| LIFE Operation Empty Nest
- Thread starter planomateo
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planomateo
Member
Drive up the Swan Valley this morning, NEVER disappoints. Heading up to Kalispell for the day.
planomateo
Member
One the way home yesterday, we spotted a bald eagle on the ice in the river holding it's dinner. I turned around to get a photo, but it took off just as I was getting my phone out.
planomateo
Member
Saw 6 bald eagles today along a 50 mile stretch of back roads this morning, one flew within 20' of the front of the vehicle.
Snagged a photo of one in the tree, there were two but one flew off as I was taking the photo.
Snagged a photo of one in the tree, there were two but one flew off as I was taking the photo.
planomateo
Member
I prefer to fall 
@planomateo have you ever read anything by Andy Russell? 1915-2005, was a guide to many outdoors magazine guys and started writing articles and graduated to books in the late 60's, I believe. This book is from '71, found it at my folks and thought it looked interesting. It's an outstanding book, he's a very good writer and passes along some great stories from his life in the Canadian and U.S. Rockies. I thought about your neck of the woods as I was reading it.
planomateo
Member
@It Takes Eleven I've been itching to get up to Canada to see the area just north of me, but COVID-19 has blocked me.
I haven't read anything from him, but will be on the lookout.
The more I'm up here, the more I realize I should have moved up here years ago.
Seems every weekend were on a trip somewhere, getting to explore the state. I love taking different routes to the same place and getting to see new areas. Saturday we were driving on the freeway just west of Butte and spotted a moose less than 100' from the freeway.
I'm trying to get my mom up here full time, she's not a fan of the cold.
I haven't read anything from him, but will be on the lookout.
The more I'm up here, the more I realize I should have moved up here years ago.
Seems every weekend were on a trip somewhere, getting to explore the state. I love taking different routes to the same place and getting to see new areas. Saturday we were driving on the freeway just west of Butte and spotted a moose less than 100' from the freeway.
I'm trying to get my mom up here full time, she's not a fan of the cold.
planomateo
Member
Thought I'd share a photo of what the roads are like where I live. I drive about 5 miles of dirt road to each way. When the temperatures rise above freezing and melt the snow, then freeze at night, we get icy roads.
Last year I drove this with non winter tires. This year I got studded snow tires and it's a huge difference.
Haven't needed chains yet, but have some in the back just in case, along with a snow shovel, tracks, and a bucket of sand.
On the steep road near the house, I put down a single line of sand to give some traction on the way down the hill. It's a 7% grade and probably 100' in elevation. Makes the drive down more predictable.
If you look close enough, you'll see chain marks in the ice.
Last year I drove this with non winter tires. This year I got studded snow tires and it's a huge difference.
Haven't needed chains yet, but have some in the back just in case, along with a snow shovel, tracks, and a bucket of sand.
On the steep road near the house, I put down a single line of sand to give some traction on the way down the hill. It's a 7% grade and probably 100' in elevation. Makes the drive down more predictable.
If you look close enough, you'll see chain marks in the ice.
planomateo
Member
This pic was taken a few weeks ago, headed east on a two lane road. Not sure if these roads get plowed, sure was a nice drive.
Montana is such a special place to live.
Montana is such a special place to live.
AFF
Member
I'm like your mom - not a fan of the cold. But it sure is beautiful country to look at. Living off the grid becomes more appealing the older I get. At the same time it becomes less likely logistically speaking. Kids, grandkids, comfort, access to healthcare (not that I need that...yet). It's a lot to coordinate. Kudos to you.
planomateo
Member
Took off to eastern Montana after work yesterday.
Hit some snow just east of Bozeman in the pass. At one point could barely see the lanes.
This photo is about an hour east of Missoula. Plow trucks had a busy day yesterday.
Hit some snow just east of Bozeman in the pass. At one point could barely see the lanes.
This photo is about an hour east of Missoula. Plow trucks had a busy day yesterday.
planomateo
Member
Blackfoot River just east of Missoula in mid December. Hopefully in 2022 I'll have a raft to enjoy this a bit more.
I heard the other day this town has some very high gusts of wind?Took off to eastern Montana after work yesterday.
Hit some snow just east of Bozeman in the pass. At one point could barely see the lanes.
This photo is about an hour east of Missoula. Plow trucks had a busy day yesterday.
planomateo
Member
Yeah, 125mph wind gust per National Weather Service on Mount Sentinel.
planomateo
Member
Ice fishing on Salmon Lake.
Went up the Swan Valley up to Kalispell today. It's on the western side of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, huge grizzly population and on the eastern side of the Mission Mountains. Flathead Lake is just over the western side of the Missions.
Gotta keep your eyes open for deer most of the way. Saw easily 30 deer this trip, many more f them were crossing the road. Luckily the roads are nice.
Went up the Swan Valley up to Kalispell today. It's on the western side of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, huge grizzly population and on the eastern side of the Mission Mountains. Flathead Lake is just over the western side of the Missions.
Gotta keep your eyes open for deer most of the way. Saw easily 30 deer this trip, many more f them were crossing the road. Luckily the roads are nice.
Bumping this for an off-grid cabin video. I like this guy, down to earth, eats like me. I'd have to use a framing nailer, though. I like this style of cabin, probably would make the porch an extra foot deep and increase the size of the cabin somewhat. If I made it any nicer, my wife would want to stay there.
RTR,
Tim
RTR,
Tim
planomateo
Member
Finally bought a sled, a 2003 Polaris RMK 800 with 780 miles on it - speedo reads 120mph . Just a blast to get on and hit the trails, and having a gate to the state land behind us is epic. Already making plans to getting at least 2 more.
We added another 1000 gallon propane tank last summer. No longer have to be concerned about a propane delivery during the winter, the 7% grade hill off our property makes it challenging during the melt. Did I mention ice.
We're gonna buy a truck and have a blade on the front with a sand spreader on the back so we can sand the icy spots when needed. All about being self reliant and prepared.
Chicken coop, greenhouse, and garden are on the todo list this spring. Possibly a woodshed depending on material costs.
Living here is somewhat expensive, or maybe being prepared is expensive.
Love Montana, what a great place to live.
. Just a blast to get on and hit the trails, and having a gate to the state land behind us is epic. Already making plans to getting at least 2 more.We added another 1000 gallon propane tank last summer. No longer have to be concerned about a propane delivery during the winter, the 7% grade hill off our property makes it challenging during the melt. Did I mention ice.
We're gonna buy a truck and have a blade on the front with a sand spreader on the back so we can sand the icy spots when needed. All about being self reliant and prepared.
Chicken coop, greenhouse, and garden are on the todo list this spring. Possibly a woodshed depending on material costs.
Living here is somewhat expensive, or maybe being prepared is expensive.
Love Montana, what a great place to live.
planomateo
Member
MT200 just west of Great Falls, MT. This is just east of the continental divide, if you pay attention, you'll spot some missile silos.
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