DAY 42

"Woodbine Thunder" 5x7" Oil on Canvas Board

Yesterday my sister Barb and I took a drive to a very picturesque location nearby called Woodbine to hike, paint and read for a couple of hours, while all the guys headed off for another day of fly fishing on another river/lake in the area. Woodbine is an enticing 45 minute drive from Absarokee with spectacular views at every turn in the winding road through the Stillwater Valley, which passes by one of the few significant mining sources for platinum and palladium outside South Africa and Russia. A clear sky with no rain in sight, we hiked a short distance up the rocky narrow trail into the lower canyon of the Stillwater River that skirts alongside raging waters of gushing white foam, surging over huge boulders through high jagged walls of the gorge. The hike is simply breathtaking. This is where I painted the little painting above. I could have stayed there all day painting in this remote and enchanted setting.

So as all good things must come to an end, today we say goodbye to Montana and begin the long 1,800 mile drive home into the scorching Texas mid-August heat. What a shock that is going to be after spending the past six weeks snuggling up in sweat shirts to stay warm in the mornings and early evenings. We were hoping to pass through the badlands of S. Dakota on the way home but will have to take another route since an event called "Sturgis" is in full gear. Evidently this is the 70th anniversary of Sturgis, so this little town is hosting 500,000 Harley bikers from all over the country. Every hotel, motel and campground for 100 miles is booked solid...nothing against bikers, mind you, but the word detour is flashing big time in my mind.

 

DAY 39, 40 & 41

"East Rosebud Rush" 11x14 Oil on Canvas

Houston, the Eagle has landed!!! I have finally made an internet connection and am live again. Sorry for the lapse of three days since my last post, we have been painting, fly fishing, hiking and visiting with my family in Montana's "big sky" country with its miles and miles of rolling green hills, mesas, ranches, farms all under the back drop of the glacier capped Bear Tooth Mountains.

I painted "East Redbud Rush" this afternoon along side the white water rapids at the East Rosebud River. It was a very challenging experience amidst on and off thunder storms that continued all afternoon. I must have looked quite a sight as people kept driving by along side the road were I was painting, pointing and laughing at me huddled over my easel with one hand holding a poncho over myself trying to keep everything dry. The horseflies were biting my legs and I had to keep taking my sweat shirt on and off as temperature were climbing and dropping every 30 minutes. I am amazed that this painting came out as well as it did.

Tomorrow is our last day in Montana before heading the 1800 mile ride on home. Here are a few photos from Absarokee.

Dave fishing on the Rosebud which runs right through the fishing camp

DAY 37 & 38

"Heading for Home" 7.5x12", Oil on Canvas Board

Sorry for the absence everyone, I hit some technical difficulties and have not been able to post the past few days. Seems WiFi service in this part of the world doesn't like Macs, so today I am driving to the town of Columbus to post. FYI McDonalds has universally compatible WiFi service, plus Senior Coffee for $.39. What a deal!

I painted this little painting at the end of the road where we are staying, here in Absoarkee. I painted late today just as a strong breeze swept away the heat, and the cows began making their way back to their barn... snacking all the way, and the sky was gearing up for  "magic" show time. I took my seat and right on key the fields began growing brighter and richer in the warm stage lights. The mountains, veiled in cool blue violet attire, served as a backdrop for another premier performance. I was the most appreciative of an audience, applauding and sending out rave reviews of praise well into the night.

Catch of the Day

 

 

The River Runs Though It

DAY 36

"The Gathering" 12x12" Oil on Canvas Board

Gardner River

This morning we drove just a few miles back into Yellowstone Park to visit and bathe at the hot springs near the travertine (calcium carbonate) terraces of Mammoth. A mile hike in off the road along the bubbling Gardner River we found the thermal springs. The water pours out of the rocks here at scalding temps directly into the cold river (year round). Visitors of all ages find their way here to soak sore hiking muscles in the soothing waters of this natural hot tub. During the month of December Brown Speckled Trout spawn up stream from this spot and the grasses stay green during the harsh winters in this little oasis. Here's some photos along the river and of the springs.

The battery in the camper died on us so we are heading to Columbus, MT to find a replacement. Poor old camper we have really given her a workout on this trip.  She has been limping along with a broken arm and duck tape patch job on one of the windows but the battery really put her over the edge. See the pathetic crippled photos below.

