Last One Out, Close the Gate

Yellowstone's roads will the be closed on November 4th, so I thought I would take the chance to take my last available weekend to go to the park. One of the best things about this time of year is the crowds. As in, there are none. It's you and about six other people. No crowding, no traffic snarls. Just you and the animals. Except I saw almost nothing today. Nada. Not one wolf in Lamar Valley, no bears. Just two different coyotes. One of which was, of course, mistaken by some flatlanders as a wolf. I hate to shatter their illusions sometimes. I did see Dr. James Halfpenny out today, but I don't know if he was waiting for a pack or watching one. There was nowhere for me to turn around and go back and peer over his shoulder. The full album can be found here.

What Colter & I Did Today - Colter's Perspective

All of the pictures from our hike up the Middle Cottonwood Creek trail in this slideshow are from Colter's perspective. You can see the album here.

What Colter & I Did Today - My Perspective

All of the pictures from our hike up the Middle Cottonwood Creek trail, were taken by me. You can find the album here.

Gallatin Valley Pics - Take 1

Abandoned homestead in the Gallatin Valley, north of Bozeman. Bridger Mountains in the background.

Hiking on the Last Warm Day

This time of year, in Bozeman, you have to assume every day that's fairly warm and with sunshine is the very last warm day of the year. After last weekend's 30-degree temps and three-plus inches of snow, I didn't want to take any chances of this day going to waste. We were on our way to the car for Colter's swim lessons, when he commented on what a beautiful morning it was. I agreed and told him we need to go on a hike today.

There's a new trail across from the "M," Drinking Horse Mountain. We decided to try that one. It was a fairly steep climb, but we did it in about an hour and had burgers for lunch afterward. From the top, we could see the Bridger Mountains (the range we were in), the Absorokees, the Gallatin Range, the Madisons and the Tobacco Roots.

Seventy-seven and sunny today. Next week, who knows?

a) looking west to the Tobacco Root Mountains, about 75 miles away

b) Colter at the summit, Bridger Mountains in the background

c) C and I at the summit

Only Four Months to the Day...

...since our last snowfall in Bozeman.

These pictures are a real good example of why I don't want to leave the house today. The snow started late last night and as of 9:45am, it's still going strong, and expected to continue through Sunday. Honestly, I'm surprised it took this long for us to get snow in the valley. The mountains have gotten snow already, four or five times, in fact.

It's only 67 in my place right now (I know, because that's what I have the thermostat set at and the heat just kicked on), and a brisk 33 outside. I spent most of the night watching TV sitting next to the fireplace. Yes, it was on. I also got out the BIG down comforter last night. A little bit ago, I saw one of the snowplow/sander trucks out. The dogs at the vet clinic across the street are not outside in the kennel. I have a craving for chili, or possibly vegetable beef soup. All sure signs of winter starting to make it's way to my neighborhood.

This also means that in about two days, it'll be 60, sunny and we'll forget all about the snow—for a few days.

I just realized I do have to leave and brave the cold. I have to get groceries. Especially if I want to make some chili. Darn it.