“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.””
Isaiah 52:7
Last week Pam and I were a few miles apart, as she was home in Alabama, and I was camped out in Montana. On SSSunday, we typically share a variety of things we have both encountered around home while going about our everyday living. Today we have chosen to deviate a little, keeping it simple, but not quite as “southern”! It was a blessing to have an opportunity to spend some days with our son Seth, and a few friends, in the great outdoors!
As the sun is coming up behind us, we are traveling on wet ground at around 5000 feet but snow fell during the night at slightly higher elevations. In fact it is still snowing on the peaks in front of us. We did hit these ridges later in the morning but abundant sunshine had taken care of the snow before we trekked that far.
Speaking of camping…Seth and I lived here for 6 nights. The wood stove kept us cozy at night. A wall tent is a bit more roomy than a pup tent!
The Yellowstone River near Emigrant, Montana. Hard to spot, but there is a Bald Eagle on a limb in the big tree!
The much photographed Roosevelt Arch at Yellowstone’s north entrance, Gardiner, Montana. The park was our first National Park and the cornerstone of the arch was laid here by President Roosevelt on April 24, 1903. The park however, was established in 1872!
Mammoth Hot Springs…an ever changing landscape. Hot water rising from deep below the surface deposits calcium carbonate, building travertine terraces!
Wide open spaces!
Big sagebrush is plentiful and is a common part of the landscape. The species is a survivor and has probably been around for a few thousand years. While most people likely have no special affection for the plant, it provides a fond memory for me related to it’s fragrance. My first visit to Montana many years ago (47 to be exact) was also my first encounter with the wild sage. It was early November and the smell of the sage was something I loved. It seemed “old west” too. Every time I walk through it, my mind is taken back to many memorable outdoor experiences out west! We all know how a certain song can take you somewhere special…the sage does the same for me! OK, strange I know but just giving you some true feelings.
A small place in the valley near our camp. A neat and simple place in a beautiful setting with a stunning view of the Absaroka Range (which you can’t see in this pic, but hang on)!
The mail carrier’s cabin at Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming, in Yellowstone National Park. Alden Rosebourough accepted the position of Mail Carrier in 1895, traveling a route from Mammoth Hot Springs to Cooke City, Montana, a distance of 100 miles round trip. He leased 2 cabins along the route and built this one in order to facilitate regular journeys. He was the cabins first occupant and the dwelling served as an employee residence for over 100 years. The idea of “overnight delivery” is not new!
In Montana they do take social distancing seriously and get the point across in a practical way. And BTW, this was in a local eatery (among other things) that possibly had the best hamburger I’ve ever had. If it wasn’t, it definitely ranks right up at the top!
To be honest, we did not get close enough to this guy to take measurements to verify he was at least 6 feet long. Distancing was not a problem in this instance!
I named this the “grandfather tree”. It appeared to have been completely broken off at some point and certainly has withstood the elements for a very long time…and yet remains productive, overseeing the valley below. There might be a lesson to learn from this? At the least it stands rugged and stately against a cobalt sky.
A waxing gibbous moon has risen over the glowing orange mountains just before sunset.
A friend at camp shared this photo. Yes, it is a real sky with real horses and was taken one evening near Livingston, Montana while we were there!
The Absaroka Range, the moon, clouds, and a setting sun made it impossible to keep a regular pace and as we descended the mountains. This was true every day. You cannot help but stop for a few minutes and stand in awe of His handiwork! On this day we wanted to allow some daylight to climb down because the route back was rocky and steep. But darkness was bound to catch us. It really didn’t take long to take a few pics but we just had to stand here for a few minutes…
…and it turned into this and more! Good time to have a flashlight or headlamp. Can’t rush this!
Our throwback this week takes us to Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, Montana, 2014!
Glad you took time to camp out with us!
”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.
Hebrews 13:8
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
I love seeing pictures and hearing about your trip to Montana. The sunsets photos are spectacular. Enjoyed the history you shared. Thanks for sharing.
