Too Busy Having Fun to...

I've been too busy working and having fun to post much lately...

I had to go work in Missoula for a few days earlier this week. On the way over as I was passing through Lincoln Montana I was reminded to just how dry this summer and early fall has been. Even though we did get a little rain the day after I took this photo we are still definitely not out of fire danger. This fire was burning straight North of Lincoln. The wind was really howling so I imagine it burned quite a bit of land before it subsided.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...psz0ewbe2v.jpg

Once in Missoula life improved significantly. As I checked in the hotel the clerk asked if I wanted to be upgraded to a river view room for the same price. I'm like, OH HECK YES!!! So this was view from my temporary home for a few days. Yup, it was tough but I was up for it. :) Heck, the first night there my Cowboys even pulled a rabbit out of their hat and won their game. All was right in the world Sunday night. :D
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...psrsy8gdyq.jpg

Sunday night I was busy working and watching the game so I didn't have time to mess with the river. However the next day after work I headed down to the Clark Fork River just below my hotel room and fished for a couple hours. I missed a couple strikes and only landed one fish. I'm not used to having to share a river or creek with scads of people but such is the case in Missoula. One of the locals fishing next to me said the stretch we were fishing gets a tremendous amount of pressure and the fish as pretty educated. From what I saw over 3 days I'd say he was spot on. So when I was granted this jewel from the Clark Fork I was grateful. Just look at those colors!
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...psyasmbywv.jpg

Unfortunately I did not have time to fish Tuesday after work but I did stop in and visit the owners (Rich and Jeremy) and developers of the WaterMaster raft. http://www.bigskyinflatables.com/ They were a couple of great guys and I guaran-darn-tee you I will have a WaterMaster Kodiak Expedition grade raft by early this coming spring! What a great product they make. I don't work for the company and have no tie to them other than I'm just really impressed. Here is a photo of what the kick-raft looks like. With a weight capacity rating of 750 lbs a person could really haul out a lot with one. I'm thinking whitetails on the islands will be in trouble...
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...psougg1jqv.jpg

I should mention while I was fishing there was a restaurant nearby with an outdoor grill fired up. I had to smell the grill working it's magic for over two hours. Finally I couldn't take it and had to go find me some ribs for dinner. I've decided the most dangerous place in the world is between me and a plate of BBQ ribs when I'm hungry. I'm sure the waitress was shocked when she walked by shortly after delivering my order and my plate was clean. I can wipe out a plate of ribs faster than Thumper can devour a bucket of KFC.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps2wwuocqh.jpg

I'd say that passes belief

I stopped ordering ribs in restaurants - they're never as good as the ones I cook.

Good report BS. You're doing the good work! I could mess up some ribs right about now mydamnself.

Great report as usual BS. Your side of the country is on my bucket list, it has views, fishing and hunting to die for. DW has asked me why dont we move there, I tell he to be careful for what she wishes for......

I still wanna be you.

You know something Buckrub, after I caught the trout I went to dinner and ate those ribs. I came back to the hotel and listened to the sound of the river as it passed by, and my nose was filled with the scent of pine because of a light rain on the trees. For a moment it occurred to me, that at least that day, it was good to be me. :)

I wanna be ME where you are! (especially when you're eating ribs!) ;)

If it gets any better than that I just don't know it.
Fantastic country and a place where a feller could relax and live a good life.
Congrats to you Big Sky!