Category Archives: Life

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

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

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

Cabin Fever Dreaming: My Perfect Mountain Cabin

Posted on December 6, 2013 by westerner54

It’s 1000 degrees below zero. I had planned a little hike for this morning, but that ain’t gonna happen. Instead, I’ve been sipping hot chocolate and daydreaming about the perfect little cabin I want to build….someday. It turns out there … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

The Land that Speaks to My Heart

Posted on December 3, 2013 by westerner54

Do you believe that we are meant to live in certain landscapes? That some places just feel like home, even if you didn’t grow up there? I do. It’s one of the few things I really do believe. I’ve written … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography | Tagged , , | 21 Comments

Nature Abides

Posted on November 16, 2013 by westerner54

There’s little to love about November.     I mean really, what’s to like about dark, gray, cold days that will only get colder and darker?   And not even any snow to make things pretty to look at.  Jeez. However. Nature abides.   Like … Continue reading →

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

#yellowstonebeforetheshutdown

Posted on October 9, 2013 by westerner54

#really??!!!?? #getagrip #areyoukiddingme? OK.  Just had to vent a little.  Believe me, my lone Republican Congressman is hearing  from me.  Every day.  And no, I’m not just mad because I can’t go to the national parks. But I’ll spare you the … Continue reading →

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

The Top Ten Outdoor Spots for A Morning Cup of Coffee

Posted on September 24, 2013 by westerner54

This change of seasons has got me feeling kind of blue…it’s gray and cold and drizzly outside and my morning hike on the mountain felt awfully close to work.   So I started thinking about some of the cozy everyday moments that make … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Hiking, Life, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments