Christine September 1st, 2010
Near the shore on Flathead Lake,
the best rocks shimmer under the surface
while the water reflects back late summer sun
and plovers hop along beside me on a rough run.
I like finding stones while drifting in my kayak
to look at them, but then carefully place
the brightly colored jewels back in the lake
to their rightful spot in the water mosaic.
Christine August 27th, 2010
winter not far off
ignore those dry falling leaves
lake water glistens
~~~~~~
A paddle north at Yellow Bay on Flathead Lake’s east side two evenings ago. Sky Watch Friday is here and thanks to all who make it a fun time.
Christine August 25th, 2010
We are and will be dust.
Not air, not fire, nor water
but
earth,
only earth
we will be
and maybe also
some yellow flowers.
~~ from Ode to Some Yellow Flowers by Pablo Neruda
Christine August 20th, 2010
Follows is an exchange that I had with our younger son’s new girlfriend (Emily) and his best friend (Dylan) on Facebook. Our son starts the thread off with an innocent complaint about the sunburn he got last weekend. Alasdair went Saturday and Sunday to a big concert at The Gorge in central Washington state – a place where the sun really knows how to shine. It was very hot with little chance of finding shade. The place is a rock wall gorge which forms a natural amphitheater. Like I said – hot. I tried to teach my boys about sun screen but what can I say? He is eighteen.
The whole thing is just too humorous not to share!
Christine August 17th, 2010
Some of the most lovely river canoeing and kayaking is only about an hour away from us. We drove up to Flathead lake on Sunday hoping to put in somewhere, but the white caps and the numbers of people on the lake detoured us up the Swan River drainage. We only drove just a few miles to put in at a a small river park. There was no one there except the fleeting glimpse of another kayaker just taking off upstream.
The day was warm but not unduly so. Still, the sun was not to be forgotten, so on went our sunscreen and off we paddled up river too. Downstream, right behind us at the boating access, was the dam and restricted white water rapids, so what was the intrepid paddler to do? Here, as you can see, the river is more like a small lake. The camera doesn’t really like that much sunshine but wasn’t the day dazzling?
As we paddled up river there were dozens upon dozens of Bohemian Waxwings feeding on a mayfly hatch along the river banks. Their acrobatic sweeps kept me amused the whole time. Ducks complained at us and kingfishers scolded us even more. We stopped once to stretch our legs only to find the Belted Kingfisher’s leftover lunch. Way leftover. They do like their crayfish.
Lazy afternoon and lazy water; it was slow going further up river where there was more current. Mostly we just meandered along.
The Swan – mountains wherever you look on either side and soon they will have snow up high once again. For now, we will continue to enjoy those lingering, yet waning summer days. Can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.
Christine August 12th, 2010
SWF is here. Thanks to all who make it possible!
When you see the sky reflected
blue
in calm water
pillow deep clouds passing over
what do you think about?
Christine August 8th, 2010
Along the mountain trail up in BC (where we had our family reunion) were thousands of wild flowers. The Paintbrush was in full glory. Matthew hauled both little boats down to the small lake the first evening we arrived. Summit Lake lies in a steep descent below the dormitory-style center where we were all staying. The trail was narrow with quite a sudden drop in places so you had to have a good reason to hike down it. My Dad and Auntie came down the trail with us at one point but then they had to go back up… they did okay with the climb — sturdy stock and my Aunt Flo had new knees!
The boats were either sitting among the wild flowers or paddling in the lake with us. We never would have been able to cart the Red Raven down that trail, so these small (i.e. light) boats came in handy.
Here is an evening shot of the lake and the surrounding mountains. And, I do mean surrounding.
Christine August 6th, 2010
We have to go to higher elevations at this time of the year but they are still blooming!
beach Bison Range blue sky Canoes Columbine Cone Flowers Environment first snow Flathead Lake flowers Garden Glacier Park haiku Helena Idaho Kayaking Lake Alva Mission Mountains Mission Range Missouri River Montana National Bison Range Obama Obama policies ocean ocean rocks Olympic Peninsula Pacific ocean Rialto beach Rialto beach sunset Rocky Mountain Front Sailing Scamp Skiing sky photos sky watch Friday Solstice haiku summer sunset Swan lake swf tulip water water haiku Yellow Bay
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