Category Archives: Nature

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

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

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

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

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

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

Close to Home: the Missouri

Posted on April 9, 2012 by westerner54

Sometimes I need a reminder to stop and see the wonders of my own neighborhood, and I appreciate bloggers who — Thoreau-like — keep their focus small and remind me to do the same.  Two of my favorites are  Some Little Crum Creek and  Walks Under the Trees.  They … Continue reading →

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

Spring in Yellowstone: Critters and Empty Roads

Posted on April 2, 2012 by westerner54

A handsome black wolf stopping by to check out the campsite is a pretty auspicious start to a weekend in Yellowstone, don’t you think? We arrived at the Mammoth Campground in Yellowstone at about 6:00 on Friday evening.  We set … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Camping, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Travel, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments