Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge

After our hike up Bass Creek Trail we headed on back to the B & B for lunch and a nap. Kinsey passed out and I took a nap as well. What else was there to do?

Later that afternoon we went to check out the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge. The weather lady was forecasting afternoon thunder showers so we thought we'd head out early and avoid the rain. We hopped in the car and headed out. OK, so Kinsey wasn't really hopping, her knees were hurting so bad from the morning hike she more like hobbled.

When we got there we took off on the first dirt trail we found and headed out. Depending on what publication you are reading there are 267 or 235 species of birds in the refuge. Close enough for government work, right? Anyway you slice it, its a birdwatchers paradise.

Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge Trail Map

The trail we took wandered around in a storybook forest of big old Ponderosas, cottonwoods and aspen.

Whitetail Deer at Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge

We trekked around through the lovely forest and meadows and eventually wandered over to the Bitterroot River. It's a big, beautiful river and look at those gorgeous mountains in the distance. Those would be the Bitterroots.

Bitterroot River & Mountains as seen from the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge

After awhile we came upon two local gals sitting on a log beside the river, eating their dinner. Kinsey being the Chatty Kathy that she is stopped and spoke with them for quite some time. One of the women was wearing a lovely, beaded medicine pouch. Kinsey admired it and was told that the lady had made it herself. She said it was made from "brain" tanned whitetail. Kinsey hadn't a clue what what brain tanning meant and asked. She promptly got called a "pilgrim" which I think is an insult of sorts for not knowing about brain tanned leather. She sure does now. In case you don't know either, it is hide tanned in a brew of the deers' brains.

We didn't see a lot of birds on our walk. Just the usual mallards, geese, turkey and such. But, on our way out we hit the jackpot. Looking out the window Kinsey says, "What the heck are those? They look like ostriches, maybe gnu." There was a car stopped and a fellow with a huge Cannon lens sticking out his window. We stopped and very quietly Kinsey got out an mouthed through the passenger window "What are those?" The fellow rolled down the window and said "Sandhill Cranes".  And, so they were. Really elegant  birds.

Sanhill Cranes Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge

As usual the weather lady was full of horse feathers it was an awesomely beautiful afternoon and evening. Kinsey says she thinks the thing to do in the summer is go have a nice dinner somewhere and then come down here for an evening stroll. If you are in the area you don't want to miss it. We sure as heck will be coming back.

 The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge is located about 25 miles south of Missoula on highway 93.

Until next time.

Molly Montana

©Kinsey Barnard

JOURNEY TO THE BLACK HILLS DAY 15 - SHERIDAN, WY TO THREE FORKS, MT

We were up bright and early to start our push for Three Forks. I was excited because Three Forks is where I was born and I was going to get to see my parents and other relatives.

Three Forks Landscape

With a couple of potty stops and a gas stop it took us about five hours. It was a pretty drive and Kinsey did her photo whilst driving trick. It's a darned good thing I have nerves of steel!

Big Horn Mountains

We're staying at Camp Three Forks and it is very nice. Lots of green grass and shade trees. After we got set up at the campgrounds we headed for Out West Aussies. That's the name of the kennel where I was born. It was really exciting to see my mom and dad. Although, I'm not sure I really remembered them. My dad is particularly handsome and I look a lot like him.

My Daddy

My Daddy

I had a lot of fun playing and romping and hope to be able to come back again. My personal photographer was supposed to take photos of the reunion but she was kind of asleep at the switch and too busy jawboning with Kelly, the owner of Out West Aussies.

Yea! Me having fun!

Kinsey had thawed out a steak to BBQ and once again she got rained out. It started to pour before her coals were ready. Our neighbors invited her to use their Jennair so all was not lost. She ended up spending the evening over there leaving me to languish alone in our motorhome. For a woman who spends most of her time alone, alone with me, she sure is a regular social butterfly when we are on the road.

Me Languishing

We'll spend two nights here so Kinsey can get Clem ready to get stored when we get back. Tonight will be our last night on the road. I'm glad and a little sad. I'm anxious to get back to the ranch where I am free to be me.

