What happened today? Let’s see… First of all, we slept in, ‘til 8! It’s a wonderful thing. There is only one reason that sleeping in is a problem. The wild animals don’t sleep in, first thing in the morning is when they’re out and about and can be seen. Moose, bears, deer, buffalo, elk – if you’re going to see them at all, early, early morning is the best time. Or perhaps late in the evening, right at sunset.
We stayed out too late, ate too much and drank too much last night with Doug and Karen to get up early today. We wanted to, but we just couldn’t. The reason we wanted to is simply this: today we are going to drive across the Flying D Ranch, Ted Turner Industries, and it is a wildlife refuge – a virtual zoo – if you’re there at the right time. Well, we weren’t. Drat. I’m not the best wildlife spotter in the country, but I didn’t see any large animals until we were driving out, and then there were only one buffalo and one deer. Got there too late (about 1pm!), and left too early (about 5).
But, even though we missed the wildlife, it is a beautiful drive – what grand countryside. With the Spanish Creek flowing rapidly through the green rolling fields, bordered by forest – it was a great drive to the trailhead, and back.
Our first plan was to spend Wednesday at Yellowstone National Park. We decided that would be foolish – a lot of driving for very little time in the park, and we have been there several times – so we know that to do anything adequately in the park requires a lot of time. So instead of Yellowstone we had planned a couple of hikes in Paradise Valley, an area not too far from Bozeman, south of Livingstone. At dinner with Doug and Karen we talked about options, and Doug easily convinced us to go to Spanish Creek, which requires a drive across the Turner Ranch. A great decision it was.
Driving to the trailhead was pretty easy and very pretty. We only erred once – we took the first turn after crossing the Gallatin River, which was a paved road immediately after the bridge, instead of waiting for the first DIRT road after crossing the river, about a mile further on. But no biggie – we got to see some farmland we would never have seen, and it was nice.
Once at the trailhead we had to decide which trail to attempt. There were apparently three, and we had very little information to go on. Doug did his best to describe it, but it was very tired out (and maybe a little winey), so our notes weren’t top notch. Anyway, we talked to a couple of returning hikers, and decided to take the easy trail along Spanish Creek (West, I think). It’s pretty flat, but it is upstream, so there is a gradual rise – I can’t really guess how much, perhaps 500 feet overall. The hike is fairly flat, with only a little up and down. It’s beautiful.
So that’s what we did. Hiked out to a fork in the trail, we think about 3 miles one way – took a break, and hiked back. Along the way I took pictures of scenery – but it’s really hard to capture because of how huge it is. The camera, my camera, with my photographic capability, just can’t capture it.
We completed the hike, returning the way we had come, and drove back across the Turner Ranch – seeing, count’em, one buffalo and one deer. The drive back to town was uneventful, and we checked email for recommendations for dinner in Bozeman.
Doug recommended several places – we decided to try the Crystal Bar – Rooftop. Went there, and the place was packed. Packed. We were over twice as old as anyone there, and it was packed. So we went with the second option from Doug, Bob’s Burgers, just up the street. Bob didn’t have much business at all, but the burgers were very good, and we got the TV off of FOX “News” and onto anything else (a ballgame).
After Bob’s we walked a few blocks of downtown before going back to the car to rescue the boys. Then a drive – cruise – Main Street – and back here, where I am writing up today’s adventure.
Tomorrow we leave Bozeman headed for Missoula – we’re working on the route now….
2 comments:
Speaking of Yellowstone, our hiking buddy Frank is headed there in a week or two with the family. I've never been there. Do you have any sight-seeing suggestions beyond the obvious stuff? He will have his parents along, so no major hiking.
I can't believe mommy is putting up with all of this writing, but (and please tell her this) I love hearing about your days. I looked at photos yesterday and you both look relaxed and happy.
Hosted dinner here last night for a candle meeting. Kitchen worked a treat. We had tortilla soup. I used the dishwasher! Gonna go empty it now....
Love, WLC.
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