Little Belt Mountains Montana

Took Suzi up to the Little Belt Mountains.  Our first stop was to admire the canyon at Sluice Box state Park on the edge of the mountains.

This Eagle buzzed us while we were there.

When we got up to the area where they play with sled dogs we got out and took a romp.

It was an hour away, and the terrain was so very different, Great Falls being on the prairie. Plus it was 20F cooler up at Kings Hill. (glad we brought sweaters.

Bird in a bush.

This was the same bush the flower with the bee was on.

Bee on Flower

Nick

Nick came by and helped me with some tree cutting.  

He got on the shed to tie a rope to the top of the tree to keep it from falling on the neighbors garage.

We had a lot of fun, well at least I did.  : ) 

Rocky mountain front West of Choteau, MT

I took a quick trip up to the Rockies.

Ear mountain was looming over the prairie.

We stopped by Eureka Lake out side of Choteau, MT

More like a puddle this late in the summer.  They use it for irrigation.

The birds congregated around the small puddle left behind.  

(the dark large birds are sand cranes, and the large white birds are pelicans.)

The birds are getting used to their new Squirrel proof bird feeder.

Suzi's Parents

Had a good time with Suzi's parents when they came for a bit this summer!

Took them to the Rainbow Dam overlook.

Carol, Suzi, Mike

Carol and Mike

Bailey likes playing with grandparents!

So does Gator.

But Gator Loves Getting the Rabbit with Grandpa best!

Before they left Carol wanted one more game of fetch at the local off leash dog walk.

Gator and Bailey thought it was a great idea!

When we got to the parking lot we looked across the river and spotted a deer and a couple of pelicans on the island in the middle of Great Falls, MT.

Butterfly

Saw this butterfly on my garage door today.

Highwood Mountains, MT

We decided to take a day trip up to the campground in the Highwood Mountains. This Hawk was sitting regally greeting us as we approached the mountains.

There were a lot of cool rock outcroppings poking up out of the earth.  

It was fun to see the change in terrain living not far from here on the high desert around Great Falls.

We were glad we did not plan on camping.  Turned out we could not get all the way to the campground due to a bridge being replaced, so the road was closed.

But close to the construction was this old forest service cabin. 

We decided to stop here for lunch.

(and a little stick playing in the creek)

I think Suzi won.

There were a lot of wild flowers in the area.

near Vaughn, MT

Suzi wanted to hike around at the First Peoples Buffalo Jump, but when we got there there was a gate closing the area.  So we went to the North side of the park (closer to Vaughn) and Suzi followed the trail with the dogs up to the top of the bluff in the background.

When they got done with their walk, Gator and Bailey were eager to come back and tell me all about it.

They had to watch their step, the area was covered with cactus plants.

Joe and Sarah

Had a great time when Joe and Sarah came to visit this summer.  

Took them to see Giant Springs in Great Falls, MT

Joe, Sarah, Suzi with the Missouri River on the left and the Giant Springs on the right.

Giant Springs with the Missouri River in the background. 

Sarah is on the bridge.

Saw this bird with a bug while there.

For Joe's Birthday we took him to his grandparents. 

(He shares a birthday with his granma)

On the way we saw this bald eagle at Eureka Lake.

Outside of Fairfield, Montana

Happy Birthday Joe!

4th of July pyromania

Had a great Fourth of July celebration.  Ken, Lexi, Nick and Tom came by with some fireworks.