Montana, June 13th - 23rd 2023

Preparing for our flight to Montana at the airport hotel.

Drinks in Bozeman with Charlie and Heidi to plot our first joint camping trip of the year.

We chose the recreation area at Ruby Creek in the Madison Valley south of Ennis for our first get-away with our friends. On arrival we discovered that we had the place to ourselves with the exception of the campground host. The spot seemed idyllic, as they often do, until the arrival of the mosquitos. Luckily we had helped erect our friends' bug tent and could continue to enjoy our evening of relaxation.

We didn't need to worry about the mosquitos during the hours of darkness as the gale force winds blew both them and the bug tent away! We were awoken at 3 am to find it wrapped around Harvey-the-RV's nose and wrestling with it in strong winds in the pitch black felt like taking on the invaders from War Of The Worlds - the thing seemed to have so many legs!

Once the tent was salvaged, the wind causing Harvey's solid metal roof to rise and fall as it was lifted by the covers over the roof vents prevented us from getting back to sleep. We moved to a different camping spot in the darkness hoping the wind would be blowing from the front, only for it to promptly change direction, making is return to our original spot. Our friends slept soundly through all the excitement.

Hopefully a mosquito eater.

Wally.

Charlie - King of all he surveys.

That sky looks ominous!

Surprising how much fun adults can have with four sticks!

Not needing the bug tent in the cold wind!

We abandoned the camping weekend early on Sunday morning when the howling, cold wind showed no sign of abating and was accompanied by rain. Our friends headed home to their cozy home and we drove back to Raynold's Pass, our favourite fishing spot.

Fish were biting, the swallows were nesting under the bridge and the wildflowers were out - our favourite time of year there giving ample opportunities for wildlife photography.

Bridge residents

Good fishing

Wild Geranium

Rainbow trout

Western Meadowlark

Patrick has arrived!

Western Tanager

Bitterroot

Nosy neighbour.