Castle Museum Turret - White Sulpher Springs, Montana

Finally caught a tour at the charming Castle Museum and Carriage House in White Sulpher Springs, Montana - and glad we did! Built in 1892 by a westward-wandering cousin of Union General William Tecumseh Sherman, the Castle is also known in the National Historic Register as the Byron R. Sherman House. Check out its key feature described in this Waymarking article. 

Bitterroot River Dusk - Blodgett Rotary Park, Hamilton, Montana

Yesterday evening's Bitterroot River ramble conjured fond thoughts of Ratty and Mole.

"Then they got out their boat from the boat-house, sculled down the river home, and at a very late hour sat down to supper in their own cosy riverside parlour, to the Rat's great joy and contentment." - The Wind in the Willows, Ch 2, 

by Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932)

Young Bucks - Missoula, Montana

Much as our "wild" deer annoy me by ransacking my lovingly planted flowers and vegetables (IN my small townie yard in a dense neighborhood!), even I can appreciate that these young bucks are quite beautiful with their sleek caramel coats and still-velvety (but scary) antlers. (Did i mention scary? Have you SEEN that fight scene in Bambi ?).

 

Persevere, Thrive - Missoula, Montana

"Perseverance, secret of all triumphs." - Victor Hugo (1802-1885)

Fallen Leaf Fun - Missoula, Montana

"It is glorious fun racing down the Hump, but you can't do it on windy days because then you are not there, but the fallen leaves do it instead of you. 

There is almost nothing that has such a keen sense of fun as a fallen leaf."

- J.M. Barrie, The Little White Bird, page 122

Green Grass Near The Riverbank - Turah, Montana

"In creating, the only hard thing's to begin; a grass-blade's no easier to make than an oak." - James Russell Lowell (1819-1891)

Shadow Tree, Missoula, Montana

When we were kids, our driveway seemed to stretch a mile back to the house after the school bus dropped us off in the afternoon. Shadow "boxing" was a favourite entertainment to pass the walking time. This involved coordination of body movements so one’s shadow self poked a sibling in their shadow eye, or kicked them in their shadow behind - accompanied by a crescendo of giggling, of course.
Perhaps you’re thinking, “Hmmmm…. passive aggression and suppressed anger….“
But please consider: it was cheaper than therapy and never required a trip to the emergency room.

From Little Acorns..., Missoula, Montana

"From little acorns do mighty oaks grow." - philosophical proverb

Given that the University of Montana grounds are well-tended, I doubt these particular little acorns will have a chance to grow mighty like the tree from whence they fell. For a warm-fuzzy take on this proverb, click here to read what Peter Borner has to say.

Ball Bag, Osprey Stadium, Missoula, Montana

This has no deep meaning; I am not a particular fan - I just liked the contrast of the colours. While I do not understand the nuances of baseball, Ollie Osprey (mascot) is fun, I always cheer for camaraderie‘s sake, and I appreciate the time available for random photos.

White Birches Green Grass, Missoula, Montana

Ahhh, the lovely coolness of white birches & green, green grass!  This looks to be the perfect place to have a picnic, or read a book - except I'm sure the grass is rife with weed-busting chemicals. Sigh.  But the birch-grass combo does add a lovely aspect to a stroll to Hastings for coffee.

Raindrops Reclining, Missoula, Montana

Oft-scorned quackgrass is elevated to new status by these fantastical raindrops.

A string of diamond pearls.... new peas in their pod.... alien ladybugs walking over a hill to home....what does this make you think of?

Wandering the Willow Path, Bitterroot River, Hamilton, Montana

This leaf-strewn path is a lovely stretch for the legs - or the more modest ‘limbs’, in 1870's speak.