Author Archives: westerner54

Unknown's avatar

About westerner54

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

Mountain Biking Heaven

Posted on June 13, 2012 by westerner54

Western Montana is mountain biker’s heaven, and I think that Helena has some of the best singletrack trails in the state.    There are miles and miles of trails that start right from town, so if you live in the downtown area, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

A Little Rain? A Little Snow? Who Cares if You’re in Blodgett Canyon?

Posted on June 6, 2012 by westerner54

A few years ago a friend of mine from New Jersey was surprised that I wanted to head to the Caribbean in May.  “Why leave in May? Just when the weather is getting wonderful, and you can start backpacking?” Right.   We’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Montana, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Baby Bison: Cute Little Buckers!

Posted on May 26, 2012 by westerner54

I spent a couple of days in Yellowstone again this week, because I knew the bison were calving, and I wanted to have a chance to watch the antics of the little orange calves before the summer crowds arrive.    I hadn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Montana, Nature, Travel, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

The Indispensables

Posted on May 21, 2012 by westerner54

Those first couple of miles of the first backpack of the season are always tough, aren’t they? Hiking without a pack never prepares me for the shock of suddenly hauling all that extra weight, and my hips and shoulders are … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

I’ve Never Known Where I’m Going…But I Know I’m There. Go Figure.

Posted on May 15, 2012 by westerner54

One of the things I absolutely do not miss about working are the yearly “goal-setting” meetings.  Ugh.  Year after year, an enthusiastic consultant would give us some variation of the “if you don’t know where you’re going, how will you … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Montana, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Backpack to Casey Meadow

Posted on May 10, 2012 by westerner54

Casey Meadow, in the Elkhorn Mountains, is a great early season backpacking destination.  It’s close to Helena, the three-mile hike to the meadow isn’t too strenuous, and it’s one of the few high places that is free of snow in … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , | 12 Comments

“U R Brave”

Posted on May 2, 2012 by westerner54

Last year I posted on YouTube a video of some Yellowstone wolves crossing the road in front of me.   One of the first comments was just one line:  “U R brave.”    I didn’t think it was brave, but it looked … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Travel, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Chaudiere Pool, Dominica

Posted on April 27, 2012 by westerner54

A few years ago an issue of Backpacker magazine included articles on both McCart Lookout in southwestern Montana and Grand Gulch in southeastern Utah, two places I just love.   I was both pleased and dismayed:  pleased that the magazine agreed that these two wonderful … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Caribbean, Nature, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Butte, America

Posted on April 23, 2012 by westerner54

Folks in Montana have a special affection for the city of Butte.  It’s the only city in Montana that has a truly ethnic feel:  if your family is Irish, Serbian, Croatian, Finnish, Italian, Cornish, or Welsh, and was in Montana … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Montana, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

Out My Back Door and Up the Mountain

Posted on April 17, 2012 by westerner54

My favorite part about living right in town is that I can pretend that urban sprawl has skipped Helena, Montana.  It hasn’t, but the old downtown part of Helena butts right up against hills and mountains that are protected from development.  The city stops and open space … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments