Ranch Rodeo

After dinner one night we headed to a rodeo in the nearby small town of Twin Bridges. It was a ranch rodeo, which included events like "wild cow milking". Almost as impressive as the events themselves were the diverse mustache styles of the spectators.

Wild Cow Milking, Part One:

As the cowboys approached the herd of cows that were gathered at the opposite side of the arena, a number for an assigned cow was announced over the speaker. Then, the cowboys moved on to singling out the designated cow, chasing her and secluding her so she can be roped

Part Two:

One of the cowboys on the team ropes the cow

Part Three:

Other cowboys dismount and struggle to hold the cow steady while...

Part Four:

Cow is milked!

Part Five:

Cowboy runs milk to judge and time is called

The cows primary defense was slinging her saliva:

It was an interesting event but secretly we all cheered for the cows

Ghost Town

A day trip to Virginia City provided a leisurely break from hiking and fishing. We enjoyed the homemade ice cream, a tour of the city, and a play/vaudeville show at a tiny theater.

The tour was insightful (thanks to historic facts provided by our tour guide who looked and sounded like Sam Elliott) and entertaining (thanks to a young woman who had been celebrating her friend's birthday and by 3:45 was two sheets to the wind)

Our tour guide

Montana Travels

Another early day at Poindexter Slough to fish the morning hatch and strip streamers in mid afternoon

The big black dog

Wisdom Daytrip

Another day of fishing after a full picnic at a nearby fly shop.

We drove north to Wisdom, MT where the brook trout have overpopulated Wise River and there is a 12 fish limit for brookies on the stream. It was a beautiful day and the river was situated high in the mountains. We loved the smell of pine and cedars as we waded along the stream banks.

Wise River

Little Rainbow

Vic the mountain man

Becky and Jannell relaxing streamside

Beautiful Brooky

Travel hammock

Big Brooky

I especially love streams that are easy to hike in to.

This was one of my favorite days on our vacation.

Montana Bound

The weekend excursions, summer visitors, and long vacation with family has sped up our summer, causing it to rush by. Bucky’s mom and step dad,Becky and Vic, flew into Pocatello last week and we all left last Friday to begin our vacation in Montana. Bucky’s step sister and brother-in-law joined us on Saturday and we settled into a little red cabin on the Big Hole River near Twin Brdiges, MT.

Our days were spent fishing, hiking, picnicking, and day tripping to nearby ghost towns with Otis and Mimi in tow. I loved the evening family dinners, the deer sightings in our backyard, the mid morning naps, the storms we watched from miles away, and the small road trips with all 6 of us (plus two dogs) packed in one SUV. It was easy to forget about work and take in every minute of these long summer days.

Montana Bound

Our red cabin and traveling pups

Mud Room residents

To Twin Bridges for a delicious brunch at The Old Hotel

The Crew

Colorful caterpillar that went for a swim

Gearing up for Pointdexter Slough

Caught my first trout on a beautiful blue damsel fly

Picnicking under the bridge (no, we are not homeless)

Meadow Lark

While fishing in Dillon we spent a day at Poindexter Slough. Becky and I followed Buck further away from the road and deeper into a meadow when we spooked two fawns. Otis chased one across the stream, and the other stayed in the field. We watched as it waited for the other to rejoin and it wandered very close to Becky. She stood by the fence and watched and eventually the two were reunited.

Summer Visits

Bucky, his dad, and brother Waid ventured for a weekend camping trip while I headed to Boise to see one of my favorite bands, Fleet Foxes.

Here are a few snapshots from our week:

Afternoon at the reservation

Mr Ryan watching his boys catch a reservation rainbow

On Friday they headed north to Montana and made the most of their time together fishing, eating, and catching up

Apparently Waid had a few false wildlife sightings so when he saw a "flock of goats", Bucky and Mr Ryan questioned it but turned the car around and gave him the benefit of the doubt...

Western sunset to end their weekend