Category Archives: Travel

Monument Peak Lookout

Posted on August 29, 2012 by westerner54

There’s something magical about coming up on “your” lookout on the top of a mountain.    Sometimes you can see the lookout in the distance as you’re hiking, and it slowly, slowly, gets closer. But other times, particularly if you can drive to … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Camping, Montana, Travel | Tagged , , | 27 Comments

Glacier National Park: Last Minute Reservations at Granite Park Chalet

Posted on August 13, 2012 by westerner54

Glacier’s Granite Park Chalet is a stunning backcountry chalet, accessible only on foot, and only available with a reservation.  But here’s a tip:  if you’re in the Glacier area, and can be flexible, check the Granite Park Chalet reservation website … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Montana, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , , | 22 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

Essaouira. Sardines. Want Some.

Posted on June 15, 2012 by westerner54

I’ve been a little distracted lately by a hankering for the sardines we had in Essaouira, Morocco last year.     Grilled, salty, lemony, fishy goodness, they came on a big platter in an outdoor restaurant on a sunny, gorgeous day.  You know they just came off … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Africa, Food, Morocco, Travel | Tagged , , | 6 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

The Indispensables

Posted on May 21, 2012 by westerner54

Those first couple of miles of the first backpack of the season are always tough, aren’t they? Hiking without a pack never prepares me for the shock of suddenly hauling all that extra weight, and my hips and shoulders are … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 10 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