Hanging Valley Hike

Me, Jolie and Polgara went on spring hike to hanging valley near Helena. The end of the hike saw some a huge tree almost blocking the entrance to the steel gate and lookout over the 1,000 foot cliff to the valley floor (of course I forgot to get a picture of the huge tree). We did run into a forest service crew with chainsaws working on the spring deadfall - when we told them about the huge tree at the end their eyes widened and according to Jolie they were just about drooling in anticipation of getting rid of that tree. Anyways, this is a shot of wild rose about to bloom.

Polgara looks a little sad here, but she was just tired - she, of course, had a blast on a 12 mile hike.

Some bright paintbrush and clematis in the background.

Joan and Sandy's visit

Joan and Sandy came out for a few weeks in the spring - after the cold and before the smoke starts (perfect timing). A group shot in our backyard

Another shot to get the full effect of Ma's outfit - true Montana cowgirl (she's been in Montana nearly 15 years now)

She survived the mosquitos and still kept her appetite when Joan and Sandy took her down to Jackson Wyoming for several days.

Sandy, Jolie and Eric at the top of Mt Helena

We all went to Missoula one Saturday for the farmers market and thrift store shopping (everyone found a treasure). We also tried a new German restaurant in Missoula (Edelweiss Bistro) - excellent beer and German food (great gurkensalat). We didn't get to meet the German owner - Jurgen Knoller - maybe next time.

Jolie's birthday

The night before Jolie's birthday we had a picnic in the woods near helena - a grainy shot with the nearly full moon behind us.

Jolie looking tired (from school) and happy (from cake) on her 51st birthday! 

A great quilt that Ma made for Jolie (notice Jolie's styling birthday hat)

Spring Hike near Helena

Jolie, me and Polgara found a great new hike near Helena called Big Log Gulch. A little dry at first, but eventually get into this nice gulch with a spring-fed stream and tons of wildflowers in May.

Polgara looks sad before the hike as we made her stay in the truck till we were ready to go -- then she became very HAPPY

Some of the great wildflowers on the trail - Pasque. Jolie took this shot with her iphone.

Shooting stars, blue bells, and I think glacier lillies in this shot.

At the top we found one last patch of snow (Polgara loved it) and a great view into Merriweather Canyon (not shown) which burned several years ago.

Last stop in Bryce Canyon

On our way back to Montana we stopped at Bryce Canyon NP for a couple of days. This is Jolie on a trail into the Queens Garden that switchbacks multiple times in a short distance.

At the bottom of the Queens Garden hike.

We tried to get some sunrise shots, but was cloudy both mornings. This shot into the canyon caught the few rays of sun one morning from Sunrise Point.

Our second day in the park we hiked the Fairyland Trail. This is a great hike that winds through multiple amphitheaters of hoodoos. We saw this Stellar Jay on the trail.

A view of Two Towers on the trail. 

 

View of hoodoos on the trail

Surprisingly we saw some great flowers in the hoodoos. These Columbines were deep blue.

Another view on the Fairyland Trail

Water Canyon in the park. Not quite an original name, but it is beautiful

A few days in HOT Phoenix

We visited Tonia and Topper in Fountain Hills near Phoenix. We hiked in McDowell Mountain Park and hit the Segauro cactus blooms at the right time.

Does it look hot and dry? Cause it was!

Cooling off from the hot hike. Tonia and Jolie in the pool, and a great view towards the Superstition Mountains

After cocktails in the pool, this is the best selfie I could muster.

Sedona hike

We spent a day camping and hiking near Sedona, AZ. This is Steamboat Rock on the southern end of Oak Creek Canyon.

We did a hike up Turkey Creek (southwest of Sedona) to the edge of an old volcano. This is a view from the trail.

We saw several beautiful cactus blooms on the trail.

Second cactus flower

Final flower