tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88421171977845469752024-02-06T20:07:22.406-08:00Montana LifeJudy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-68670463284677325902016-03-28T06:03:00.003-07:002016-03-28T06:03:53.794-07:00Easter Hike<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Easter Sunday was sunny and mild, a prelude to the 'yucky' weather forecast for this week. After breakfast, I decided a hike was in order and leashed up Amani to see how she would do on the trail with the prospect of meeting up with bicycles and other dogs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Spring has definitely sprung here, if only in a small way. Trees are starting to leave out slowly and some of the first wildflowers are up and blooming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One definite advantage of where we are living is we are near to the dozens of trails Helena offers in the nearby 'hills'. I started out on what is the 'Waterline Trail'. I was introduced to this last week by KE and decided it would be a good trail to revisit as we only did a portion of the trail.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had it to myself for most of my hike, only passing one guy on a bicycle and then at the end meeting up with a couple and their two dogs. I have to say Amani did well. She wasn't bothered by the bicycle or the dogs (they were my main concern).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had let her off her leash as she only would go about 10-20 feet away and then stop and wait for me. I think she will be going on the next Helena Hikers hike to see how she does.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But at one point the trail forked. I could go down and follow the road back to town or I could go up. I choose UP! Shocking, I know, but I figured I could use the challenge of going uphill and I wanted to see where it would lead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A few switchbacks and hills later and I came to an open area on "top" and Helena was splayed out below - so near, yet so far.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The rest of the hike was downhill, so to speak and we ended up close to where we started. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another sign spring is here...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My first robin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now I am jazzed about exploring all the trails Helena has to offer basically outside my door. And Amani can come too.</span></div>
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Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-22050265801874923332016-02-21T07:12:00.001-08:002016-02-21T07:12:46.482-08:00First 2016 Hike - Spokane Hills South Trail<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One thing I am loving about Montana is you don't have to go far to find a great hike. In this case, just a few minutes up the road. And my first hike in 2016! And the 200th hike for the Helena Hikers!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Between moving and broken wrist and cold weather, I have just been a slacker the past year. So I was glad when our leader, Don, posted this hike. It was an "E" hike (easy and even), versus an "S" hike (steep and strenuous). A great hike to get my feet wet, so to speak.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYxUbFdz4JnFHHGLzFp433FyZ1BSxujs89X-3lSEWH-YLInoQEK_u5X-J1u123SjGJUEHyEVJaQdxK2i8DVHVe3WEHOa2Df5EtVuSf1OsxsHSpu3lM76Q16bP06iCifJeVaAx1PNeOw/s1600/spokanehills11.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYxUbFdz4JnFHHGLzFp433FyZ1BSxujs89X-3lSEWH-YLInoQEK_u5X-J1u123SjGJUEHyEVJaQdxK2i8DVHVe3WEHOa2Df5EtVuSf1OsxsHSpu3lM76Q16bP06iCifJeVaAx1PNeOw/s640/spokanehills11.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The parking area is next to this farm. Very pretty and the view was a great inspiring start to the hike. However, while the temperatures we knew were going to be <strike>cool</strike> cold, the wind was blowing about 30-40 miles an hour (or stronger). But the sun was out and when we could get away from the wind, it was great.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgvYx8udvVmB0I7GIJOCbK8guSfeF3dpo1Kb6YUTsh8xowOfng8o9x_DPfvN-I3l3zJ5wMPlm3FUSIMCLGMkRFEuq7Yku8Uhdwe4pzUWxx9zEXvVUhXleIl-qD7Z44CyJDugKkeaZ5g/s1600/spokanehills9.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgvYx8udvVmB0I7GIJOCbK8guSfeF3dpo1Kb6YUTsh8xowOfng8o9x_DPfvN-I3l3zJ5wMPlm3FUSIMCLGMkRFEuq7Yku8Uhdwe4pzUWxx9zEXvVUhXleIl-qD7Z44CyJDugKkeaZ5g/s640/spokanehills9.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With view like this, what's not to like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbRuRKxK6_j4cWdsU8P-bCeQ4EGu_cOHO4s7c30ErmCUaV1IbiprjK2KpFaV6CXwLdasXcT6cNu3nm2OZ4cZ8LbtPeHzJ_QQerhk7OVYgTtSabNrE5cQ9NGhVwQ4LJMsvKt1RURJ7Cw/s1600/spokanehills8.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbRuRKxK6_j4cWdsU8P-bCeQ4EGu_cOHO4s7c30ErmCUaV1IbiprjK2KpFaV6CXwLdasXcT6cNu3nm2OZ4cZ8LbtPeHzJ_QQerhk7OVYgTtSabNrE5cQ9NGhVwQ4LJMsvKt1RURJ7Cw/s640/spokanehills8.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As we walked on around, views of the Missouri River appeared.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxbqa8qi5K_DMdlsqBV81LYc-omw54Lks4IyhD1ybwn2x7bRL-cBtOjaB4fC6AMIxT9ZO57nRI74OWFEQC9f1hODz6V4056dD92QNHKSpFelRR1Uo0HgGCxINGOyV9wky0imtIW09mA/s1600/spokanehills7.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxbqa8qi5K_DMdlsqBV81LYc-omw54Lks4IyhD1ybwn2x7bRL-cBtOjaB4fC6AMIxT9ZO57nRI74OWFEQC9f1hODz6V4056dD92QNHKSpFelRR1Uo0HgGCxINGOyV9wky0imtIW09mA/s640/spokanehills7.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, this area was hit with a forest fire a few years ago and there is still evidence of the damage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm0ADnjcRUSVIHvnWSJQL_A6xk9IakgGXXXT2icrEwP8aRe9neZB9oH7buDWf228QEOlGVp47sJjn_mN4WEU4T_kkl0IyJ2IXrndQkKRiq41goumC_kfUYr9_azdFhTy-PFtkXkxCCQ/s1600/spokanehills6.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm0ADnjcRUSVIHvnWSJQL_A6xk9IakgGXXXT2icrEwP8aRe9neZB9oH7buDWf228QEOlGVp47sJjn_mN4WEU4T_kkl0IyJ2IXrndQkKRiq41goumC_kfUYr9_azdFhTy-PFtkXkxCCQ/s640/spokanehills6.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFGf5w67bW26QEZTC6V3hWa0u9efdTaubDdVCQpxZTL_-NT_wRKLx0TfKsaqPG_P9X6dyZ2ATUYupP4LQPV6V0fY_4W2fM3Vi-A6vvlVQYb3mTEQgjYfC9KbqPRI4k95iDYXvPhUVsA/s1600/spokanehills5.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFGf5w67bW26QEZTC6V3hWa0u9efdTaubDdVCQpxZTL_-NT_wRKLx0TfKsaqPG_P9X6dyZ2ATUYupP4LQPV6V0fY_4W2fM3Vi-A6vvlVQYb3mTEQgjYfC9KbqPRI4k95iDYXvPhUVsA/s640/spokanehills5.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvStZS0FQydQUDzTn1z7EsTvcvS9n-vjGMxZtEWvJn-dXan5isW3T7DQEL0V_F1CVs_5WA0OH59RfsDpUZ8ATzgg8Ol6yFR-1Dr1vrwSdQRCsLfrOAPFwht0zHahJApFK9Z1Qr7MGqFg/s1600/spokanehills4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvStZS0FQydQUDzTn1z7EsTvcvS9n-vjGMxZtEWvJn-dXan5isW3T7DQEL0V_F1CVs_5WA0OH59RfsDpUZ8ATzgg8Ol6yFR-1Dr1vrwSdQRCsLfrOAPFwht0zHahJApFK9Z1Qr7MGqFg/s640/spokanehills4.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As we reached the point where we were going to turn around and come back, we met up with some other hikers who were cutting across country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HbODJ8tp8dr3ix_9D54520lh513WqRFq1sLQN3qsjFcfErWU3UPe1ytVApRhH4Po71h8mvmvCr0FmZDt8NLJ02tnAo53aAH4dbjUsxUC34nFP1ULdl8lkj0bu8qVBnT-RsrFSxWtrg/s1600/spokanehills3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HbODJ8tp8dr3ix_9D54520lh513WqRFq1sLQN3qsjFcfErWU3UPe1ytVApRhH4Po71h8mvmvCr0FmZDt8NLJ02tnAo53aAH4dbjUsxUC34nFP1ULdl8lkj0bu8qVBnT-RsrFSxWtrg/s640/spokanehills3.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They weren't too friendly, but they could cover some ground quickly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Views like this make the huffing and puffing and cold worthwhile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We turned around and headed back, especially since we could see these clouds moving in and a flake or two falling. A couple of the guys went on for another mile or so, but the rest of us turned back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I really enjoyed this hike and is somewhere I will probably bring Lady K for a bit of a hike. Probably not as far as we went, but somewhere there is a level road, few hills and little difficulty. And maybe one of the dogs too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Great hike, great day!</span></div>
Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-24035488998324011902016-02-16T05:14:00.000-08:002016-02-16T05:14:02.461-08:00Roar!!!<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Montana was a hotbed of dinosaur activity at one time it seems. So when Lady K hit the 'dinosaur' phase, it seemed like a no-brainer to go to the <a href="https://www.museumoftherockies.org/" target="_blank">Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman</a>. Monday (President's Day), Texter was off from school and I was off work, so we loaded up with Lady K and her "Sara-tops", along with a friend who offered to drive, and off we went.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLLfv7khF_qB0uVD76nbwkrNJjB8d2gRGqVFZ7m30OFyGo1hEkLBaqCEbfU3OPbOvXO4OWD5wCQW5EWWm8waqEBaUXYAUHRVcff9JcjYrXe4ZSOYEiitMZIYqSUip_UXjCz3ODvtUwg/s1600/mor15.jpg" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLLfv7khF_qB0uVD76nbwkrNJjB8d2gRGqVFZ7m30OFyGo1hEkLBaqCEbfU3OPbOvXO4OWD5wCQW5EWWm8waqEBaUXYAUHRVcff9JcjYrXe4ZSOYEiitMZIYqSUip_UXjCz3ODvtUwg/s640/mor15.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLLfv7khF_qB0uVD76nbwkrNJjB8d2gRGqVFZ7m30OFyGo1hEkLBaqCEbfU3OPbOvXO4OWD5wCQW5EWWm8waqEBaUXYAUHRVcff9JcjYrXe4ZSOYEiitMZIYqSUip_UXjCz3ODvtUwg/s1600/mor15.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oSjss7dzozNen14TQ9qYAmu3JcG9SL37MrSTJTr2_qmGqIzL8v_XVO1q9H9xLXhH3W7Lzc0Ll2F452ktKrzqkEXX5oaDIaE9FBytlZPY7w7YALt5bq06jKAaGkKP-czP_BLnPG6Qaw/s1600/mor14.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oSjss7dzozNen14TQ9qYAmu3JcG9SL37MrSTJTr2_qmGqIzL8v_XVO1q9H9xLXhH3W7Lzc0Ll2F452ktKrzqkEXX5oaDIaE9FBytlZPY7w7YALt5bq06jKAaGkKP-czP_BLnPG6Qaw/s640/mor14.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Big Mike" greeted us upon arrival, much to Lady K's amazement. Then the fun started.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdilyc5UPCxxkrJZd6mWSZfckqLN_zBiBxzmmkL9-ikqwx4xa9YWN_eI4MPYIW7c17KVUodcfrnQn5edOFErNUivHS8EYdKLTiMSIxp6yvA66izOqrbxrOTPxLLdbk0BpacwF9DT9dQQ/s1600/mor5.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdilyc5UPCxxkrJZd6mWSZfckqLN_zBiBxzmmkL9-ikqwx4xa9YWN_eI4MPYIW7c17KVUodcfrnQn5edOFErNUivHS8EYdKLTiMSIxp6yvA66izOqrbxrOTPxLLdbk0BpacwF9DT9dQQ/s640/mor5.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There were several of her favorite "sara-tops".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lots of big teeth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhXhF8EwB_jujgUVgLZBJJq1gEZnTzPqkcvS70QkairYbh8sdfZWV6SLzHnGFW70Hgi7FhaSkDnSaSRniconnQS3PtBaPovBoAZd276q7nNcc9Sia0prn-Psi23elUzXVFroVpgTspQ/s1600/mor7.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhXhF8EwB_jujgUVgLZBJJq1gEZnTzPqkcvS70QkairYbh8sdfZWV6SLzHnGFW70Hgi7FhaSkDnSaSRniconnQS3PtBaPovBoAZd276q7nNcc9Sia0prn-Psi23elUzXVFroVpgTspQ/s640/mor7.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">More big dinosaurs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYo47ce7n6NXKYUe7pn12jcgrE2g6Mus9MI0ViRcNQAAw87mYcd35Xq0jtB5aVYpI2arUbBauexI6fwxcFW50AetpZgxAtgfwJEF_YNI5DNKmNStRxT06pnja6v-4_CiYcfBEnIv2Zcw/s1600/mor11.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYo47ce7n6NXKYUe7pn12jcgrE2g6Mus9MI0ViRcNQAAw87mYcd35Xq0jtB5aVYpI2arUbBauexI6fwxcFW50AetpZgxAtgfwJEF_YNI5DNKmNStRxT06pnja6v-4_CiYcfBEnIv2Zcw/s640/mor11.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was the only one she was scared of, strangely enough. But Mommy was there to protect her from the 'shark'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dinosaurs overhead too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSBtr_dy80J3Zx6D9jsKUZaG1vDVfwMe3h2E4M32NVLvfQe9xClX9Z68mLdbBoQreyYaiuLj1m3SyGSfpDj6jRpGqnXVy6DoiktuVVKLQ1wAQRoexCPoQn5MSnJJkMuzYomAtBXJkAw/s1600/mor13.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSBtr_dy80J3Zx6D9jsKUZaG1vDVfwMe3h2E4M32NVLvfQe9xClX9Z68mLdbBoQreyYaiuLj1m3SyGSfpDj6jRpGqnXVy6DoiktuVVKLQ1wAQRoexCPoQn5MSnJJkMuzYomAtBXJkAw/s640/mor13.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Personally, I think Texter was enjoying it more than Lady K. Of course, her new glasses might have helped.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggp1yEcZrK7zl1nPvfMjHpn9nJ88mtkVr8rfF9Vj5s45rrqxBLmpT9Ax2ZNxmKyhYsY79wn8dwyPlhE6GVwpNBlV6ewj663jbKwop8gQXjnI9Qzd-lJ_CUiQIY_YWyZdVHXtwaZAU_Mg/s1600/mor9.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggp1yEcZrK7zl1nPvfMjHpn9nJ88mtkVr8rfF9Vj5s45rrqxBLmpT9Ax2ZNxmKyhYsY79wn8dwyPlhE6GVwpNBlV6ewj663jbKwop8gQXjnI9Qzd-lJ_CUiQIY_YWyZdVHXtwaZAU_Mg/s640/mor9.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dino-eggs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQQskUbqhO3WKIx7hHwBGAo_VLytdsr3LhhB7TRfj4biL15KxZloqFCh18I7enxvLhciEAaxw_MYj9rX1a76qaXeQImYRiKFH5RnNttkVSnqSNC2Huwx_OTVYzZhcHXpdzODNlilCTQ/s1600/mor10.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQQskUbqhO3WKIx7hHwBGAo_VLytdsr3LhhB7TRfj4biL15KxZloqFCh18I7enxvLhciEAaxw_MYj9rX1a76qaXeQImYRiKFH5RnNttkVSnqSNC2Huwx_OTVYzZhcHXpdzODNlilCTQ/s640/mor10.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Little dinosaurs too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJQKKJWGh9zHA11Cy7Mz0vdkorBrUDaFYZy28W43wWVZ7Ax6C3X_OBKDDzjyPhgEmdvake4z9K8Ci6T4upG0gzutLo085xx7toPFB5aCRZ2AYl-Aum7Kgudr1gDemDNLcmQU-9joYFA/s1600/mor4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJQKKJWGh9zHA11Cy7Mz0vdkorBrUDaFYZy28W43wWVZ7Ax6C3X_OBKDDzjyPhgEmdvake4z9K8Ci6T4upG0gzutLo085xx7toPFB5aCRZ2AYl-Aum7Kgudr1gDemDNLcmQU-9joYFA/s640/mor4.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A stop at the planetarium, of which Lady K lasted until about the final two minutes and then Mommy had to take her out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The museum was between exhibits, so we really only took in the dinosaurs - which was about the limit on Lady K's patience. A trip to the museum store yielded "stompers" and a dinosaur passport.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzlhm6SJbNbTZDmITsvZbSfU253HdD42xlRDvNqZcaYUtfeWVsHPzi4loJnHwtFtj1P1mozAyBh4FyBdCT_is2qrKck45Du_iUZg1QSmBZd2ATXT9CTC-V2Fx4e7R5uG9pQv-IucWjw/s1600/mor3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzlhm6SJbNbTZDmITsvZbSfU253HdD42xlRDvNqZcaYUtfeWVsHPzi4loJnHwtFtj1P1mozAyBh4FyBdCT_is2qrKck45Du_iUZg1QSmBZd2ATXT9CTC-V2Fx4e7R5uG9pQv-IucWjw/s640/mor3.jpg" width="272" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The passport, which is similar to the one for the national parks, means more day trips around Montana this summer to see more dinosaurs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AZTyCLXDkeE57PKbuQx1URRYggYM_M3g0clyfikrfKyteu0AL6AfsA5W15kn-liWhu7SWJ6aSkZHQfbjLfhwarZCIzqrfFpiRLSIlMGSKQLm6ttgNWf9UmwhpVcgf_LDKF3ajyuwYA/s1600/mor2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AZTyCLXDkeE57PKbuQx1URRYggYM_M3g0clyfikrfKyteu0AL6AfsA5W15kn-liWhu7SWJ6aSkZHQfbjLfhwarZCIzqrfFpiRLSIlMGSKQLm6ttgNWf9UmwhpVcgf_LDKF3ajyuwYA/s640/mor2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the meantime, we can "stomp, stomp, stomp" around the house. And wear them to bed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After the museum, we decided to explore some of Bozeman's shopping experience (of which there is really none in Helena) and found the mall for some retail therapy. One thing I like about Bozeman, which I have noticed in several cities and towns around Montana, is they utilize the electrical boxes in a very artistic manner. Why have plain, green, ugly boxes, when you can have them look like this...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This one is more realistic, some have abstracts on them. But isn't this much more fun?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bozeman is a relatively quick trip (about 1.5 hours away with a stop at Wheat Montana for a ham and cheese croissant). Now I know where the Olive Garden is located and the mall, there will be more trips there. And probably the museum again in the summer when their Living History outdoor section is open.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the meantime, we will "stomp, stomp, stomp" and roar!</span></div>
Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-64864793258658544352015-10-05T06:32:00.002-07:002015-10-05T06:32:57.001-07:00Tizer Botanical Gardens Apple Day<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love <a href="http://www.tizergardens.com/" target="_blank">Tizer Botanic Gardens</a>. I mean love as in I would move into the cabin for awhile. I have assisted in getting the grounds ready for the opening in late spring now for a couple of years. I had planned on trying to get Savvy out there for High Tea this summer, but between her work and buying the house and moving, it didn't work out. Texter, Lady K and I managed a couple of events during the summer, but no Savvy. So when I saw they were having an "Apple Day" I knew we had to go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2f3DOsMlPQ5NEsYCf4Ndr4wJaczWt6wmQw-JF0gA-8NjbByKpJX3UeeGuzeqf_7kPylqJVqfhvZHUQlf_XxYAaaSu9nn7XE3ygPUoE_aWqguG-TjfjhTCF4ymRlinpg_VY2jyHQWOkw/s400/everything-apple4.jpg" width="258" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, as the week came closer and closer to Sunday, it looked like it was going to not only be cold, but rainy, and maybe a bit snowy. I had resigned myself to not going. We couldn't risk any of us coming down with colds. But Sunday dawned dry, but cold. Texter and I decided to go and rousted Savvy out of her warm bed.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkU8R6bGVD-qAqUCsMIy3qiyx9pwPfY7f2JJgWVTv-dMIUJMVQkNVCMVTzGWtJw2AvxlxnWQwzuG6Kgoa1FwM9wH6IAFBG3OSwKuxRj19_sVBmS6GBykTRfPauWazg7EATSdf9Te1lg/s1600/appleday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkU8R6bGVD-qAqUCsMIy3qiyx9pwPfY7f2JJgWVTv-dMIUJMVQkNVCMVTzGWtJw2AvxlxnWQwzuG6Kgoa1FwM9wH6IAFBG3OSwKuxRj19_sVBmS6GBykTRfPauWazg7EATSdf9Te1lg/s640/appleday1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If a successful day is measured by the great food purchased, then we had an overwhelming success. While Lady K ran rampant (only 2 screaming fits because we wanted her to go where she didn't want to go), the rest of us ate. Savvy quickly snatched up a pottery bowl filled with apple dumplings and found a fork. We warmed up a bit by the fire they had going to knock the chill off visitors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In all, we bought the apple dumplings (in a lovely pottery dish), 2 apple pralines (little mini-cakes), 4 caramel or chocolate covered apples, a big bag of fresh Montana apples, an apple pie and a mini loaf of banana bread for Texter as she can't do cinnamon. These were all baked by wonderful volunteers who added to the day. They were all gracious and more than happy to talk about the different apple items. And we sampled the fresh pressed apple cider. I wish Lady K had allowed us more time to see if they were going to sell any of it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlxRAwMY-GcAHHSLB__VCioPZyVi12thPx_mTNc6C_m-8iBktz81XCzmUEcr4DintpWW-SnxLpMA7zJpqSkG50lNtQO28AlLZBFy34QUv04PNBnLpd-IEoQpBwj_DqdBlZDnqfAUzQw/s1600/appleday4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlxRAwMY-GcAHHSLB__VCioPZyVi12thPx_mTNc6C_m-8iBktz81XCzmUEcr4DintpWW-SnxLpMA7zJpqSkG50lNtQO28AlLZBFy34QUv04PNBnLpd-IEoQpBwj_DqdBlZDnqfAUzQw/s640/appleday4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfUohlj3jiazYzGwI34Zx5POH-PCgr60V__QQmpO68jF1kG1KhfxNS-saIZhuJWpTj5ywS5EAhujeySTnA7zAzY-yZXVar7kdiS6cQ6Egju768262w66K3WT72Z4beotw_PDvzNKaEg/s1600/appleday5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfUohlj3jiazYzGwI34Zx5POH-PCgr60V__QQmpO68jF1kG1KhfxNS-saIZhuJWpTj5ywS5EAhujeySTnA7zAzY-yZXVar7kdiS6cQ6Egju768262w66K3WT72Z4beotw_PDvzNKaEg/s640/appleday5.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We showed Savvy some of our favorite spots in the gardens, like the Buddha garden.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbEHovxyt-8Mie0ff-Ft7qJKFOTHKeSXVGr7zzNo3WSsJ5ieaa86R6_lvjnOxsctVUdY2pJky48_ODieCuYaIaT3vdWyeoA65t49QRfMqjUHtYCsEZAnh7YK-eT9poGaeoRDbnOvjJg/s1600/appleday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbEHovxyt-8Mie0ff-Ft7qJKFOTHKeSXVGr7zzNo3WSsJ5ieaa86R6_lvjnOxsctVUdY2pJky48_ODieCuYaIaT3vdWyeoA65t49QRfMqjUHtYCsEZAnh7YK-eT9poGaeoRDbnOvjJg/s640/appleday2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The garden area, where I usually work, is still lovely despite having a few freezing nights.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfhSoJIYJmb6CZahRk_rhTY0uXmE2Xg3f8DHXlhbdAAYYw01qTVMJzXJfJl-Gmb6cOSQBXSzejMuBt0EQijv4oi6ZFvwrlAsPm4iJXDTuj7SzZ15k-9HYsjeuwvFHoYwSq8Yzl2lGOQ/s1600/appleday3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfhSoJIYJmb6CZahRk_rhTY0uXmE2Xg3f8DHXlhbdAAYYw01qTVMJzXJfJl-Gmb6cOSQBXSzejMuBt0EQijv4oi6ZFvwrlAsPm4iJXDTuj7SzZ15k-9HYsjeuwvFHoYwSq8Yzl2lGOQ/s640/appleday3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the abandon of the plants at the end of the season. There was still plenty of color and lots of interest while strolling the paths. Spring and summer are only a part of the allure of Tizer. Autumn has it's own appeal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was an area for kids where they could color a drawing of an apple using stamps made from apples. They could make an apple book and had a tree hunt and leaf rubbing. Unfortunately, that meant slowing down for Lady K which wasn't in her mode for the day. I know they were planning on some lectures on different types of apples suited for Montana and how to espalier an apple tree, something I was a bit interested in with our small yard and a chain length fence to hide. Maybe next year, being a year older, we will get some cooperation from Lady K.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The only downside to the day was on the way there, Lady K had a terrible nosebleed. Luckily, we were on the service road and were able to pull over and get her all cleaned up. Once we got home, she ate a bit of lunch and was napping at 3pm. And slept pretty much all the way through the night with a couple of restless periods. Guess an hour of constant running tired her out!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hopefully, this will be the first of many Apple Days at Tizer. It was a great way to say good-bye to summer and hello to fall/winter. Now, for another slice of apple pie.</span><br />
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<br />Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-76068677868271261492015-09-22T05:00:00.000-07:002015-09-22T05:00:11.336-07:00Fashion Walk or Rather Food Walk<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last Thursday, the Downtown Helena merchants had a "Fashion Night'. The premise was to walk the downtown area and see what new fashions the merchants had on hand. Some of the non-clothing merchants were also open late. The big draw for me - "Free Food and Drinks!" (There was also the opportunity for more steps and to get Texter and Lady K out of the house for a bit of exercise.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ws0BX8dSyuRstE8qN8q8krqb0z43yj_NVJvjGoDWqKKJ-aqNaTojLaJAKBxS5rIzFGf_ye8cxL3XEBvlO5Y0oosdT6fTzMuFd6QOilcnfv30q59z8rwn0udMoBAryfwA3m1g_rwbYPw/s1600/fashionnight1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ws0BX8dSyuRstE8qN8q8krqb0z43yj_NVJvjGoDWqKKJ-aqNaTojLaJAKBxS5rIzFGf_ye8cxL3XEBvlO5Y0oosdT6fTzMuFd6QOilcnfv30q59z8rwn0udMoBAryfwA3m1g_rwbYPw/s320/fashionnight1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGoY7qXPj4P0Z0qT4wLFxVXuZO2YKGV-5OofAahPlPY7ssPRADeQvMBn9BX5L9PYWRy1LoQqAGYEhqgXQxYpAxGTYlj2KZWTOhUWhRg1zpTXlMlFjhm2tcVe0w3SPCWFN5TGV9PWiqGM/s1600/fn2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGoY7qXPj4P0Z0qT4wLFxVXuZO2YKGV-5OofAahPlPY7ssPRADeQvMBn9BX5L9PYWRy1LoQqAGYEhqgXQxYpAxGTYlj2KZWTOhUWhRg1zpTXlMlFjhm2tcVe0w3SPCWFN5TGV9PWiqGM/s320/fn2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <a href="https://www.holtermuseum.org/" target="_blank">Holter Museum</a> had a spread and they also had teens walking around the area with cotton candy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIm49GKJYvNq6oRzCnw7wGH7keIuP4L_faFDZNaFiYI_JsQN_lZ6Z2jLgsomPD8dzoxKCF8ntzfY34srR4WExSCdcY54lucWyHPK1MghsTIeSPRrNMTJ93ca9UW2gxgeBkIKwBpH5kvG8/s1600/fn3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIm49GKJYvNq6oRzCnw7wGH7keIuP4L_faFDZNaFiYI_JsQN_lZ6Z2jLgsomPD8dzoxKCF8ntzfY34srR4WExSCdcY54lucWyHPK1MghsTIeSPRrNMTJ93ca9UW2gxgeBkIKwBpH5kvG8/s400/fn3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://theherbandgarden.com/" target="_blank">The Herb and Garden Shop</a>, which I love. I bought a small container of <a href="http://www.sturdy-girl.com/" target="_blank">Sturdy Girl All-Purpose Cream</a>. I love the lavender/sage smell. It's really heavy duty and I can tell I will be going back to get more (in a larger container).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjlo9-BC-6_254GdLiF6WhcDNzYQmiJPz39IBsB_zfgxdRmFIQ7Y5XMMqE1N_o_HOtjVAQEIiLjgmWcNYUIbvfPR3LzenS_XLbmiV8ym2wA0cCKLCadrpGJ4AUtllVDQHS_dOQlii0ts/s1600/fn5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjlo9-BC-6_254GdLiF6WhcDNzYQmiJPz39IBsB_zfgxdRmFIQ7Y5XMMqE1N_o_HOtjVAQEIiLjgmWcNYUIbvfPR3LzenS_XLbmiV8ym2wA0cCKLCadrpGJ4AUtllVDQHS_dOQlii0ts/s400/fn5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PoppyseedBoutique" target="_blank">Poppyseed Boutique</a> had mini-cupcakes and hot chocolate. However, they were out of the hot chocolate by the time we got there! But they have lots of interesting items, especially accessories. I will be hitting them up for gifts in the future.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeoterFEuI9q5up6_3K0Z5qKpVYnzkc5RxNshC5qD2ON12fcYctMBEuW-wGg0Wnnn_IR6KjhncRbnGu54ECy5JLiXxdwsL9th_apulMtnfkxnc58T9naEG_ykjXaDPwxZrRv12yFhv_U/s1600/fn6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeoterFEuI9q5up6_3K0Z5qKpVYnzkc5RxNshC5qD2ON12fcYctMBEuW-wGg0Wnnn_IR6KjhncRbnGu54ECy5JLiXxdwsL9th_apulMtnfkxnc58T9naEG_ykjXaDPwxZrRv12yFhv_U/s400/fn6.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://dancinglotuscenter.com/" target="_blank">The Dancing Lotus Center</a> had a more 'healthy' spread. Texter is interested in some of the classes they offer. As we get settled into a school/work/study routine we are going to try and fit some of these classes in, especially when the weather is not favorable to being outside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsEgnO2fmeZ2KRZsTvZVqhcY32NZrfN7okI0-7stdH-XuHS7qZY2-2E6hTVKi5Hfg8JOxhQnYiRe-hE7pY0MZrxGppN07AOK_-8YBhqTrwXxV04_FmoiVY64u_BwmK3XgOyISET0DLyc/s1600/fn7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsEgnO2fmeZ2KRZsTvZVqhcY32NZrfN7okI0-7stdH-XuHS7qZY2-2E6hTVKi5Hfg8JOxhQnYiRe-hE7pY0MZrxGppN07AOK_-8YBhqTrwXxV04_FmoiVY64u_BwmK3XgOyISET0DLyc/s400/fn7.jpg" width="300" /></a> The cotton candy being handed out by the teens from the Holter Museum. We ate more than our fair share and took some home to Savvy (who had to work - bummer).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM2GLuz6jaqLOMFdySXIHcaIJO5Cs3rFWY6tSqrXnW-O3pBrv4qE65EsnQYxHNJ6MBHBI8YDpbbCLh95178nntlOg3ZuP1PWhL2EoVDkeO_FnUCw6D-NNinQK8IjT-h8zoQEzHpFJyJY/s1600/fn8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM2GLuz6jaqLOMFdySXIHcaIJO5Cs3rFWY6tSqrXnW-O3pBrv4qE65EsnQYxHNJ6MBHBI8YDpbbCLh95178nntlOg3ZuP1PWhL2EoVDkeO_FnUCw6D-NNinQK8IjT-h8zoQEzHpFJyJY/s400/fn8.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kyrgyzfelt.com/" target="_blank">Aizada Imports</a> offered margaritas! They also have a woven hammock I want for our front porch for next year when the weather starts getting nice.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2FW9AO_xySWhNs7a9usGlqSzcr9fgslP0NADPf9dqY6eX803jxTNp-Z7-m1ZcRMjaGM9apOeJJIT3_u1xrmZZR8WpISo5ovMAVfbN0ggdZVBuIpYbOo8Z42l10z7KTpFgrxf2rLSPDA/s1600/fn9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2FW9AO_xySWhNs7a9usGlqSzcr9fgslP0NADPf9dqY6eX803jxTNp-Z7-m1ZcRMjaGM9apOeJJIT3_u1xrmZZR8WpISo5ovMAVfbN0ggdZVBuIpYbOo8Z42l10z7KTpFgrxf2rLSPDA/s400/fn9.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.birdsandbeasleys.com/" target="_blank">Birds and Beasleys</a> got in on the action too. Birds are always in fashion as far as I'm concerned. But coconut macaroons!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkaupQCRCheN63Fz5Mp5XQtziYHOxtTjVuChpe-vTWTwMwith7Obwg2FaVlImk50aZwNzfgl8Eeo6gB2Vbei7iQF6yKNY3g4lcz-5FsRvSDP_OOXegaQsrxdlmGtwPXdn3uk00DTsdeg/s1600/fn10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkaupQCRCheN63Fz5Mp5XQtziYHOxtTjVuChpe-vTWTwMwith7Obwg2FaVlImk50aZwNzfgl8Eeo6gB2Vbei7iQF6yKNY3g4lcz-5FsRvSDP_OOXegaQsrxdlmGtwPXdn3uk00DTsdeg/s400/fn10.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A fun consignment shop, <a href="http://www.frayedsewboutique.com/" target="_blank">Frayed Sew</a> is a handmade item shop. Tons of gift ideas and every time I go in, I find myself going, "I want this, and that, and this..." They have some handmade journals I have my eye on for myself. And red and white wine!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjHEIrU0GUbViL8G0ZqxmxL_IipuhxJUx-X7otXjGYArIvHy9yuvPUuAE34KiIWwsrn0cr320TynQPL2QbrrliupmYH1Ilgc7RwfgUmOtHKEcYmNefrx6501hdlQScau0WV21CvmI1RM/s1600/fn11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjHEIrU0GUbViL8G0ZqxmxL_IipuhxJUx-X7otXjGYArIvHy9yuvPUuAE34KiIWwsrn0cr320TynQPL2QbrrliupmYH1Ilgc7RwfgUmOtHKEcYmNefrx6501hdlQScau0WV21CvmI1RM/s640/fn11.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But my favorite stop of the night had to be <a href="https://downtownhelena.com/listing/pan-handler-plus/" target="_blank">The Panhandler</a>. They were demonstrating this 'grill' which was cute and amazing. You can see it to the left in the background. But the grill raises up and you can broil items on these little 'shovels' underneath. Texter and I toasted bread (from Park Avenue Bakery). One had herb butter with gruyere cheese and the other prosciutto and gouda. Then the crepe had diced peaches which I warmed on the grill on top. We could have stayed there all night. Panhandler is another shop I have to stay out of. It's dangerous to my purse. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All in all, it was a great couple of hours spent wandering downtown. There are a couple of shops I didn't know existed which I will be returning to in the near future. I can't wait until Savvy has a day off and we can repeat the walk, minus the 4-5 glasses of wine and plates of food I had. An evening such as this makes it easy to plan 'shopping local' rather than hitting online or chain stores.</span></div>
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Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-40259508618637041602013-10-18T07:53:00.000-07:002013-10-18T07:53:01.761-07:00Winter is Coming<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Fall and the onset of winter sure is different in Montana from North Carolina. Back in NC, I would be basking in 70-80 degree weather during the day, dropping to 50-60 at night. Here in Helena, we are 'basking' in 50 degree weather with nighttime temps dropping below freezing. There have already been a couple of 'snow' threats and there is snow on the higher elevations (like right behind the house), but nothing on my lawn yet except a normal freeze.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Yesterday, Texter, Lady K and I had to drive from Helena to Great Falls for Lady K to get her flu shot. The day was gray and drizzly here in Helena and on most of the drive to Great Falls. Texter took the camera or we would have been stopping every few minutes for me to take pictures. So here are a few of Texter's pictures she took on the drive.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4twnYITT3FabP3dbTd_sqtKbWKqx-2TXSF4IxrF6WKuoCuhJqNV-23D2zjl9GJk7GyYVMTB-jpw7F-1N1ouQkU2e1hnMkAvslCAOCcotDbvgt_YZ1mOWMoYiPcUMq3Nez1ztl-YtoOg/s1600/fall+snow+mts+10.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4twnYITT3FabP3dbTd_sqtKbWKqx-2TXSF4IxrF6WKuoCuhJqNV-23D2zjl9GJk7GyYVMTB-jpw7F-1N1ouQkU2e1hnMkAvslCAOCcotDbvgt_YZ1mOWMoYiPcUMq3Nez1ztl-YtoOg/s640/fall+snow+mts+10.17.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>This picture (which she did a really good job of, by the way) shows snow on the higher mountain tops already. But it also catches the low clouds we were seeing and how the grasses have already turned brown in the fall weather.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Skw27ML-xTw_KS-RQ-aubkk_GsxbmFQw3Z57IgdQ2q6LSM1B3UNM3YP61HGqWZOprB0gRnQm6kGyU23KzVC9pf-p5j6qo6Qzs5l5onYHHt-XXUsWWMXpZCvrrpvuVxJUJdOiyH3iTQ/s1600/fall+vista.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Skw27ML-xTw_KS-RQ-aubkk_GsxbmFQw3Z57IgdQ2q6LSM1B3UNM3YP61HGqWZOprB0gRnQm6kGyU23KzVC9pf-p5j6qo6Qzs5l5onYHHt-XXUsWWMXpZCvrrpvuVxJUJdOiyH3iTQ/s640/fall+vista.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>This is one of the views along the way. There is no way to really capture how lovely the winding Missouri is on our way to/from Great Falls. If you haven't ever watched "A River Flows Through It", watch if for the scenery alone and you might get an idea of what it is like. Again, Texter did a good job of taking a picture.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>On the way back, I did make her let me stop at a scenic overlook for a couple of pictures. I need to get out in the car and drive around and take nothing but foliage pictures one day when the sun is shining.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv9U2qSoLXNcr_kZiE0yl0ojtFbeMRJn77bNF-peLip3o5hVNkJqfljFjXWCSc9qAaTJ3c381Wi9NoOo3yZR5txuvG_VLPz__Z6wG4aNndSLen5BjUMHOOpD8ZqydP4iBU2uHQc6tkA/s1600/fall+bridge+10.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv9U2qSoLXNcr_kZiE0yl0ojtFbeMRJn77bNF-peLip3o5hVNkJqfljFjXWCSc9qAaTJ3c381Wi9NoOo3yZR5txuvG_VLPz__Z6wG4aNndSLen5BjUMHOOpD8ZqydP4iBU2uHQc6tkA/s640/fall+bridge+10.17.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I like this picture because the bridge over the road in the distance gives you a sense of just how big these 'hills' really are. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNBZmZdvWxI8jdII4P9hJGmVwatOSuacKY8-Zo5BBwmSaqeLvaZZwIZVIg7a_QnwuE9XwASGMLiYVkpoFAuVB_AAJA2Eb749SRKQjkmigfgqBpqCQpE8RxHDyxM9Fujjvr2pfGh72nQ/s1600/fall+foliage+10.17.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNBZmZdvWxI8jdII4P9hJGmVwatOSuacKY8-Zo5BBwmSaqeLvaZZwIZVIg7a_QnwuE9XwASGMLiYVkpoFAuVB_AAJA2Eb749SRKQjkmigfgqBpqCQpE8RxHDyxM9Fujjvr2pfGh72nQ/s640/fall+foliage+10.17.13.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Once you leave town and planned planting of trees, the color is many bright yellow of the aspen and birch. It is beautiful against the white of the bark.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4iUWc53u3C5pNKl3CaTXviPooVMVTd-USfgAF0ltfpVBOpyM7ED-hSWMI_fqQkQ4qVGR5NS5QbbpFNhk-f_dg0cx-_Z12kkYqvBWVKRLK668KmaaEvH-30beBF-GeY6IYyXu2DOe1g/s1600/fall+foliage+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4iUWc53u3C5pNKl3CaTXviPooVMVTd-USfgAF0ltfpVBOpyM7ED-hSWMI_fqQkQ4qVGR5NS5QbbpFNhk-f_dg0cx-_Z12kkYqvBWVKRLK668KmaaEvH-30beBF-GeY6IYyXu2DOe1g/s640/fall+foliage+rock.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>When I saw this picture from the overlook that I took, I had to laugh. If you cut out the large pine trees on the right hand side of the picture, you would almost think this was a rock with lichen on it. However, the brown, red and yellow are small trees and shrubs on the rock. The green is a large expanse of lichen, however.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hopefully, I will have a chance to get out and take more pictures before the snows start in earnest. </i></span></div>
Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-19951703394539574652013-08-23T07:29:00.001-07:002013-08-23T07:29:58.885-07:00There Be Dragons!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Or rather salamanders. Walking the mall on Last Chance Gulch yesterday with Texter and Lady K, I happened to look up rather than into the storefronts and discovered this.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrFoONzEI87HiB0dMJtru78JbPxGxZRmpZjoazJcPE-GN6m-vX2kiFkXuCp2WhC4-jH1XzSol2RJ_00gyUHGheCidRpUf2wWqnkVbJtcnDgaOZDPvBIMdCCYMtMV066NyDHp9VUs0lw/s1600/IMG_4537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrFoONzEI87HiB0dMJtru78JbPxGxZRmpZjoazJcPE-GN6m-vX2kiFkXuCp2WhC4-jH1XzSol2RJ_00gyUHGheCidRpUf2wWqnkVbJtcnDgaOZDPvBIMdCCYMtMV066NyDHp9VUs0lw/s640/IMG_4537.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Looked like cavorting dragons to me. But as it turns out, these are actually fire salamanders and were an advertisement for the insurance company which was originally housed in the building at the turn of the century.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk_BwYKRxS5NWytkM9JJkiQtCBnX42KCs1j2gy0S2NZdMBAxZCTCs-Kf5xyfpx_P0fvev0IzgP4gnYTBU7hScwGJ5mn743Fl1twmCU5ki1JDC-KNl-lN35JWDxrlvk3od5S0a_2WHtA/s1600/IMG_4536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk_BwYKRxS5NWytkM9JJkiQtCBnX42KCs1j2gy0S2NZdMBAxZCTCs-Kf5xyfpx_P0fvev0IzgP4gnYTBU7hScwGJ5mn743Fl1twmCU5ki1JDC-KNl-lN35JWDxrlvk3od5S0a_2WHtA/s640/IMG_4536.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>We were there to actually let me take some videos of the mall for a class project (which will be posted later, once finished). I decided to do it on the pedestrian mall I am loving so much. It also just happens to end at the library, which means I can make a quick trip to any store while on break. That could be good or bad for my paycheck.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Anyway, I have to say that Helena has done a great job of keeping the old with the new. The "Atlas" building still houses businesses, but also has apartments in it. Who wouldn't want to live where they are protected by these wonderful guys?</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZLYI9AMSg_ZrOcd9Oye6mvP2Q4SfJ-kSdaw6L4eOxeYnux3unlcfROO7_bXRUiz8cq4c8tohy4BsdqK9YbXP9X2wYxY_EbVPOZce6o4zpMjOUy03JPyt6vuXhNNhIds1L7T5ClprJw/s1600/IMG_4543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZLYI9AMSg_ZrOcd9Oye6mvP2Q4SfJ-kSdaw6L4eOxeYnux3unlcfROO7_bXRUiz8cq4c8tohy4BsdqK9YbXP9X2wYxY_EbVPOZce6o4zpMjOUy03JPyt6vuXhNNhIds1L7T5ClprJw/s640/IMG_4543.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