How special to have that time with Seth.
Enjoy the coming week.
Thanks Bonnie. They had a wonderful time, but I sure missed them. Have a beautiful Sunday!
Wow! Big sky country! The sunsets are incredible! And what a fun time with your son! Thank you for sharing Butch! I bet Pam missed you.
Happy Sunday!
Good morning, Nancy. I love Montana, but wasn’t invited 😳 I did miss Butch terribly, but was so happy that he and Seth could enjoy a trip together. Happy Sunday!
Wonderful trip, thank you for sharing, especially those sunsets. WOW! I’m curious about your trip – was it simply for hiking and being outdoors, or did you guys hunt? At this time last year we were in UT, and really miss traveling!
Thank you Rita. Butch and Seth had drawn an elk tag, so this was a hunting trip. Butch has been elk hunting many, many times with trips to Montana and New Mexico over the years. He has taken Seth a couple of times. This was a special trip with Butch thinking it might be his last. It is very rugged and physical to hunt elk and only a ten percent chance of bagging one with a bow. Butch loves the challenge of bow hunting. Fortunately, Seth bagged his first one this year and Butch was able to see it all. I am so happy for the both of them!
So happy that you and Seth had this time together. What beautiful photos and history. Montana is on my bucket list.
They had a wonderful trip, thank you Dianne.
Stunning landscapes with amazing colors from His paint brush! What a treat Butch, for you and Seth to spend a week in Montana camping together, I can only imagine how grateful you felt to spend days in this glorious countryside, camping, hiking and spending time with your son. The buffalo photo is amazing and so fascinating to hear about the early mail delivery days…I can’t imagine living in a house in the middle of nowhere over 100 years ago! Pam, I know you missed them, but at least now you have your Sunshine Cottage to “travel” to for a little getaway 🙂 Enjoy this incredible Sunday!
Jenna
Jenna, I am sharing all of the comments with Butch. I am so glad they enjoyed this trip together. It is rugged country and very physical, and Butch isn’t getting any younger. I did miss them, but I enjoyed reading and quiet time in my little Sunshine Cottage. The trips I have made to Montana in the past have included the incredible scenery!
Both my hubby and I loved reading about your trip, and seeing all the beautiful photographs. We dream of taking a trip to Montana some day. We have crossed into the border while in North Dakota on business, but never got to travel further in to explore all of its beauty. I can remember the gorgeous blue skies. Thanks for sharing your trip with us! I hope you both have a blessed Sunday!
Thank you Shannon. I hope you get to visit Montana. I have been there twice, and it is beautiful! Have a wonderful week my friend!
Butch, thank you for taking me along on your wonderful trip. Oh, my goodness, the beauty takes my breath away. It is wonderful that you and your son could share this time together, memories to last forever. The sunset photos would be forever memories for me.
I know it was great to be back home and maybe you are beginning to see a hint of autumn in your lovely state.
Thank you Sandra. I am sharing all of the comments with Butch. I am thrilled they had this time to enjoy together. We are seeing a little color in our Foothills.
What a great father/son bonding experience. Not only was it opportunity to share time together, it was in an incredibly beautiful place. Memories were created for sure.
I am so glad they had this opportunity, Linda!
Thanks for sharing your pics of Montana. Our family visited in June and all 14 of us LOVED it. Especially Yellowstone. Such scenery!
Thank you Mildred. I am so glad hubby and son enjoyed this experience. My hubby and I enjoyed a trip in 2018 to Yellowstone and the Grand Teton. You are correct…such scenery!
Pam, We missed you but the men’s trip out west was wonderful! Thanks for sharing your trip pics with us. Oh, the beauty of the sky, the mountains and the animals! The horse pic was amazing. We know they enjoyed their time together and made great memories. The tent camping was really a man’s version of glamping! Lol We could definitely get into camping again with those nice rustic accomodations. A two person tent on the ground in the rain was a memorable experience my husband and I still recall and laugh about. We were still young enough for it to be an enjoyable adventure. Camping is so relaxing and we love it. We know they had a great time. Loved the sage memory too. Yellowstone and the surrounding areas are magical. God’s handiwork in full color.
