| LIFE Operation Empty Nest

[TerryP]

Go green, Matt. Go green!

 

[planomateo]

Drive up the Swan Valley this morning, NEVER disappoints. Heading up to Kalispell for the day.

 

[planomateo]

One the way home yesterday, we spotted a bald eagle on the ice in the river holding it's dinner. I turned around to get a photo, but it took off just as I was getting my phone out.

 

[planomateo]

Saw 6 bald eagles today along a 50 mile stretch of back roads this morning, one flew within 20' of the front of the vehicle.

Snagged a photo of one in the tree, there were two but one flew off as I was taking the photo.

 

[TerryP]

 

[planomateo]

I prefer to fall

 

[It Takes Eleven]

@planomateo have you ever read anything by Andy Russell? 1915-2005, was a guide to many outdoors magazine guys and started writing articles and graduated to books in the late 60's, I believe. This book is from '71, found it at my folks and thought it looked interesting. It's an outstanding book, he's a very good writer and passes along some great stories from his life in the Canadian and U.S. Rockies. I thought about your neck of the woods as I was reading it.

 

[planomateo]

@It Takes Eleven I've been itching to get up to Canada to see the area just north of me, but COVID-19 has blocked me.

I haven't read anything from him, but will be on the lookout.

The more I'm up here, the more I realize I should have moved up here years ago.

Seems every weekend were on a trip somewhere, getting to explore the state. I love taking different routes to the same place and getting to see new areas. Saturday we were driving on the freeway just west of Butte and spotted a moose less than 100' from the freeway.

I'm trying to get my mom up here full time, she's not a fan of the cold.

 

[planomateo]

Thought I'd share a photo of what the roads are like where I live. I drive about 5 miles of dirt road to each way. When the temperatures rise above freezing and melt the snow, then freeze at night, we get icy roads.

Last year I drove this with non winter tires. This year I got studded snow tires and it's a huge difference.

Haven't needed chains yet, but have some in the back just in case, along with a snow shovel, tracks, and a bucket of sand.

On the steep road near the house, I put down a single line of sand to give some traction on the way down the hill. It's a 7% grade and probably 100' in elevation. Makes the drive down more predictable.

If you look close enough, you'll see chain marks in the ice.

 

[planomateo]

This pic was taken a few weeks ago, headed east on a two lane road. Not sure if these roads get plowed, sure was a nice drive.

Montana is such a special place to live.

 

[AFF]

I'm like your mom - not a fan of the cold. But it sure is beautiful country to look at. Living off the grid becomes more appealing the older I get. At the same time it becomes less likely logistically speaking. Kids, grandkids, comfort, access to healthcare (not that I need that...yet). It's a lot to coordinate. Kudos to you.

 

[planomateo]

Took off to eastern Montana after work yesterday.

Hit some snow just east of Bozeman in the pass. At one point could barely see the lanes.

This photo is about an hour east of Missoula. Plow trucks had a busy day yesterday.

 

[planomateo]

Blackfoot River just east of Missoula in mid December. Hopefully in 2022 I'll have a raft to enjoy this a bit more.

 

[AFF]

I bet the trout fishing is fantastic.

 

[rick4bama]

Please, Log in or Register to view quote(s).

I heard the other day this town has some very high gusts of wind?

 

[planomateo]

Please, Log in or Register to view quote(s).

Yeah, 125mph wind gust per National Weather Service on Mount Sentinel.