<br />Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-85199968774716129262013-08-10T14:40:00.000-07:002013-08-10T14:40:18.715-07:00Hiking Grizzly Gulch <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I am coming to the conclusion that Montana was designed by Escher, because everything is UP. I think sometimes downhill is actually up. However, I am still determined to hike the trails around here. Eventually, my body will catch up with my desire.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>So this morning, I and one of the other Helena Hikers, took on Grizzly Gulch. The trailhead is just outside of downtown Helena and very easy to get to. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrCZga_FFyhjsBNq2BXrbUTwnYCaewK8TQ3kEIy9oJQ5hHY6lpz4AwNH9E1RgxfNNGoPEnoVLMWhEqVpQ6hAhJaj6ti0-9TwYARlUr69IJ56rUFJ6rAYY-udByIpaC6QGM9KxLnujKQ/s1600/IMG_4411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrCZga_FFyhjsBNq2BXrbUTwnYCaewK8TQ3kEIy9oJQ5hHY6lpz4AwNH9E1RgxfNNGoPEnoVLMWhEqVpQ6hAhJaj6ti0-9TwYARlUr69IJ56rUFJ6rAYY-udByIpaC6QGM9KxLnujKQ/s640/IMG_4411.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The names of the trails alone are reason to hike them. Don had mapped out our route as there were several different ways you can hike this area. How can you not want to hike on "Show Me The Horse" trail?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>We started the hike at about 8 a.m. so lighting was great. The day was just right for the hike, not too cold, not to hot. And after the rain yesterday evening, the trails were not dusty to walk on. Starting out fairly steep at the beginning, we were hiking along the side of the hill, through trees. Unfortunately, this early part of the hike also seems to be a favorite for late night partying as there was a lot of broken glass along the trail.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>My problem with hiking is this (besides the whole uphill thing) I want to look at stuff around me. I want to try and identify the flora. And after the weekend at BOW, I want to bird watch too. Neither of those are conducive to hiking with any speed.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>For about the first third of the hike the trail wanders in and out of the trees, giving you glimpses of the views yet to come. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceqivgsjW1OSpVFwskhO5ih8OiuV8Q7c9ZbsPFDfxwjtrENzR8z3dDUQsA4DlyfGVOCdVEd3egHvF9DR4N5aet8emcaUsKWU-UoWRN2V-VTGamE3QceWVlJQARmPyIxgl9yPxvmqLhw/s1600/IMG_4428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceqivgsjW1OSpVFwskhO5ih8OiuV8Q7c9ZbsPFDfxwjtrENzR8z3dDUQsA4DlyfGVOCdVEd3egHvF9DR4N5aet8emcaUsKWU-UoWRN2V-VTGamE3QceWVlJQARmPyIxgl9yPxvmqLhw/s640/IMG_4428.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Besides several pines that were downed along the trail, but cleared out of the way so we didn't have to climb over them, there are outcroppings of stone. The stone is great, covered with lichen of all shades of green and orange.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>For about the first hour of the hike we didn't see anyone else on the trail. However, when we got to one of our first splits in the trail, we met a gentleman making a branch in the trail. It seems on Sunday there will be a race along the trails. More UMP than I've got.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>And there was a part or two of 'downhill' before more UP.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Once we got up on the Mt. Helena Ridge it was fantastic views all around. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-YYFpdy7HbQM2VJaur5549DI7BnnYHPZLGNuoHAL7il24ChWxj38QAeCIbF4WocKffyYszmy47ZelDxX-0AAbLb-B2ho8D7lkyllefIqWxs9mtfF09SXn4VgAT9WC34cZNWJlH0-JA/s1600/IMG_4444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-YYFpdy7HbQM2VJaur5549DI7BnnYHPZLGNuoHAL7il24ChWxj38QAeCIbF4WocKffyYszmy47ZelDxX-0AAbLb-B2ho8D7lkyllefIqWxs9mtfF09SXn4VgAT9WC34cZNWJlH0-JA/s640/IMG_4444.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>After the ridge, the trail lead into a wooded area again. It was at that point I discovered the battery I packed for my camera was the dead one, not the charged one, so I didn't get pictures of the last part of the trail, from "Show Me The Horse" back to the parking lot.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Also, it was along this point that we started encountering the mountain bikers and trail runners. Trail runners have my admiration. I'm having trouble just walking the trail, much less running on it.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Three hours later we arrived back at the cars and about 10 minutes later I was back in my driveway. Can't beat that. Of course, Lady K and Texter laughed as I shuffled my aching body into the shower. They have no compassion. </i></span></div>
Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-60742862341090420282013-08-07T08:16:00.001-07:002013-08-07T08:16:22.100-07:00Backyard Flora and Fauna<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sitting on the patio or sitting in the living room and observing through the big glass doors has become one of the favorite things to do here. Filling the feeders has meant a steady supply of activity. The flowers in the yard are a constant delight and the ones I have added are growing well. I was worried a bit about growing things in Montana, but my fears have been groundless.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The flowers are a delight this year, especially the sweet peas. I just wish they were a more fragrant variety. </i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Mandavilla blooms </i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1s_8QpPED3qkmAGsDmGFwGw2aNojkfodBEyjeqVSTeS9jIDLBp1JdTZ5v1MsNrbs7QKPIV5X5kIo8JqjduvFOkr2JxLPsT0u2mwQ9Q-vPurKxBIqWMZH3UzKUsOC-jU8PqxTK6cC2XQ/s1600/pine+cones.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1s_8QpPED3qkmAGsDmGFwGw2aNojkfodBEyjeqVSTeS9jIDLBp1JdTZ5v1MsNrbs7QKPIV5X5kIo8JqjduvFOkr2JxLPsT0u2mwQ9Q-vPurKxBIqWMZH3UzKUsOC-jU8PqxTK6cC2XQ/s640/pine+cones.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Spruce cones at the top of the tree</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8r5M1YjuH8NzGd0TybDM-tIM84AkH6KwG7rhDqzEL8yiSTbIuD5fPl1LxeFzxENrGrnxDyKBH0hbXBgkxKaVtq8BmSQ2Ltoro5XCjyXtU6cSeuJwNAGcFBHpWU1JCc86OLrZX65m__w/s1600/sweet+pea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8r5M1YjuH8NzGd0TybDM-tIM84AkH6KwG7rhDqzEL8yiSTbIuD5fPl1LxeFzxENrGrnxDyKBH0hbXBgkxKaVtq8BmSQ2Ltoro5XCjyXtU6cSeuJwNAGcFBHpWU1JCc86OLrZX65m__w/s640/sweet+pea.jpg" width="628" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sweet Peas<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWfn6GRhssqP5cQZorT_kEmv-a70gC5ElATXBLWkkLr9JVRC4lgJAGBOi_vXIuQ3Uqw_248Xul728I9Z2-S9w-L701WKorJt1qGFOf7YIDNugDRd3JxphKxqy95xMf818jR6yuOHrOA/s1600/yellow+flower+and+seedheads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWfn6GRhssqP5cQZorT_kEmv-a70gC5ElATXBLWkkLr9JVRC4lgJAGBOi_vXIuQ3Uqw_248Xul728I9Z2-S9w-L701WKorJt1qGFOf7YIDNugDRd3JxphKxqy95xMf818jR6yuOHrOA/s640/yellow+flower+and+seedheads.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Yellow" flowers and seed heads (not sure what it is)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></i></span><div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>We have had a few butterflies coming through. I haven't been able to find out what the name of this little fellow is yet.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqqIHH0FQHkIKZtGF_V9VtPIF-lfrW8Ud4NvHRx8zGJ76CzgD8eo96Z4dIxM3NDHITDFMijp329jG8-qYaO_fvroP4res9K-J4i5oKITst2Qkx8KTE1giUvhKEhGYcvSKv5aw-O_c7g/s1600/butterfly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqqIHH0FQHkIKZtGF_V9VtPIF-lfrW8Ud4NvHRx8zGJ76CzgD8eo96Z4dIxM3NDHITDFMijp329jG8-qYaO_fvroP4res9K-J4i5oKITst2Qkx8KTE1giUvhKEhGYcvSKv5aw-O_c7g/s640/butterfly.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>But our favorites are the birds.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlF-397o1IYzVjVjmpmVRRJtePTklWE2m5MxdeAyBfRYDdG2wbF3PMQhpBpT5oOLCLb8TK9oYe_Mz4QKaHlnuF_mhO_F7i8FZYH-SYku_xZZn-k8v2LqloGpfbPxBacBSbuZ1j4n2c1Q/s1600/feeding+crowd.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlF-397o1IYzVjVjmpmVRRJtePTklWE2m5MxdeAyBfRYDdG2wbF3PMQhpBpT5oOLCLb8TK9oYe_Mz4QKaHlnuF_mhO_F7i8FZYH-SYku_xZZn-k8v2LqloGpfbPxBacBSbuZ1j4n2c1Q/s640/feeding+crowd.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sometimes we have a crowd at the feeders. I have missed the hummingbirds at the feeder. Maybe better luck next year now that they know we have a feeder. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9cMefTra9O1g8jFGJgDfFjiNRNZSoswYavlz6iVOPe63yKpsMWWuAMGPCAj9bLvBxbOrTmTBGNmq4uAEWtFSeyNHAFK1XueyS8UpYMLFWo3Ahhh0OHJC7NygYSZ76Fy2xyqj48FUdw/s1600/feeding+house+finches.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9cMefTra9O1g8jFGJgDfFjiNRNZSoswYavlz6iVOPe63yKpsMWWuAMGPCAj9bLvBxbOrTmTBGNmq4uAEWtFSeyNHAFK1XueyS8UpYMLFWo3Ahhh0OHJC7NygYSZ76Fy2xyqj48FUdw/s640/feeding+house+finches.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Of course, some still have their own feeders, even if they are big enough to be feeding themselves. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitavPkW4vNf-WaytWPuiFlcWpTEK3UxKq1O6EimJZFb1cUjIJhy6XUP9V43vb7qc1o6E-mRzBt5TKvABr8NWbIodLuB6_6Ve6o6YKXV8k4eSiviMnVqhCoDIJDsDXVlrPr0TnHMQvYOg/s1600/house+sparrow+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitavPkW4vNf-WaytWPuiFlcWpTEK3UxKq1O6EimJZFb1cUjIJhy6XUP9V43vb7qc1o6E-mRzBt5TKvABr8NWbIodLuB6_6Ve6o6YKXV8k4eSiviMnVqhCoDIJDsDXVlrPr0TnHMQvYOg/s640/house+sparrow+.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>House finches are plentiful, as are magpies. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFe-IXIjeugnBEJxV_2VcdsJ2j9tPDoy96U8lsvoPJZPsueEOOArF3IglrMPI5kWc6c-FdWDM8HkPCpfA37i1CVQBNAiv6HhRMgShMNbWU7pT8DuaVHrByDsoKClWp26HlCdzCLyG-Q/s1600/magpie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFe-IXIjeugnBEJxV_2VcdsJ2j9tPDoy96U8lsvoPJZPsueEOOArF3IglrMPI5kWc6c-FdWDM8HkPCpfA37i1CVQBNAiv6HhRMgShMNbWU7pT8DuaVHrByDsoKClWp26HlCdzCLyG-Q/s640/magpie.JPG" width="606" /></i></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2I0jR7Ml5uFzWGGeSrbB8OcL3uzSldTHusT34D0n0hPBvXgMAwAPHiBMv_xVsaGB3p8QgAAkXIzPHFk4KTLnNvBQZ1EUQA3HhcbPRJ508ZugGNFJtshRMH6YTIP0_ehAmUeBecPiDNQ/s1600/squirrel+on+feeder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2I0jR7Ml5uFzWGGeSrbB8OcL3uzSldTHusT34D0n0hPBvXgMAwAPHiBMv_xVsaGB3p8QgAAkXIzPHFk4KTLnNvBQZ1EUQA3HhcbPRJ508ZugGNFJtshRMH6YTIP0_ehAmUeBecPiDNQ/s640/squirrel+on+feeder.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>It seems we are down a couple of squirrels. They weren't quite as fast as the dogs it seems.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcuHN1D171-Wil8ooyBIxkIuO9NSEcb_ZlzCGqBHrhGimNfaoJaU2FqjZVLnrMasmUsMhsNSRBAR5WkD1yFihhlxNgJ9mdDuOVSJ0s4TB40K64R_wHFLdkCoQm2Nw44ftj52RdM8W_A/s1600/black+capped+chickadee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcuHN1D171-Wil8ooyBIxkIuO9NSEcb_ZlzCGqBHrhGimNfaoJaU2FqjZVLnrMasmUsMhsNSRBAR5WkD1yFihhlxNgJ9mdDuOVSJ0s4TB40K64R_wHFLdkCoQm2Nw44ftj52RdM8W_A/s640/black+capped+chickadee.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Black-capped chickadees are starting to appear at the feeder. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61zzULUT-wlrvV6c4pZnrnlg6Y1jyoCQbtRRA4iYrA-0ppCPpVsw6E9CTr5soSyacyDkFrDIX12f-Cm9GRG0Yt072c3XXJi9thGcZ7-RHhkGj3nIWkFcNNWqsv68FEbA5NGAR3RZP7Q/s1600/IMG_3693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61zzULUT-wlrvV6c4pZnrnlg6Y1jyoCQbtRRA4iYrA-0ppCPpVsw6E9CTr5soSyacyDkFrDIX12f-Cm9GRG0Yt072c3XXJi9thGcZ7-RHhkGj3nIWkFcNNWqsv68FEbA5NGAR3RZP7Q/s640/IMG_3693.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Not a Mourning Dove (as I first thought), but the Eurasian Collared Dove. Yesterday, as I took out the trash, I startled a flock of about 20 in the alley behind the house.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eQO1gPJ_m5ZnAbWfQi87y8XMXeRO7COE8WYjxZQ3mcf0OBez7Ol2Qos8bY58EUD7sKMfbBVihxRpXnzaZvaDziC1mQdZWprDEZ9X7CkSG0uPdGfJcLD8O2ke4NJtr04jesZf4Brx8g/s1600/crow+on+patio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eQO1gPJ_m5ZnAbWfQi87y8XMXeRO7COE8WYjxZQ3mcf0OBez7Ol2Qos8bY58EUD7sKMfbBVihxRpXnzaZvaDziC1mQdZWprDEZ9X7CkSG0uPdGfJcLD8O2ke4NJtr04jesZf4Brx8g/s640/crow+on+patio.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Another favorite of mine are the crows. They are so stately and I do love the fact that a flock is called a 'murder'. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7hl4NTJvjd1YTrSVb4qehJ4VQkjWDpHTvFamA6O76zbz4QKwensKJ7OrRbiEaHWBSqEpuKdwOHzm0Zas0ANAldDJP69JFGlNOb8YF5Hzbl_3b-tBcMPANlHUn8KnYfCx0KEmFpWi8g/s1600/blackbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7hl4NTJvjd1YTrSVb4qehJ4VQkjWDpHTvFamA6O76zbz4QKwensKJ7OrRbiEaHWBSqEpuKdwOHzm0Zas0ANAldDJP69JFGlNOb8YF5Hzbl_3b-tBcMPANlHUn8KnYfCx0KEmFpWi8g/s640/blackbird.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Then the blackbird is plentiful at the feeder too.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6TpeDC7izNS7JyvevFr2VzMpAXG_jZUm19vXQGJZ1sKl-7O1nO4vdthnKd5Uj76sGjkn-dZrBCn9FC7M-ALzWkG_aoT0_vmMmZzNlSNW7joxeReiNCpC4_5BZ04odEdtl0ZHC7DAIw/s1600/brewers+blackbird+and+common+grackle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6TpeDC7izNS7JyvevFr2VzMpAXG_jZUm19vXQGJZ1sKl-7O1nO4vdthnKd5Uj76sGjkn-dZrBCn9FC7M-ALzWkG_aoT0_vmMmZzNlSNW7joxeReiNCpC4_5BZ04odEdtl0ZHC7DAIw/s640/brewers+blackbird+and+common+grackle.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>This is what I think is a Brewer's Blackbird female with a Grackle scarfing up bread crumbs.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>But the most unique feeder we have in the backyard is the Lady K bird. She is seated on her favorite outdoor perch.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pWNQPPcoO6K0j4_cyR-GKjWTqMApFVc6hv1MJinzOZDujuhdtf97EPcSs0qOjgSoxX3Eyb9v3X8kL8GnzLJr3saKMDzejNl778VQax3t9xP1ae5llquqjCxcM3E53uDHR-1k9S08sA/s1600/feeding+kayden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pWNQPPcoO6K0j4_cyR-GKjWTqMApFVc6hv1MJinzOZDujuhdtf97EPcSs0qOjgSoxX3Eyb9v3X8kL8GnzLJr3saKMDzejNl778VQax3t9xP1ae5llquqjCxcM3E53uDHR-1k9S08sA/s640/feeding+kayden.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>A messy feeder, she has a distinctive call and is very social.</i></span></div>
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Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-72606206574897298322013-07-30T06:49:00.000-07:002013-07-30T06:49:22.239-07:00Montana State Fair in Great Falls<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Being a Marine recruiter, Gibbs was required to assist in manning the booth at the State Fair this past weekend. And wanting to see more of what goes on in Montana, Texter, Lady K and I attended the fair twice. The first was opening night (Friday) and the camera ate my pictures. Then we went again on Sunday, both to get more pictures and to see Gibbs.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Normally I am a 'no crowds' sort of person. I have experience with the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh and it is shoulder to shoulder most of the time. Unless you go early on a Sunday morning and then you can beat the crowd. But opening night! Forget it.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijd1kOvnJocphQTBAvoW52_qeTmcVsKxj_GRSon2MsV2a2vlMDZILiWqXz1FXXs4N4oS6JmUHgX54ES9mgtYcTqat3jvIrSmqoDdb7DkyLzQM7fMaMwpoJIeaYzrkxe4rX_74vfuE5yA/s1600/IMG_3963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijd1kOvnJocphQTBAvoW52_qeTmcVsKxj_GRSon2MsV2a2vlMDZILiWqXz1FXXs4N4oS6JmUHgX54ES9mgtYcTqat3jvIrSmqoDdb7DkyLzQM7fMaMwpoJIeaYzrkxe4rX_74vfuE5yA/s640/IMG_3963.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Crowds, or lack thereof, didn't bother Lady K</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>While small and definitely no crowds, the Montana State Fair is fun. Without all the crowds we were able to stroll around and look at exhibits and really enjoy ourselves. I will have to admit we did indulge in a lot of "if this was in North Carolina" during our two visits.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The noticeable difference to me was the small showing at the exhibits for cooking and needlework items. What was there was good, but I really expected a lot more.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIm1pp3c8vZq15ZobATwFJt_stoh1s0n2tXhnpzTtgBPfqPGe5wNWm5y3RNLgrKJzHOJ29Zz9fRv51FoAnD6qv6AIz9r-b76gQdm8I61oWPk1QAsyzov-rdK1HCY8Qh7c0NALX1lD-yg/s1600/IMG_3980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIm1pp3c8vZq15ZobATwFJt_stoh1s0n2tXhnpzTtgBPfqPGe5wNWm5y3RNLgrKJzHOJ29Zz9fRv51FoAnD6qv6AIz9r-b76gQdm8I61oWPk1QAsyzov-rdK1HCY8Qh7c0NALX1lD-yg/s640/IMG_3980.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jams and Jellies (the whole exhibit)</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIvD4NsxKLLDqDnZY6HMpl5auabmXRkNzJ-kj0nLOwUuBsxFcqE2zlqO4fCzFRW6VjZ-I1ETiaU4iSubHZy4vHoqh-HBE2fOA_ED5fg_y2M3XGcG3DqAXh2NFn1XLIwEOs1ulSKJQhg/s1600/IMG_3983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIvD4NsxKLLDqDnZY6HMpl5auabmXRkNzJ-kj0nLOwUuBsxFcqE2zlqO4fCzFRW6VjZ-I1ETiaU4iSubHZy4vHoqh-HBE2fOA_ED5fg_y2M3XGcG3DqAXh2NFn1XLIwEOs1ulSKJQhg/s640/IMG_3983.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Needlework and Sewing<br /></i></span><div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>One good thing about the size and the lack of crowds was that I was able to meet the head of the "Household" department and I just might be doing more than entering jams, jellies and needlework next year. But we will see.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>One of the more interesting exhibits was the Montana Wildlife Department and their display. Lots of taxidermy (and they love their taxidermy here) and tons of posters and pamphlets (and you know I love my freebies!)</i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpzWdzR-tPunO3RtIwUoG2Rj_0VO8JzZNtpwCrOlnokE1BE9baDIZhizo2EccqUqMbc-EE3xS7h7GoRyuoSvZz5WLnrhhvPllTvaiREWPenfmr3MZI5DDfmB9iQjdwR0Vn1hKh7Ey_Q/s1600/IMG_3974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpzWdzR-tPunO3RtIwUoG2Rj_0VO8JzZNtpwCrOlnokE1BE9baDIZhizo2EccqUqMbc-EE3xS7h7GoRyuoSvZz5WLnrhhvPllTvaiREWPenfmr3MZI5DDfmB9iQjdwR0Vn1hKh7Ey_Q/s640/IMG_3974.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Nice kitty, kitty.<br /><br /><br /></i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was a little upset we didn't see the quilting on Friday night. However, when we went back on Sunday we did find the building with the quilting in it. I am use to see quilts out the door and in piles because they had too many. Here, there were probably a couple dozen. But those that were there were really nice.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZS81om72QfF4hvdXUDphiRs188pY0ZSaqIvnd6D_qdY_w6TN2h1kpHcILm9_tUOV6TCOHEwDRP1n1EWTI8huwEbNqxfV8d7vnHFhVA3tyoYWsRqtoCx1nBRBEymk9RuGpH7y81GLNQ/s1600/IMG_3932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZS81om72QfF4hvdXUDphiRs188pY0ZSaqIvnd6D_qdY_w6TN2h1kpHcILm9_tUOV6TCOHEwDRP1n1EWTI8huwEbNqxfV8d7vnHFhVA3tyoYWsRqtoCx1nBRBEymk9RuGpH7y81GLNQ/s640/IMG_3932.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Mariner's Compass<br /><br /></i></span></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is the Mariner's Compass pattern I am currently working on. Of course, my colors are completely different. We will see if it looks this nice when finished.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>And on Sunday we did we our livestock to a certain degree.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGLWgsFIsbzmEFWfZNAIUdMB_VEqwUuSdQMet7CX-YXP-_05DJGDgSjBnFjVwgO9y2tTW4dSQ0ng2IYhiKf8EPSuvwW3uX0EPfpD3i82QOdQiUtFp00Feo76zsJniTXHRY65iiXhgUA/s1600/IMG_3958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGLWgsFIsbzmEFWfZNAIUdMB_VEqwUuSdQMet7CX-YXP-_05DJGDgSjBnFjVwgO9y2tTW4dSQ0ng2IYhiKf8EPSuvwW3uX0EPfpD3i82QOdQiUtFp00Feo76zsJniTXHRY65iiXhgUA/s640/IMG_3958.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>There was this horse team and then a wagon drawn by a pair of mules which circled the main area of the fair. Made me so want a horse again.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQuFMmI8paBZHeASTscHM4VjjLPbD5qrnpkEIw76b16CxIfr-OA7TUqOnzmZXBjk13NmtRgANomRP7EZnVrIfpuqAK_Fyof3byYtwIltnNrDY1m1NTeHfqKg1K90k-ua8O_UDJLzOaA/s1600/IMG_4000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQuFMmI8paBZHeASTscHM4VjjLPbD5qrnpkEIw76b16CxIfr-OA7TUqOnzmZXBjk13NmtRgANomRP7EZnVrIfpuqAK_Fyof3byYtwIltnNrDY1m1NTeHfqKg1K90k-ua8O_UDJLzOaA/s640/IMG_4000.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Lady K was whispered the secrets of good showmanship by this little goat. I can't wait until next year when she is a little more aware of what is going on. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEqa_0-VqUAGUZ6n6hYgNwqoa1CBI8gadw7_02A5-dzRxZiuQJx_MK60snlnYilpyvVHSjNf-8y_OdjN7BMj7Gsqpx1Cr4hl7mRzSOPSD9b5QOidLpbPt5fH4wpgmry5R4nrZN4Hv3g/s1600/IMG_4002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEqa_0-VqUAGUZ6n6hYgNwqoa1CBI8gadw7_02A5-dzRxZiuQJx_MK60snlnYilpyvVHSjNf-8y_OdjN7BMj7Gsqpx1Cr4hl7mRzSOPSD9b5QOidLpbPt5fH4wpgmry5R4nrZN4Hv3g/s640/IMG_4002.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Baby goat meets Lady K. They are both about the same age.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>All in all, the Montana State Fair is fun and worth a stroll through. Since the crowds were virtually nonexistent, I will definitely be looking forward to going again next year. </i></span></div>
