My Hiking Journal - Entry 6

Monday, May 22, 2017 - Trout Lake - 7.6 miles out and back

If you've been following my blog, you know that I fell in love with the Calypso Orchid when I first spotted it on a hike on May 9.  So, you can imagine my absolute joy over dozens of these orchids nestled in the moist climate of hillsides along the Trout Lake Trail.

This trail goes up and over Howe Ridge, a glacial moraine formed from melting glaciers that once filled the Lake McDonald basin.  The elevation gain to the top of the ridge is quite challenging, but I was easily distracted by the views and the flowers along the way.

The first 2.5 miles pass through an area heavily burned by the 2003 Robert Fire.  While a fire is often devastating, it has the benefit of opening up vistas otherwise unseen at lower elevations.

I first glimpsed this flower peeking out amidst some shrubs; as I learned later, it is a climbing vine and relies on those shrubs for support.  And the name - what an ideal choice for something so delicate!

Since it was early spring (at this elevation anyway), many flowers were just starting to bloom.  And we had the usual spring suspects such as Trillium.

Upon reaching the summit of Howe Ridge, we were rewarded with a view of Rogers Peak and the Camas Ridge.

And of course, then it's "all downhill from there" to get to Trout Lake, known as especially good moose and grizzly bear habitat.  

Along the way, we crossed over the remains of an avalanche  chute, littered by many trees that had been carried downhill during the winter. 

Avalanche chute

Trees wrapped around another 

tree - left after the snow melted

Once we reached the valley floor, the trail flattened out and we emerged from the woods to the mirror that is Trout Lake.  And in the background?  Nothing less than Heavens Peak.

While Spousal Unit caught and released lake trout, I kept one eye out for grizzlies (we saw a fresh paw print on the trail near the lake) while the other eye focused on flora.

Clockwise from top left: Valerian, Fairy Bells, Blue-eyed Mary, Lake Trout,

Jacob's Ladder, Serviceberry

On the way back, I lingered on the northern hillsides favored by the Calypso Orchids.  How many pictures will my phone hold???  Anyway, lest I lose you to my infatuation, I have included just two more below.  Aren't they exquisite?

We did not see any more Calypso Orchids on our spring hikes - perhaps their growing window is only May.  The good news?  That is only 7 months away ... The weather man has called a Winter Storm Watch in certain areas tomorrow.  Soon enough, the mountains will be sporting their winter coats once again. 

Linking to Mosaic Monday
Linking to Nature Notes

Linking to Outdoor Wednesday

The Meadows of Muker, UK (Showing Off "a Small Island" - Part 3)

If you have been following my blog, you know that this summer we hosted one of my sisters and her husband in the UK.  This is the third in my series on our trip, and only God can get the credit for the glorious weather that blessed us while hiking this idyllic slice of the world - truly the epitome of the English countryside!!!

Like many of the settlements in Upper Swaledale, Muker's name betrays its Viking origins.  It comes from the Norse word "Mjor-aker", meaning a small piece of farmed land.  Today, the unspoilt beauty of the area brings visitors from far and wide.

The flower-rich hay meadows around Muker are of international importance and are carefully protected.

Farmers receive grants which allow them to farm the land traditionally without using artificial fertilizers.

In 1998 the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, working with local farmers and with funding from the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, completed an important project laying stone flags on footpaths through these meadows.  The flags help to protect the plants from being trampled as well as allowing access for wheelchair users.

River Swale

(At this point, we were only a couple of miles into the hike.  My sister and her husband were gob-smacked (read: amazed) with the simple grandeur of the landscape and the precipitation-free weather.  It was refreshing for me and Spousal Unit - we have renewed appreciation for the beauty we had started to take for granted.)

The traditional late 18th and early 19th century barns and dry stone walls of Swaledale are the most characteristic feature of its landscape.  Both played a key part in a farmer's year.

Leaving Keld and heading back to Muker

The walls enclosed grazing land and the field barns housed cattle and the hay to feed them over the winter.  The muck collected inside was spread on the surrounding meadows in the spring to feed the next hay crop.

