SMOKE IN THE BITTERROOT

We have a number of forest fires burning in our area.  The biggest, The Mustang Complex, is mostly in Idaho near Lost Trail Pass, but the smoke is blowing this direction.  It is nearly 200K acres in size and is only 11% contained right now according to the Forest Service folks.  There are a number of fires still burning in the Bitterroot/Selway Primitive Area also.  To make a long story short, we have a lot of smoke in the air.  Click on a picture to enlarge.

The afternoon sun.

Sun rise.

Ash on a plastic chair.

BAERS VISIT

Bill, Lesley, Andrew, Aiden, Walker, and Avery came up to our place for a visit.  And what a great time we had.  There was of course horseback riding, hiking, fishing, kayaking, hopscotch, golf frisbee, and lots of great meals.  The kids had to keep the turkeys out of the yard and they did a pretty darn good job of that.  But they are back in the yard now that the kids are gone though.  We also got to see a lot of deer while they were here, and a fawn spent some time eating in the yard - both grass and Connie's flowers!  There was a lighting storm while they were here and a fire was started about a mile from our place.  A neighbor found the tree that was hit and called the fire department while starting to build a fire line.  It could have been bad as we are in a drought and there are many fires already burning around here.

Aiden on old Jack.

Bill Cody was Andrew's mount most of the time. 

Walker and Avery was pretty happy with Baylee as their bronc.

As Bill says, Avery is all girl.

Ready for church.

A few marshmallows were roasted and a lot of smores were eaten.

We spent a day at Lake Como kayaking.  This was the first time their two kayaks were in the water.

Lake Como is starting to get pretty low so much of the good sandy beach is not by the water.  But it was not crowded that is for sure.

Avery had just to much fun and had to take a nap.

At Burnt Fork Lake doing a little hiking and fishing.

Aiden was the only one to have a bite so I would say the fishing was not so good.

Walker showed a lot of patience though.

Hopscotch was a daily occurrence and some real competition.

The boys climbing in the tent tree just east of our place.

HAWAIIAN FRIENDS

Bill and Marney spent a few days with us on their way south from Canada.  They are on the mainland for a few months.  Got their kayak and some other things that have been stored here since they were here four years ago.  We did a few hikes and one kayak on Como Lake.  Good to see them and we will spend more time with them next month. 

The USS Alta with her crew.

Marney climbing the tent tree.

One of the last really clear days we had to look over the valley from a hike behind our place.

Bear Creek Overlook.

Not much snow left in the high country.

The smoke starting to come in the valley.

ZEUS - RIP

Vegetarian cow-dog couscous tofu bugger nose is no longer greeting us when we wake up in the mornings.  He was Connie's constant companion of 14 years, a good cow-dog, and loved to play frisbee before he went blind.  He is sure missed around here.