September 15, 2009
Summer/Fall
There is an old road not far from where I live that many times serves as a place for a short conditioning hike, as it did this morning. The first mile includes an ascent of about a thousand feet which does wonders for one’s cardiopulmonary system
then the road levels off a bit and provides some nice valley views and, this time of year, some Fall colors.
The return trip is good for the legs and this morning contained as well one of Nature’s pleasant little surprises with summer colors; a Yellow Rabbitbrush in bloom.
Rabbitbrush,
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus
(977)
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Montana Outdoors 
I remember rabbit brush from my travels out west last fall. It was all over, a pretty yellow too.
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Comment by Bo Mackison — September 15, 2009 @ 3:05 pm
It’s a rather pretty plant, especially this time of year when it has little competition.
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Comment by montucky — September 15, 2009 @ 3:28 pm
Such a beautiful countryside! Wow, Fall showing already!!
(3B Digital Art using new Blogger ID)
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Comment by BBB — September 15, 2009 @ 5:58 pm
It’s starting to get colorful, mostly the early-turning shrubbery mostly, but pretty at that.
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Comment by montucky — September 15, 2009 @ 6:21 pm
Terry:
Some of us a lucky; the rest of us have to deal with the best we can — a 1 mile hike from sea level at Port Gardner Bay to the top of the hill in Forest Park at 500 feet above sea level.
Chad 🙂
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Comment by Chad — September 15, 2009 @ 6:07 pm
I have to do something so I can maybe keep up with you at Priscilla Peak.
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Comment by montucky — September 15, 2009 @ 6:26 pm
you certainly live in God’s country!
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Comment by kcjewel — September 15, 2009 @ 7:31 pm
I do, Jewel! I wish more of those who like it could be here to enjoy it and help protect it.
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Comment by montucky — September 15, 2009 @ 8:00 pm
Perhaps, but then what you once loved becomes overrun and destroyed.
I dunno, I feel jaded today.
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Comment by scienceguy288 — September 17, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
I’d welcome a trade: folks who love the outdoors move in and those who don’t care for it move out.
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Comment by montucky — September 17, 2009 @ 9:30 pm
Boy do I wish I lived closer to hiking mountains! So fun to get lost in God’s beauty!!
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Comment by Stacey - Addicted to The Click — September 15, 2009 @ 9:28 pm
Yes, lost or captivated, or whatever you wish to call it. I have to admit my short hike today was extended by an hour or so just because… I really think our world would be much different today if every person had the chance to spend an hour a day in wild country.
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Comment by montucky — September 15, 2009 @ 9:38 pm
The rabbit bush looks like a hyacinth. Very delicate and pretty. Yet pales compared to that scenery.
The second photo: I love how that trail leads the eye on and upward to encompass all of the glory of colors on both sides of it and taking me off into the beyond anticipating what is around the next corner. 😀 Isn’t God a wonderful artist?
The first photo is quite dramatic too. Wonderful overlook and colors as well.
Nice capture and beautiful scenes.
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Comment by Iona — September 16, 2009 @ 12:45 am
I’ve spent a lot of time on that trail. It ends on a steep mountainside overlooking the river valley, usually occupied by elk or Bighorns.
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Comment by montucky — September 16, 2009 @ 1:06 pm
That looks like a hike that I’d enjoy,.. especially where it levels off! 🙂 Your fall colors are ahead of us here in the Adirondacks, we’re just starting to see yellows and oranges.
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Comment by Cedar — September 16, 2009 @ 4:51 am
I think you would enjoy that area Cedar. I especially like it there during extreme weather; it’s awesome!
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Comment by montucky — September 16, 2009 @ 1:08 pm
Such clear crisp photos. Beautiful countryside for sure.
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Comment by Preston Surface — September 16, 2009 @ 9:04 am
I think the crispness is because of the purity of the air. It’s hazy in the distance but really quite clear. It is a beautiful country for sure.
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Comment by montucky — September 16, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
you have some really breath taking photos this week! we sure could use some of those mind clearing body enhancing hikes you mention! seems like it could be a cure all for the stresses of life our way…
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Comment by silken — September 19, 2009 @ 9:08 pm
I wish you had easy access to this country. Getting out there is indeed a cure for many of the stresses of life. One of my regrets in life is that I didn’t move back here long before I did.
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Comment by montucky — September 21, 2009 @ 8:10 pm
maybe we should consider moving out there while we still have teenagers! 🙂 honestly though, I don’t think I could handle the cold weather…
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Comment by silken — September 22, 2009 @ 9:34 am
We moved back here from Arizona when our kids were teens, but of course we knew what it is like living in winter country. I’ll bet you would all love living in a small town or rural environment, although such places have most of the same problems as the big towns, but far less of them. Selfishly, it is most important to me to be close to the wild country.
Our youngest two children were accustomed to living in larger cities, but adapted very well here. Our daughter now lives in northern California and likes it there: our son lives in Missoula (Pop. about 70,000) but spends every weekend out here. He would never live anywhere else.
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Comment by montucky — September 22, 2009 @ 6:41 pm