Author Archives: westerner54

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About westerner54

Hello. I'm Cindy, and I love to hike, bike and explore the outdoors - particularly the western U.S.

Monument Peak Lookout

Posted on August 29, 2012 by westerner54

There’s something magical about coming up on “your” lookout on the top of a mountain.    Sometimes you can see the lookout in the distance as you’re hiking, and it slowly, slowly, gets closer. But other times, particularly if you can drive to … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Camping, Montana, Travel | Tagged , , | 27 Comments

Which is Scarier: A Rattlesnake or a Grizzly Bear?

Posted on August 23, 2012 by westerner54

Imagine this:  You’re hiking on the third day of a six day backpacking trip, deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, when you “run into”* a) a rattlesnake… or….. b) a grizzly bear. *what exactly does “run into” mean?  that’s up … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Life, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 23 Comments

The Panic in Beautiful Places

Posted on August 20, 2012 by westerner54

“How much I missed, simply because I was afraid I was missing it.”  Paulo Coelha There’s a scene in Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Eat, Pray, Love where Gilbert and a friend arrive together at a particularly beautiful place.   The friend’s immediate … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

Glacier National Park: Last Minute Reservations at Granite Park Chalet

Posted on August 13, 2012 by westerner54

Glacier’s Granite Park Chalet is a stunning backcountry chalet, accessible only on foot, and only available with a reservation.  But here’s a tip:  if you’re in the Glacier area, and can be flexible, check the Granite Park Chalet reservation website … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Montana, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

Bluegrass, the Blackfoot, and the Crimson Bluffs

Posted on August 3, 2012 by westerner54

Lots of music in Montana in July, and we managed to catch our share of it:  Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Abigail Washburn, Corb Lund, Emmylou Harris, Taj Mahal, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ben Bullington, Billy … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Montana Folk Festival

Posted on July 15, 2012 by westerner54

Butte, Montana July 14, 2012

Posted in Life, Montana, Outdoors, Photography | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Road Trip to the Back of Beyond: Bannack Ghost Town to the Centennial Valley

Posted on July 10, 2012 by westerner54

I do believe that the back of beyond is my favorite spot on earth.   And one of the swell things about Montana is that you can get to the back of beyond on a road trip – you don’t have to … Continue reading →

Posted in Camping, Montana, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Gettin’ Western at the 4th of July Rodeo, Lincoln, Montana

Posted on July 3, 2012 by westerner54

The 4th of July means rodeo in Montana, and the Lincoln Rodeo hasn’t changed in the 20 years we’ve been going – it’s a perfect little slice of small-town America.   The arena is small, with just six bucking chutes, and the spectators sit on the hillside looking … Continue reading →

Posted in Montana, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Refrigerator Canyon to Hunter’s Gulch in the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness

Posted on July 1, 2012 by westerner54

This is a 14 mile shuttle backpack through the heart of Montana’s Gates of the Mountains Wilderness. If you don’t get lost around mile 10, the hike could be a mile or so shorter, but we’ve done this route two … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Montana, Outdoors | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

Essaouira. Sardines. Want Some.

Posted on June 15, 2012 by westerner54

I’ve been a little distracted lately by a hankering for the sardines we had in Essaouira, Morocco last year.     Grilled, salty, lemony, fishy goodness, they came on a big platter in an outdoor restaurant on a sunny, gorgeous day.  You know they just came off … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Africa, Food, Morocco, Travel | Tagged , , | 6 Comments