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Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-9167390032478770922013-07-27T10:09:00.001-07:002013-07-27T10:09:27.201-07:00"Fairly" Crying<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Right now I am nursing a sore head and a desk with dents where I am banging my head against it. Texter, Lady K and I went to the Montana State Fair last night. I think my card was set on write protect and didn't register one single picture I had taken. (At least Texter has some pictures on her camera, but it's not the same!)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>So I will share what the patio looks like now instead. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4IfEmOiCPNaK2Skl2lMp17htYsFWZAyCSabjvc2xPqCqukDrY4HGsQp5SWpj7iV0o1XI3KPOqonvU6u7lQPd5D7P9b_HEA8-WA1CHrbvOemunCyMVm9RyafTEwRZ-BBmIROtSnW-zw/s1600/IMG_3881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4IfEmOiCPNaK2Skl2lMp17htYsFWZAyCSabjvc2xPqCqukDrY4HGsQp5SWpj7iV0o1XI3KPOqonvU6u7lQPd5D7P9b_HEA8-WA1CHrbvOemunCyMVm9RyafTEwRZ-BBmIROtSnW-zw/s640/IMG_3881.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>This is the whiskey barrel with mandavilla and petunias in it. I am so please with how the petunias have grown and spread out. Of course, if this was North Carolina the vine would me twice as tall by now. But after only a couple of months in the barrel, I think it has made a respectable growth effort.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Then my tomatoes.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUYzE7yZ86cH5QHAgGSLMBfQAzK-j-sV5hTp4ppuWvpozBczcphEA-oLgzIgzE94W10FRJETy09UeHSnfGDnEXlTbeYJIOFdJgXr099TLBlslB8iQVr04T9-5YCA39o5Na6x_utvrVw/s1600/IMG_3889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUYzE7yZ86cH5QHAgGSLMBfQAzK-j-sV5hTp4ppuWvpozBczcphEA-oLgzIgzE94W10FRJETy09UeHSnfGDnEXlTbeYJIOFdJgXr099TLBlslB8iQVr04T9-5YCA39o5Na6x_utvrVw/s640/IMG_3889.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>This is my vegetable garden. My little pot of peppers on the ground has yielded a baggy full of peppers so far. I plan on pickling them for Mexican food later on. The tomatoes are doing pretty well. I have lost the names of most of them since I had transplanted them from Great Falls house. I know I have a Cherokee Purple and a Sungold (and know which ones those are), but other than that, no clue.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD5hm5IApPQHq8MBQoQRARTnEm9EPEGouNxlBvpTbEbVwdXeov43mTvOv70QApkgGyqTYYNWh8gkZ-rJGO_vK2Yzqy9Fw2QRV7W0PIGRYCUJSbGXjNueak-P2Mll5dtKWpHluUPTfHg/s1600/IMG_3883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD5hm5IApPQHq8MBQoQRARTnEm9EPEGouNxlBvpTbEbVwdXeov43mTvOv70QApkgGyqTYYNWh8gkZ-rJGO_vK2Yzqy9Fw2QRV7W0PIGRYCUJSbGXjNueak-P2Mll5dtKWpHluUPTfHg/s640/IMG_3883.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I have eaten one grape tomato and one green zebra off the vine, but this is my big one so far. In fact, I picked it today and it is sitting on my kitchen counter waiting for me to go get some bologna for a sandwich today.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhRhLPGBIVqC99Tz6wO4ojEPVZ_FzdkyaRltFmb1KLdCwRo2coJT5ZTd6MMxp31FapdUkbn1CgLSfRw3Que8tRiOySSMsLTpva7Ehfr2J40wLg4Q_dTp8cZ10NyZ_2p_lQLX50YTBug/s1600/IMG_3885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhRhLPGBIVqC99Tz6wO4ojEPVZ_FzdkyaRltFmb1KLdCwRo2coJT5ZTd6MMxp31FapdUkbn1CgLSfRw3Que8tRiOySSMsLTpva7Ehfr2J40wLg4Q_dTp8cZ10NyZ_2p_lQLX50YTBug/s640/IMG_3885.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>This is my only 'problem'. One of the bird feeders is located at the end of the patio, right over the planter. I have some 'volunteers', such as this sunflower, coming up. And I think some birds and squirrels eyeing my tomatoes.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>In one of the flower beds I stuck this zucchini. I really don't expect much out of it because it has to contend with the dogs and I did plant it late, but there are a couple of blooms on it. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-5f_ALUOxdTU9PgNR-4S7AYYhT6VN-daLu4sG6V65mBPcrZfaMsbQMeMbGQlqSfHvyScMfDganDXO4qBd3Db3XMFLieMI2HZmE3PS6OhJ0Y8OI3aFiNsC70jhIre8EQI6TuEXEjskQ/s1600/IMG_3888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-5f_ALUOxdTU9PgNR-4S7AYYhT6VN-daLu4sG6V65mBPcrZfaMsbQMeMbGQlqSfHvyScMfDganDXO4qBd3Db3XMFLieMI2HZmE3PS6OhJ0Y8OI3aFiNsC70jhIre8EQI6TuEXEjskQ/s640/IMG_3888.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>So far I am pleased with what I have been able to grow so far. Now let's get onto the harvesting!</i></span><br />
<br />Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-75341181748620969122013-07-20T17:58:00.000-07:002013-07-20T17:58:55.564-07:00Hanging Valley Trail<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>In my effort to get out and about, I joined up with a meetup group, the Helena Hikers, and today went for my first hike. Hanging Valley Trail is listed in a couple of books and online as a "moderate" hike. I talked to one of the hikers and she asked some very good questions about my abilities (none) and we agreed I would try it and stop when I reached my limit. My goal is to get so that I can hike the majority of the trails in and around Montana. The day was cool to start with and I had my pack all filled with water and snacks (and bandaids and ibuprofen) and met the group at the trailhead in Vigilante Campgrounds. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Now to start off, the directions to get to the trailhead is to follow York Road out of Helena and the campgrounds are about 30 miles away. York Road starts out as a nice, winding road. The it gets 'windier'. And then the pavement ends and you still have about 10 more miles left. The road ends at the camp grounds. Apparently York Road was once a valid road and a scenic route. However, after it washed out a few times, the Parks Department said forget it. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvhdLUjhBi4Za0bC0uiIhTjL1gZmoN9WD6SNB9D1dIcAlwdny-XcuyEqZPkCJM33ZwjFW6NhET0MqeLo8w1Dtd3uk8Fqxtz_KkxiozIC1TPtdDOdUSTygsUYEGzjezoddbsx_PRHo8w/s1600/IMG_3767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvhdLUjhBi4Za0bC0uiIhTjL1gZmoN9WD6SNB9D1dIcAlwdny-XcuyEqZPkCJM33ZwjFW6NhET0MqeLo8w1Dtd3uk8Fqxtz_KkxiozIC1TPtdDOdUSTygsUYEGzjezoddbsx_PRHo8w/s640/IMG_3767.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>There are actually two trails at Vigilante Campgrounds. One is Trout Canyon which is suppose to be easy (rated wheelchair accessible for the first mile). The other is Hanging Valley, labeled moderate. I have not had much experience with camping or campgrounds, but I was impressed with this campground. Small, but neat. A couple of bathrooms and each site had a picnic table and a fire pit.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Trout Canyon Trail is at the end of the road where you turn into the campgrounds, crossing over the creek.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsltmL6aFOaJqx8l5PjXj2oeHV0W33vJkpf75grvqOBcI6EDGAGKEeQCabvfUVc80xOcCosPm_M7Z4tH5t9YdMT05PPYm9HvJq9SjCa0pWpGIm-BD4YL_iwds_uON5NwTWTqe8IC4kA/s1600/IMG_3772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsltmL6aFOaJqx8l5PjXj2oeHV0W33vJkpf75grvqOBcI6EDGAGKEeQCabvfUVc80xOcCosPm_M7Z4tH5t9YdMT05PPYm9HvJq9SjCa0pWpGIm-BD4YL_iwds_uON5NwTWTqe8IC4kA/s640/IMG_3772.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>After the walk, one of the hikers and I dipped our feet into the creek. Unlike a creek in North Carolina, which in July would have been tepid, this definitely woke you up.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Since it was questionable if I would make even part of the hike, I met up with the group at the trailhead. This little beauty was waiting here for me.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnU_PgjQetjMLPo0bY-gEHcwmY3h2TRim-5nXQF6c2GGhw30wMEBBfhnIztsh165disNyrBWj9Tn6mWEqPnMva9hfxsycYHJ6ts6K4k3oVTWMRy5PLQcBsipzfs_JvTDRgWNVw1qqHw/s1600/IMG_3764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnU_PgjQetjMLPo0bY-gEHcwmY3h2TRim-5nXQF6c2GGhw30wMEBBfhnIztsh165disNyrBWj9Tn6mWEqPnMva9hfxsycYHJ6ts6K4k3oVTWMRy5PLQcBsipzfs_JvTDRgWNVw1qqHw/s640/IMG_3764.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>This I could identify, a thistle, complete with a little white spider.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>There were six of us which showed up for the hike. Two other women and 3 men and one of the best trained dogs I have been around, Marky.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiig55MNFU20daf8_FbfQSUt1NCcaZzoT0AF-KQcTQ2p4vG-bhTv2ZhGYQWavswN0wImTeilMMxUftwJGfeRgg0SptA_4E5fkez0caStpMujS5DOG_H_6Noz2dOBfRHy1MgmUKz34sb5w/s1600/IMG_3791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiig55MNFU20daf8_FbfQSUt1NCcaZzoT0AF-KQcTQ2p4vG-bhTv2ZhGYQWavswN0wImTeilMMxUftwJGfeRgg0SptA_4E5fkez0caStpMujS5DOG_H_6Noz2dOBfRHy1MgmUKz34sb5w/s640/IMG_3791.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>So up the trail we go. And my brain was going "are you really this stupid?"</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTyRKxKpy4z_qp35qL1TR-1lZdt4Qbn4bm1BECaWUSFl-xR7rHotSsr-5K85dP8Q0oyb2Sk9IkUGLx9Dvd5nEWnU8Cct_pdOOWzaa5C_yr4070CACR2oxHJD0QARo7kDE4Z2YLbyKPw/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTyRKxKpy4z_qp35qL1TR-1lZdt4Qbn4bm1BECaWUSFl-xR7rHotSsr-5K85dP8Q0oyb2Sk9IkUGLx9Dvd5nEWnU8Cct_pdOOWzaa5C_yr4070CACR2oxHJD0QARo7kDE4Z2YLbyKPw/s640/IMG_3768.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Please note, I had been advised, both by one of the other hikers and by what I was reading there is about a 3000 foot change in elevation in about 4 miles. Then you drop down a 1000 feet, back up a 1000 feet before you get to the end of the trail. But the view is suppose to be fantastic and the drop down is suppose to be like something out of Bryce Canyon in Utah. I wanted to go.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The trail goes up. As in straight up. As in I was huffing and puffing within a few feet of starting. After a bit, we split up into two groups. Marky's owner wasn't sure if he could make it and the two of us stayed together. Actually, I think he and Marky could have done it fine, but he was a sweetheart and we lagged behind (way behind) and only made it part of the way. For 'moderate' hikers, the 12 miles round trip was a 6 hour hike, just about. Up and back for me as far as I went was 3 hours. I figure I walked up the mountain for 2 hours and 1 hour back down.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKk5t2uoCyw2I7j69-5pH4qbrPoIKTsPFNTy4_Zx92KVkS1LxS1B1Hsit2byifOtYS7mah9a-gn_IvegqQkGxzGwLZvmlceF69HleCfC8_wMCzXKFl6Jtj82g2F0QeaY9eZglAX4XInw/s1600/IMG_3821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKk5t2uoCyw2I7j69-5pH4qbrPoIKTsPFNTy4_Zx92KVkS1LxS1B1Hsit2byifOtYS7mah9a-gn_IvegqQkGxzGwLZvmlceF69HleCfC8_wMCzXKFl6Jtj82g2F0QeaY9eZglAX4XInw/s640/IMG_3821.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I think this was one of the only 'flat' parts of the trail. I love flat now. I adore downhill!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I did miss out of the more spectacular scenery at the end of the trail. But what I did stumble through was breathtaking.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnIPgAi4R7axOCXMYnb1-mmlFr_m4oCsfGw0I0SqEEgeKEy7NgwhnwYh83dyf9-mZO82H1MFi7cbj78BvE9L15SWMi6lhXbUAPfCd2VVgPbOAqWz4HsHj5zmtM12AsH_Qb5ZttnSSdw/s1600/IMG_3775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnIPgAi4R7axOCXMYnb1-mmlFr_m4oCsfGw0I0SqEEgeKEy7NgwhnwYh83dyf9-mZO82H1MFi7cbj78BvE9L15SWMi6lhXbUAPfCd2VVgPbOAqWz4HsHj5zmtM12AsH_Qb5ZttnSSdw/s640/IMG_3775.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4KPHnl-xsL75S3AJJpgrtRdJfpPaHYODRA6Yp7qO0UVs4vtSim6TDEmFYbte5Ptg4dsWKEGAt3LmbS6OTHIBF_VLB4BMvd5jmVyXyO4DABwBM8fFvc6giwe1Mz1htNpTwkIm70omrQ/s1600/IMG_3784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4KPHnl-xsL75S3AJJpgrtRdJfpPaHYODRA6Yp7qO0UVs4vtSim6TDEmFYbte5Ptg4dsWKEGAt3LmbS6OTHIBF_VLB4BMvd5jmVyXyO4DABwBM8fFvc6giwe1Mz1htNpTwkIm70omrQ/s640/IMG_3784.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaScMWc0zy2PMizfezi3gzTs9SB2L-rKfNuuR1NF1Flgsec260TClYiRg9JSYWOzuuoKM9nGjDBZhzusgP5KWDxxeqIcvidTZKOBg4rVx8JtGNaqIsCdQ4EWCzHWikFL5BYFranU6MA/s1600/IMG_3835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaScMWc0zy2PMizfezi3gzTs9SB2L-rKfNuuR1NF1Flgsec260TClYiRg9JSYWOzuuoKM9nGjDBZhzusgP5KWDxxeqIcvidTZKOBg4rVx8JtGNaqIsCdQ4EWCzHWikFL5BYFranU6MA/s640/IMG_3835.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>One thing that did give me pause was the "Spanish Moss" on the pine trees. I know it is probably something else, but it really gave me pause. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>And I definitely need to get a field guide on the flora of Montana. There were so many flowers and plants which I wanted to identify on the trail.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>According to one of the hiking books, May is when I need to be there for the pink lady slippers and other 'spring' flowers. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>So what I learned today....</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>1. I need more work to make the 'moderate' mark as far as hiking goes. But at least I have a definite goal now. I WILL BE BACK!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>2. What I had packed in my backpack was about right for the walk. Not too much, not too little.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>3. My new hiking boots worked well. My nice little bunion likes the men's wider toe box much better.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>4. I meet a really great group of people who I can hike with now.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>5. My dogs are wild and crazy and have no manners whatsoever compared to Marky. I am such a bad doggy mother.</i></span><br />
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<br />Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-24114604874613626692013-07-10T19:14:00.000-07:002013-07-10T19:14:09.283-07:00Tizer Gardens Are Fantastic<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I have often gone to the arboretums in the Raleigh-Durham area over the years. Walking through the wonderful flowering plants and trees was always so peaceful and yet, invigorating. I had seen signs for <a href="http://www.tizergardens.com/" target="_blank">Tizer Gardens</a> and read about them in a guide book or two, but it wasn't until yesterday I decided to make the short trip and explore. I do have to preface this with a note that they are not a 'public' garden, in that they are supported by funds from somewhere else. They are a private garden and do charge a small entrance fee of $6.00 a person. It is money well spent. Because frankly, if these were my gardens, I would be extremely selfish and keep them all to myself.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I actually decided to go yesterday because I had a question about a plant, but that is another posting. Since it was suppose to be reasonably cool, Texter, Lady K and I loaded up for the short trip about 20 miles south of Helena. Very easy to get to, although I did have to giggle, when compared to other gardens I've visited, you end up going down a dirt road for a bit. But once you get there.....</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9moeUhd0lhL5DB26xgGrxqggOud1GPdxAe4UQsRFwmQx-khwL6pbgOz69Y6-LqgALV1allDjkkKlw5-1LlwrLBjjVLEq-onJAIvcOr0tjTusxin_CcfRORdXldnj1vM27ID-NqdRqQ/s1600/IMG_3145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9moeUhd0lhL5DB26xgGrxqggOud1GPdxAe4UQsRFwmQx-khwL6pbgOz69Y6-LqgALV1allDjkkKlw5-1LlwrLBjjVLEq-onJAIvcOr0tjTusxin_CcfRORdXldnj1vM27ID-NqdRqQ/s640/IMG_3145.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The gardens are located on the other side of the road from their nursery (which I HAVE to go back to). You know you are in for a treat when the profusion of hanging baskets and climbing roses and vines greet you at the entrance. We were greeted by a lovely young lady who showed us the gift shop and gave us a map of their extensive walkways.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zt3jTkfcOu2DVuTJcYnY2JLLCFYet2VBQgBknVBuOCjZTUdMrsLWdK5PTSSlecm8YQIPTioC8mL80n_ZRxCggrUxXWP5ua4N6jd7QlMfvarz7YKWGUBVQ0mw06ZBUgC5aXNppSJrlA/s1600/IMG_3153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zt3jTkfcOu2DVuTJcYnY2JLLCFYet2VBQgBknVBuOCjZTUdMrsLWdK5PTSSlecm8YQIPTioC8mL80n_ZRxCggrUxXWP5ua4N6jd7QlMfvarz7YKWGUBVQ0mw06ZBUgC5aXNppSJrlA/s640/IMG_3153.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>One of the things I particularly enjoyed about the gardens where their use of whimsy at every turn. Old arbors, screen doors, old stumps turned into planters were everywhere. You couldn't rush through the gardens or you might miss something.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxv6B3bDoyO5niRf2A51cG1v7SqtqEXCvBQSPpB_gg8dH_WkBlCq7zb8htqClSkiV1lad2yq2-2wkOwO-vz0TMA8wNoaabfGOo4lmy7P_ZzMd86ITkT4YZxpljzk4JEHxndmW_MYHrQ/s1600/IMG_3219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxv6B3bDoyO5niRf2A51cG1v7SqtqEXCvBQSPpB_gg8dH_WkBlCq7zb8htqClSkiV1lad2yq2-2wkOwO-vz0TMA8wNoaabfGOo4lmy7P_ZzMd86ITkT4YZxpljzk4JEHxndmW_MYHrQ/s640/IMG_3219.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Mini-bird house tree in the 'fairy garden' area. There were mirrors strung which reflected sunlight like disco balls.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fxe5NYAObzDcHGfFhd0D0p_yNmouELkHALwKIXGGAKffvdEcU_-vDwU2Q4Lrysv0IM87zs83KGpBKsCUm1Eo_FaKfQjKPQ4v1vD-hHWAvkDDeeiE8-ld7jKlqE29q8y_omeHxjYtRA/s1600/IMG_3205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fxe5NYAObzDcHGfFhd0D0p_yNmouELkHALwKIXGGAKffvdEcU_-vDwU2Q4Lrysv0IM87zs83KGpBKsCUm1Eo_FaKfQjKPQ4v1vD-hHWAvkDDeeiE8-ld7jKlqE29q8y_omeHxjYtRA/s640/IMG_3205.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>A bell sculpture along the pathway.</i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNKC9Dpt4SzXKuE9wmdLh6dMdIr91n0cBk63UEksEIyqmK9VngksUnSr18tkEH6PZZABIdq7_Wth5SvIrDV6dxuv65dVu_g2wcumYCnLI3wWdRpNV-f4XCXBV1HrCe0s0pSbsVHaqUQ/s1600/IMG_3216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNKC9Dpt4SzXKuE9wmdLh6dMdIr91n0cBk63UEksEIyqmK9VngksUnSr18tkEH6PZZABIdq7_Wth5SvIrDV6dxuv65dVu_g2wcumYCnLI3wWdRpNV-f4XCXBV1HrCe0s0pSbsVHaqUQ/s640/IMG_3216.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Texter and Lady K really like where the fairies live. With the lights reflecting from the mirrors on the birdhouse tree, it looks like little fairies flitting here and there.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqOfsi6etgqocUYb3YPFg2shGvOYXk-W3aQ4jaQW2leU1jXg07uGY9rN6oc4WBSKbIdLWGQSw1SdWGd3k28fetRaIlcqaKF4mXB_t8WfEHGjKBAMeACiwD4pk7Ok0GmbOgoUnkbaZ7g/s1600/IMG_3246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqOfsi6etgqocUYb3YPFg2shGvOYXk-W3aQ4jaQW2leU1jXg07uGY9rN6oc4WBSKbIdLWGQSw1SdWGd3k28fetRaIlcqaKF4mXB_t8WfEHGjKBAMeACiwD4pk7Ok0GmbOgoUnkbaZ7g/s640/IMG_3246.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Right next to the fairies are the gnomes. Dozens and dozens of gnomes. We were giggling because Savvy hates gnomes and she wouldn't set foot there if we took her.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Prickly Pear Creek runs through the gardens and a nice spot is under the fuchsia plants.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZ1Ex1h_DgoxaR6ACq9jEhIUHT4rw-RPNtdFzRC31_uMbnXJ6-VdF4uuzG4xoZQRJPTk6-mRAGKqPhsOVQ9pcwdMfzpLUv4w4p_VkHQqiTOmCGA7aOlMZC_0NcaRrPwF4CN4KTEbY2A/s1600/IMG_3251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZ1Ex1h_DgoxaR6ACq9jEhIUHT4rw-RPNtdFzRC31_uMbnXJ6-VdF4uuzG4xoZQRJPTk6-mRAGKqPhsOVQ9pcwdMfzpLUv4w4p_VkHQqiTOmCGA7aOlMZC_0NcaRrPwF4CN4KTEbY2A/s640/IMG_3251.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>How could you not want to sit there and watch the water go by?</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSEBnYlxKGpMKVZqUzYCB17-Mag7ZWIk-S10FYiLhlfhTgAuPHy6zs2WB7jzfj3dgZeNagGNIWGeHbVxXcQIkoEEV7t9TF5F29Rg6xcHUGCsSmeCD0TxO96KUbPw_tXB1ereCYZcUAw/s1600/IMG_3194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSEBnYlxKGpMKVZqUzYCB17-Mag7ZWIk-S10FYiLhlfhTgAuPHy6zs2WB7jzfj3dgZeNagGNIWGeHbVxXcQIkoEEV7t9TF5F29Rg6xcHUGCsSmeCD0TxO96KUbPw_tXB1ereCYZcUAw/s640/IMG_3194.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>And if you enjoy watching the creek flow by, how about this guy? I think he has stood there a little too long.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Since I have moved to Montana I am having to relearn a bit about gardening with the different seasons. So the vegetable garden area was particularly interesting. The fact that it was July and they had lettuce going strong, when in North Carolina it would have already bolted a couple of months earlier, was interesting. Noted for my garden next year.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK26LNdUJIzUOxc5X71_sFRJrxRhAUvc5YvWQXv9zMq86Irms9ZRjq793rDlH8ShwL3f7DQnRUXFqR3b2OwRT1akfNcXE-4f4bOtP_CKdQcxPylx3XBozWEmpunSgc9qAHj4Z_NsPXXw/s1600/IMG_3179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK26LNdUJIzUOxc5X71_sFRJrxRhAUvc5YvWQXv9zMq86Irms9ZRjq793rDlH8ShwL3f7DQnRUXFqR3b2OwRT1akfNcXE-4f4bOtP_CKdQcxPylx3XBozWEmpunSgc9qAHj4Z_NsPXXw/s640/IMG_3179.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The whole place had such an English cottage garden feel to it I just wanted to tell Texter to find her own way home, I was staying.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Probably one of my favorite nooks was the 'meditation' area I called it. Texter wants to bring Lady K back in her fairy outfit because she likes the ground cover there. I want to sit with Buddha and meditate for awhile.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Needless to say, this will not be my last trip here. Once the weather cools a bit, I can see spending several hours and lunch time here. Who wouldn't want to stay as long as possible with views like this?</i></span></div>
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Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-6539551341805289262013-06-12T08:20:00.001-07:002013-06-12T08:20:42.880-07:00Hauser Dam on Saturday<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Last Saturday, we loaded up to head to Gate to the Mountains. Planning on doing a little hiking. However, once we got there, unless we had a boat, there was no way to see the "Gates". A little check on the old cell phones and we decided to drive over to Hauser Dam. (I have this thing about dams.)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>To get to this dam, it was a drive down a very narrow, gravel road with a drop off to the lake on one side. However, I do know several places to go fishing now when I get me some fly fishing equipment. This area is definitely not a cane pole and worm fishing area.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Gibbs, Texter, Lady K and I walked down a trail from the top of the dam to the bottom and then along the river a bit. As usual, the scenery was remarkable.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>We had tall cliffs on one side and the river on the other. Unfortunately, once we got down by the river, the rocks made walking a little treacherous. And I am too busy taking in the scenery, flowers and wildlife to really pay much attention to where my feet go.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Wild flowers, butterflies and birds made the walk enjoyable. My new favorite bird are the magpies. This couple were on the other side of a fence dividing the trail at one point from part of the dam area. They weren't really concerned we were walking right up to them. And while there is not the white honeysuckle I am use to, there seems to be this smaller, pink honeysuckle. Of course, nothing compares to the lilacs which are everywhere.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Gibbs decided to do a little rock climbing. Texter and Lady K sat that exercise out.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Despite being carried the whole time, the little hiking we did tired Lady K out. And the back pack carrier she was in was making both her and Texter a little hot. So Gibbs took up 'toting' duty. Unfortunately, Gibbs wouldn't carry me across the dam. I don't like heights and just stared straight across and walked fast. I did stop long enough to photograph the lake behind the dam.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>How could you not want to spend the day on the lake with this kind of scenery?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>After our little hike at Hauser Dam, we piled back in the car and drove down Recreation Road to Wolf Creek. This winding road parallels I15 to Great Falls for a ways. It runs along the creeks and is also some wonderful scenery. I plan on going back one day and stopping along the way to take pictures of the creek. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Lunch was eaten in Wolf Creek at this little hole-in-the-wall cafe/bar. Pretty decent hamburgers and fries. Overall a nice day before heading home to mow the yard. </i></span><br />
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<br />Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-56324889146160421162013-05-14T06:10:00.001-07:002013-05-14T06:10:36.232-07:00More Birds and Another Non-Bird Animal<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>On Mother's Day, Texter, Lady K and I dragged Gibbs out to Benton Lake to see all the sights we see. It was a bust for the most part. The flocks of birds just weren't there. No deer. Nothing really exciting, but did manage to capture a couple of gems.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lAe8GLIHX7r1_1XtmOMr8yWbTVpUvpihx2qFbH1PGJTX1iOoPqyQwr2cp_5UKspuOuGu7fqxl-7Y6z89oMLKMrg6-ZKkjUAfBY0WpzbKB5ZR6ISbngPQ9aY8cqW1VcPfmWYoTv5grQ/s1600/IMG_1962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lAe8GLIHX7r1_1XtmOMr8yWbTVpUvpihx2qFbH1PGJTX1iOoPqyQwr2cp_5UKspuOuGu7fqxl-7Y6z89oMLKMrg6-ZKkjUAfBY0WpzbKB5ZR6ISbngPQ9aY8cqW1VcPfmWYoTv5grQ/s640/IMG_1962.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>This guy, I have found out, is a White Faced Ibis. Don't see the white face, but I knew it had to have been a crane or heron-type bird.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>And on the lake, I captured this lovely reflection.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihefbwlreEKOz5CdbJ0-gVgvc5ow0CpwUEYWSfpZcUnnTUomU4oQO2EavMUfh1za6eTUNOdLUvDT16U7TD9tF0UY9KcedrlQ-duZt6ZgUtKrnuGRGXoZvK9CiGQd5i0xiGtlWfBSFyaQ/s1600/water+fowl+reflection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihefbwlreEKOz5CdbJ0-gVgvc5ow0CpwUEYWSfpZcUnnTUomU4oQO2EavMUfh1za6eTUNOdLUvDT16U7TD9tF0UY9KcedrlQ-duZt6ZgUtKrnuGRGXoZvK9CiGQd5i0xiGtlWfBSFyaQ/s640/water+fowl+reflection.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>I like the fact that the reflection was clear enough to even see their eyes.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Texter was thrilled that she got to see a couple of her non-bird animal, the yellow-bellied marmot. There were a couple by the lake, along the road and they didn't really seem all that scared of us. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>They are still a little shaggy looking. I don't think a fur coat of marmot is something of my list of wants.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Last time we were there, we had seen a bunch of pheasants. However, they were far enough from the road that I didn't really get a picture which shows of the wonderful coloration of the male. This time I was successful.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHpcJL-4C2eqfIieOauX11cdc_w2kkEm2DCrv_uLAhxxKM0JQ35jGMaCFAnGVUlxkjIBpt4IXthhlqy_dp5y3eo-gB2lubY9rQfofSESOAAgH25zR4B4_nx69M7-kXlURUiuufftFVA/s1600/pheasant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHpcJL-4C2eqfIieOauX11cdc_w2kkEm2DCrv_uLAhxxKM0JQ35jGMaCFAnGVUlxkjIBpt4IXthhlqy_dp5y3eo-gB2lubY9rQfofSESOAAgH25zR4B4_nx69M7-kXlURUiuufftFVA/s640/pheasant.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Isn't he wonderful! I can see why people stuffed and displayed them. He is so luscious.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>The ride was a little disappointing, but not a total waste. And I will return!</i></span>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-6778916386438412122013-05-09T07:21:00.000-07:002013-05-09T07:21:12.105-07:00Cranky Baby and "Non-Bird Animals"<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Lady K has not been 100% the past couple of days and it seems the one thing that makes her a happy baby is to ride in the car. Therefore, Texter and I made two trips to Benton Lake on Wednesday in order to make Lady K happy. I can't understand how riding on a bumpy, gravel road sends her into a sound sleep, but it does. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Texter is a little tired of just seeing birds at the wildlife refuge, even though we did see some I haven't seen before. Texter was also my 'cinematographer' and took a couple of videos of the birds for me.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>This is my new beauty I 'discovered' on the morning trip. And yes, the name is just what it is, a yellow-headed black bird.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoC7kkhzfr7oxcQmSKgDBOpszmS4yCUY4Nedi1eO0QHpldN8ofS7midslGWZOk3rkJ-F_TOnmuVl1cTVU9fmsl7vE1ztO_dwRjzD2_28knZ6a7m-Byzqs7_e5u8C0iGiveR7kt-OIUQ/s1600/IMG_1449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoC7kkhzfr7oxcQmSKgDBOpszmS4yCUY4Nedi1eO0QHpldN8ofS7midslGWZOk3rkJ-F_TOnmuVl1cTVU9fmsl7vE1ztO_dwRjzD2_28knZ6a7m-Byzqs7_e5u8C0iGiveR7kt-OIUQ/s640/IMG_1449.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>The description in my field guide talks about their loud, distinctive call. A tree with several of the birds in there was almost deafening. Their yellow head is so vivid and there were hundreds of them around the lake area. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>That evening, when we went back with cranky Lady K, we walked out on the marsh board walk. Lined up down the walkway were dozens of these little beauties.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>But as I mentioned earlier, Texter was getting a little tired of only seeing birds, even birds we had never seen before. As we were stopped and watching the yellow-headed blackbirds, she spied the "non-bird animal' - that was what she called out when she saw it under the tree the birds were sitting in.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>So we stalked this 'non-bird animal' down the bank of the lake and then it sauntered across the road in front of us. We knew it wasn't a beaver or a muskrat (no rat tail), but wasn't sure what it was.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxaCXQo_a-JlQEQSLWhgEXDDwj7dNim1xAWR0EME1rvkuzWjDFJnCVrkZSo2qY29p8LUg0dOMR8yuHlB-Pkea-MUNVUAQC8sYOUTzxQT3lh30j9gpHpECkbUSlbnhZq8JFSzC8oU-9A/s1600/IMG_1516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxaCXQo_a-JlQEQSLWhgEXDDwj7dNim1xAWR0EME1rvkuzWjDFJnCVrkZSo2qY29p8LUg0dOMR8yuHlB-Pkea-MUNVUAQC8sYOUTzxQT3lh30j9gpHpECkbUSlbnhZq8JFSzC8oU-9A/s640/IMG_1516.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Meet a yellow-bellied marmot or 'rock chuck' as he is called. It seems while we were thrilled and excited about seeing him, they are considered a pest and like to hang out at the local golf courses (which, because the courses are beside water, it makes them a favorite location to find them).</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Another non-bird animal we saw was ground squirrels. Often called gophers, they were hanging out at the ranger station which is where we first saw them. Once I saw the mound and knew what to look for, it was easy to see they were everywhere in the refuge (and around town).</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLIjOrjFdr3mAwGPSlZLif-pAjmyTvNy1vrczk5Yz93Ufa229bHjVKupkH0gqsyJT045C47r3vRwaygfJhWIp81IoNE26EXADyPYkTVE3KBn-5nLS2i53sUitWlCl1Pu4izfFl3f8mg/s1600/IMG_1727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLIjOrjFdr3mAwGPSlZLif-pAjmyTvNy1vrczk5Yz93Ufa229bHjVKupkH0gqsyJT045C47r3vRwaygfJhWIp81IoNE26EXADyPYkTVE3KBn-5nLS2i53sUitWlCl1Pu4izfFl3f8mg/s640/IMG_1727.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>They are so cute and the mound where we first saw them had about seven or eight, popping their little heads up and running back into the ground. Texter was now happy - something was viewed other than birds. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>During the morning ride, as we were leaving the refuge, we saw a pheasant. This was exciting as pheasant feathers were always a subject of discussion at Ren Faires, as in the number of feathers you could wear in your hat without offending the queen. When we went back in the evening, we saw enough pheasant to garb the entire court and have a feast for the queen. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuwVzWdSXI1aNgkkGOZAs3Hf8DSaTkumOZjmh4xtEt3tsr5OY4nIprvPR4wK3T2JFQERR4PFEw_TRCUlwGhkF92qFWg4QTuQiA4jo_6YtG0451ViVkBbutVUYeDNPA5bc6ty9Lkn9Dg/s1600/IMG_1916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuwVzWdSXI1aNgkkGOZAs3Hf8DSaTkumOZjmh4xtEt3tsr5OY4nIprvPR4wK3T2JFQERR4PFEw_TRCUlwGhkF92qFWg4QTuQiA4jo_6YtG0451ViVkBbutVUYeDNPA5bc6ty9Lkn9Dg/s640/IMG_1916.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>They are so colorful and just strutting those feathers around. I could feel Savvy in my mind, wanting to chase them down and pull out tail feathers. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWUsIAYZWo67by5IjWQF765iLYkklAuUNlc4w0RTJszl9PHSzwcIrFJovEtFAAQr_-tFrRnpcDUsOO_LoNwNx4SzKnWw-c2RE7iWbSkz-ctdjcXrRZ3_yOvGFf77r5L9aFQnCfy7QMw/s1600/IMG_1932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWUsIAYZWo67by5IjWQF765iLYkklAuUNlc4w0RTJszl9PHSzwcIrFJovEtFAAQr_-tFrRnpcDUsOO_LoNwNx4SzKnWw-c2RE7iWbSkz-ctdjcXrRZ3_yOvGFf77r5L9aFQnCfy7QMw/s640/IMG_1932.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Several of these colorful males had nice, quiet, almost invisible hens with them. Question. Is it wrong to look at them and have the thought about what they would taste like roasted? Just wondering.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Hundreds of birds were there, one, the American Coot (black with white bill), Texter was intrigued about. There were several bird houses set up near the road around the drive for Tree Swallows.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRawk_DsPPS_IFwgLTnuZFsjFLaxfT7cSSq418zEWG8wEu1ZNNRtwLJuAz79X6RWjTZJ0jt3TxHQ0FCZE5yh2dkw6niLE0d90Q_RpxCmOSZsimai8vnmxXRER7CYdPYrwf77VHRWPr_g/s1600/IMG_1671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRawk_DsPPS_IFwgLTnuZFsjFLaxfT7cSSq418zEWG8wEu1ZNNRtwLJuAz79X6RWjTZJ0jt3TxHQ0FCZE5yh2dkw6niLE0d90Q_RpxCmOSZsimai8vnmxXRER7CYdPYrwf77VHRWPr_g/s640/IMG_1671.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>When we went for our evening trip, we could see in the distance, two or three herds of deer. Each herd for 4-5 deer, but they were really far from the road and we couldn't see them very well. I was disappointed there weren't any pronghorns out. But on the way into town we did pass this "small" herd right by the road.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9V48_rHjUazku4j3MBkOsw1lEvuXNbZMpSIoakun-y5f6pFAKhkOLkTHhPHr7TguzUWqiyk_MW0ZhWwYiApssJk3s3qJe3tulpDeaXexIC0zK05pBz_sXTn6PCSkXgpizu66HpWpoDA/s1600/IMG_1936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9V48_rHjUazku4j3MBkOsw1lEvuXNbZMpSIoakun-y5f6pFAKhkOLkTHhPHr7TguzUWqiyk_MW0ZhWwYiApssJk3s3qJe3tulpDeaXexIC0zK05pBz_sXTn6PCSkXgpizu66HpWpoDA/s640/IMG_1936.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Luckily, they were happy with where they were and didn't decide to cross the road without warning.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Between the two trips, I took about 400 pictures (before culling out the blurry ones where I tried to capture the birds flying). However, this little beauty is my favorite and the most exciting 'find'. It wasn't until we got home and I downloaded the pictures I realized something which made the encounter even more special.....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIAthsOgudeaXBYEO64O_IiH6rkC65OA7jcLbNy_bwN1V8mGcbZDoJG5avJ3bFdGfcQyI-J7dxkJOUK9EdLeg1tzgBUcqqoXr58pIMoV_E9e65-rqXHcqx3TL-HNDw9kq07jRqlRFRw/s1600/IMG_1757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIAthsOgudeaXBYEO64O_IiH6rkC65OA7jcLbNy_bwN1V8mGcbZDoJG5avJ3bFdGfcQyI-J7dxkJOUK9EdLeg1tzgBUcqqoXr58pIMoV_E9e65-rqXHcqx3TL-HNDw9kq07jRqlRFRw/s640/IMG_1757.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>He was sitting right beside the road on our evening trip, almost at the start of the drive around the lake. When we had stopped in the morning and were talking to the ranger, she said we might be lucky enough to see owls in the evening. She wasn't kidding. But this was the thrilling find with the owl....</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8g66BgzygEJwbATiI9PK8dULQmR5nZpySZP-HuD-z1noeq9FBmXLgkBY9oa6FmNZszP1BdKeKMUTK-5_6pYCK5wrojRrSnhOvkfAGQZ48JsTIpSW07llcjskrtmeyJva2kcKVHjk6Q/s1600/IMG_1762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8g66BgzygEJwbATiI9PK8dULQmR5nZpySZP-HuD-z1noeq9FBmXLgkBY9oa6FmNZszP1BdKeKMUTK-5_6pYCK5wrojRrSnhOvkfAGQZ48JsTIpSW07llcjskrtmeyJva2kcKVHjk6Q/s640/IMG_1762.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>As he/she flew away, note the left foot. Yep, we interrupted dinner.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>So Wednesday was spent driving around Benton Lake and observing the wildlife. House is still a mess, laundry still needs to be done, but everyone, including Lady K, had a good time, so it wasn't a waste of time.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>(I will post later some pictures which are more 'arty' from our trips.)</i></span></div>
