Highlights from a short trip.

Hi Nancy and Jeni, 

I took two days off last week so Brian and I could take a short trip to see some of "Montana’s Natural Wonders" (cue "natural wonder" advertising music).  I don’t think I can live long enough to see everything Montana has hiding just around every turn in the road but I'll do my best.

We first stopped at the Natural Bridge Falls Picnic area we’d read about.  We wanted to see the natural limestone bridge spanning the Boulder River.  However, we didn't read the fine print, and found that the Natural Bridge had (naturally) collapsed in 1988.  The Boulder River is busy carving out a new bridge though, as it goes underground for awhile through the limestone and then pops out again down the trail a ways.

Here it is, popping out of the limestone.

We meandered down the Main Boulder Road (MT secondary 298) for awhile, following the Boulder River.  All I can say is it’s too bad we don’t fish because it is chock-full of spots that look wonderful to fish in and even have fish if you actually care about catching some. 

Plus we saw some other surprises like this fungus - also popping out - with a layer of forest floor debris on its cap.

But we were really headed for the Crazy Mountains to camp and hike a little.  We put in to Halfmoon Campground and set up camp.  One very short hike was to Big Timber Creek Falls.

If you really want to see some action on these falls, take a look at this video.  (You might have to turn the sound down.)   

I had fun cooking in an outdoor kitchen again and we even had pancakes and bacon for breakfast.   

Note to self: get a spatula with a shorter handle - 2 ft is too long

Ahhh, civilization (AKA Bozeman).  Goodbye bug spray and sunscreen!  Hello showers, cold drinks and Yarn Shops!  Bookstores!  Outdoor Gear!  I have another Favorite Yarn Shop now: Stix.

Here's the entryway to Stix in the basement of a downtown building in Bozeman: 7 Tracy St.

And I finally found a flower book I liked so my flower pictures now will have names attached.  I hope to name all the pictures I took up on the Rims last year as well (don't hold breath).

Cirsium arvense "Canada Thistle"

We came home on the 3^rd day.  Elliot was glad to see us.  We went out back to find him a piece of grass to play with and he instantly appeared to forget we were ever gone.