Yearn to Wander

Christmas Greetings from Montana!

Rudolph, the friendly hay bale, resides on the Pintler Veterans Memorial Scenic Highway south of Drummond, Montana.

Wild Turkeys on Blue Mountain Road, Missoula

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family from Missoula, Montana. We send our best wishes and hope all is well with you.

Gillson Park Beach, Wilmette .. No, this isnt Florida

... is always a blast of color, even if the weather tries to dull it, as the hot, dry summer had this year. The reds, golds, and oranges still offered breathtaking views as did their hosts' winter shapes that followed.

Enjoy a few of the colourful and not so colourful photos from the North Shore.

BLM Wild Horse Sanctuary, Wyoming

Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness is just north of Missoula. The 60,000 plus acre forest is home to hundred feet plus Ponderosas, Douglas Firs, Engleman Spruce, and many other trees, grasses and wildflowers. Numerous trails provide recreation opportunities for hikers, joggers, mountain bikers, horse riders, hunters and fishermen. The air was remarkably clear, in spite of smoke all around and Ponderosa Pine scents were everywhere. Hunting season for Elk, Wolves, deer, and Mountain Lions was already in progress, and other sportsmen enjoyed their pursuits on this warm, sunny October afternoon.

After a couple good hikes, we continued our journey toward Chicago stopping in Cody and Cheyenne, Wyoming; Lincoln, Nebraska; Des Moines, Iowa; and home. We've traveled this route several times, and always enjoy it.

Route 14 through the Big Horns in Wyoming remains one of my favorite routes. This year the Wild Horses decided to show their faces -- a spectacular sight even if at a distance.

Lincoln, the home of the Big Ten's newest team, was an enjoyable city and worth a repeat visit, since this one was all too short.

Before we knew it, the Chicago skyline was in view, and the fall colours warmed the welcome.

Another day, another state. This time it was Idaho, and on into Montana. We left Lewiston on the western border for Missoula, just inside Montana, where we spent a couple days.

Following the Clearwater River through the Clearwater National Forest, we came to the Lochsa River. That was another trip down memory lane. On July 4, 2002, I cycled seventy-two miles downhill along the Lochsa River through the Lolo National Forest, one of the prettiest days of my TransAm.

We missed the worst of the Salmon fire, which filled the air with smoke. It had reached all the way to Missoula. Minor fires popped up along with way with their telltale smoke, and Tom even saw some open flames in Lolo NF. These wildland fires are not child's play. My sympathies go to the fire fighters, who are in top shape and carry 45 pound packs through rugged terrain to face the vagaries of the wildland fires. It is TOUGH work!

... pictures to come, maybe.