Went for a ride up the south boundary trail today. We asked a new neighbor to ride along with us, but then Connie was having trouble with her wrist after surgery so it ended up just Jack and I taking the ride. It was Tanner’s first experience riding with a mule and he did not seem to mind this long-eared somewhat homely horse. The trail starts at West Glacier at the old river bridge and runs alongside the park side of the river. This trail is for the most part fairly easy, but there are many precarious stretches where you are riding the bank high above the river, one misstep could be disastrous. We were just planning a short day so we rode from the park headquarters to the lincoln creek patrol cabin (a little over 12 miles round trip). This is a very scenic ride along the river. You do have the noise of the nearby railroad and vehicles on the highway, so you don’t have the solitude of other backcountry rides, but it is still well worth it. You also have the shrieks and yells of the river floaters as they encounter the rapids down below you.
It was a beautiful day to ride up Mcginnis creek yesterday. This area is off limits to vehicle travel until July 1 so it is a nice place to take a conditioning ride. With temps in the 90’s we didn’t push the guys to hard, but did take a trail that got us up on a ridge so we would have some decent views of the area. There is a lot of new growth in the area following the fire’s. Many little pockets open up for viewing, but we did not see any wildlife on the ride. This is a great looking area for deer and elk but I suspect the heat had them tucked into sheltered areas out of view. The horses did a good job. Freckles got ponied along though and he got pretty lazy on the way out, felt like he was going to pull my arm off many times. This was Connie’s first real ride following her wrist surgery so she was pretty happy.
We’ve made it back to Apgar View Ranch after being in ND for springs work on the farm. I’ve been trying to acclimate the horses, so am riding every day for short 2 hr periods. After returning with Freckles yesterday I rode out to the pasture because I had left the gate open. This sow was ambling up the road with her two cubs. When this photo was taken the cubs were behind the tree. Right after I snapped the picture with my phone Freckles saw the bear and proceeded to have a fit, so all photo op’s were over. The two cubs ran out on the road with mom and she saw or heard Freckles having his moment. I had never seen a horse act like that before. He blew up his mane and tail, and held his whole body in a manner that made him look huge. He was blowing snot out of his nose like a dragon. The sow took this in and did not waiver. I expected her to gather her cubs and dive into the forest, but she did not alter course. At this point I felt it best that Freckles and I head back toward the barn. There have been numerous bears sighted in the area this spring, so we’re going to have to be cautious with our excursions.
Spring looked like it was coming with a rush to the mountains, but the last couple of days have brought us some new snow. Sam and I went for one last snowshoe trek up the mountain today. Lot’s of fun, but no views for photo’s.
Great day for a drive up the North Fork. Connie’s folks went along and had a great time. The Polebridge Merc. has been open this winter so everyone had a pastry from the Mercantile for lunch. Sure looks like spring is here!
Steve, Cody, and Angie out for a ride
The Grandkids and their boots
A Special Moment
The view from our deck
On a day skiing in Glacier Park I got some nice pictures. This was Lake McDonald and McDonald creek.
View from the Blankenship Bridge
But for awhile,Tanner was starting to wonder if it would ever quit snowing.
Connie was contemplating a new addition, but still up in the air on this nice fellow.
Always fun to stop at the Huckleberry Patch for huckleberry ice cream, and then message my daughter in law Whitney who loves the stuff.
Sam and Layla always on guard.