The most beautiful place on earth?

Maybe

Checking In

Mostly photos. Had to say goodbye to some dear friends the other day. They certainly will be missed around here.
The wild-flowers around here are simply amazing! this is Larkspur.


And this is balsam root. Alice's ridge is yellow with it. We've been picking it for our supper tables, as well as for the guest cabins.



And These of course


Encountered these guys near the preserve. I usually don't see then this close.


And finally, I'll leave you with this shot of Ear Mountain, I took this while hiking up Pine Butte

Grizzlies!

I’m sitting in the lodge right now typing this. I’ll be going into town to post later on. I thought I’d mainly share some photos from the past few weeks as well as some random little things. Last night I drove out to the Pine Butte Preserve and spotted a female grizzly and her 2 cubs. I watched them for about 45 minutes or so and it was just an amazing experience! I could see every little move they made through binoculars as they grazed peacefully by the waters edge. At one point, the cubs splashed into the water chasing ducks. Also, as I was watching the bears, a Moose came into view directly behind them. Neither seemed at all concerned by the others presence. In the 4 weeks I’ve been here, I’ve seen FIVE bears! A cinnamon black with her blond cub, and the grizzly with her two cubs. Not bad I’d say!
The job is going well I think. Everybody here is very nice, and I’ve met some very interesting people. The weather finally seems to be coming around. It was 75 yesterday!
Definitely a welcome change from the freezing temps and snow we’ve had.
We’ve got a lot of great dogs running around here, and I’ll eventually post pictures of all of them. But for now, this is Gus.



And here are some more. the Front, a Blue Grouse and a Northern Harrior...





We have SO many Mule Deer!!!

On top of Indianhead Rock with Ear Mountain in the background.


And me!

GRIZZ!





More photos later. I still haven't taken one of the ranch that does it justice.
Stay tuned.
Cheers!
MJB

Badlands

Here on the high plains the weather can be unpredictable, with wild temperature fluctuations and sudden storms. Well, I got a taste of all the above yesterday.
Firstly, when I arrived in the Badlands it was AT LEAST 90F! Lucky for me the KOA Kabin I stayed in had a little air conditioner. Then last night came the thunderstorms. And know, it's 32F with light snow.
I'm hitting out for Montana tomorrow. Decided, due to the weather, to cut the rest of the trip into two days. I'll check in either from Billings or Helena tomorrow night.
Cheers,
MJB

Packing -- Kinda

I'm leaving early Thursday morning. I WAS going to leave tomorrow but it didn't work out. For one thing, I'm not even close to being all packed up and ready to go. Also, my camera is in the shop and I won't be able to get it in time.
Anyway.....
We received some disturbing news yesterday. I can't go into detail but lets just say I'm very worried and frustrated. It's disturbing to see the same scenario played out over and over again. You have a person who was mistreated by her mother. this person's mother was a terrible person who had no time for her. She let men into her home who didn't have the children's best interest at heart. And now, rather then learn from her mother's mistakes, this person has decided to RUN down that same destructive path with her own children. It truly is a sad situation

Now I must go finish packing. Chances are I'll be in South Dakota or Montana next time I post..
Cheers
MJB

Melancholy

It’s late and I should be sleeping, but since that is obviously not going to happen, I might as well write some. I've been planning this trip for so long that it’s hard to believe - in just two short weeks - I’ll be starting my first day of work at the guest ranch. When I first applied for the job it seemed like the distant future.

Note to self: TIME FLIES.

I have four more shifts at my current job - and though I hate to admit it - I’m actually going to miss the place. I should apologize for such a melancholy tone, but I really am feeling very much -- well melancholy. Or maybe it's just that I enjoy using the word.......

In addition to being melancholy;) I’m also VERY apprehensive about the new job. So many questions! What will it really be like? Will I be able to do the job well? What if they don’t like me? I’ve basically had every bad scenario possible run though my head.

On the positive side, I’m pretty confident that this is going to be a VERY interesting experience for me.

Stay Tuned
Cheers,
MJB

First Blog Entry!

Well, this is my first post and I'm not really sure what to write about, so I'll begin with the reason I'm starting this blog in the first place. I'm leaving for Montana in two weeks where I'll be working through the summer at a guest ranch along the rocky mountain front west of Choteau. I plan on using this blog to update my family and friends (or whoever else wants to know;) on what I'm up too.

That's all for now, but I'll post again soon (if I survive the dentist tomorrow)

Cheers,
MJB