Wounded Soldier

Once we get a new battery, we will go on to my sister Kitsy and brother-in-law Van's very cool, old fishing camp in Absarokee, MT. They are gone right now to Peru (as in South America) climbing Machu Pichu...how cool is that... but are due back in a couple days so we will set up the camper and wait for them, and for my sister Barb and hubby Arnie's arrivals. I am really looking forward to some more time to visit and spend the early mornings painting with my loved ones for a few days before setting sites on home. Wow...what a trip this has been!!! 

"The Gathering" of little jars was a challenge to paint since there wasn't a direct light source, and reflections were coming in from all sides changing constantly with the movement of the light. Normally I would have used a controlled spot light but what is one to do without electricity?

DAY 35

Today we finally tore ourselves away from the Grand Tetons and move on into Yellowstone. What an incredible drive through such diverse lands including: the wide open Hayden Valley with herds of grazing bison, moose and elk, 20 miles of the twisting Yellowstone River with its 42 degree bottom temps of clear blue waters and white foamy caps racing down mountain sides, the smell of sulphur as we passed by vast arrays of geological formations and thermal features including: geysers, bubbling mudpots, fumarole, and steaming hot springs. What an exciting ride.

This little guy was grazing along the side of the road as we drove by and came right up to our car door.

One of the terraces in the thermal area near Mammoth Springs

Yellowstone... I loved the shadows of the clouds draping over the mountains

Yellowstone River

Yellowstone Lake

Unfortunately, we were unable to get into any of the campgrounds inside Yellowstone for the night, or for that matter, any other type of accommodation, so we had to high roll it into a motel in Gardiner, MT five miles outside of the park. After nearly five weeks of camping what a thrill it is to have a room with carpet, a bed with an honest to goodness mattress instead of a sleeping bag, electricity to read by versus a flashlight, a personal shower that you don't have to pay extra for complete with fresh towels, a toilet that you don't have to go outside and walk to get to in the middle of the night with a flashlight not knowing what wild animal might be lurking behind the next tree. Wow!!! What luxuries. They even have a small pool so I was able to get in some abbreviated laps. However the best part is the major benefit of Wifi in our room. In most all of the campgrounds we have stayed in, you had to drive to find a hot spot in the park and I never could get my computer to send e-mails? Some I was able to send on my BlackBerry but then again, I would have to drive to another location to find just the right spot to pick up a signal and then it would fade in and out, or provide no service at all. Whew, that was a lot of stress!!!

We have officially not seen a newspaper or any TV since we left home on July 1st. I hope the world is still there? I really have enjoyed being lost in space and oblivious to it all.  

Since we were on the road all day traveling I was not able to paint but wanted to share some recent photos. See you on down the road tomorrow.  

Sacred Heart Chapel

Inside the Chapel at Jackson Lake

Creek at Jenny Lake

I walked right up to this antelope to shoot this photo

DAY 34

"Snake River Serenade" 9x13" Oil on Canvas Board

"The ends of the earth stand in awe at the sight of your wonders. Lands of sunrise and sunset you fill with your joy." —Psalm 65

Geese flying in formation, a family of otters splashing and playing in the marshy reeds on the sandy river bank below, flocks of Great White Pelicans swooping low skimming the water's edge with wings outstretched, ducks, graceful long necked heron, osprey with their dazzling white and black streaked wings soaring overhead then perching in the top of an old dead tree, rumors heard of the sighting of a bald eagle in that same tree earlier in the day, and there is Dave's line rippling on top of sparkling reflections, darting back and forth from the air to the surface of the water, a tiny fly hopping along hoping to be swallowed up into the mouth of an unsuspecting speckled trout. I've got my own brush of a lure reaching out in searching, grasping in my mind to touch those upside down glassy mirrors of pines and oceans of sky, cornering and trapping it all onto my canvas. We are all alone here in this wild outdoor wilderness watching, waiting in humble gratitude and joy for this moment in time ... swept away by the breeze and the drooping sun over the mountain tops... not even a single bite today, yet we feasted. 

DAY 33

"Just a Slice" 6x6" Oil on Canvas Board

"Lord how your wonders are displayed, where e'er I turn my eye..."

