FINALLY - A DAY ON THE BITTERROOT RIVER & SMOKE IN THE VALLEY

We finally were able to launch our kayak down the Bitterroot the other day.  The river was so high for so long, I thought it might be September before we were able to paddle from Stevensville to Florence.  But Monday we said we were just going to do it.  Called Ike and Brenda and they brought their drift boat and we just spent a lazy day on the river.  Had a great time.   The only thing I can say that was bad was watching smoke drift into the valley from forest fires.  Tonight while irrigating in the meadow, I could see three fires burning to the west of us.  And when I was in Hamilton at noon today the smoke was starting to deteriorate the visibility - plus you could smell it in the air.  But it is that time of year.  If we don't get any rain, the next two weeks could be pretty rough.

Ike always practices his fly fishing while on the river - haven't had to use the net yet though.

Lots of osprey this summer.

Looking to the south as the smoke is starting to creep in.

To the north it is still clear.

Sunset later Monday.

This male turkey is getting a drink out of the horse drinking fountain.  We have three of these guys that come in with the horses in the morning for grain.  Click to enlarge.

KAYAKING TWIN LAKES

Connie and I went up to Twin Lakes in the Lost Horse drainage and kayaked the lower lake.  We had never been up there before so it was a new adventure.  20 miles of dirt road into it though so that was a distraction on the day.  We tried to go up there about a month ago, but the road was closed because of the wet spring.  We made it this time.  And we were met by horseflies, deerflies, mosquitoes, gnats, and other biting insects.  It was okay out on the lake, but near the shoreline it was hard to tolerate unless you had repellant on.  There seemed to be quite a few fish jumping in the lake.  Not big ones, but plentiful.  We had a nice lunch on a rock island - no bugs there.  We did walk up to the upper lake which is smaller than the lower one.

When we got back we had a small buck deer laying on the lawn.  I am pretty sure it is the same one I see down irrigating once in awhile that is not a bit afraid of me.  We drove in and it just got up and glared at us because we were interrupting his nap.  When Zeus ran out of the barn, he did leave.  But while we were unloading the kayaking gear, he came back.  And pretty soon was again laying down under a tree in the shade and watching us.  A doe came in also, but we made her nervous and she left for awhile.  Gary and Margee came up for ice tea and water and the buck just stayed laying down watching us as we were sitting on the slab.  Again Zeus came out and the deer left.  

Lower Twin Lake

We got the kayak up the creek further than we thought we would. Were going to have lunch here, but the bugs were just too bad!

Did walk up to the upper lake though.

Connie went swimming after we had lunch on our rock island.

Connie out swimming while I watched the kayak.

Our lunch rock.

On top of the rock.

The little buck was being bothered by some horse flies.  Click to enlarge and above his right shoulder, one by his left ear, and one below his left eye.

They finally got a little nap.