Big Sy Country

Well, as you all should know by now, I am totally enamored with Montana, the Big Sky Country. You must put Montana on your "Bucket List". If you haven't been here, I can't describe or show pics that do it justice. I've been snapping pics of the "sky" since I got here in May. It's beautiful !!! You must come here during the summer, before you die. You must !!!!

I hope you enjoy !!!!!!

August 2008 Full Moon & Really Good Friends

I have had the great fortune to have many good friends over the years. I'm lucky enough to stay in contact with several of them and the rest are often in my thoughts. Many of these folks were originally co-workers who became very good friends and I value their friendship forever. I hope you all know who you are !!!

But in 2006, when I spent the summer at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, I met a group of people who I will cherish for the rest of my life. They are often in my thoughts too, but when the moon is full each month they hold a special place. While at the Canyon that summer, a small group of us began to get together, travel to Marble Canyon Overlook, build a campfire and toast the Full Moon. Sometimes, we even camped out for the night.

Marble Canyon Overlook

Part of the group: Me, Sue, Roger, Priscilla, Linda, Myron (?), Unknown & Adam (from Poland)

Some of the pictures I'm using on this page were taken by Sue. I hope she doesn't mind my using them.

Me, Linda (Teton Babe) & "Scary" Larry. I believe that's the back of Priscilla's head. It was pouring down rain and Roger was cooking. Roger was always cooking!!!!

Roger & Priscilla. I hope to God it was cold that night!!!

Scary & Priscilla. Cuss'in and discuss'in!!! Scary was cuss'in. Priscilla would never utter a swear word. Right !!!!!

Linda always slept under the stars, even when it rained!!!!

Linda, me, Priscilla and Roger. I'm sure glad it was warm enough for the cowboy hat!!!!

When that summer ended, we all went our separate ways, but many of us have managed to stay in touch and even visit each other occasionally. This last full moon, August, one of my favorite couples was able to stop on their return from working in Alaska this summer .

Roger & Priscilla

We spent a few days sightseeing in Glacier NP and the surrounding area. Then, on August 16, the Full Moon, we drove up Desert Mountain to Belton Point and enjoyed a beautiful sunset to the west, watched the moon rise over the mountains (yep, some are still snow capped) in the east and toasted our North Rim friends far and near.

We were extremely lucky to have cell phone service and, no, Priscilla is not ordering a pizza. She's talking with one of our original "Moon Group", Linda, who happened to call just as the moon crested the mountain range behind us. What timing!!!!

So, to all of my friends and family, I raise a glass to you and say "to good friends both far and near and to life as it should be lived".

Package

I just received a package, in the mail, from my sweet, beautiful younger sister. In addition to finding two kitchen towels, there was also a really nice Tee shirt. I wanted to share the screen print that was on the back with everyone. It really makes a point of my motto: "Always hike with someone you can outrun" !!!!



Thank you, Pat.


(You may need o double click on the pic to be able to read)

State of the Union

The following was sent to me by my friend, Tyler Roberts. It's accredited to late night TV host, Jay Leno. It really speaks volumes about what is wrong with our country today.

Jay writes:

What a thankless people we are!!!

As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.

The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?'

A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?

F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? ( I have to add here, even though they are Indian owned - Tom)

G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy. Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are.The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander-in- chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ' 'general' discharge, an 'other than honorable' discharge or, worst case scenario, a dishonorable' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J.Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane! Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage.Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.'

'With hurricanes, tornadoes, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

Jay Leno