Happy Halloween

Just What I Needed

After heading downtown to celebrate Halloween last night, I woke up this morning w/ a hunger to be in nature. I just finished up week 3 of a 5 week stint working 6 full day work week. Over the half way point! Working so much has been easing some stresses, but causing others. Only 2 more weeks to go.

So I packed up Bosco & we set off down into the Lolo Wilderness. We completed 3 hikes out of the book (only 3 more left!) in the pouring rain. As the rain fell, it washed over my soul. There isn't another place in the world I would of rather been at that moment. I couldn't think of anything that could of made my day any better.

Our hikes took us over a small part of the historic trail that once also saw the footsteps of Lewis & Clark.

Before returning to the car on the last trail, I stopped to make my first snowman of the year. He's less than 3 inches tall, but it still counts!

Driving along a stream on our way home I saw a bald eagle sitting on a rock in the middle of the water. I quickly stopped the car along the side of the road & hopped out. It was sitting not 15 feet below me in the icy waters "chirping." It only sat for a few more moments before taking off directly over my head. It circled the valley & let out a haunting screech before disappearing into the trees...

Sometimes when life doesn't seem like it can get any worse, it does. And sometimes, when life doesn't seem like it can get any better, it proves you wrong again. 

:)

He's the Best

Baby It's Cold Outside

I think this photo speaks for itself...

The Smallest River Runs Through It

In Montana you can witness the shortest river in the country flowing into the longest. The Roe River ranks at one of the shortest at only 201 feet in length. The Missouri River is one of the longest in the country stretching 2,540 miles, 200 longer than the might Mississippi River. The Roe River emerges from the ground at Big Springs and is a constant 54 degrees year round.

Sanity

It's Friday night, & while most of my friends are out on the town tonight, I am sitting at home already snuggled up under a mountain of blankets. The ever faithful Bosco is snuggled up close, snoring away. Tonight is what I like to refer to as a Friday night "in" for me since I have to be back at work very early tomorrow morning. I am about to complete my 2nd 6 day work week of 5 in a row.

While working in the medical field has taught me to be grateful for every day I have, it can still be very frustrating and trying at times. And while I am trying my best to focus my attention on some long terms financial goals, my current job has confirmed in me that dogs are my passion in life & I yearn to be working w/ them on a full time basis again.

Missoula just isn't the place that feels like home to me anymore. Perhaps I will find myself leaving here in the next few weeks/months/years and working w/ dogs again. In the mean time I have been finding small ways to feed my passion for canis lupus to spare my sanity.

Diva Days

Every year during the month of October (known to many as the month of breast cancer awareness) the hospital campus I work on hosts an all women's 5k run known as Diva Days. Moneys raised from this event go towards a fund to help women who are fighting breast cancer to pay for not only treatment, but also other, just as important, expenses like trips to chemo appointments, wigs, prosthetics, etc.

Not one to ever turn down a good run or a good cause, I laced up my running shoes w/ two co workers and together we ran in the 5k... in our prom dresses...

If you know a breast cancer fighter or survivor, and chances are you do, give them an extra special hug this month. Tell them how much you love them & continue to do so every day for the rest of your lives. <3 div="div">