Grizzly Encounter

Part of this weekend my daughter, Savannah Rose, and I got to travel to Bozeman, MT to a secluded mountain area called Mountain Top Ministries. We had an opportunity to spend time with some dear sweet friends we have not seen for a long time. One person traveled from California and another from Maryland this year. There were 9 in attendance and we had fun sharing memories and listening to new stories of our adventures for the last 10+ years.



I was only able to stay for one evening and went out to my van in the morning to find it had been under attack during the night. There was a mess of shattered glass everywhere -- inside the van and on the ground. Also, there was very little garbage debris on the ground in front of the van -- Cheese It Box and a couple of small plastic wrappers from Cheese Crackers.


It was obvious, my intruder to the van was a bear. Initial shock set in and it was not until my friends started helping me vacuum the glass and cover the window with some plastic, that we all realized just how big the surprise visitor had been. Only a little later did we hear from one of the caretakers, that a big silver tip grizzly momma bear had been seen around and had caused some damage to one of their buildings recently.


We all laughed acting like forensic specialists -- finding blood spatter and long hairs, following the trail of paw prints on the dusty van door and dirt path on the windshield of two vehicles.

While cleaning up the mess, I placed a call to my husband who replied, "Wonder what the insurance company will say to damage caused by a bear?" Another call I placed to my brother, who laughed and then said, "What year of van is that?" When I traveled my 3 hours back to Great Falls, he already had a window waiting with our shop vacuum. He found there is really more damage done to the door as it is termed "sprung", but for now the new window is in and the fragments are mostly removed -- more does seem to keep showing up inside the van.

Tiber Dam-Lake Elwell

We went on a Sunday drive recently for the men of the house to do a little fishing. It is quite a flurry of excitement to get everyone geared up ready to pull out of the driveway. Our destination this outing was Tiber Dam. I think my husband pulls out one of his many Montana road maps, shuts his eyes, and does a finger point to make his travel plan. This outing was positive for us all. The kids had fun looking for fossilized wood bits, shells, more rocks for our rock garden, and an off road adventure in our van. Yes, their mom was cautious but adventurous in going over some really rough terrain. (Wished I had a 4 big monster tire vehicle on that adventure.) Glad my brother was in the truck behind me, but he wasn't called upon to pull me out of any major mishaps.



The plan is for us to return this coming weekend for the guys to cast another fishing line. My brother and his girlfriend made an overnight camping fishing trip there since these pictures. They froze in their overnight adventure but my brother caught some type of German trout (wish I had a picture), but then he let it go. Now my husband is chomping at the bit for a chance to catch him one. Let those fish stories roll!! If he catches one, the camera will be out and it will be posted here for all to see.



Here is some information on our travel location:

Just east of Shelby (less than an hour away), residents and visitors can enjoy one of the most versatile recreational areas in Montana, Tiber Dam-Lake Elwell. The lake provides excellent year-round angling for walleye, northern and sauger pike, native trout, ling, perch and others. Some may want to try their hand at bow fishing for carp that often exceed 20 pounds.



For boaters and swimmers the area boasts over 178 miles of shore line, a marina, and five well-maintained boat ramps located strategically around the lake. There are also numerous campground areas.

While you’re at Tiber you’ll observe spectacular windblown sandstone formations, tipi rings, and one of the largest earthen dikes in the world over three miles long! The area surrounding Tiber contains excellent hunting for mule and whitetail deer, antelope, upland game birds, water fowl, and varmints. A unique birdwatching area is located along the Marias River below Tiber Dam. Don’t miss Tiber Dam-Lake Elwell (Tiber Reservoir) and Tiber Marina.

When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple

I have always loved this poem and have felt a little lately like age is slipping up on me. So I decided I wanted a drastic change and something to perk me up! Well, what do you think? Does red look like a drastic change on me? My kids are still trying to get used to it.


Warning - When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple

By Jenny Joseph

When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple

with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

and satin candles, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired

and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

and run my stick along the public railings

and make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

and pick the flowers in other people's gardens

and learn to spit.



You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

and eat three pounds of sausages at a go

or only bread and pickles for a week

and hoard pens and pencils and beer nuts and things in boxes.



But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

and pay our rent and not swear in the street

and set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Visit with Nature

Yesterday, the boys and I had the privilege of going on a fishing outing to Lewis & Clark State Park and Fish Hatchery with a group from Eagle Mount.



Eagle Mount Great Falls provides new adventures for very special individuals. Infants, youth, adults and seniors with disabilities can explore recreation based on their abilities. Their smiles are priceless as they realize dreams do come true.






It was a pleasant day and there were many smiles to go around. My youngest, Avery, tried his hand at fishing for a while and then wanted to explore or just "hang out". I left Wynston (soon to be 12) with the Eagle Mount crew and he had fun learning about fishing and is now talking about going again and working with the staff person from Eagle Mount to learn more to help volunteer on fishing trips.




Avery was thrilled to feed the fish at the fish hatchery from a 5 cent feeding machine. He kept telling me that "you are the best mom ever" for bringing him to this place.

I kept wishing I had better photography equipment to capture the birds on the water, but I think I didn't do too bad with my digital camera as I am providing this picture of what I was enamoured with: