Well, how about a sunny summer morning, to start. Then a hike along a favorite ridge accompanied by a young Cooper’s Hawk.
Add in the discovery of a perfect old apothecary bottle along the trail: “Hall’s Catarrh Cure.”
Then home for a lunch of homegrown tomatoes and summer corn.
In the afternoon, drive to an old pioneer church to hear a bit of western guitar and mandolin, where the statue of Jesus blesses the instruments before the concert.
Then watch your favorite couple waltz in the aisle of the church. It’s like going back in time, to a scene written by Laura Ingalls Wilder or Willa Cather.
Then, since the weather is still perfect, head to the shore of the lake to see what birds you can spot.
If you spot a moose….well, so much the better.
And if, at the end of the day you can stop at O’Malley’s Bar and discover that they are serving steamed mussels and shrimp and crab that night…you’ve got it made.
Off the Beaten Path: Hikes, Backpacks, and Travels 
Sounds pretty good. Hawks as hiking buddies is a new one but it makes sense.
I did have a goshawk attack my head once as I hiked near his nest. Pretty scary, and not buddy-like at all! So I was a little nervous around this guy, who kept flying from tree to tree until I was out of his territory.
That does sound like a perfect day. 🙂 Nice photos as usual.
Thanks. I mainly do this so that I can look back and remember in January…
Sounds like an absolutely perfect day to me. 🙂
Yes, it does seem that it would appeal to you guys, too!
Spectacular picture series!
This sounds like the perfect day to me. Your vivid descriptions and images tell it all. Appreciate the references specifically to Laura Ingalls Wilder and Willa Cather, two of my all-time favorite authors.
I’ve just been re-reading My Antonia, so I’ve had Willa Cather on my mind. I think you would have really enjoyed the concert in the Canton Church.
Sounds pretty darn perfect to me, especially finding the old bottle along the trail. That’s quite a little treasure that fits right in with the rest of the day!
It was kind of my favorite part, too. By the way, just returned from the Tetons, and was thinking of you – know how much you love it there.
I am missing my Tetons this summer!
Sounds perfect to me!
Especially now, when the high temp is going to be 4 degrees. Jeez.