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.

It’s Snowing Geese!

Posted on March 21, 2014 by westerner54

The snow geese are migrating, and earlier this week they were headed right for me. I’d heard that there were 35,000 snow geese at Freezout Lake in central Montana, so one afternoon we loaded up the camper and ended up … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Birding, Camping, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 25 Comments

Blog Neglect, Whale Fever and Just Plain Laziness: the Consequences of Three Weeks in Paradise

Posted on March 10, 2014 by westerner54

Here are a couple of things you might not know: Hawaii is beautiful. Hawaii is one wonderful place to spend three weeks in the middle of winter. Oh, you knew that already? Of course you did. Hawaii, of course, is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Nature, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Bleu Horses: A Montana Artist’s Gift

Posted on January 31, 2014 by westerner54

If you happen to be driving Highway 287 between the little towns of Three Forks and Townsend, Montana, make sure to check out the herd of horses grazing on the west side of the highway. Montana artist Jim Dolan created the … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Time to Tidy Up: Eagles Getting Busy

Posted on January 28, 2014 by westerner54

There’s a job for every season, and the eagles know that better than anyone. They can tell that the days are getting longer (so can I!) and they are suddenly busy with some important nest renovations. I’ve checked out two … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

Slough Creek Sonata: The Yellowstone Wolves’ Choir

Posted on January 21, 2014 by westerner54

Slough Creek, Yellowstone National Park, January 17, 2014 We’re standing on a ridge overlooking the valley, scoping the hillsides and hoping to see a wolf.    The day is sunny and calm, and not too cold, so we’re just pleased to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , , | 28 Comments

Idiot Wind

Posted on January 15, 2014 by westerner54

The wind has been howling for five straight days, which means that there’s a new soundtrack accompanying me whenever I get up the gumption to go outside: Bob Dylan’s “Idiot Wind.” It’s actually not one of my favorites, and is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , , | 28 Comments

Out Under the Winter Sky

Posted on January 2, 2014 by westerner54

In 1964 Judy Collins recorded Billy Edd Wheeler’s haunting song “Winter Sky”.   I probably heard it about 10 years later, but it has been the accompaniment to all of my winter ramblings for the past 40 years.   The lyric about death … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

I Resolve

Posted on December 31, 2013 by westerner54

to be more like the wonderful human being who posted this warning at a local trailhead: Happy New Year everyone!

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Humor, Life, Nature, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Silence and Solitude Once Again: December in Yellowstone

Posted on December 18, 2013 by westerner54

Mammoth Campground, Yellowstone National Park.  December, 2013.  Once again we’re all alone for two cold nights in Mammoth Campground.   Yellowstone in winter – especially before the Mammoth Hotel is open – can be harsh and cold, but there’s a stark beauty that’s worth a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Camping, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , | 28 Comments

One Good Thing About December….

Posted on December 13, 2013 by westerner54

I seem to have more than my share of Bah Humbug genes, so December is not one of my favorite months. Really, all this dark and cold? Bah. Humbug. But I am rather fond of making lists, and the end … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Humor, Life, Montana, Nature, Photography, Wildlife | 16 Comments