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Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-53411678689569526182013-04-21T05:44:00.001-07:002013-04-21T05:44:51.149-07:00I'll Be "Dam'ed"<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Because of the falls in this area (hence the name, Great Falls), there are four dams. I had seen Black Eagle Dam and walked around there. I tried to see Rainbow Dam, but you can't see anything from the side of the river I was on. You have to go to the far side and view it face on as it is in a bend in the river.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>With Saturday being nice weather (50's and windy, but mostly sunny), Texter and I decided to do a little hiking and try out the new baby pack we got for Lady K. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>It works pretty well. Will work better when Lady K is a little larger, but we have a baby insert coming next week. So after a walk around the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, we decided to check out the dams in the area.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>First, was Rainbow Dam which I had not been able to see the first time around and was only a hop away from where we were. </i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEre9lODRGiI7tK4APjSDExcs9Lbeb0ZwzxwgPqF_tTX9eeyYvbzJL6uI2VjB_NsUML5rSupJ2P3VLWBLHESpRutcemp4y_-HR0rqk4tSA8zaqTrRthsXIn_JqcvxSBNOi3mCv5B-SLQ/s1600/IMG_1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEre9lODRGiI7tK4APjSDExcs9Lbeb0ZwzxwgPqF_tTX9eeyYvbzJL6uI2VjB_NsUML5rSupJ2P3VLWBLHESpRutcemp4y_-HR0rqk4tSA8zaqTrRthsXIn_JqcvxSBNOi3mCv5B-SLQ/s640/IMG_1161.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Rainbow Dam<br /></i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24kGLagPloD5FU7HFB2h1SY2LE20GuHnl3Xel2jVl3TkcCySxUF1CijwIxVn-CS0Vrju8evtIgOEu88NUOV74DHa45pYXx99S54BwwIm4AwKmSp0j33G_TKEyjVXmtK-Ed-Ob4BXtpA/s1600/IMG_1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24kGLagPloD5FU7HFB2h1SY2LE20GuHnl3Xel2jVl3TkcCySxUF1CijwIxVn-CS0Vrju8evtIgOEu88NUOV74DHa45pYXx99S54BwwIm4AwKmSp0j33G_TKEyjVXmtK-Ed-Ob4BXtpA/s640/IMG_1175.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>One of the falls on Rainbow Dam</i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNKiE4K1OFr8-ZQbBAnfdviVT_59Yt5p5AgOPCSjhynPlYx7TKSBQ-qMic6ZS3urjubBqVqvJlusqIucQXdyjrsB4zPkX0re3Sjgzgv-WBAIWMs_6Hbo1ztjGwzMYFJWywQv15_cakA/s1600/IMG_1180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNKiE4K1OFr8-ZQbBAnfdviVT_59Yt5p5AgOPCSjhynPlYx7TKSBQ-qMic6ZS3urjubBqVqvJlusqIucQXdyjrsB4zPkX0re3Sjgzgv-WBAIWMs_6Hbo1ztjGwzMYFJWywQv15_cakA/s640/IMG_1180.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Rainbow Dam was named, it seems, by the colors of the rocks in the falls. And the look downriver is impressive with how the Missouri twists and turns.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Then we made the drive out to Ryan Dam. I thought that was the only one left and didn't realize there was a fourth dam, Morony Dam. They are both outside of town about 10 miles, but well worth the drive. Texter, on the other hand, was less than impressed by the road to "no where" which was a little bumpy and very twisty at times.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>The next dam in order of placement on the Missouri is Ryan Dam. </i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh353gPeUXbhw3gwcWG_cJ27W0TrYVMaY-b33o4Z49Tue71g7GdCvU8IiT3k994f4E4_L8VyVvQzx8LLGn6Dd5j1SVvx_FtLmXjrk3_kKA2GNaFL2ZIcC2njKKmW7z6bn92GOMVDzJhhg/s1600/IMG_1270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh353gPeUXbhw3gwcWG_cJ27W0TrYVMaY-b33o4Z49Tue71g7GdCvU8IiT3k994f4E4_L8VyVvQzx8LLGn6Dd5j1SVvx_FtLmXjrk3_kKA2GNaFL2ZIcC2njKKmW7z6bn92GOMVDzJhhg/s640/IMG_1270.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Ryan Dam</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7s_pCCjWYO3XHOdaoMeoT_1sy61VzCmSXEeBq-8ZEQudW9ba0pp3bW9-9ReoScKJ4SYd1tRM0_AH3iMxvRSGcak456lw3Mo0RZhhun-WaD17IGJuaF9uSyN8hahiFSSRaQB8pa2mPUw/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7s_pCCjWYO3XHOdaoMeoT_1sy61VzCmSXEeBq-8ZEQudW9ba0pp3bW9-9ReoScKJ4SYd1tRM0_AH3iMxvRSGcak456lw3Mo0RZhhun-WaD17IGJuaF9uSyN8hahiFSSRaQB8pa2mPUw/s640/IMG_1276.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Falls on Ryan Dam</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X3vALMS7Y69MUMFsbfqdkFwYQIl_LJaqZX-cTtuRH6RDs9iXkmJFq0_Pwr1nISrtFFUf4TmuBU4MzTK3CL3QCwi-kROLjGgVYK5tDg2igvkDMpSL32WEKJWCq_pkiLl-jsHWHtDP3A/s1600/IMG_1281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X3vALMS7Y69MUMFsbfqdkFwYQIl_LJaqZX-cTtuRH6RDs9iXkmJFq0_Pwr1nISrtFFUf4TmuBU4MzTK3CL3QCwi-kROLjGgVYK5tDg2igvkDMpSL32WEKJWCq_pkiLl-jsHWHtDP3A/s640/IMG_1281.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Bridge over to Ryan Island</i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTzYo_ZYsYA7RsR_RWJOEs4x2yPoCFVn0BBDU_uM__uDw8Tf8nrhtf9Cjtrkv0h75jNQxY60pofQkm9zgldo9e8EttoIryVjpNb108V5HkAZGWcyoCPfssbUy3pDJ_FA1QP_ewhTl4w/s1600/IMG_1284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTzYo_ZYsYA7RsR_RWJOEs4x2yPoCFVn0BBDU_uM__uDw8Tf8nrhtf9Cjtrkv0h75jNQxY60pofQkm9zgldo9e8EttoIryVjpNb108V5HkAZGWcyoCPfssbUy3pDJ_FA1QP_ewhTl4w/s640/IMG_1284.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Ryan Dam is impressive with several cascades after the dam itself. What is intriguing is the "island" you can walk over to and view the falls and dam better. However, it does not open until Mother's Day, so this is a definite revisit when I come back from North Carolina.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>The fourth dam is Morony Dam and it is probably the tallest. You can wind down the road to the river below the dam and while we were there, several people were there fishing.</i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikk_LTgEc8jEGA_JwQzAuil4kNeoAEjwv92Aac_3itH8jMcablYdXBSy4fPDIfTyIitlJcq5D12SPU3iRoov-wWR5l55GluIuIRGkWT0Gq9BkFcYhWT7cZNAeynVbaz6JJ1KclvPGyhw/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikk_LTgEc8jEGA_JwQzAuil4kNeoAEjwv92Aac_3itH8jMcablYdXBSy4fPDIfTyIitlJcq5D12SPU3iRoov-wWR5l55GluIuIRGkWT0Gq9BkFcYhWT7cZNAeynVbaz6JJ1KclvPGyhw/s640/IMG_1213.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Morony Dam</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00k4S7JNEoBiAFZNLa-xcnWgjvZcnD2tmX1cb5dOka7ND3A8Dbx-_48Ny9T450ui_J83G4vwscLetO4-579RSm-G58wyLbwGMh69MBz8yN2RjkEpiLPy8euXeeNpY8guH09aCmaX9eA/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00k4S7JNEoBiAFZNLa-xcnWgjvZcnD2tmX1cb5dOka7ND3A8Dbx-_48Ny9T450ui_J83G4vwscLetO4-579RSm-G58wyLbwGMh69MBz8yN2RjkEpiLPy8euXeeNpY8guH09aCmaX9eA/s640/IMG_1208.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>View downriver from Morony Dam<br /><br /><br /></i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>At Morony Dam you can hike two trails, the South Shore and the North Shore Trails. I will have to do some research and check them out. They might be good trails to work up to tougher trails.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>All in all, it was a great Saturday. Now Sunday will be spend indoors, knitting and sewing, as we are expecting snow. Go figure!</i></span></div>
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Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-64280550246418835732013-04-20T06:43:00.001-07:002013-04-20T07:10:21.662-07:00Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>After doing 6 loads of laundry at the laundromat (still waiting to get ours which was damaged in the move replaced by the moving company), Texter, Lady K and I decided to drive out to<a href="http://www.fws.gov/refuge/benton_lake/" target="_blank"> Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge</a> and see what it was all about. About 400 pictures later, we knew. This is definitely on my list of 'come back and check out again in a couple of weeks' list. So this posting will be full of pictures of birds. I ask for indulgence on some of the bird names. There are a lot of birds which I have never come into contact with before living in Tennessee, Texas and North Carolina. Hopefully, I have identified them correctly. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEp4e4NyKU01ndRCVTTc-LyqbXV3mIyDRxupg4B8BI9Eyi_vZKhHzjpeD1F5rt4Lrz7FLYR_4sMdNTDbmpBRqhKI1R11O8AOrQFnTFJ9ntdLG5PKupl8B2Z-mu64SWeIpQaIkMSbGOQ/s1600/benton+lake+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEp4e4NyKU01ndRCVTTc-LyqbXV3mIyDRxupg4B8BI9Eyi_vZKhHzjpeD1F5rt4Lrz7FLYR_4sMdNTDbmpBRqhKI1R11O8AOrQFnTFJ9ntdLG5PKupl8B2Z-mu64SWeIpQaIkMSbGOQ/s400/benton+lake+sign.JPG" width="400" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Benton Lake is a National Wildlife Refuge. I am familiar with the wildlife refuges because of the one in Tennessee just a couple of miles up the road from where my grandparents had their cabin. However, on that one, they planted corn and grain crops in areas for the animals. Here, they are just letting nature take it's course and encouraging the native prairie and marsh grasses as food sources.</i></span><br />
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We drove the loop around the lake. While not that long in mileage, it was long in terms of stopping and taking pictures. Also, it was a graded, gravel road which does not encourage fast driving.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97mgZ8D0i0-vco-Qq6MOxwqHCYEkirz0XXL7POiMg64X5q-bhE-1EP7MIDLx2pyLZvaT-eCoRK7Y6DOmOz8KRfWXE3NEKrBVFOiGmhA58waCGFYpAYWyIKQgM-T2hI5hazVlldAYdYA/s1600/road+to+benton+lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97mgZ8D0i0-vco-Qq6MOxwqHCYEkirz0XXL7POiMg64X5q-bhE-1EP7MIDLx2pyLZvaT-eCoRK7Y6DOmOz8KRfWXE3NEKrBVFOiGmhA58waCGFYpAYWyIKQgM-T2hI5hazVlldAYdYA/s640/road+to+benton+lake.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>This is the view looking back toward town as you enter the refuge. At the time we were there, it was overcast. Chance of snow again this weekend.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="clear: left; display: inline !important; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFrRo1ROohq6qCoZtn8egpaK6Mspdl7WqhJJPaQFrVY02IQw_pGVX63py8KKwOBCLRtbgzL5fdIBU1E9_Y6oNG9m0JZS_zgz-l50rdczIORGLG-tcxFqxPoogEXGR_zmJKci6FsUzWA/s1600/western+meadowlark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><i><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFrRo1ROohq6qCoZtn8egpaK6Mspdl7WqhJJPaQFrVY02IQw_pGVX63py8KKwOBCLRtbgzL5fdIBU1E9_Y6oNG9m0JZS_zgz-l50rdczIORGLG-tcxFqxPoogEXGR_zmJKci6FsUzWA/s640/western+meadowlark.JPG" width="640" /></i></a></span></div>
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<i><span style="clear: left; display: inline !important; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></span></i></div>
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<span style="clear: left; display: inline !important; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>This is one fellow I was already familiar with, a meadowlark. One of the first birds we saw when we entered the refuge.</i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicN5IPA2-Fc-Y-EP4fJpGpc9-OE9O803w4cdh9hE828IoWce7weLNacpmiol-ZzRyVmqrJOhbtChtzxEUgrOtVGh9PA1X40RLGrzxmR7QL2VNHCSLZY-qsJbAsZLtlHTPC05c3rmXBLA/s1600/unknown+black+bird.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLDfC4TxpQu_canAQivwd-Tg1D8pgfAJJshWjoX2OdemkD4_BiK_VfaxYWv_Vh3_-yQSmFd6roTmRjGtMh7-3zfC64jHwW7_SDpfWcVudFOif2iai2N5sHksqRhapx9e7x_miwWxgNg/s1600/unknown+black+bird.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLDfC4TxpQu_canAQivwd-Tg1D8pgfAJJshWjoX2OdemkD4_BiK_VfaxYWv_Vh3_-yQSmFd6roTmRjGtMh7-3zfC64jHwW7_SDpfWcVudFOif2iai2N5sHksqRhapx9e7x_miwWxgNg/s400/unknown+black+bird.JPG" width="400" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>This little guy I can't identify. Seems to have a white bar across his chest. Then the fun began as we hit the first piece of water. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnO-Q6dg43C1lBsPegEAUm1EW4LGC2LMHTGBPrNeF37qdMAXAzmsQ6aBzFwUEi0G73YvGwn6S1VFNZyS78hUuh-ZAWDtfMxFf_FQAsB7oVR2lfoGutIGPMF-UOz-1VAnhyRuncmrT5ZQ/s1600/eared+Grebe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnO-Q6dg43C1lBsPegEAUm1EW4LGC2LMHTGBPrNeF37qdMAXAzmsQ6aBzFwUEi0G73YvGwn6S1VFNZyS78hUuh-ZAWDtfMxFf_FQAsB7oVR2lfoGutIGPMF-UOz-1VAnhyRuncmrT5ZQ/s640/eared+Grebe.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>These are Eared Grebe, I do believe. New to me! I am use to Canadian Geese (which there are a ton here) and mallards (also a lot of), but several 'new' types of ducks to me were seen.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_mKOkF-E6TVxNE1PyXTIjC0Qz_aSSdGsLCt6yogMFrK6GWCxWOBo-YAtHxUWBp2hu_RTr3FQkSERN7Kgp7QfvvYekvL-e2zn3aYr5jD0LT_Q1MgBx2PExZTDAHvPFaz-1XbTvUQBhw/s1600/canal+of+fowl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_mKOkF-E6TVxNE1PyXTIjC0Qz_aSSdGsLCt6yogMFrK6GWCxWOBo-YAtHxUWBp2hu_RTr3FQkSERN7Kgp7QfvvYekvL-e2zn3aYr5jD0LT_Q1MgBx2PExZTDAHvPFaz-1XbTvUQBhw/s640/canal+of+fowl.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWr2Q5P8KSQoZkC2BDQ7XzaqwEWu7whVhQNYssVGR6l0ygpMt02IbgHTmV2FjEX48VohO_MJOF3d3gNyZ1kV5aLJN15P84UvC8qz8rqUmO-uEdZp3eNn7lxqNDP9A9QUlhwopzhgbgzw/s1600/tundra+swans+and+ducks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWr2Q5P8KSQoZkC2BDQ7XzaqwEWu7whVhQNYssVGR6l0ygpMt02IbgHTmV2FjEX48VohO_MJOF3d3gNyZ1kV5aLJN15P84UvC8qz8rqUmO-uEdZp3eNn7lxqNDP9A9QUlhwopzhgbgzw/s640/tundra+swans+and+ducks.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>A couple of Tundra Swans. While I have seen swans before, I haven't seen them in the wild before. Those at Apex Lake I really don't consider wild as they are fed by humans and live right in the big middle of everything. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMvnREeVNc0wGY6A5NN-7UcUIad5akAjZglRz3MaLAWBAutSp6cZ2seLX8jd8qrC8giKNjKKNBY3kx1rbAO3CMRPhEAW2cWKpfRJ8yG04QYriGgUrktFeqkHmgZYXmnrNB6O6OGfWDg/s1600/snow+geese.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMvnREeVNc0wGY6A5NN-7UcUIad5akAjZglRz3MaLAWBAutSp6cZ2seLX8jd8qrC8giKNjKKNBY3kx1rbAO3CMRPhEAW2cWKpfRJ8yG04QYriGgUrktFeqkHmgZYXmnrNB6O6OGfWDg/s640/snow+geese.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>At one point, there was this huge flock of 'white' birds sitting in the road. Texter and I thought they were gulls until we got closer (will post pictures of that later). Turns out they are white geese, hundreds of them. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwrGoQV8Q4DzwJDg4JqoTuEAMf102EL_k21hihnjcUxPR5mgMLrj-uVs3-Dn_xw0oqMk4rhJOabUEZ7uZipF-YuFRp-3TlIjwTZjhZMQwwiewUaNJbfKNxSLn1drkWORAqiu7_lUpYg/s1600/red+winged+blackbird.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwrGoQV8Q4DzwJDg4JqoTuEAMf102EL_k21hihnjcUxPR5mgMLrj-uVs3-Dn_xw0oqMk4rhJOabUEZ7uZipF-YuFRp-3TlIjwTZjhZMQwwiewUaNJbfKNxSLn1drkWORAqiu7_lUpYg/s400/red+winged+blackbird.JPG" width="400" /></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Then this little guy, a red winged blackbird. He, I knew, but lovely all the same. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJprJP7ASj2vJ7s4VxKIMkqiaAghKS4CZuSrX7csneLtMd-hZwFD3XrJeTWVCiOc7kGOTdhCvSYgC5zKLfjgLJga8psx6f_r4vLgKYrt8v_EVe2SqjCcWxXU9jrYmfpeIIiIHwv8ZsA/s1600/walkway+to+lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJprJP7ASj2vJ7s4VxKIMkqiaAghKS4CZuSrX7csneLtMd-hZwFD3XrJeTWVCiOc7kGOTdhCvSYgC5zKLfjgLJga8psx6f_r4vLgKYrt8v_EVe2SqjCcWxXU9jrYmfpeIIiIHwv8ZsA/s640/walkway+to+lake.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>As you drive the loop around the lake, there is an observation walk out onto the marsh and up to the lake. On a cold, cloudy day, it seems very remote out here. It's hard to believe, less than 10 miles away is a large, thriving town.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2YCGetKP3cxRcFoZcEl9HYgoTI6uehroKryJ_ePe0KCBqbHzSos3371UyBQmfv3lDU6YCWl9EurxOMi1lIFprQ9-CeieEN8YfR0-NtqbiOSFE1BFm6hYwaIjqLZB7QjjZoz37Aj9lg/s1600/mother+goose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2YCGetKP3cxRcFoZcEl9HYgoTI6uehroKryJ_ePe0KCBqbHzSos3371UyBQmfv3lDU6YCWl9EurxOMi1lIFprQ9-CeieEN8YfR0-NtqbiOSFE1BFm6hYwaIjqLZB7QjjZoz37Aj9lg/s640/mother+goose.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>But mother goose (or daddy) scared the pee out of me as it flew up from the marsh grasses only a few feet from where I was walking on the boardwalk. Seems they did have a purpose there and I was interrupting it....a nest of 5 eggs only about 6 feet from the walkway. I felt bad about leaving them out in the cold, so I didn't tarry on the walkway.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOIqetO4aXOfOGqN0414uIZ8ZL2LdpggnGAaOxeC6WOfZbz0G4ckdFmrG0qvBpn9VHovQBdNCKtHfrvcHY51RRiPaamXByQQbySkGOULMA_Nlb5YNflUpaX2YLmPrEuNzg1E9ZMzBPQ/s1600/goose+eggs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOIqetO4aXOfOGqN0414uIZ8ZL2LdpggnGAaOxeC6WOfZbz0G4ckdFmrG0qvBpn9VHovQBdNCKtHfrvcHY51RRiPaamXByQQbySkGOULMA_Nlb5YNflUpaX2YLmPrEuNzg1E9ZMzBPQ/s640/goose+eggs.