There Be Dragons!

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.

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.

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.

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?

Hiking Grizzly Gulch

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.

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.  

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?

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

And there was a part or two of 'downhill' before more UP.

Once we got up on the Mt. Helena Ridge it was fantastic views all around.  

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.

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.

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.  

Backyard Flora and Fauna

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.

The flowers are a delight this year, especially the sweet peas.  I just wish they were a more fragrant variety.  

Mandavilla blooms 

Spruce cones at the top of the tree

Sweet Peas

"Yellow" flowers and seed heads (not sure what it is)

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.

But our favorites are the birds.

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. 

Of course, some still have their own feeders, even if they are big enough to be feeding themselves. 

House finches are plentiful, as are magpies. 

It seems we are down a couple of squirrels.  They weren't quite as fast as the dogs it seems.

Black-capped chickadees are starting to appear at the feeder. 

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.

Another favorite of mine are the crows.  They are so stately and I do love the fact that a flock is called a 'murder'. 

Then the blackbird is plentiful at the feeder too.

This is what I think is a Brewer's Blackbird female with a Grackle scarfing up bread crumbs.

But the most unique feeder we have in the backyard is the Lady K bird.  She is seated on her favorite outdoor perch.

A messy feeder, she has a distinctive call and is very social.

Montana State Fair in Great Falls

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.

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.

Crowds, or lack thereof, didn't bother Lady K

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.

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.

Jams and Jellies (the whole exhibit)

Needlework and Sewing

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.

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!)

Nice kitty, kitty.

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.

Mariner's Compass

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.

And on Sunday we did we our livestock to a certain degree.

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.

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. 

Baby goat meets Lady K.  They are both about the same age.

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.  

"Fairly" Crying

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!)

So I will share what the patio looks like now instead.  

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.

Then my tomatoes.

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 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.

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.

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. 

So far I am pleased with what I have been able to grow so far.  Now let's get onto the harvesting!

Hanging Valley Trail

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. 

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.  

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.

Trout Canyon Trail is at the end of the road where you turn into the campgrounds, crossing over the creek.

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.

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.

This I could identify, a thistle, complete with a little white spider.

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.

So up the trail we go.  And my brain was going "are you really this stupid?"

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.

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 think this was one of the only 'flat' parts of the trail.  I love flat now.  I adore downhill!

I did miss out of the more spectacular scenery at the end of the trail.  But what I did stumble through was breathtaking.

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.  

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.

According to one of the hiking books, May is when I need to be there for the pink lady slippers and other 'spring' flowers.  

So what I learned today....

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!

2.  What I had packed in my backpack was about right for the walk.  Not too much, not too little.

3.  My new hiking boots worked well.  My nice little bunion likes the men's wider toe box much better.

4.  I meet a really great group of people who I can hike with now.

5.  My dogs are wild and crazy and have no manners whatsoever compared to Marky.  I am such a bad doggy mother.