Halloween!

Happy Halloween!
Love Mo Cuishle & post fire season Smokey the Bear

Holland Lake

After starting down the East Lake Connector Trail with Christopher the night before, I had my sights set on finishing it. So Kristin & I took off down the trail for our Thursday hike. This hike was a little over 6 miles total so I decided to leave Skyler at home to relax on the couch all day. The views were pretty spectacular.

Around the time we hit the last mile a small black and white creature caught the attention of our dogs and the went down a short bank to examine. SKUNK! After all of us being sprayed we took off for the lake to wash ourselves as best we could. The hour and a half car ride back to Missoula was not necessarily the ideal car ride home, but it was an adventure non the less. I've never been happier to leave my collie dog at home. At least she still smells nice. :-)

Holland Falls

Christopher needed to get a panorama shot for one of his projects so we took off for a hike up around Holland Lake.
As we climbed up the mountain side we saw that we weren't going to have enough light to get the shots he wanted. So we back tracked a bit and headed for waterfall the feeds Holland Lake.

Benjamin Edward

My newest nephew, Benjamin Edward Groff arrived today @ 7:06am (est). 8 lbs 15 oz 19.5 inches long. Mommy and baby are doing great. Congrats Charlie & Lola!

Now we play the waiting game for Kristen & GrizBug...

Kreis Pond

My hiking companions. :-) Notice everyone looking at the camera but Skyler.

Above the Clouds

Although I've attempted it a couple times now, I've never completed the Saddle Loop train on the top of the backside of Mount Jumbo. Today was no exception. I took a wrong turn about half way through that cut the trip a little short. There is normally an awesome view of the Missoula Valley, but with all the clouds there wasn't too much of a view. Maybe next time I'll finish it completely and get some nicer photos. I had better hurry up tho b/c the trail closes after the 1st of December for elk habitat.

Morrell Falls

Morrell Falls is a beautiful waterfall just north of Seeley Lake, MT. Kristin & I set our signs on this one today before the snow hit to hard. There was a little snow along what should of been an easy hike but with all the trees downed all over the trail, it gave us a little run for our money. I look forward to heading back in the spring to see the differences in the water level of the falls.

Bosco's First Snow

Although it was raining in Missoula, the higher altitudes of Squaw Peak meant snow for us. Bosco had never experienced snow up until this point. He ignored it at first, but the higher we climbed the deeper it got (almost 2 inches at the top). He's hooked already & I can't wait for the all the pups to get to play in some real powder!