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"></span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIF-uJmLx4LWQJ3dv_6VrxLMe1ZHqKASPWNYJ3vrVnWo9NeHy8ohJoXMLhyphenhyphen0Ymj-HkEa_2vhm58Rbvkn66vwiR55Ye3bh0oiG4nYt504ZrDtAx4gyeG_dhU0u1F9AG6riutJ5xT__Lew/s1600/geese+and+mountains.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIF-uJmLx4LWQJ3dv_6VrxLMe1ZHqKASPWNYJ3vrVnWo9NeHy8ohJoXMLhyphenhyphen0Ymj-HkEa_2vhm58Rbvkn66vwiR55Ye3bh0oiG4nYt504ZrDtAx4gyeG_dhU0u1F9AG6riutJ5xT__Lew/s640/geese+and+mountains.JPG" width="640" /></a></i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>This is a picture from the walkway looking over the lake and toward the mountains. It's so hard to describe the vastness of the place and the feeling there is nothing for miles and miles around.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP12DpIU39jFISHvU-b1jUauU_KDItto1bfyEcxgm-tMkTabzYaokdf6ouLjMx5IUTcrD-sTu_Fh3D_6Yf_FRUTY3Wyko3AUAgyY5I5DMYEUY0HOPmiWRo2v49tp5_ZlVST3RoxayAg/s1600/ice+on+marsh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP12DpIU39jFISHvU-b1jUauU_KDItto1bfyEcxgm-tMkTabzYaokdf6ouLjMx5IUTcrD-sTu_Fh3D_6Yf_FRUTY3Wyko3AUAgyY5I5DMYEUY0HOPmiWRo2v49tp5_ZlVST3RoxayAg/s640/ice+on+marsh.jpg" width="426" /></a>To show how cold it still is here, there is ice in the marsh still in places. Glad I'm not a duck!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rWbsLh8TrcorCGK-Aokiffng6aK8x13tMtsmKD5cEp1NabxM24nAUHrFoP985JZAGh2TTVEpQ7ok5Jgc533JW0Zk6yw0pwPqrmlT1Kx7xNTT00vJ1UgeEOftrIjrsSm9aEhF5a9Y0g/s1600/wild+texter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rWbsLh8TrcorCGK-Aokiffng6aK8x13tMtsmKD5cEp1NabxM24nAUHrFoP985JZAGh2TTVEpQ7ok5Jgc533JW0Zk6yw0pwPqrmlT1Kx7xNTT00vJ1UgeEOftrIjrsSm9aEhF5a9Y0g/s400/wild+texter.JPG" width="400" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Texter declined to walk on the boardwalk as we had Lady K with us and it was cold and WINDY! She drove a bit on the road. Actually, she was hoping the flock of white bird we saw were her enemy, the sea gull, and she was hoping to meet some of them with the car. But no such luck.</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>A possible pair of unidentified ducks in another area of the refuge. There are about 8 water spots which form Benton Lake. This one had not had a chance to fill up with water yet.</i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9Y0FS91MZxCWNYZr4_vGpkgio5DVexlbbTbAsxmj1-RHsNthJRMSzQEx8PjKrvET3db44puo-Ywvep7FHjdf_VLaaq9HsuSlGLpWg3_VERTUZOev22316A0QFF2OsKkLrinneRJVMQ/s1600/long+billed+curlew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9Y0FS91MZxCWNYZr4_vGpkgio5DVexlbbTbAsxmj1-RHsNthJRMSzQEx8PjKrvET3db44puo-Ywvep7FHjdf_VLaaq9HsuSlGLpWg3_VERTUZOev22316A0QFF2OsKkLrinneRJVMQ/s640/long+billed+curlew.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpUc18syX1FGT27x631ICf4CLuvwYr8eihhpWjTJDZcBVa-lvw-Euw6w3m_fdNSkkO3TnrvBABZMTmVwtoehlHjvWjY50t7FfqYdyBsAfAuEeFsIFua0PDQDHCQRJtJyWZJHwrYNmMw/s1600/long+billed+curlew+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpUc18syX1FGT27x631ICf4CLuvwYr8eihhpWjTJDZcBVa-lvw-Euw6w3m_fdNSkkO3TnrvBABZMTmVwtoehlHjvWjY50t7FfqYdyBsAfAuEeFsIFua0PDQDHCQRJtJyWZJHwrYNmMw/s400/long+billed+curlew+2.JPG" width="400" /></i></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i> This is a Long-billed curlew. A new one to me. Texter felt this guy (or girl) was a combination of an anteater and a bird. I was excited to see a bird in the wild like this which I hadn't seen before. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro2RhnP0kgVF_4TmaYB6JUQ6zivXdv-Kx-JzVk-vhiTsi4k-tL8F3P9PNOYKMypOsrI47XRA6UNAQ3S9NXi6mXKVK7Ex-2rr1Dc062EAHFdcbI-vkv1gTswfOoQ4ZuSolKvOPMs-nFw/s1600/ranger+office.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro2RhnP0kgVF_4TmaYB6JUQ6zivXdv-Kx-JzVk-vhiTsi4k-tL8F3P9PNOYKMypOsrI47XRA6UNAQ3S9NXi6mXKVK7Ex-2rr1Dc062EAHFdcbI-vkv1gTswfOoQ4ZuSolKvOPMs-nFw/s640/ranger+office.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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This is the ranger station. I love the fact there is a wind turbine and solar panels in use here. I wish more places utilized alternative methods of power like they seem to here. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOUg8i5sGK0Xtt410b6h88NrSvQGPkY26tuw2dpXvhyphenhyphenP2mcYdMi_nqARudCCOQ1W_kgBPsEw7OxgDHjzJcHUZejjco1i2gi9NmOm45S7ASlT8GcD3CbrbBH8As7V57DMVjCP9K6zMbg/s1600/Kayden+Benton+Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOUg8i5sGK0Xtt410b6h88NrSvQGPkY26tuw2dpXvhyphenhyphenP2mcYdMi_nqARudCCOQ1W_kgBPsEw7OxgDHjzJcHUZejjco1i2gi9NmOm45S7ASlT8GcD3CbrbBH8As7V57DMVjCP9K6zMbg/s640/Kayden+Benton+Lake.jpg" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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While Texter and I were impressed with Benton Lake and plan on bringing Gibbs out here and making several return trips, Lady K was less than excited. Even the rough, bouncy gravel road wasn't enough to peak her interest.</i></span>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-43221801168448979332013-04-14T07:26:00.000-07:002013-04-14T07:26:36.058-07:00Great Springs State Park<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Another location only minutes from the house is the <a href="http://www.lewisandclarktrail.com/section3/montanacities/greatfalls/giantspringspark.htm" target="_blank">Giant Springs State Park</a>. It is located on River Drive which seems to hold a ton of locations I need to stop and explore, such as the<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lcnf/recreation/recarea/?recid=61458" target="_blank"> Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center</a>. But as Saturday was a beautiful day, I didn't want to be inside. (Note to self: regardless of how nice the weather seems, carry a cap to protect against the wind!) So I passed it by and headed up the road a tad to Great Springs State Park.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5tElLWTNxMlm5OCk5lJajj5-zSQGq4POzav8EkAL4-wODy57RNuJzTIy7zjhKye34GwO-dqJQZVG1t6ylhbUZ_dlKguHnhRD7PpNrUd0WvbQRhBvCVML5qqnE-bijDJn1q6l-uEmig/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5tElLWTNxMlm5OCk5lJajj5-zSQGq4POzav8EkAL4-wODy57RNuJzTIy7zjhKye34GwO-dqJQZVG1t6ylhbUZ_dlKguHnhRD7PpNrUd0WvbQRhBvCVML5qqnE-bijDJn1q6l-uEmig/s400/IMG_0281.JPG" width="400" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The park is really nice and well cared for. It is also part of the River Trail walkway, so you can leave the immediate park area and have a nice, paved trail to walk on. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>During the summer months it seems there is also a Park Ranger on duty.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0T7eu37ZbqJDTrpYEPDnav7rXpxuvy_27P19Tgd0inhXqI_lLXf5hjtrMMcsyGKfVOikMHH9CJuzjHmmQQgerlhGfDTXwG7gHEUyNTmJI68RDWRYyDj6HwRdUDOXRPnf360MUo69Mg/s1600/IMG_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0T7eu37ZbqJDTrpYEPDnav7rXpxuvy_27P19Tgd0inhXqI_lLXf5hjtrMMcsyGKfVOikMHH9CJuzjHmmQQgerlhGfDTXwG7gHEUyNTmJI68RDWRYyDj6HwRdUDOXRPnf360MUo69Mg/s1600/IMG_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0T7eu37ZbqJDTrpYEPDnav7rXpxuvy_27P19Tgd0inhXqI_lLXf5hjtrMMcsyGKfVOikMHH9CJuzjHmmQQgerlhGfDTXwG7gHEUyNTmJI68RDWRYyDj6HwRdUDOXRPnf360MUo69Mg/s640/IMG_0292.JPG" width="640" /></a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>This is the springs. A large pool with the springs bubbling up in the center in several places and cascading over a small ring of stones to merge into the Missouri River. It is also the start of the world's s<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_River" target="_blank">hortest river, the Roe</a>. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYdOwcZpOa_8hjOUmje9043dKgbZSqfRPdD7IOBVv7XkrXJ9IlRbxJJD3zbiSvBRMCa3-bz__Us6WmCZGyiHL7_EJhUVIlsQzPtWcvTYXZVcerEQCmr1XBGuhbSw9H0XK2e6XYncQ_g/s1600/IMG_0587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYdOwcZpOa_8hjOUmje9043dKgbZSqfRPdD7IOBVv7XkrXJ9IlRbxJJD3zbiSvBRMCa3-bz__Us6WmCZGyiHL7_EJhUVIlsQzPtWcvTYXZVcerEQCmr1XBGuhbSw9H0XK2e6XYncQ_g/s400/IMG_0587.JPG" width="400" /></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>On the other side of the little bridge is Giant Springs and the water in the little canal there is the Roe River, so named because it is part of the hatchery at the springs.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Once again, like at Black Eagle Dam, I love the flow of the water over the rocks. Although not anywhere near as large as the falls at the dam, it is still lovely. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>In the water of the springs itself is this lovely, lettuce looking greenery. The water is so clear and the green of the leaves is almost neon.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJendyh_6ADtTC9XL9qVz42IBTnN7qZ229A-SuOohPa3P3qzIKgEdf25AAzwT7iCAFk9qIAYZN31P0Pyd2FLxZLhuhYJOxtMvee-Zw9V1CTBCi10aetH_tl2qt0wmHdQH7X-PnnHiiWg/s1600/IMG_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCeoQJgLDFaL6pqjZMCmhi7eLgWojQByjBgNNNJcbBDFg5kIENzcUEanc3_wqV-fH5-DotlCUx2IKD3UAy3-tedQLdTx-BC8R9NHN0xTzDgMRkVZbGX9He9KakkT_EqLDqioKUAiY7w/s1600/IMG_0300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCeoQJgLDFaL6pqjZMCmhi7eLgWojQByjBgNNNJcbBDFg5kIENzcUEanc3_wqV-fH5-DotlCUx2IKD3UAy3-tedQLdTx-BC8R9NHN0xTzDgMRkVZbGX9He9KakkT_EqLDqioKUAiY7w/s640/IMG_0300.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcD_fIUSDK7l8w3ZMzAN5WLbU5OG3qQk-bCBb9g9L-OnXGO_KdcGkUMNcRkTXEcNNLVuWv99Bt92XXbUa5fMaEI2UdqhdrB0ti0UZMMWU47GMxWX2kD1KJmU37cwwZTVXuDQwMnShOA/s1600/IMG_0564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcD_fIUSDK7l8w3ZMzAN5WLbU5OG3qQk-bCBb9g9L-OnXGO_KdcGkUMNcRkTXEcNNLVuWv99Bt92XXbUa5fMaEI2UdqhdrB0ti0UZMMWU47GMxWX2kD1KJmU37cwwZTVXuDQwMnShOA/s640/IMG_0564.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJendyh_6ADtTC9XL9qVz42IBTnN7qZ229A-SuOohPa3P3qzIKgEdf25AAzwT7iCAFk9qIAYZN31P0Pyd2FLxZLhuhYJOxtMvee-Zw9V1CTBCi10aetH_tl2qt0wmHdQH7X-PnnHiiWg/s640/IMG_0314.JPG" width="640" /></i></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I have already seen tons of sea gulls around Great Falls, flying around parking lots, looking for food. And I knew that Montana was big on the migratory path for birds and had expected the Canadian Geese. However, I did not expect to see a pelican on a fresh water river. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>As you walk down the River Trail, upstream toward Black Eagle Dam, there are some wonderful cliffs you walk right next to.</i></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL3gsClmjYxZJyIXJMM1lE6B3NrOvlwZ3IY5xJyFRoFBmcJj7NmpQKNHFJ8RydJMHnxqN3ltF2pU2fPEcdvCq9QHf6ix1TNNCE211g-15Cj7ubVxfTb1Pb550zASYTL2xJyaq5NE0kA/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL3gsClmjYxZJyIXJMM1lE6B3NrOvlwZ3IY5xJyFRoFBmcJj7NmpQKNHFJ8RydJMHnxqN3ltF2pU2fPEcdvCq9QHf6ix1TNNCE211g-15Cj7ubVxfTb1Pb550zASYTL2xJyaq5NE0kA/s640/IMG_0350.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N6bmAcRz_IBi0Px6XETte-Uo3Huau2ZqMs3xmdUGt8_XiT2mtrNDZezXCJUEJOD4d0xscRe-UIrdoXcZx2mZ9WzFMOmKBfnp7Cr9K0hMfOdrj9K-mpfTzCajaAz422l2o_XNCYB7_g/s1600/IMG_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N6bmAcRz_IBi0Px6XETte-Uo3Huau2ZqMs3xmdUGt8_XiT2mtrNDZezXCJUEJOD4d0xscRe-UIrdoXcZx2mZ9WzFMOmKBfnp7Cr9K0hMfOdrj9K-mpfTzCajaAz422l2o_XNCYB7_g/s640/IMG_0354.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The swallows have not returned yet, but there is ample evidence of these cliffs being a favorite nesting site. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Along the walkway, there are trails branching off. Some of them are not paved and can be a little daunting, especially when you see signs showing the grade of the trail.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikazTneV_CDxtOWKrqmcMLg6PR4sIui3d_PJrSiMFIcTwSDoneEb3oOMsUsa0RpQY6hvJID4BlK25MYwZEZV5PkbhZjuG7yaJ_iB453hXECc85gcKi2vqjHUH15BU3cj-RtBo2C1If7A/s1600/IMG_0361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikazTneV_CDxtOWKrqmcMLg6PR4sIui3d_PJrSiMFIcTwSDoneEb3oOMsUsa0RpQY6hvJID4BlK25MYwZEZV5PkbhZjuG7yaJ_iB453hXECc85gcKi2vqjHUH15BU3cj-RtBo2C1If7A/s640/IMG_0361.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbg2d4pxxubeOCj7h-0Ql8_zB_-wS4UMJmzOP5FHtFcN6O6BII6kdVBmQx6kqzYRbk-lkBGGq_YsIZEKnpOpEJrS9v7Q6utCl69G8BnZqM81OKA2ZTpxnmDZ9W9FUvQY_HIgWh7xHP0g/s1600/IMG_0362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbg2d4pxxubeOCj7h-0Ql8_zB_-wS4UMJmzOP5FHtFcN6O6BII6kdVBmQx6kqzYRbk-lkBGGq_YsIZEKnpOpEJrS9v7Q6utCl69G8BnZqM81OKA2ZTpxnmDZ9W9FUvQY_HIgWh7xHP0g/s640/IMG_0362.jpg" width="426" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Twenty percent is a bit more than I want to tackle without getting a little more in shape. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwf4tgkQmd_ovBEktqcPZ3BAGeoVageYMGhjMnTJ9S2eIAnq075AhsoEIPu5olBxpE01Z3WLDJTXckJiqZVgriJ_0SHAQHVE4jif2PNc5nkIbS92cOqJzoT2vFznECn9SPqiHaCBfoaA/s1600/IMG_0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwf4tgkQmd_ovBEktqcPZ3BAGeoVageYMGhjMnTJ9S2eIAnq075AhsoEIPu5olBxpE01Z3WLDJTXckJiqZVgriJ_0SHAQHVE4jif2PNc5nkIbS92cOqJzoT2vFznECn9SPqiHaCBfoaA/s640/IMG_0372.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Of course, signs like this are interesting also. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>At one point, shortly after you leave Giant Springs, you walk below the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. The walkway up to the center is also a little steep looking. I think I will plan on walking down it and not up it. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGB0ac45iw_a1Ypspjg3wiH_bjWa1pJ7baO8O8fctKXy1NGtdgi9_aN4thGMKc2xlwu3VbfTNi1OkNX2eBHDfAw-SoOJZSWh0TrGgcY0wVxxJI6WcXEXzrdvPzmVlQZHPqL0NtIx8tg/s1600/IMG_0472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGB0ac45iw_a1Ypspjg3wiH_bjWa1pJ7baO8O8fctKXy1NGtdgi9_aN4thGMKc2xlwu3VbfTNi1OkNX2eBHDfAw-SoOJZSWh0TrGgcY0wVxxJI6WcXEXzrdvPzmVlQZHPqL0NtIx8tg/s640/IMG_0472.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlDoz1yrFwPiMR9whZSN7A96iLwrI2ZRxlTzFgYj_vJSpF0sXmz7EUcPvgFXcqyKJzw4nCKs0i8cJiZ2lzBYSpFMEPdyNRgHwfYfYItj5QpyegId3ooXG8ewHPSM2bNemaC58i-3F0w/s1600/IMG_0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlDoz1yrFwPiMR9whZSN7A96iLwrI2ZRxlTzFgYj_vJSpF0sXmz7EUcPvgFXcqyKJzw4nCKs0i8cJiZ2lzBYSpFMEPdyNRgHwfYfYItj5QpyegId3ooXG8ewHPSM2bNemaC58i-3F0w/s400/IMG_0494.JPG" width="400" /></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>As you walk down the pathway (which I haven't yet, is the statue of a dog up there. I will have to make the trip down to check it out.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Insu5iIXKKAc5p8Z2h61j6QNgKzeY8c78pISVmZB1vfb8vDvyx4JzQKtZpIhyii6kHVSAoc21dbuf7EuEShreh8TbPPEDuPKvgSf44XtGSSC7I5-8tcicETUFlOnrBJVNBUBpF1olg/s1600/IMG_0392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Insu5iIXKKAc5p8Z2h61j6QNgKzeY8c78pISVmZB1vfb8vDvyx4JzQKtZpIhyii6kHVSAoc21dbuf7EuEShreh8TbPPEDuPKvgSf44XtGSSC7I5-8tcicETUFlOnrBJVNBUBpF1olg/s400/IMG_0392.JPG" width="400" /></a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>But as you walk along the river, the sounds of the gulls is louder than being at the beach. There are a couple of islands out in the middle of the river which are nesting places for the gulls and a few geese. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiQCJKISGecZr6tvWrOg1_9FtrzD8kfa1NI-SvRGvSNuyMgu3W4R_vQ9nVTP890NZlDxDuYyBSoUSmQ4-_-Kc6YVyXA3lMhDjdBpf-Qb6uXJzysq_V3W54mBL7NuENOGWt0qfhLjyRQ/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiQCJKISGecZr6tvWrOg1_9FtrzD8kfa1NI-SvRGvSNuyMgu3W4R_vQ9nVTP890NZlDxDuYyBSoUSmQ4-_-Kc6YVyXA3lMhDjdBpf-Qb6uXJzysq_V3W54mBL7NuENOGWt0qfhLjyRQ/s400/IMG_0371.JPG" width="400" /></i></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-B8o6mSaiY6MS-tiuOFaDTLMYjfOu7kQ8S2-KhfCtIETKihlM1tQXh1jcUJTEOTfbPL_5-SnG38yOtjsCB_vyA0xWzd35dTYVFjOaBHJ4FgHqN-dzZr35m941m1MNM6Ej1Uh_m8vhQ/s1600/IMG_0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-B8o6mSaiY6MS-tiuOFaDTLMYjfOu7kQ8S2-KhfCtIETKihlM1tQXh1jcUJTEOTfbPL_5-SnG38yOtjsCB_vyA0xWzd35dTYVFjOaBHJ4FgHqN-dzZr35m941m1MNM6Ej1Uh_m8vhQ/s400/IMG_0402.JPG" width="400" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The view up the river toward Black Eagle Dam.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>And on the bluff above the river as you get near the dam, are the statues of Lewis and Clark and Sacagawea.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSn9PT6Kwhc3STGjHEmAdwwjdqmiXubItnGmhTSWCFG6hJD3WOCbyj8A4O6yiM6IdzoPxc3camAOYcf5FFrLqQvtgdVkuamgywvUEayzDquVOqzefGSyAomI_5FKp94oJUTLFgsAO-6A/s1600/IMG_0444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSn9PT6Kwhc3STGjHEmAdwwjdqmiXubItnGmhTSWCFG6hJD3WOCbyj8A4O6yiM6IdzoPxc3camAOYcf5FFrLqQvtgdVkuamgywvUEayzDquVOqzefGSyAomI_5FKp94oJUTLFgsAO-6A/s400/IMG_0444.jpg" width="266" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>More of the wonderful bluffs along the trail. With the bluffs on one side and the river on the other, this two mile round trip walk is a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. Not that it takes that long to walk 2 miles, but you have to stop and look.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmEqERf2LJKyI64ureaFr7tbRme31wEzqzDgQ2bIZrp9N-luztnZAXAymZHp_jBxA6aaPOOfttb781kr7bloDHTQXMJpbsK-r7WLWJeGLx-fhJxJfyDS0ltATWB0a1W0hcg-SdYOoQg/s1600/IMG_0522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmEqERf2LJKyI64ureaFr7tbRme31wEzqzDgQ2bIZrp9N-luztnZAXAymZHp_jBxA6aaPOOfttb781kr7bloDHTQXMJpbsK-r7WLWJeGLx-fhJxJfyDS0ltATWB0a1W0hcg-SdYOoQg/s400/IMG_0522.jpg" width="266" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I did stop and talk to several people along the way (yes, Savvy and Texter, mom was being social!)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>This is Michael and he was fishing at Giant Springs in a little creek off to the side with his dad. He had caught a rainbow trout. I need to fish again for trout! Actually, not so much as fish for them as to have a big plate of nicely cooked trout.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Unfortunately, I don't think the hatchery would take kindly if I just scooped a couple of these big beauties up.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qND2i4HagSVE6R8dtF0_fm7Qc69LquaI9P7h0wZ-LsUzYqlzMgxaupXy32KWknqIMTyC3n7nAmkIoj7OJA56nzTevawkHkkv3stT7W1uEi4gBfsvaX7jNWcl1WtOi4dzhteOx74T6A/s1600/IMG_0594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qND2i4HagSVE6R8dtF0_fm7Qc69LquaI9P7h0wZ-LsUzYqlzMgxaupXy32KWknqIMTyC3n7nAmkIoj7OJA56nzTevawkHkkv3stT7W1uEi4gBfsvaX7jNWcl1WtOi4dzhteOx74T6A/s400/IMG_0594.JPG" width="400" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Giant Springs is definitely a place I plan on returning to many times. I would love to see how the scenery changes as the year progresses.</i></span></div>
