Late Afternoon at the Campground

Photo by Penny Hall

Photo by Penny Hall

Photo by Penny Hall

It was a busy Saturday.  We had a booth at the Farmer's Market this morning selling Ken's photos and my leather bowls. 

After finishing up some afternoon business items we both needed a break so late afternoon we headed for the campground just across the Madison River.

The wind was blowing and clouds gathering.  Fishermen lined up at the boat ramp to head home from a beautiful day on the river.

I noticed the campground was finally full.  It seems people are late coming to Ennis this season but they are finally here.

Just as we got home it rained for about two minutes then stopped.  Now it is nice and cool after such a hot summer day.  Windows are open the the fans running.

Ahh.  Summer in Ennis.

Dinner Guest

Photo by Ken W. Hall

Photo by Ken W. Hall

 

 

Night before last we were greeted by this lovely lady each time we ventured out our front door.  She sampled bird seed until I raised the feeder out of her reach. 

Then she simply moved on to the bushes and sunflowers.  After digging a hole she proceeded to make herself at home and chew her dinner.

Ken has made multiple attempts to restore the damage only to look out and find her back in her favorite spot after fluffing it again to suit her tastes.  It appears we may have a new resident in our front yard.  Wonder how long she will be staying?

She seems to like the shade the trees offer.  Temperatures have been in the fifties in the mornings and mid to upper eighties during the day.  Although it feels hot to us (we do not have air conditioning) it is much cooler than our friends in other parts of the country.  We are truly blessed.

Gas Station Buck

Photo by Ken W. Hall

This just in from Ken, enjoy:

 

"While sitting at the gas station in Ennis suddenly as if from nowhere this proud but confused creature appeared out of the corner of my eye! He had just crossed the highway on his way to somewhere and something. His instincts were in full control directing a seemingly undirected journey…from here to somewhere, this moment to the next.

My camera, resting on the floorboard of the truck between my feet, almost levitated into my shooting hand to commit the moment to memory. His confusion and  panic did not misdirect him from the instinct that had directed his journey to this instant.

Isn't it simple when Creator paints a self portrait for us so we can see the truth of our life at any given moment! Any ideas if the buck was real or imagined and if real where the path has led since our encounter?

Likely the same coincidental moment and its message will recreate itself at the perfect time and  place in another vision, real or imagined, for an update on the course taken."

                                                                                                                                   --  Ken W. Hall

We Followed a Bear

Photo by Penny Hall

Photo by Penny Hall

Photo by Penny Hall

 

 

Artist friends of ours arrived on Monday and we have been busy all week mixing work with play.  Wednesday we delivered our new art works to Creighton Block Gallery in Big Sky.

We took the long road back to Ennis through magnificent countryside.  After enjoying a nice picnic on the ground by the river we headed toward West Yellowstone.

That is when we spotted two young bears feeding along the roadside.  Neither of them seemed to mind that so many people stopped to admire them and take pictures.  We followed them along the road for quite a distance until they moved out of site.  It was quite an exciting event.

Ken and our friends burned up many camera batteries and pixels capturing sites too awesome to describe or record.  The weather was perfect.

The week has been part windy, part calm.  The past two days temperatures have not risen much above eighty. 

With most of their work out of the way our friends opted to stay another day to relax, fish and play.  I see new adventures ahead.

Photo

Photo by Penny Hall

Photo by Penny Hall

Photo by Penny Hall

 

Saturday morning we opened our booth at the Farmer's Market.  This year the market is in the parking lot of Valley Bank.  It is always fun to visit with old friends and make new ones. 

I love the home grown meats, fresh produce, fresh baked breads, pies and goodies as well as some home made salsas.  Local craft persons show their new creations and non profits offer helpful information.  It is a fun event complete with local entertainment.

This morning we took a walk along the Madison River.  The wind was silent as we strolled along admiring the tall grass and beautiful variety of blooming plants and flowers.

Snow remains on the mountain peaks.  But, I noticed the water is clearing up.  In some places you can see the rocks.  Fisher persons are out and reporting the fish are definitely biting.

It was in the forties when we woke this morning.  We are expecting temperatures in the nineties early part of the week.

Break Is Over

Photo By Penny Hall

Photo By Penny Hall

 

 

This morning I visited the Madison River at Burnt Tree fishing access for the first time since returning home.  A gathering of geese on the island in front of me caught my eye. 

After wandering around for a brief time three leaders seemed to signal the break was over.  They all lined up in a row and entered the water one at a time as the current swept them away at a rapid clip.

It was sixty-five degrees then.  Now it is pouring down rain and the temperature outside is sixty degrees.  I am amazed at the amount of rain these past three days.

Tall Grass

Photo by  Penny Hall

Photo by  Penny Hall

Photo by  Penny Hall

 

 

Yesterday we went to Jeffers to walk along the Madison River.  The grass was waist high most of the way and even higher in others.  I saw flowers and plants and insects I never remember seeing.

The mountains still have snow but it is melting fast.  Temperatures are in the forties and fifties in the mornings and the seventies and eighties in the afternoons.

A small rain storm passed through during the night.

Madison River Flows Fast

It was hard to imagine the flooding in Montana that was reported to me while I was in Arkansas.  Today I visited the Madison River and Lions Park to see what the run off is looking like. 

This video was taken in Lions park.  The ending was a little odd because I did not realize it was taking a movie instead of stills.  I don't remember a time since we moved here that the river has been this high.

As you can tell our clear blue skies changed to thunder clouds.  It is raining as I write this.  I heard the sound of raindrops a few minutes ago.  The thermometer says seventy degrees.  This is a nice change to the heat of the past couple of days.

It has been a busy day in my studio.  My Etsy shop is up and running again.  I filled an order and started staining pieces I left drying in April.  It is good to be working my studio again.

A Special Forth of July

 Photo by Penny Hall

 Photo by Penny Hall

 Photo by Penny Hall

 Photo by Penny Hall

 

 

I returned home from Arkansas late Sunday evening just in time to celebrate the 4th of July.  I woke to the sound of silence pierced only by the occasional singing bird and a cow welcoming the dawn.

My luggage failed to arrive so I located a pair of sweats and a jacket and savored my morning cup of tea outdoors on my newly decorated deck.  Admiring Ken's handy work I was overwhelmed with a deep sense of gratitude for all the gifts I have been given. 

After three months apart Ken and I had much to share as we chatted and prepared to attend the annual parade downtown.  Neighbors came out to greet me and welcome me home as we walked downtown for the parade.

While I was gone Ken found outlets in Ennis where friends and collectors will be able to purchase our art work this summer.  So we left early enough for Ken to show me the canvases and prints on display at the newly opened Banditios Restaurant and Gravel Bar Grill. 

Our second stop was Maydak Gallery to see yet a different collection of Ken's images as well as well as my blessing bowls.  We arrived just in time to meet a customer who was purchasing one of my leather bowls.  It is such a joy for me to get acquainted with collectors of my work. 

As usual there was an enormous crowd for the parade.  Old friends welcomed me home with heart felt hugs and new friends shared in the celebration of life and freedom. 

This year I felt a deeper sense of love and appreciation for the lives of the friends and neighbors that work tirelessly to make Ennis such a great place to live.  There is a unique quality of life shared by those who make the Madison Valley their home.  Perhaps that intangible essence that can only be felt is one of the reasons so many visitors return year after year.

It feels so good to be home.