Heading West

Let's see, I left off at the Big Horn. After that we went to the Missouri River at Craig MT. Four fly shops, one restaurant, one burrito cart and a bar. 

The fish were big. 

There were browns. 

And bows. Rog got the biggest but I wasn't able to get a picture of it. 

This smaller one was the only one of his I was around to document. 

We stayed at a state campground. 

The fishing from the bank was difficult because of the large amount of weeds floating down the river. 

Today and tomorrow we are in Ennis, MT on the Madison River. The river is perfect, clear and low enough to wade. The fish a little harder to locate and no pictures yet. 

Few head of cattle moving along the highway. 

Nice setting. 

Fishing in the morning then heading west to start the treck home. 

Weather should be perfect. 

The Big Horn

Water was high and tons of weeds floating down made for tough fishing

Rog got a nice brown at this spot. 

Stopped in Bozeman for Pizza with Jake.

He likes it here. 

We are on the Missouri River north of Helena, MT. 

Looks like rain for the weekend. 

 

Grand Junction

The next day was perfect for walking the length of Main St (both sides) and viewing the "Art On The Corner" 

There were several buffalo. 

One quite large. 

I suspect several Harleys donated primary covers to this project. 

The reflections were interesting. 

Then there was T Rex on a bicycle. 

Many fountains and kenitic art. 

The next day it was back on the road and Spencer finally got to see the car tent set up. 

He wanted to spend the night in the driveway but, of course, the powers that be vetoed that.  

Tomorrow Rog & I hit the road again. Looks like the first stop is the Big Horn River in Montana. After that we follow the fish!

Stay whatever you need. Good luck.

Rocky Mountain High

Went to Grand Junction with Amy, Derek & kids. 

Refueled at the Eagle Costco

I remembered why I love the Rockies. You can drive to some of the best scenery and there are relatively few bugs. A perfect combination. We spent the first day sightseeing on the Grand Mesa. 

The fall colors are in their first week of prime time. 

I talked Amy into a reinactment of a family portrait we did in the 80's. We had to make do with far less child participation that we had received from Amy and Ryan back in the 80's. 

The Mesa was indeed, Grand. 

Molly found a chipmunk willing to feed from her hand. 

It was, indeed, a grand day and the weather was perfect. 

Miracle Mile

The weather and equipment were perfect. The fish didn't feel like cooperating. 

First night campsite. Notice, there are trees. Three alive and three dead. 

Moved for second & third night. 

More trees and shade. 

The river. 

That's Roger, harrassing the fish. 

Loved this hollow hulk of a long dead cottonwood. 

One last look. 

No fish worthy of photographing.

 We got our camp routine figured out and know better what we would like to have at a campsite. Like, potable water. Showers would be nice but not essential. We communed with nature without falling in the river; I'd rate that a success.  The raccoon cleaned all the years old cookies and trail mix out of Roger's vest, without ruining it. So I'd call that a good thing. We have the set up down to around 30 min and the pack up to about an hour

Now it's back to Denver to plan the next phase.

Weather was perfect. 

Stay warm. 

Safe? In Denver

Made it straight through to Denver in 2 1/2 days. Today I had "breakfast" in Spencer's class room. 

The boys decided to form a train. Spencer is the first car behind the locomotive. 

Then Amy, Derek & I went downtown to the Denver Biscuit Company for a real breakfast. I didn't eat the biscuit. 

Saw some neat art in downtown. 

That concludes the planned activities until the Timbers game. 

Snowy this morning but forecasted sunny  and mid 70s tomorrow. 

Stay warm, winter is coming. 

On The Road Again

Got a months supply of pills. You know, the ones that help you get up in the morning, the ones that help you go to sleep at night, and "the ones that mother gives you that don't do anything at all". If you don't recognize the quote, I'll identify it in a future post.

Anyway, got the "rig" loaded (too bad there is no room left for Roger) and I'm heading out tomorrow bright and early for Denver. Brief stops planned at Smith & Edwards (what I'm told is a totally awesome "war surplus" store just north of Ogden, UT) and a fly shop in Laramie, WY. First item on the agenda is Friday breakfast with Spencer at school.

Saturday I'm going to the Timbres/Rapids game. Then Roger arrives and we figure what we can do to fit in all his gear. Then up to the North Platte to terrorize the rainbows. Later we hope to move through Montana hitting one or all of the Bighorn, Yellowstone and Beaverhead rivers on our way to a one day guided drift trip on the John Day River in Northeast Oregon. After learning how it's done, we hope to camp at Cottonwood Canyon on the John Day and fish the banks.

While admittedly ambitious, there is still time to fish a few spots around here on the Deschutes should we be needing more fishing by the time we get here.

Hot here; perfect, I'm told. See you down the road.

A Quick Portland Trip

A million things to do before I leave for fishing but first, a quick trip to Portlandia for a Timbers game after a Gkid fix. 

Morning at the park. 

Their favorite climing tree. 

Nina is getting better and better on the two wheeler. 

Made some new friends on the merry-go-round. 

And I visited my favorite tree. 

I feel so guilty when all I can think of is the fantastic slabs that could be cut from it. 

Tomorrow an afternoon Timbers game then home to pack. Next will be pictures of the "Rig" before I hit the road Tues morning. 

Still pretty warm here, forecasted over 90 in Portland at game time. Fortunately, we are in the shade. 

Stay cool. 

Birds & Deer

Saw about 50 LBJ's (little brown jobs) fighting for a space at the feeder and suet holder the other day. 

But when I tried to capture the moment, most of them took off. 

Went out to the headwaters of the Metolius River Sunday. It just runs under ground to emerge a few yards behind the spot where I took this photo of a deer crossing the stream. 

Here's an enlargement. 

See, there really was a deer. 

Busy week this. Good thing the weather's perfect.