Slow Autumn - Grant Creek, Missoula, Montana

....odd to see an abundance of green leaves AFTER we've had our first snow! But the inevitable change is underway... 

 

September Snow - Missoula, Montana

After some pseudo-snow-spit last night, the forecast downfall materialized for real (shocker!) this morning in Missoula town proper. But I'm thankful it's not the 2-feet-&-counting in Browning & other Montana towns further north.

(And still my summer petunias bloom fiercely on...)

 

Encircling Clouds - Near-ish Missoula, Montana

Aaaaand they say the Missoula, Montana, area may receive record-breaking snow this weekend....!

Should make for an interesting experience at the Robert Plant concert in Kettlehouse's outdoor river ampitheatre... venue notes say the show will go on, rain or shine!

"Clouds are round about You...shadows veil Your eyes...."

Summer's Last Hurrah - Missoula, Montana

Yesterday's last of the sweet summer sunshine over the Missoula International Airport was a lovely welcome home - and a perfect reason to ride bikes down to get some Sweet Peaks ice cream! 
(New fall flavours - &, yes, we tasted them ALL! Yummmmmm!!!) 

 

Beargrass Close - Rogers Pass, Montana

"...The reason we love it so much is that it takes us back to winter, our bikes somehow feel like we’re riding lightest and deepest snow, only at 75 degrees and in short sleeves. Riding through fields exploding in the white, softball size blooms of the bear grass, many at perfect handlebar height, can be just as much fun as skiing the best run of the winter...." 
 -Phil Grove, from Ben's Beargrass, 21 May 2018 essay at Eskapee 

July Beargrass On The Continental Divide - Rogers Pass, Montana

Other-worldly beargrass, blooming late in the season, beckons to come further up the mountain path at the top of the Continental Divide at Rogers Pass (elevation 5610 ft)
(Alas, we did not heed the call, partly because we are more akin now to City Mouse and are dreadfully afraid of bears...)

 

Illumination - Missoula, Montana

Clouds are forming up tonight in similar fashion as preceded yesterday evening's late-night light show...here's hoping for another good storm (minus the brief onslaught of hail, and please no forest or other fire-inducing lightning strikes, of course).

 

Imagination Station - near Rogers Pass, Montana

I learned today (thanks to Montana author/editor/blogger Amber Holcomb) that, in the language of flowers, the lupine symbolizes imagination.
So, imagine yourself with me & Sis #3, beaming back at the Montana sun, surrounded by purples of mountain majesty and lupines both.