<br />Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-22185635469105488822013-04-13T15:31:00.000-07:002013-04-13T15:31:55.724-07:00Black Eagle Dam<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>This was my first 'exploration' of my new home state. Black Eagle Dam is about 10 minutes (at most) from the house and made for a nice walk and a chance to use my telephoto lens on "Cammy" (my camera).</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Black Eagle Dam is on the site of the Black Eagle Falls mentioned by Lewis and Clark on their journey. It had to be amazing to see it as actual falls, without the dam there. I plan on visiting the other 4 falls along the river.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOqTBkgOUTv9x1BA-s-bcyzk-s6LcdArzJXXQmiuCC54PzDSfCzLJK9T250w5KKDIoRmSDRQN-rhmBeqn-Gaet3mk_CFFvcbCC6Ti9nzSvDR3kXUF_oVcLzxtaZEMNbeqHwbA-bMkyg/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOqTBkgOUTv9x1BA-s-bcyzk-s6LcdArzJXXQmiuCC54PzDSfCzLJK9T250w5KKDIoRmSDRQN-rhmBeqn-Gaet3mk_CFFvcbCC6Ti9nzSvDR3kXUF_oVcLzxtaZEMNbeqHwbA-bMkyg/s640/IMG_0013.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The road to the dam is twisty and fun to drive down. However, I would not like to drive it in the snow. The dam also is connected to the River Trail which you can bike or walk on for about 43 miles along the Missouri River.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> This is the bridge across the spillway to connect to the trail and to get closer to the water.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDUc_LRhkDSOgrEMZ3TqxBCQeD3IN0H73H9mt9RdUYtR4mYkDQCsjbYKyKS2ivo22r7PriBdT7-4FyZWmDFy_-7-4AZlb_xV_HA2-C-pHxFGPaiOlG6I4Z3V3xVxOTkV1z_sfGc0ryQ/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDUc_LRhkDSOgrEMZ3TqxBCQeD3IN0H73H9mt9RdUYtR4mYkDQCsjbYKyKS2ivo22r7PriBdT7-4FyZWmDFy_-7-4AZlb_xV_HA2-C-pHxFGPaiOlG6I4Z3V3xVxOTkV1z_sfGc0ryQ/s640/IMG_0015.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPpBGF6PP2Sxa_usXudYKHBQBxoOeQAcKbKvXL0LsPIxYYUVuEXr0InMNIm92oHx29FrNLpGkRxOKiXmbDROPTuT3yx2s-HhRX5m1rnTcWu7tziycHnB5GjsB2C4kHbAVqFypWUXhOQ/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPpBGF6PP2Sxa_usXudYKHBQBxoOeQAcKbKvXL0LsPIxYYUVuEXr0InMNIm92oHx29FrNLpGkRxOKiXmbDROPTuT3yx2s-HhRX5m1rnTcWu7tziycHnB5GjsB2C4kHbAVqFypWUXhOQ/s640/IMG_0062.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The bluffs across the river. There is really no way to portray how immense they are. If you look about a quarter of the way down from the top, you will see a fence. The fence is about 4 feet tall, to give an idea of how tall the bluffs are. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBLDe-sxUrLv9UZPHCSdssPv4wy9qa_6IDVcuev7CtCo5KGx58Q8AAOLENHgkGeBRHsE_1cibh-ztimQffc1QBJLal7o-YtpJ3Z8fcLS_ZyQ0stXwCguh_c8TxU4ocZ8sI22-tEDmAw/s1600/IMG_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBLDe-sxUrLv9UZPHCSdssPv4wy9qa_6IDVcuev7CtCo5KGx58Q8AAOLENHgkGeBRHsE_1cibh-ztimQffc1QBJLal7o-YtpJ3Z8fcLS_ZyQ0stXwCguh_c8TxU4ocZ8sI22-tEDmAw/s640/IMG_0139.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>There are also seagulls every where in Great Falls. They were about the last bird I ever expected to see here. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUV7RiLv__B-WZYf2tNY3lQ76NPzpxuVz5vC4rlSP6_vp8ZAMNn2BOORe6DMt_VV8dFgJLEJzh8Cv95U4HhzQvsQQeCnktlcRlPO0QBfzEJW5_DbFEKJu8qzbmZiBHg098wyPHyK1Dtg/s1600/IMG_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUV7RiLv__B-WZYf2tNY3lQ76NPzpxuVz5vC4rlSP6_vp8ZAMNn2BOORe6DMt_VV8dFgJLEJzh8Cv95U4HhzQvsQQeCnktlcRlPO0QBfzEJW5_DbFEKJu8qzbmZiBHg098wyPHyK1Dtg/s640/IMG_0103.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Loving the telephoto lens! This was a guy fishing in the shallows below the dam. I would not like to slip and fall into the rapids though. The water is pretty swift through here. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLDAFzEoRWTKzjNtUhz8EK6MP6SYRaINXCVIdVX1I1_0K9YpeuLw5OxDKkGg4cv60B1TJOK7IfiVCmQOav9ElALESqGV-LGAfVSaTExC68t6qH8-jVLugRP_dz8AeFJZrBv8oORrPAA/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLDAFzEoRWTKzjNtUhz8EK6MP6SYRaINXCVIdVX1I1_0K9YpeuLw5OxDKkGg4cv60B1TJOK7IfiVCmQOav9ElALESqGV-LGAfVSaTExC68t6qH8-jVLugRP_dz8AeFJZrBv8oORrPAA/s640/IMG_0123.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> I love the water falls created by the rocks below the dam. Can't get enough of taking pictures of the water over the dam. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>After walking down the river on the trail and back up to the dam for about 30 minutes or so, I decided to see the other dam in the area - Rainbow. Unfortunately, it is more modern and closed where you can not get to it. I will have to go out on the other side of the river at a future date and take pictures across the river. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>But I did take some pictures on the road leading to Rainbow Dam. This is a railroad trestle across the river with the mountains in the background.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeIARpAh2RGdf3lZWhmos2kAeF63x6aesgPK-eRWUNzjgm2lJBTb6hDe6obTh_Zu0sh2hnH-NMQ3P1nFmKa3FuKUmI_SCUqTLC9MsGBLjijaTueUKSit9QDrGnpw7T5ZwotJVIK38Ow/s1600/IMG_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeIARpAh2RGdf3lZWhmos2kAeF63x6aesgPK-eRWUNzjgm2lJBTb6hDe6obTh_Zu0sh2hnH-NMQ3P1nFmKa3FuKUmI_SCUqTLC9MsGBLjijaTueUKSit9QDrGnpw7T5ZwotJVIK38Ow/s640/IMG_0225.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">And another picture across the valley to the mountains. It is hard to realize Great Falls is in a bowl of sorts. One thing I can't get over are the clouds. They are so close and we get some really awesome formations. Of course, being 3000 feet closer to them might have something to do with how different the sky seems here in "Big Sky Country". </i>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-17331110449707532222013-04-12T07:06:00.000-07:002013-04-12T07:06:57.269-07:00Day 4 - The Finale<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Day 3 meant arrival late into Rapid City and the 3 of us dropping into bed late and exhausted. About 3:30am Texter felt compelled to wake me and advise me that I was snoring. This is only after about 3 hours of sleep. Then about 4am she announced her water had broken. So waking Gibbs up, I asked the front desk how to get to the hospital and sent Gibbs and Texter on their way. Someone had to stay with the dogs.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>So "Lady KB" was born at 2:38 pm on the 24th of March, eight days early. (Of course, these pictures are of her about 1 week and 2 weeks old.)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>An extra night was spent by me in Rapid City, before I headed on out to the house to get things unloaded and what little we had with us in the house and to do a grocery run. The dogs were glad to get there as they now had a yard to run in. I love it that I don't have to 'leash them up' in order to go pee....just open the back door.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Leaving Rapid City</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Couple of things I discovered on the way from Rapid City to Great Falls. First off, Rapid City was an introduction to the WIND we would be experiencing. No one said a word about the wind when we were getting ready to relocate. I mean WIND. I thought I was use to wind growing up in Texas, but that Texas wind is puny compared to this wind.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Another thing I discovered as I drove through Wyoming and Montana was that I now had a serious need for a John Wayne Western fix. Or a horse to ride.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>So here we are, Gibbs and Texter's stuff is moved in and we are trying to find a schedule for Lady K. I still have a trip back to North Carolina to pack up my stuff and get it moved out. But I am loving Great Falls and can't wait for get out with my camera for more pictures. </i></span>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-44312599564677330432013-04-11T08:33:00.000-07:002013-04-11T08:33:14.662-07:00Day 3 of the "Move"<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The third day was from Kansas City to Rapid City, South Dakota. Since Gibbs and Texter had been out late the night before with Older Gibbs, we got a much later start than normal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> It was another cloudy day spent following Gibbs and Texter. At least today Texter would be more comfortable as the tires were removed. This way she had the whole back seat in the SUV to stretch out in. And the two dogs in their car had more room to move around. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This wind turbine should have been a clue as to what was ahead. While we were aware of the "10 months of winter, 2 months of summer" we were heading to, no one said a word about the wind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> And the snow started showing up on a more regular basis. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Amani was still not convinced this 'car ride' was happening and that 'home' was behind us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Going through South Dakota was long and flat. Almost boring in fact. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These trees were in a field on the other side of a rest stop. The same rest stop which had the sign "Warning Poisonous Snakes" (which I didn't take a picture of, sadly).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyl2UkAfWxGMimf62PowHsiMOD2cBCDW_Igf1NZIT_JidsdbigZOKL2jIzYb-Rql0weZr8YA3Qh5lHRUbGStVvyPvzC1CHaa9yv1QhvFDj3iFPxTUlprRXXHY_yIEfolfVHnT-BrBYg/s1600/P3230073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyl2UkAfWxGMimf62PowHsiMOD2cBCDW_Igf1NZIT_JidsdbigZOKL2jIzYb-Rql0weZr8YA3Qh5lHRUbGStVvyPvzC1CHaa9yv1QhvFDj3iFPxTUlprRXXHY_yIEfolfVHnT-BrBYg/s640/P3230073.jpg" width="480" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiq0OMq5S4910P_dg0UUoq8pvxyhpIAkh5soZlarBV3TS8PiJ8cBJ4tZGA1BzZid-eiRZXzg5-VaZv_urZJtmG5xgqc-3gDJH4zc3nWqhtXH6gfUImo7Y0prWbSJM-YQ2_eEi88OSQRQ/s1600/P3230080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiq0OMq5S4910P_dg0UUoq8pvxyhpIAkh5soZlarBV3TS8PiJ8cBJ4tZGA1BzZid-eiRZXzg5-VaZv_urZJtmG5xgqc-3gDJH4zc3nWqhtXH6gfUImo7Y0prWbSJM-YQ2_eEi88OSQRQ/s640/P3230080.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because of the late start, we were out on the highway later than we have normally been. We wanted to make Rapid City, the next large city, before we stopped for the night. Luckily, we were treated to a beautiful sunset. I had heard that as you get closer to 45 degrees, the sunsets last longer. I have to say I am finding that to be true. Back home you have only a few minutes to see the sun set. Here, the sunset lasted for a good 30 minutes or more. Made the end of the day a little better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Of course, this was a omen of things to come. Driving in the dark into Rapid City was not fun as there were patches of black ice as we got closer to town. The hotel we found that would accept dogs was also on the last days of "Spring Break" and was pretty full as they also had an indoor water park. It was a long day and we were all exhausted. Little did we know the night wasn't over with yet.</span></div>
Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-45253624474726946212013-04-07T08:05:00.001-07:002013-04-07T08:05:33.553-07:00Day Two <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Day 2 of the trip was from Nashville to Kansas City where we were dropping off the tires and seeing Gibb's brother, Older Gibbs. It was probably the most boring of days driving.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Amani, I think, realized something was definitely up and that the home she knew was behind us. She spend looking out the back window during her turns with me in the car.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQ2JV4N62h_nhfkm19wSiZn58shrHAt8RrssrzISw-2l5jJuMhbRsxZ9hPIgnsdLEbGTtrl7ck3eSN03DaijZ-NLfV55iYlq8Bs_qqIMrkSN1z1OxFfh_B2vETB-KW3Jvj3-MNlXUqQ/s1600/QT+on+Day+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQ2JV4N62h_nhfkm19wSiZn58shrHAt8RrssrzISw-2l5jJuMhbRsxZ9hPIgnsdLEbGTtrl7ck3eSN03DaijZ-NLfV55iYlq8Bs_qqIMrkSN1z1OxFfh_B2vETB-KW3Jvj3-MNlXUqQ/s640/QT+on+Day+2.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Around the St. Louis area we saw QT stores, so Savvy wasn't far from our thoughts. We didn't need gas at the time, but we stopped for drinks. Texter bought a huge QT mug which is in use constantly. You can never have too much tea.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JaWqn-uwnYLolvtp3AF9PGoAxgqBrT_VOZD5c0-9qs7okMrMhEkjzLY4bLkOS5AyEDtj0XRog8AqOtEE-o3ajfxeYt0gifWT_wg3z87lOConbA3CDsci7UPOEGaXEzNB1YVe2g1gEw/s1600/St.Louis+Arch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JaWqn-uwnYLolvtp3AF9PGoAxgqBrT_VOZD5c0-9qs7okMrMhEkjzLY4bLkOS5AyEDtj0XRog8AqOtEE-o3ajfxeYt0gifWT_wg3z87lOConbA3CDsci7UPOEGaXEzNB1YVe2g1gEw/s640/St.Louis+Arch.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>This is as close to the St. Louis arch as I could get as we whizzed through town. I was doing one of those things you aren't suppose to do....drive in traffic, switching lanes and taking photographs!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>But we made it to Kansas City in one piece, met up with Older Gibbs and dropped like flies for the night.</i></span>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-23857890323078477022013-04-03T07:12:00.000-07:002013-04-03T07:12:05.052-07:00How the Journey Went<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First off, I have to say that this cross-country trip was approached with some concern. Texter was due to deliver Lady KB on the 1st of April. And here we were starting a 2400 mile trip about 10 days before her due date. Two cars, 3 dogs, 1 extremely pregnant woman and 2400 miles.....not your typical road trip.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So Day 1 of the trip started out about 6am with a fill up on gas for both vehicles and then hitting the road, hopefully missing the morning rush hour.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eNrVH7_oTvhQyeBsNbM_EC0tPffnyOQ7NI_62aCOhax5nnDb698yld1eTVaVUMRGtquuKCXwXPoBwaoJRCcHJ_NplY7BPHG2VTkAOKWQNh_kHuKXyVTB7htwuO7db-ZxPu_fjzUJIQ/s1600/P3210008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eNrVH7_oTvhQyeBsNbM_EC0tPffnyOQ7NI_62aCOhax5nnDb698yld1eTVaVUMRGtquuKCXwXPoBwaoJRCcHJ_NplY7BPHG2VTkAOKWQNh_kHuKXyVTB7htwuO7db-ZxPu_fjzUJIQ/s640/P3210008.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This the the picture of the sunrise on my last day in North Carolina. Well, actually not my last day as I have to go back and pack up my house and have it moved to Montana. But I am counting 21 March as my last day of living in North Carolina (for tax purposes too!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZbeQl49-zXmwEPdsaqF7re-JPG6PHYIVsepQNJy1u_Y46dpnqGt6hyphenhyphenwmjGjEoG76d5L7F7py7J_M2W9xxxTe6NsiYp0ZOrfMeEeYqEL2iUoxKx1dhFJLnOlf3otepx_b_5c1vvGtLw/s1600/P3210009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZbeQl49-zXmwEPdsaqF7re-JPG6PHYIVsepQNJy1u_Y46dpnqGt6hyphenhyphenwmjGjEoG76d5L7F7py7J_M2W9xxxTe6NsiYp0ZOrfMeEeYqEL2iUoxKx1dhFJLnOlf3otepx_b_5c1vvGtLw/s400/P3210009.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The back of the SUV was to be my view for the next hundreds of miles. With the "wart" on top it was easy to keep track of should I get separated in traffic. However......</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRa8tTufidm1rNnOOjlzLq2zhsDKEc3c7cwbPsslvR6UdTb3Srt4EJuuawDvxK6cIep6eD_iLkd878rGlyAFZPjwfIW6-Kjg9y6tJS-Mildbxsn2ExMeXNo6QLiF_utFdnRBsMqefucA/s1600/P3210029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRa8tTufidm1rNnOOjlzLq2zhsDKEc3c7cwbPsslvR6UdTb3Srt4EJuuawDvxK6cIep6eD_iLkd878rGlyAFZPjwfIW6-Kjg9y6tJS-Mildbxsn2ExMeXNo6QLiF_utFdnRBsMqefucA/s640/P3210029.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As we were stopping at just about every rest stop for Texter to be able to get out and move around and the dogs to stretch their legs, I knew I just had to make it to the next rest stop if separated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We didn't have to go far to find snow. This is a rest stop in the Smokey Mountains in North Carolina. Once we crossed into Tennessee however, the issue wasn't bad weather, but rather bad driving.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNt-SDZ0S0krYA0Dc6qtVuidR7kLsaBj3XTUEmfIIiYy3FTEx76JFfiTkMLexQ0EerCuthBg4uCc5zKCIFEwLDM4-xan4gTw9rWBGr6DeKbFB4wLJd9BopK9tghkWOBsBenQiFFkzEw/s1600/P3210039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNt-SDZ0S0krYA0Dc6qtVuidR7kLsaBj3XTUEmfIIiYy3FTEx76JFfiTkMLexQ0EerCuthBg4uCc5zKCIFEwLDM4-xan4gTw9rWBGr6DeKbFB4wLJd9BopK9tghkWOBsBenQiFFkzEw/s400/P3210039.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We got caught up in a backup due to an accident on the highway. Since I had the snacks in my car, we did get a stare or two as Gibbs hopped out of his car and grabbed a couple of PB&J sandwiches from me while we were stopped.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yq54jhT6ILTjPR7vvq4ZlNvbH_brDQAfKnkDyHLRHQVnfbkILazejyY-xYsadiJtsqkJetJqZzTNUOn1IayZrZa0_bY-8nNKNBpb07hC3cfTIIni-uSXs83DLesn5zwMzXiRpaJzPQ/s1600/P3210040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yq54jhT6ILTjPR7vvq4ZlNvbH_brDQAfKnkDyHLRHQVnfbkILazejyY-xYsadiJtsqkJetJqZzTNUOn1IayZrZa0_bY-8nNKNBpb07hC3cfTIIni-uSXs83DLesn5zwMzXiRpaJzPQ/s640/P3210040.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Amani used the time to check out the scenery and the back up. Since we were delivering a set of tires to Gibbs brother in Kansas City, there was room for 2 dogs in the back of the SUV and one rode with me. We swapped them out as we stopped at the rest stops. I, personally, think they liked riding with me better because they got treats with me. But then that is just my opinion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Day 1 ended with an overnight in Nashville and a long day on the road to Kansas City the next day. </span></div>
<br />Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842117197784546975.post-42795268171442400912013-04-01T14:52:00.000-07:002013-04-01T14:52:22.027-07:00Now Appearing in Great Falls<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>We are here. At least Gibbs, Texter and Miss KB are here with their stuff. Mine is still back in North Carolina and will be retrieved probably the first part of May.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>In the meantime, we are painting rooms. The living room was painted a sage green (lighter than that green) and a pinky salmon color. We are going with a light cream and darker green.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>How do I like Montana so far?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>So far, so good. The air has a different quality about it. Stores are easy to find. It seems the majority of the "streets" are numbered and run one direction. The "avenues" are also numbered and run the other way.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>But with the painting, the new baby and about 4 days worth of intensive driving, we are all still exhausted. And my body is still not sure about this time zone. The dogs, however, are loving the backyard they can run around in. I am loving the fact I don't have to 'leash' them up to take them out for peeing and poohing---just open the back door.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>More to come as I explore this new home.....</i></span>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0