Category Archives: Outdoors

Moon House Ruins, Cedar Mesa, Utah

Posted on November 5, 2013 by westerner54

Just being out in nature is usually motivation enough to get me out on a hike, so I know I’d be willing to traipse around the canyons of southeastern Utah even if there weren’t cool ruins and rock art to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Outdoors, Southwest hikes, Travel | 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

Fall Beauties: Sandhill Cranes

Posted on September 30, 2013 by westerner54

I’ve been a bit obsessed with Sandhill Cranes this month.  They arrive in Montana early each fall, and hang out in the wheat fields until they decide that the time has come to head south.    Watching and listening as the … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 11 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

What Do You Get When you Cross a Cantaloupe and a Chokecherry?

Posted on September 18, 2013 by westerner54

Well, you get a bear.   This bear, actually. If you’re from western Montana you know that August and September is Dixon melon time, and if you’re smart you head to the farmers’ market each Saturday to pick up your cantaloupes … Continue reading →

Posted in Camping, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Fall Hiking Season is Here: Coalpits Wash Backpack in Zion’s Southwest Desert

Posted on September 13, 2013 by westerner54

It’s time to start thinking about some desert hikes, don’t you think?   The area that Zion National Park calls the Southwest Desert offers some dandy fall hikes, particularly if you’re wanting to get away from the crowds that sometimes jam up … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Nature, Outdoors, Southwest hikes | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

These Birds Have Something to Say….

Posted on August 30, 2013 by westerner54

and they’re gonna say it, by golly.   Think birds are just sitting around, singing the occasional ditty, dreaming about the next worm?  Think again, my friend.  There’s a lot going on in those birdbrains. Take this little Eastern Kingbird family.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Humor, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

Back to My Childhood: Camping in the National Parks

Posted on August 21, 2013 by westerner54

When I was a kid in the 60’s, my favorite time of year was the two weeks when we took our family vacation.  The five of us (or seven if Grandma and Grandpa came) piled into the Dodge station wagon: … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Nature, Outdoors, Travel, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

Prairie, Smoke, Sun

Posted on August 20, 2013 by westerner54

Near Nye, Montana, August 2013

Posted in Montana, Outdoors, Photography | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

What Makes a Perfect Day?

Posted on August 6, 2013 by westerner54

Well, how about a sunny summer morning, to start.  Then a hike along a favorite ridge accompanied by a young Cooper’s Hawk. Add in the discovery of a perfect old apothecary bottle along the trail: “Hall’s Catarrh Cure.” Then home for … Continue reading →

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