Back in Montana With a Grizzly Story to Share~

Following a wonderful 2 1/2 days at Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada, we returned to Montana.  One of our very favorite towns is Whitefish and our favorite place to stay is Grouse Mountain Lodge.  I would highly recommend this stay to anyone interested in heading to this part of the country.

Remember to double click on the first image, to view a larger slide show presentation after you have read the narratives~

I will be linking up with Judith for:

www.lavendercottagegardening.com

Mosaic Monday

&

Stewart for:

   http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/

Wild Bird Wednesday

Our lodging for 3 evenings was at the Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish.  

The Kahlua Chocolate Mousse Cake with Raspberry sauce...we had a slice with our coffee every night and I am still working those desserts off ;)

Out in the parking lot were guests arriving in some very neat cars, wow, I want one...

Right... just a little $$$

Mercedes Gull-Wings.

We decided upon returning stateside to visit Many Glacier, part of the Glacier National Park.  We had only just arrived and saw cars pulled off the road, and people standing wih cameras loaded.  I got out of the car, not knowing what they were seeing, it could have been many things and the husby stayed behind with the dogs. A Park Ranger said that a large female Grizzy Bear was making her way and had attempted crossing the road twice already that morning. We were all standing there waiting for her to cross when a very familiar car passed the group with a dog head sticking out each back window.  I just about had heart failure, as the husby pulled into the shade where the ranger stood, got out and stretched his legs.  The bear was right there!  The ranger  yelled for him to get back in the car and to back up, that a Grizzly Bear was RIGHT THERE!

The very nice ranger then had to scare the bear back from where it had been coming.

WHEW!!!

Afterwards the bear was back once again waiting her turn to cross and so we drove on into the park and see the lodging they had there.  As we were leaving Many Glacier, once again cars were lined up, only this time the opposite side of the road.  Yep, I got out and the husby stayed put...bless him!  The bear was  munching happily on Huckleberries.  All was well~

Lodging at Many Glacier, not too shabby, I must say!

We are now back at Glacier National Park.  Logan Pass and Going to the Sun Road had been closed for a few days due to 2' of snow at high altitudes. This day, it was open and we were finally going across after 2 failed attempts.  Come along with me.

First encounter this gorgeous Brown Bear.  I say Brown Bear...Black Bears can be brown or black, or cinnamon, so not sure, but I will just call it as it looks brown ;)

The well known red buses that take visitors on tours all over both Glacier and Waterton National Park systems~

Above a watercolourist doing her thing among the beauty of the majesty and below riding their bikes for a mission!

Making it to the top, for their cause!

Their are lots of tight curves in these very high places.  It was absolutely stunning scenery.  I kept looking for the gorgeous hybrid raptor, that I photographed up here 3 years ago, but never even saw a single bird this visit~

Here are a few more birds that call Montana Wild Wings Recovery Center in Kalispell,  their forever home, due to permanent injury.

Red-tailed Hawk, Swainsons Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk and Great Horned Owl, were just a few of these beauties. Their facilities were just wonderful!

Vacation Journey and Making Dreams Come True~

Making dreams come true, while on a very long vacation journey.  We traveled by car from Kentucky to Montana and Canada in 13 days, driving just under 5,000 miles and me taking 3,919 images...yep I shall be busy!  We saw an abundance of wildlife and beauty along the way. We had very little computer time available, or no service at all much of the time.  Thanks to a very trusted soul my 2 drafts were published along with comments, but I was unable to pay visits and make comments for anyone and I missed seeing what you have been publishing.  For over 34 years I have dreamed of seeing a Great Gray Owl.  We have traveled to their territory, but it just never happened for me.  Last year and again this year, I made contact with the Owl Institute in Charo, Montana. My contact person this year was Jessica and she got me in contact with Montana Wild Wings Recovery Center in Kalispell, Montana.  They have a Great Gray Owl there named Homer.  I was given the names of Beth Watne, Kari Gabriel and Alex Moore who work for MWWRC.

The visit went off beautifully. It took some doing to get a visit set in motion,

but once it was all planned out.  What a wonderful facility they have too.  

Everything was spacious for the birds, very clean and organized. The center rehabilitates 

injured, or sick wildlife and then releases them as possible back into the wild.  I want to 

take this opportunity to once again thank Beth for having me as a guest at the center,

for Kari in setting things in good motion for my visit,and for Alex lending me his time in 

seeing Homer and all of the other birds at the recovery

center.  It was surreal, seeing this beautiful bird up close.  

Homer has been at the facility for a few years due to a wing injury, whereby he 

cannot be released. Handsome Homer, what a beauty he was!

That was dream one come true, now for dream two ;)

For 7 years now, I have been in contact with a lovely woman named

Theresa Dettmer.

She owns Vom Haus Dettmer Long Coat German Shepherds

and is the breeder where we purchased our beloved Silvie Aleit, 

affectionately called Silveit.

Over the years, we have become very good friends.

However Theresa lives in Iowa and I live in Kentucky.

We had never had the opportunity of meeting one another.

When she sent our pup-cub to us at age 8 weeks, Silveit arrived by jet plane.

Theresa had not seen her in 18 months.

Last Friday, that dream came true.

Meeting Theresa was one of the most special times I can remember.

Along with her husband Rick, and her wonderful dogs, 

we enjoyed a couple of hours together.

We have promised one another to make visits to see each other often!

These were two truly treasured visits, that I shall cherish always!

Remember to double click on the first image, to view a larger slide show presentation after you have read the narratives~

I will be linking up with Judith for:

www.lavendercottagegardening.com

Mosaic Monday

&

Stewart for:

   http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/

Wild Bird Wednesday

Making dreams come true! 

Meeting my precious friend Theresa, her husband Rick and their

beautiful dogs, 

as well as finally seeing and meeting a Great Gray owl named Homer~

Alex Moore was kind enough to guide my husby and myself to the center.

Alex then escorted me through the facility and then it was time to introduce me to

this beautiful bird, a Great Gray Owl, named Homer.

What a pleasure it all was~

The next highlight of our vacation came when I finally got to meet my dear friend Theresa!

This visit had been such a very long time coming and it was just wonderful!

Our Meaka and Silveit took to her right away...so sweet~

Above is Meaka to the left and Silveit with Theresa.

Below is Theresa, myself and Theresa's husband Rick.  

What sweet people they are~

Theresa getting to love on Silveit and reconnect with one of her favorites~

My heart melted when they looked into each others eyes.

I promise Silveit remembered ;)

Meaka getting some special treatment too ;)

It was an outstanding visit and I cannot wait to see Theresa again!

Thank you for being patient while I was away.

Now to dig into those images...does anyone want to come help me...please ;)