Maintaining the miles of walls and hundreds of stone-built barns is expensive.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority in partnership with English Heritage, MAFF, and the European Union, helps local farmers to repair barns and walls with repair grants.

We wrapped this spectacular day with another fine English walking tradition - a drink in the pub at the end of the hike.  The Farmers Arms in Muker was stowed out (read: very full) with fellow walkers, adding to the spirit and camaraderie of a day in the summer sun, surrounded by nature's splendid gifts.  It's easy to see how people can get addicted to this pastime.  Walk on!

Linking to Nature Notes

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Linking to Outdoor Wednesday

September Smorgasbord

Precipitation and cooler temperatures have returned to Montana, and somehow it fires my desire to blog.  It's like curling up in front of the fire with a good read, but in reverse - my keyboard is here, waiting for me to create a captivating post.  So, if it's chilly where you are, grab a blanket and settle in your comfy chair.  For those of you in warmer climes, go out on the porch with an iced beverage.  Are we ready?  Then let's begin:

Chair One Artists: Ruth Lane, Louise Barker, Paula Rindal 

& Sally Glutting

ONE: Would you like to own a chair from a ski lift?  Ten chairlifts from Whitefish Mountain Resort were recently donated to the Big Mountain Commercial Association. The chairs were given to local artists to decorate and the resulting works of art have been set up in front of ten local businesses around Whitefish to show off before they are auctioned this month. The proceeds will benefit the local snow bus that shuttles people from downtown to Whitefish Mountain Resort and the new Glacier Park Express that transports people in and out of the park.  Here are nine of the ten chairs with some detail for each.  Which one is your favorite?

Chair Two Artist: Lorinda Smith

Chair Three Artists: Deb Stika & Susan Miller

Chair Four Artists: Students of Summit Prep School

Chair Five Artist: Dee Dee Cooper

Chair Six Artist: Shelby Powell

Chair Seven Artist: Steven Miller

Chair Eight Artists: Paula Greenstein &

Chris Marie Campbell

Chair Nine Artists: Michelle Saurey, Mark Baumbach

& Terence Gill

(Chair Ten was not available for a picture.)

TWO: Autumn gets me in a baking mood, but I've had in mind a Watermelon Cake I saw on Pinterest - never mind it is probably better suited to summer!  I felt like a kid again, painting by the numbers and trying to get the pink and green just the right shade.  Of course, it never looks as beautiful as the original ... which certainly did not keep me and Spousal Unit from eating it ALL!

THREE: Speaking of Spousal Unit, I can't tell you how grateful I am for his culinary skills.  He says "Would you like some breakfast?" and the next thing I know I have this marvelous meal catching my eye and dancing across my taste buds.

He'll take anything that's at hand, throw it in a pot and produce a gourmet dish - behold his latest creation - Meatballs with mushrooms, Napa cabbage and carrots.  Ummmmm ....

FOUR: If you been following my blog for a bit, you know that we are building a log home.  Many days, we are bopping around various stores to make selections for the house.  Most recently, we have invested untold hours choosing a railing system (you can be sure there will be a post on this in the future!!!)  Occasionally, all this decision-making causes our tummies to growl, and we simply MUST stop at an interesting-looking café along the way.

The Somers Bay Café is located in the old Somers State Building, built in 1905.  In its heyday, Somers was a major port, milltown and tie yard.  The café is a mini-museum of old Somers, displaying historical photos and artifacts on the walls - donated by local residents who lived those early days and frequent the café today.

FIVE: The sun is now down, and yet it seems appropriate to re-wind to the start of my post: puddles!

I am not a duck, but I might as well be with the delight I feel over these small collections of water outside our house.  This is the first real precipitation we have had for over three months.  Already the sky is clearing and the fires are getting under control.  I captured the following series Tuesday morning (without ANY coffee) because I was SO excited by the snow and the sky.  Another serving of blessings for the September Smorgasbord.

Linking to Willy Nilly Friday

Linking to Skywatch Friday