Monday, March 28, 2011

Friends and Detours

My friend Lisa, who lives in Belgrade, MT is remodeling her craft room and asked me if I was interested in some of her stamps, punches and cutting tools. I said sure! We drove over to her beautiful house Saturday and she treated me to several boxes of goodies. We had a great morning enjoying her craft projects, (quilting, custom purses and beautiful digital scrapbook albums) and enjoyed a delicious lunch at McKenzie River in Belgrade.

It was time to go and my husband, Bill, suggested we drive the back-road to Helena. As we were driving, I asked, how far is is to Yellowstone Park? He said, about 50 miles". So of course, I said, "why aren't we going to Yellowstone National Park?"

That is how we ended up driving to the to the North Entrance and into the park. We were lucky and saw lots of different animals, including bighorn sheep, elk, bison, deer, moose, bobcat, coyotes on kill, golden eagle, and ravens. Most of them were too far to take a picture, so here are a few photos to give you a feel of how Yellowstone looks in winter.


Bison grazing alongside the road. As you might imagine, it is difficult to get to the grass under 4-5 feet of snow, so they try to get the easy grass that the snow plows dig up.


Cooke City, Montana. That's the 2nd floor of the General Store. You have to drive 58 miles from Gardiner, MT through the one road that is plowed to get there. The altitude is over 7,000 feet and it is a snowmobile paradise.


The Loving Cup Espresso is access challenged, but they manage to dig their way out.

Thanks for looking and thanks to Lisa for all the wonderful crafting equipment! (and providing us with our excuse for a detour to YNP)

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness.... I thought we had snow! Where did you stay?

Sue

Karen said...

GREAT pictures Linda thanks for sharing them.

SiskiyouSue said...

What a trip! I was at Chico Hot Springs about 3 weeks ago, but this year we did not get to drive through Yellowstone. Wish we had, it is just beautiful!

Ohhh Snap said...

Crafting goodies and Fabulous Wild life!! Sounds like heaven :D.

Linda Kaiser said...

Sue, we stayed in a hotel in Gardiner, MT. Too much fun!

Linda

Linda said...

How lucky for you. Yellowstone is one of my favorite national parks. I went there during the summer a few years ago and was awestruck! The ecosystem is amazing, I hope to go back soon, but not in winter or early spring.

Crafting Katie said...

So beautiful, Linda! Thanks for sharing your great pics with us! Have fun with your new toys!

ScrapCrazyyyy! said...

Beautiful!!! I am hoping to take my first snow mobiling trip at the end of the year. What a nice friend you have!!!

Craft Me This said...

Miss Adventure how exciting.

Kate said...

We were in Montana a few summers ago - and it looked much different with no snow! What beautiful photos. I'm so glad you had a lovely weekend - touring and visiting. Thanks for sharing the photos and story.

Deneen said...

Beautiful! I have never been to MT but would love to go. Maybe someday. Enjoy your goodies!

Tigriswillreign said...

Those drifts are incredible! What a fun, spontaneous trip!

LorraineB said...

What beautiful pictures. I am getting chilled just looking at all that snow. Wow, what a narrow path the cafe. It looks like they just managed to squeeze their way out. Thanks for sharing.
Lorraine

beccagoose said...

More pictures! This is such glorious land. I spent a week in Yellowstone one year and saw only a deer. LOL.

MizMaryAnn said...

How wonderful to have a generous crafting friend and a beautiful park all in the same vicinity. How lucky. So glad you got to have such a fun weekend.
Hugs
MizMaryAnn

Anniebee said...

This is so cool... literally and figuratively! My brother and his family lived just outside of Helena for a few years but I was never able to make it up there for a visit. In Texas, if we get a foot of snow the entire winter, we think that's really something! LOL Love the bison pic.

Sahily said...

Great pictures! Definetely, I have to go there some day...

Norma said...

OMG!! amazing pictures Linda!! Very nice of your friend to treat you to some goodies:)
Hugs

Lisa said...

Wow! Beautiful! I am so envious! I would love to have been a mouse in your pocket! LOL!
Big Hugs!

Crafty Kate said...

Hi Linda! I find your work very inspirational and I really want to thank you for all of your support lately! I would like to pass along the Versatile Blogger award to you if you're interested. Please stop by my blog to pick it up - http://www.cardsonthefly.blogspot.com

Kate

JustYolie said...

Amazing pictures, thanks for sharing. I've never been to Yellowstone, would love to visit. :)

hilda'scraftylounge said...

Oh how awesome what a day your so lucky to have a nice friend to give you her things and the pictures make me want to go up there beautiful

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