Category Archives: Montana

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

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

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