A Summer Potluck in the Park

Some of the cousins came to town, Tammy, Luke and Kenna, from Iowa and Wayne, Lynn Ann and Jack, from Idaho and we got together down at the Lions park south of town. The fires added quite a backdrop for the occasion. The winds today caused most of them to double or more, in size. One wonders where this will end, being so early in the season. What looks like clouds in these pictures is smoke!

We went to the downtown park where the new Vets Memorial is, just before dark and looked at the memorial, and the bricks placed in the walkway for special memorials. I took a picture of Kens to show an example. There's a brick for Henry, Ed, Duane, and George Leibrand, as well. We cannot express our gratitude enough to those who gave so much to gain, and protect the freedoms we have!

While we were at the memorial park, we were quite amazed to find a troupe of actors and actresses putting on a program. Some were from as far away as Great Falls and Iowa and Idaho. We were quite entertained as they sang, told jokes and even told a few stories about their lives growing up. They seemed pretty un-inhibited as you can see by the little girl and boy on the left!

...at left is a shot of some of the crowd that had gathered. I don't think this was a city sanctioned event but I think it was one of the better ones they've had in a while!

Glacier Lillies Hike to Numa Ridge Lookout 8/2/07

On 8/2/07 the Glaciers Lillies took a hike up to Numa ridge lookout, from Bowman Lake Campground. Over 11 miles round trip, over 3000 ft vertical. It was a little smokey from all the fires around, but still some pretty good scenery.
If you look real close you'll see a couple spruce grouse in this picture...above





















below, cooling down a bit after the hike
Then having dinner after the hike, at ... a saloon???

There's Fire on the Mountain!!

In the last week the fire season has come to our Valley. Most of these pictures are taken from our house.

The above fire which started the same day I took this picture, is sw of Kalispell, in the Thompson River, around 60 miles away. I zoomed it in a little. It's mostly on private timberland, Plum Creek.
This one is near Talley Lake, straight west of our place about 20 miles. It's on USFS land and has been going for about a week. Smoking up the valley pretty bad. Had to keep windows closed last night, which doesn't bode well for no air conditioning, and hot temps. Might have to start breathing smoke.
Firest make for some pretty sunsets though...