Hungry Horse Reservoir

This weekend we decided to take a drive over to Hungry Horse to check out the fall colors. There is the town of Hungry Horse, Hungry Horse Dam and Hungry Horse Reservoir. Hungry Horse is a local favorite for hiking, fishing and camping. Hungry Horse is about fifteen miles from Glacier National Park. If you're visiting from out of state you should check it out, especially if you are here in the Fall. Glacier is beautiful but there are so many other beautiful places with less traffic and Hungry Horse is one of them.

On the way over we crossed the Flathead River and it was looking mighty pretty all dressed up for Fall. If you look closely there is even an intrepid fisherman on the river.

Flathead River

As pretty much everyone knows the West has been plagued by drought conditions and northwestern Montana is no exception. All I can say is I'm mighty glad we are up river. In any event the reservoir was pretty low. Below is a photo taken this weekend and one taken at full pool.

Hungry Horse October 10, 2015

Hungry Horse at full pool. Tiny speck in the middle is the same little island in the photo above.

We traveled down the west side of the reservoir and only went as far as Doris Creek, which isn't very far at all. If you have the time and an adventurous spirit you can drive around the whole reservoir. It'll be over a hundred miles. It's 58 miles to Spotted Bear which is a the far south end of the lake.

We were only out for a walk in the woods in the autumn and had gotten a bit of a late start. So we hiked up 895A which goes along Doris Creek. Along the way we came across a young family cutting firewood. There was something very lovely about the scene. A family together out in the forest, in the beauty of a Fall afternoon, providing for themselves a warm and toasty winter. Also, warming is that the heat will cost them $5.00 for all the wood they can cut.

There's not a lot more to tell other than we had a really wonderful, colorful afternoon. I'll let Kinsey's photos do the rest of the talking. The point of this exercise was finding color and that we surely did.

Cottonwoods in full Fall color

A walk in the woods at Hungry Horse

Aspen in Fall color

Me stuck in the car whilst Kinsey fools around

Sometimes it's hard to believe we live in such a beautiful part of the world. We are grateful we walk in this world with our eyes open. It's truly a gift. Soon the snow will fly and all this amazing color will only exist in photos and memories. But, the gods willing, we will be able to experience it again next year.

And, would you believe this is the sunset we were treated to at the end of the day? If you are color junkies like we are it just doesn't get any better than this! Oh, how we love Montana!

Sunset over the Flathead Valley

Ciao for now!
Molly Montana

©Kinsey Barnard

Motorhome Shake Down Cruise to Glacier NP

Today's offering is kind of a photo essay.

It's that time of year when we take Clementine, that's our motorhome, out of mothballs. In the Fall she has to get winterized so as not to freeze her parts. She then patiently waits for spring so she can get back on the road.

Yesterday we drove to #Glacier NP to test out some of the equipment. Kinsey decided not to de-winterize the water lines as we are still below freezing overnight and there's no reason to rush. We aren't going anywhere for a few more weeks.

As usual, the first thing Kinsey thinks about when she travels is her stomach so our first stop was at Super 1 in Columbia Falls.

This would be me waiting patiently for you know who

This stop gave us an opportunity to turn on the propane and see if the refrigerator would fire up, which it did not. Kinsey tried a half dozen times but the thing wouldn't ignite. She went out and tapped on the pipes but still nada. She finally said "Oh, the heck with it. Maybe jostling around on the road for awhile will break something free." Away we went.

The day was bright and sunny but still not a lot of people out and about. Kinsey took this photo whilst driving down the road. Smokies she's gonna kill me. Dang I wish I could do it. I might live longer.

The road less traveled but not for long

We pulled into #Lake McDonald which is the first magnificent sight one is likely to see upon entering the park. Once parked Kinsey tried the refrigerator again and voila it fired right up as did the burners on the propane stove. Excellent!

Lake McDonald April 19, 2014 Glacier NP

My awesomely beautiful self at McDonald Lake Glacier NP

National Parks in America don't let dogs on the trails so there wasn't much we could do but walk down the road which wasn't really a problem because there wasn't much traffic. Because of the dog limitations Kinsey gets very few photographs inside the park. She says the park is photographed to death anyway and there is no shortage of wondrous beauty outside the park. I am very grateful for her attitude. It means I don't get left behind.

There were a few stout souls out camping for the weekend even if their campsites where ringed with piled up snow. We stopped in at the amphitheater. The stage was still covered in snow but who needs anyone on the stage when you can sit and look at that backdrop? Awesome!

Glacier Park Amphitheater

 When we got back to Clementine Kinsey tried firing up the on-board generator. It took a little grinding but she fired up and ran smooth as silk.

On the way up and on the way back we were amazed at the amount of water in the Flathead River. The river is already running bank to bank and we haven't even really started the melt in earnest yet. The rafters and kayakers must be in heaven but we could be in for some real flooding trouble if the melt comes on too quick. Once again Kinsey did her one handed, driving down the road picture taking trick. I don't know how she does that. But, I'm not sure I like it.

Flathead River running bank to bank

So, Clementine is partially cleared for going on the road. We still need to drain the pipes of anti-freeze before we can check the water pump and the water heater.  So, far we are looking good! I'm really excited. I've never been on a road trip before. God bless my old mom. She really likes to get out and do stuff! I am becoming more grateful all the time that she is the one who chose me.

Be sure and check out Kinsey's blog The Liberated Photographer

©Kinsey Barnard