First Spring Walk

 I was rarin' to go on my first Spring walk today. Mr. Keith had a Hospice volunteer ready to sit with him for 2-3 hours so I could get out by myself, an unheard of treat. Our favorite thing to do is take hikes around Missoula, but his cancer has taken its toll and he can no longer do the brisk walks we formerly loved. I chose McClay Flats, one of our most favored trails. I've always loved this ponderosa. It's difficult to tell whether one tree has four trunks, or whether it is four trees vying for the same piece of ground.

 How many times have I taken this picture, I wonder? It's always beautiful in any season. The Bitterroot River is especially low this time of year.

 This is a first! I saw lots of dogs walking their owners today, but from a slight distance these "dogs" appeared to have horns! The young couple agreed to let me take their picture. The gal said they are training their pets to be pack goats. They indeed walked very nicely on their leashes.

 The buttercup is always the first Spring flower. I wasn't disappointed to spot several of these beauties nestled in the dry grass.

Last Spring we had a terrific flood in the Bitterroot Valley and beyond. You can see in the photo how high the water came and how it washed away quite a bit of ground. This lone ponderosa almost succumbed to the chilling, raging torrent and seems to still be holding on for dear life.

I am happy to once again be able to contribute to my neglected blog. I hope I have many more opportunities to share my photos and experiences.

Missoula Trails

 One activity I've missed desperately since osteoarthritis set in was walking for miles. But now, with a new hip, I'm back out there hiking with hubby, little by little. Missoula has many trails around town, mostly fairly level, which I need for now. The Clark Fork Trail goes along the river on both sides of the city. Here we found a creek that is running into the river. It must be even prettier when the leaves are on the trees.

Okay, hang up the cane and pose!

At the KOA office I found a magazine featuring all the hiking, biking and horse back riding trails in the area. We tried the one by the old Fort and came upon this well kept military cemetery.

A portion of the 1 1/2 mile trail. The fields and trees are still very brown, soon to be green again in a few weeks.

My favorite trail so far is this one, the McClay Flats Trail, along the Bitterroot River west of town. The bench is so very inviting!

I love this strange Ponderosa tree along the route. It's difficult to tell if it's 4 separate trees or one tree that somehow got divided a short way up the trunk.

So peaceful!

Walking here is easy on the feet, as the trail is cushioned with pine needles.

We were intrigued with this creek, or canal. The ice shelf was actually several feet above the water. I'm not sure how that happens. We found the same thing in the photo below.

This trail, the Tower Street Trail, goes along the Clark Fork. The ice we found here is, again, several feet above the surface of the river and the bank. Beware to anyone who might step out on that shelf! They would find themselves in some very cold water! As the days go by I find myself feeling stronger, needing my cane much less, and more than ready to try other trails around the city, even ones that take us uphill and down! Are you ready, Mr. Keith?