Fresh blueberries, thick peppered bacon, spicy sausage, fluffy scrambled eggs with melting cheddar cheese, lightly toasted whole wheat bread spread thick with butter and raspberry preserves, steaming hot coffee sizzling in my mug, surrounded by the light fragrance of other sleepy-eyed early morning campfires arising out of the 35 degree overnight chill to begin another day of basking in the glory and sunlight of all that surrounds me...AAH the joy of this moment!

My painting of this beautiful little melon who gave up its life for us yesterday was challenging to paint without a good light source. We do not have electricity so for still life paintings I have to rely on the diffused soft northern light that filters in through the screen window of the camper. In spite of the short value range available I was pretty happy with the result.

We're off today heading over to the Snake River to paint and fish. See ya tomorow...over and out.

DAY 32 Holy Bear!

Look very carefully inside the circle and you will see the sighting of a Holy Bear

That's right folks, a holy bear, we spotted this young lady on the hillside right across the street from the Catholic Church on the way to Mass at the Sacred Heart Chapel near Signal Mountain. Turns out she is a Cinnamon Black Bear, brown coat with black ears...we sure thought she was a Grizzly until the park ranger set us straight. Wow, that was quite an exciting discovery! We also saw a coyote meandering across the street right in front of us on her way back from a cool evening drink at a creek by the Lodge. You just never know what you are going to see around the next corner here.

The chapel where we attended Mass yesterday was a in a very quaint, tiny log church nestled up under a thick blanket of stately ancient pines. This must be a mission church judging by the fact that the unisex restroom is an outhouse outback. Here is the view from where you can sit and reflect while waiting your turn. I believe this is Jenny Lake?

It rained this afternoon so we had a very laid back day making some repairs around the camper, a little touch up painting, cleaning and reading. We had planned to move on into Yellowstone in the morning but tonight changed our minds and signed up for another couple of nights here. There is still so much to see and do, we just couldn't bear (no pun intended) to leave. Here is the finished Oxbow Bend painting and a better photo.

"Oxbow Bend" 11x14" Oil on Canvas

DAY 31

Oxbow Bend

Yesterday was another glorious day standing in the shade painting on the hill above the Snake River at Oxbow Bend with its stunning views. Oxbow Bend is known for its wildlife and scenic overlook, home to otter, beaver, all kinds of birds. The ravens are huge here...the size of small dogs. Dave was fly fishing in the river below and drew my attention to a golden eagle and an osprey darting back and forth in a territorial dog fight in the crystal blue sky overhead. Can you imagine, all this glory and excitement for a mere $10 a night with our invaluable 62-and-over, Golden Age Passport card that gets you into all National Parks free, plus half price on the campsite fees. Growing old has its advantages.

Polly wanta cracker?

 

 

Osprey fishing (I added the enlarged inset from another photo I shot)

Another shot of Oxbow Bend later in the day...check out those mirror reflections in the water...very exciting.

You can certainly tell the dollar is weak judging by the number of foreigners staying and working here in this area. We are surrounded by French, Swedes, Austrians, Germans, Russians, Canadians and Swiss accents everywhere we go. It is almost a surprise to hear an American voice every now and then. I keep thinking we are somewhere in Europe versus the United States. Yesterday while painting at Oxbow Bend, I must have spoken to at least 75 tourists who stopped by just to "take a peek" and 90 percent of them were foreigners. They were all very friendly and curious, quite a few asking me to pose for photos standing at my easel in front of the overlook. By the end of the day, I was beginning to feel almost famous. : )

White Pelican in Two Oceans Lake

Earlier in the day we drove out to an isolated lake called Two Oceans where we attempted to paint and fish but were run off by relentless scores of horseflies the size of my fist ... well, maybe not quite that big. However all was not lost, in a short 45 minutes there, we watched an osprey diving for fish, cormorants, loons, and an enormous white pelican. In fact, he was so large that I thought a child had forgotten his giant blow up water toy. This bird must have been five feet tall while sitting in the water, and when he flew away his wingspan was six to eight feet... truly an unbelievable sight!!! Then, on the drive back to Oxbow Bend, we passed an entire herd of bison grazing on the hillside. And, this is just Wyoming, I can't even imagine what we are going to see in Yellowstone which is better known for its wildlife? I hope that doesn't mean another hungry momma bear with cubs...EEKS!!!

DAY 30

"Oxbow Bend" 11x14" Oil on Canvas

I took a short little hike yesterday, maybe 30 minutes one way and these are the photos I snapped along the lakeside path here in the campground. I swear it is impossible to take a bad photo...everyone of these could be sold as postcards.

My painting today (see above) again, like all the photos I take of my work, is not very good and the colors look muted... but oh well....you'll get the gist of it. I'll tell you all about Oxbow Bend where I painted and Dave fly fished today, along with the photos in tomorrow's post. All I can say is WOW!!!

DAY 29

"Canoe at Rest" 5x7" Oil on Canvas Board (photo is blurry)

Here is a little better photo of "Patch of Green" posted yesterday

Re-post of better photo of "Fallen Tree"

What a glorious storm we had last night, thick clouds covered the white snow tips on the mountains and the sky was a threatening dark gray blue. The wind was howling through the forests so ferociously the pines looked like they were going to crack in half. We thought for sure we were in for a gully washer but instead, as it turned out, there was only the sounds of a gentle rain playing a soft lull-a-bye on the top of the camper all night long. This morning was quite chilly kicking the heater on inside the camper but the sun shone brightly and ushered in a clear blue sky over the park all day today.

Yesterday, we were totally looking forward to a nice hot shower at the campground while we washed clothes, however when we arrived we were told there was no hot water. So we bit the bullet and took ice cold ones instead. The water was so cold it took me an hour to restore my core temperature and finally feel warm again. The good side of the down side is that the $3.75 per shower, per person charge was waived...so we saved a little money. 

Order of the Arrow Dave is cooking dinner tonight, making his old Boy Scout camping dinner of ground beef, potatoes, onions and carrots wrapped in foil and cooked in the coals of the fire he is building. The next thing you know he'll probably make smores and want a merit badge.

DAY 28

"Patch of Green" 7.5 x 12" Oil on Canvas Board

I could not get a good photo of this painting no matter where or how many shots I took, but I guess it's better than no photo at all. I'll re-post it once I get a better image. This is the scene right behind our camper. This afternoon a beautiful light broke through onto a path leading into the dense forest right in front of a stand of Aspens. I was attracted to the play of dabbled light on the cool pathway. The painting really looks a lot better than what you are seeing. I am finding my landscapes here are all moving to a much more abstract quality for some reason? The mosquitoes tried their best to take me home for dinner while painting it.

This morning we drove over to the Jackson Lake Lodge, which sits in the most picturesque setting in the world, for a splurge breakfast sitting outside on the terrace overlooking the entire valley. By now the oatmeal and dry cereal is starting to get a bit old. However, by the time we ran a few errands and arrived at 11:00 a.m. (Dave is not a morning person) the buffet was over and the only other options was to eat in their diner-like cafe. Unfortunately, the diner was transitioning on to lunch and would only serve us granola... inside...and without the view. Drats!!! We did get to take our coffee outside on the patio so all was not in vain. Here are a couple snapshots of the view.

 

 

Yesterday was a really great day of canoeing, fly fishing, and painting along side of the lake which is just a football field away walk through the woods. We stayed there all afternoon in the warm light until the sun finally took its final bow and dropped behind the Tetons, and the evening chill began to creep in. Back at our camp Dave built a campfire and we feasted on the best hot dogs and baked beans ever!!! Life is so good. What a blessing this trip has been for us.

DAY 27

"Fallen Tree" 11x14" Oil on Canvas

Canoe trip fishing and picnic from this morning

Jackson Lake

Animal (of some sort) near our camp

Picnic spot

Today we rented a canoe for a couple of hours and did some fishing, picnicking and sight seeing. This National Park offers such diverse landscapes as Alpine peaks, dense forests of lodgepole pine and other conifers (Douglas Fir, Englemann spruce, lumber and Subal pines), sagebrush flats, wet meadows, the Snake River, lakes and ponds. Local wildlife includes: very active grizzly and black bears, bison roaming freely, bald eagles, moose, red tail hawks, herds of elk and antelope, deer, badgers, beaver, pika, weasels, marmots, pine martens, wolves, coyotes, prong-horns, plus other birds such as sage thrashers, green-tailed towhees, western meadow larks, vespers and Brewer's sparrows. Okay...end of Nancy's nature-in-the-wild talk...bottom line it is all so unbelievable!!!

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