Enjoy your day sweet friend ❣️ Clara ♥️
Thank you Clara. We camped often when we were newlyweds. My camping days were over when a bad thunderstorm came up while we were camping very close to the lake. Our tent blew over with us zipped up inside and all I could think of was the tent blowing into the water. I was fighting my way out of the tent and haven’t camped in a tent since. We had some funny and wonderful experiences that will always live in our memories. We seem to have so much in common my friend♥️
O Butch and Seth – thank you for taking me on a fascinating journey I can no longer tread…The photos are magnificent and
attest to the wonder and artistry of our Creator. Your picture of the tree said to me that no matter how old or broken by storms
one might become, continue to grow upward…As nice as your cozy tent might be, Ms. Pam had the lovely cottage that you built to compensate for your trips away…clever hubby. A blessed Sabbath, dear friends.
Mary, I couldn’t have stayed in that tent for six nights. When we were young married, we camped in a small tent many, many times. No longer my cup of tea, I did enjoy sweet time in the Sunshine Cottage.
Oh, my…what a gorgeous vacation…and your photos are unbelievably beautiful! So much fun to see and enjoy, hugs, Sandi
Thank you Sandi, so glad you enjoyed!
Absolutely stunning photos, it must have been a wonderful week together in such gorgeous country. My husband has been there on both a motorcycle trip with a few of his friends as well as on a hunting trip. He said if he was a young man, he would move out there…that is how much he loved it. Now I can see why.
Karen, I have been a couple of times to Montana and I know why my hubby loves it so much. It is truly big sky country!
What beautiful pictures! I never get tired of seeing your photos of sunrise and sunsets, whether it be Alabama or Montana or places in between. I have not been to Montana so I really enjoyed your descriptions, especially of the sage. Smell can elicit such strong emotions…I inherited a beautiful Chinese breakfront that was my mother’s; when I opened the doors, I can still smell her Estée Lauder Youth Dew. It’s like she is standing beside me. So glad you and Seth had such a good boys’ trip, but I know Pam missed you both!
Roxanne, I did miss them. I love that smells evoke such fond memories. I loved reading about the inside of the breakfront smelling of Estée Lauder Youth Dew. Have a lovely week!
Thank you Butch, living in the West, these places are all held close to my heart…how nice to be reminded we have so much to be greatful for and in awe of. Loved seeing and hearing about your and your son’s memorable trip and how happy Pam was to welcome you guys home. The scripture this week also touched my heart, again, thank you.
Thank you Sue. I did miss my guys, but was so thankful that they could get away and enjoy the great Montana outdoors!
Love these photos. Thank you so much for sharing them and your wonderful trip.
Thank you Richard, and so glad you enjoyed!
Wonderful pictures!!! Hugs and blessings.
Thank you Maristella!
Butch, your hunting trip with Seth reminds me of my husbands elk hunting trip with his pals up in the mountains of Colorado. Rugged for sure but they took everything including the kitchen sink with them. There was much male bonding during those trips and snow was theirs to contend with. The tents were walled and they chopped wood to burn to keep them warm. There was even a potty tent. First class for for sure! Time has taken its tole on those fun times and some of those friends are no longer with us. But today you brought back sweet memories.
Butch will read your comment when he comes home from work. Your hubby sounds like someone that Butch would enjoy talking with. Butch and son also had a potty tent and shower tent. Sweet memories of times gone by! Have a lovely week, Alice!
I can totally understand how a smell can take a person back to a previous moment in time, just like a song. It’s funny how the senses work that way and can propel us from where we are. I loved seeing the photos of Montana. It is a place I’ve dreamed of visting for a long time.
I hope you visit Montana one day, it is beautiful!
That’s beautiful country, Butch. And all the more so because you were with your son. I adore the horses in silhouette in the sunset.
Thank you Jeanie. Both of them had a wonderful trip!