Ciao for now!
#MollyMontana

©Kinsey Barnard

MURDOCH'S: MY MOST FAVORITE STORE ON THE PLANET

Yesterday we had to make a dog food run to Murdoch's. So it was a great day for me. A lot of girls like to go shopping on Rodeo Drive, not me. I'm a long way from there and I don't care. This girl finds shopping nirvana at Murdoch's in Kalispell. Murdoch's is a ranch store here in Montana. The store started out in Bozeman, Montana in 1994 by, of all things, a man named John Murdoch. The Murdoch's Story. It is also one of those few enlightened retail outfits that welcomes dogs.

Just my luck, Kinsey loves the place as much as I do and has been coming here for 14 years. Also helpful is, the Canidae dog food I relish is carried at Murdoch's making it essential that we visit regularly. The particular dog food I get is Canidae ALS. ALS stands for all life stages. It was recommended by my breeder. It must be good stuff because I am fit as a fiddle and have a coat to die for.

Canidae All Life Stages

This store caters to the ranch crowd and if you can't find it here you probably don't need it. I mean they have everything from tack and livestock supplies to Carhartt work clothes for men and women. They have fancy duds too. The aromas in this place? OMG! I nearly go crazy walking up and down the aisles. I look like a blood hound on scent. They have a dog treat selection second to none. Kinsey let's me sniff everything. There's so much wonderful stuff I simply can't choose. I want it all!

Not only does the store have everything a rancher could want, the people are doggone friendly, if you'll pardon the pun. Everyone is so nice to me I nearly don't know how to behave. If you ask Kinsey I don't know how to behave. :)One of our favorite people is Terri in the boot department. She has been helping Kinsey out in this area, and others, for years. We don't always run into her but we did this time and it's always a treat. Almost as big a treat as the ones I get at the checkout counter. ;) What's not to love?

Terri Arnst - Boot Specialist

There is an Ariat boot display there behind us in this photo. Kinsey loves Ariat boots and you won't find a better selection than at Murdoch's.

Whilst I get aroma therapy all over the store Kinsey get's it in the tack department. From the time she was 5 until she went out into the business world, horses were her everything. The love is still there. We could have horses at the ranch but we move around so much it just wouldn't be fair.  Maybe one day. Today Francine took time to visit with us.

Francine in the tack department

You all know how I love to hike and explore but going to Murdoch's is no chore.  I wish there were more places like it. And, in truth, there are a number of stores that allow dogs in Montana, it's a very dog friendly state. But, of all the places that welcome me, Murdoch's is my favorite. It's Kinsey's too. I just wish I could eat up my chow faster so we would have to go more often. I could eat it faster if Kinsey would let me. That isn't going to happen. She thinks it's a crime to let a dog get overweight. That probably makes me lucky too.

And, do you think Kinsey has to lug that 44 lb. bag out to the car? Not on your life. They cheerfully pick it up off the shelf and deliver it to the car.

Did I mention I really love this place?

Ciao for now,
Molly Montana

©Kinsey Barnard

Taylor Creek - Gallatin National Forest

After consulting our mega map (see The Lake that Tilted) Kinsey ordained we should take the trail to Albino Lake in the Gallatin National Forest. As usual, I had no say in the matter. I make a to do about having no say but the truth is, I don't really care we go as long we go!

GOING TO THE SUN ROAD

Mom wanted me to post this photograph we received this morning from a friend in Kalispell. It was taken yesterday on Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park, of the tunnel just above McDonald Lake. She thought you might like to see for yourself we are not kidding when we say winter hasn't made it's departure yet.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

EEL LAKE & WINCHESTER BAY

Spring is certainly taking it's own good time getting here. We are still in Oregon waiting for winter to end in Montana. Here in Oregon it has been tough to get any outside time between rain drops.

We did find a small break in the weather and drove down to Eel Lake and Winchester Bay. Eel lake is a pretty lake and there is a very nice hiking trail that goes for about three miles along and above the shore. We did see some signs of spring, some flowers beginning to bloom and creature activity.

There were a number of Canada Geese winging in and out. They look so cool when they skid on the water to land. There were a few other wild things out and about. That slug for example.

But, the very most coolest thing we saw was this steelhead. Eel lake has a fish ladder for steelhead and salmon. Just as we arrived at the ladder this huge, and I mean huge, steelhead tried to leap straight up the dam instead of using the ladder. Boy, if only mom had been camera ready what a photo that would have been! Needless to say this guy's ambitions were a bit too much for him and he fell back into the stream. We never saw him try it again.

After Eel we drove up to Winchester Bay. This is another little harbor with fishing boats and such. It was not as interesting as some we have visited but it was nice. I asked mom which harbor village on this trip she liked best. She said she would have to go with Ilwaco. Ilwaco you may recall is just across the Columbia River in Washington.

That pretty much sums up this day. I'm gettin kinda anxious to get home to Montana. I hope the weather clears soon!

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

EMPIRE LAKES

Whilst we were driving around we discovered this really cool place called Empire Lakes. It is a park that is right in the middle of Coos Bay. It is really beautiful. The paths, for the most part, are asphalt so just about anyone can enjoy it. Rather than bore you with my drivel I'll just let mom's do the talking for me today. Enjoy!

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

HELLO NORMA JEAN!

We started the day out at Castroville. Castroville is a small Central Coast town known as the artichoke capital of the world. And, believe it or not, Marilyn Monroe was the first artichoke "queen". Now there was a real honor! Obviously, this was all way before my time but that's what mom told me. That cool sign there was right along the road at a produce stand and depicts workers bringing in the artichoke harvest. Very well done I think.

We wandered up and down PCH between Moss Landing and Watsonville for half the day. Mom has developed, in addition to a wave thing, a bird thing. As you can see from the photos she got some pelicans, mallards and something I've never heard of before, a marbled godwit. I wonder if that's like some kind of a twit? But who cares. I mean, she uses a telephoto lens and I can't get anywhere near them. Boring. Boring Boring!

Hmmm, I wonder if this attitude of mine is the reason I keep seeing all these signs everywhere with a dog in a circle with a big red slash through it! I do seem to be spending a lot of time in the back seat!

More interesting was that big bunch of harbor seals lolly gagging on the beach. Unfortunately, there was no way to get very close to them even for a photo.

After spending half the day hunting for photographs I finally talked my mom into a walk on the beach. I even got her to leave her blasted camera behind. When she's carrying the dumb thing my forward progress is interrupted every two seconds. A guy hardly can get any kind of walk at all! Anyway, we had a really great time.

Check this out: Press Release

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Sunwapta Falls, Buck, Osprey & Wabasso Lakes

September 12, 2007

Mom spent a couple of hours processing photos. This delayed the start of my day. You would not believe how much of my day she wastes on this activity. The plan was to go down 93A again check in at Athabasca Falls and head on down to Sunwapta Falls. After that, look for new hiking trails to explore.

Over night a storm had blown through. It was a doozie, the rivers and falls were all murky from the run off. We passed, again, on Athabasca and went on down to Sunwapta. Athabasca was crowded with tourists. At Sunwapta mom got out the old tripod.



There is a trail that takes off after the bridge over the falls. We took that for about an hour just to enjoy the sub-alpine forest. Mom loves to photograph the plants and stuff on the forest floor so it takes us forever to get anywhere.

After the Sunwapta walk we headed back north on the Icefields Parkway, aka 93. Our first stop was at the trail to Buck and Osprey Lakes. Wasn’t much of a hike and neither were the lakes was particularly pretty or interesting. But, I'll take my trail time anyway I can get it.

Back on the parkway we continued north to the Wabasso Lake trail. This was a nice little trail. It took about 40 minutes to get to Wabasso Lake, which wasn’t particularly special, but the trail was pretty and I’d do it again, like, there's any trail I wouldn't do again! If you start early enough you can take this trail all the way up to The Valley of the Five Lakes, which as I mentioned before is really pretty.

By now it was nearly five so we headed for the barn and a barbecue. Eat your hearts out my brethren. I got my own plate of BBQ'd chicken!

Until next time ....
LAKOTA SUNRISE

©Kinsey Barnard