news and a bit ironic – I returned from Missoula on Monday 8/14. Yesterday at approximately 2:15 a fire (Black Cat) started just a few miles from Jim n Mary’s RV park and additionally closed route 93 for some time. Homeowner’s were evacuated with less than an hour’s notice. Scary stuff and that kind of thing is a possibilty throughout Montana and probably a lot of the west until we get significant moisture.
So – VERY glad to be home – but glad to have gone… the little trip broke the anxiety, even given the continued high fire danger. Local fire departments have been given funds to keep manpower and equipment staged and ready to quickly knock down any new starts. My own volunteer district is now “manned” (and PAID!) 24/7 with 2 of 7 engines out of the halls and at strategic points of the district.
Karl and Bob are glad to be home and back in their routine – off leash and in their own space. Always funny – the first night back they are both very snuggly – Karl, who on rare occasions will come on the bed ALWAYS joins Bob and I when we return home. My boys – they are excellent company at home or on the road….
Very smoky this weekend, but cooler. Might be a rough week but if the fire lines hold this week looks like next week should be colder and wetter.
So we ran away – out of the Flathead Valley to Missoula, 110 miles south. We are at Jim n Mary’s RV Park which is a usual first night stop for an rv trip. Good wi-fi, good walking for Karl, safe for Bob. My intent is to stay the week but the best laid plans – my trans service light came on during the drive here – funny as I had it looked at – …anyway, trans being kind of important for the driving part of rving I stopped at a shop this morning and they can hook the beast up to their computer at 7 a.m. sharp tomorrow morning and get the code for whatever the problem is. If something simple, will get fixed – if not will probably leave it and we will retreat back home in the Jeep. I am hoping for the simple…
In the meantime – enjoying Jim n Mary’s! See the little sign – it worked! – obviously a pet friendly place…
Wasps, yellow jackets – whatever, they are still around and not only more active the last several days, but I was stung AGAIN – and IN the house… one of them must have followed one of us inside and it was “sitting” on the cord for one of the blinds. Just before going to bed, I open the blinds in preparation for opening the windows when it cools outside. I put my hand right on the wasp – the cord is 3 feet long! and I picked the exact place the wasp was sitting. I got stung on the little finger of my right hand – first joint above the palm. In 24 hours my entire hand was swollen and looks like the paddle foot of some sci-fi water creature – itches like crazy and the skin on my pour little finger is so swollen that it split in a couple of places – OWWWW!
Desparate times call for desparate measures aka revenge is sweet! A woman in the health food store had related that she set out a bowl of beer and a lot of wasps drowned in it… aha – I had tried glasses of grenadine – syrupy sweet – no luck. So, today, set out 2 glasses of beer… YES!!!
4:30 it got “dark” – like dusk…sunset right now is 9:12 p.m. ….
