Flathead Lake-Side-Walk, Sacajawea Park, Polson, Montana

If you’re ever in Polson, Montana, and need to while away part of a day, start at Sacajawea Park, on the west shore of Flathead Lake. After walking through the park, you can continue south along the shoreline on the lake side of town, then climb a little hill to downtown Polson and finish your ramble with a superior meal at the Old World Delicatessen.

Stormy Weather - Flathead Lake, Polson, Montana

Stormy skies in the weekend forecast - but Flathead Lake is a boon to the soul in any weather. Add to the horizon stretching view a sumptuous, scrumptious patio dinner at Mrs Wonderful’s Cafe and you have the recipe for a perfect Friday night in western Montana. 

Lonely Docks, Flathead Lake, Somers, Montana

Holiday Repost: 28 April 2012
I actually turned around & came back to these empty, off-season docks near Somers, Montana, on the upper west shore of Flathead Lake.  They exuded such an elegant starkness, patiently waiting for the return of higher water, optimistic fishermen, & busy boaters.

Lonely Docks, Flathead Lake, Somers, Montana

I actually turned around & came back to these empty, off-season docks near Somers, Montana, on the upper west shore of Flathead Lake.  They exuded such an elegant starkness, patiently waiting for the return of higher water, optimistic fishermen, & busy boaters.

Smoky Mountains - Flathead Lake, Montana

From Flathead Lake’s west shore, it’s easy to see in the smoky mountain range layers that we are still in wildfire season. Here’s hoping for some of the rain my Alberta auntie mentioned recently!

Serene Storm Reflections, Flathead Lake, Montana

Today's post of Flathead Lake in Western Montana is my first guest blog! Many thanks to Tom Nash (aka My Darling Husband) for sharing this lovely scene. Since Tom is one of the most serene people I know - a fabulous influence when I list toward high-strung - I find this a very apt contribution. A couple weeks ago, Tom headed north on his classic Honda motorcycle to catch a plane out of Kalispell. On his trip home, the weather and the views were grand, so he stopped to capture a few views on his phone camera.  Since he doesn't purport to be any level of photographer, I was particularly delighted when he said, "Hey, I took a few photos that you might like, in case you can use one for your blog...".  Enjoy!

Dock of the Bay, Flathead Lake, Polson, Montana

This snippet of dock is just below Fiesta en Jalisco restaurant on Flathead Lake in Polson, Montana.
I was somewhat mesmerized by the contrasts of line and texture and colour - the efficient curves of the cleat, the straight lines and grey scale of the weathered wood against the sinuous wavelets in the green green water.

Library A-fish-iandos, Polson, Montana

“Hey, Jaxie! Word in the tank is Craig Johnson’s latest read will get you in a tailspin!”

I love public libraries. They each boast individual flair and coziness, but all share in common some of my favourite things: books and people who love books.

Upon entering the North Lake County Public Library in Polson, Montana, you’re greeted by dinner-size fish, who also love the library, making serene laps in a large tank bordering the children’s section. Part of my lake day was spent enjoying a reading nook which overlooks Sacajawea Park and Flathead Lake.

Beyond Fuzzy, Polson, Montana

Road signs in the Flathead Valley tie to regional history by listing place names in both English and Salish or Kootenai languages. The names are not mere translation between languages, but rather a listing of the names given by each culture to the same place, with the Salish or Kootenai name also translated to English.The aboriginal names often reveal  particular attributes of the location: Evaro Area is otherwise known as “Little Valley Behind Hills”; St. Ignatius as “Place Where You Surround Something”. These more descriptive names pulled my eyes to scan beyond the roadside and weekend lake traffic; I garnered a broader appreciation of my travel route to Flathead Lake.
Perhaps this extreme fuzz’s name in another language translates to “Old Man’s Crazy Eyebrow“ ?
(For a (ahem) manly laugh, please read the blog in the preceding text link.)

Flathead Cherries - Big Fork, Montana

Western Montana's regional June heat wave made for a slightly early cherry harvest at Flathead Lake's many orchards. Goody for me, who had to drive up around the Lake yesterday! Nothing like bite-size summer bliss for a perfect snack on a mini road trip to youth camp.

Dock - Flathead Lake, Polson, Montana

In case you wonder, “Why would anyone label their dock?”, the full inscription actually reads “PRIVATE DOCK”.
(Hmmmm... I hear the murmur - especially if you know I don't have a boat, or a dock, or convenient acquaintances who share such - wondering, how then did this photo come about?)
But given the lack of hangers-about, and the lure of this perfect, weathered pier, I ran with that golden maxim, “Sometimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness, not permission.”
And - lucky me ! - there was no need to request either! 
Untroubled, I sat down where the seagulls had not left their brand of graffiti and savoured the luscious lake and mountain view, to a soundtrack of lappy-lappy waves backed by a sighing wind section. 
Livin' a version of the Montana good life!

No Words Needed - Flathead Lake, Montana

 

Spring Ice Break Up - Flathead Lake, Polson, Montana

On dealing rightly with those who depend on us:
" ...you do not understand - trust is like a broken mirror, you may still see yourself, but you can never dismiss the crack."

-From Depth of Winter, A Longmire Mystery, by Craig Johnson, page 69

Moving On - Spring Ice on Flathead Lake, Polson, Montana

"If there were ever two words that had no meaning they were moving on.
Sorrow isn't a place you can leave behind.
It's part of you.
It changes the way you see, feel, and think,
 and every once in a while, the pain isn't remembered, it's relived;
 the anguish as real and heartbreaking
 as if it was happening all over again."
-From Righteous by Joe Ide, p. 4

Puff of Weed, Polson, Montana

In my recent ramble Flathead Lake, Montana, some of the sights were of the wild flora variety, like this weed seed puff.

Wind-Tossed Sky Over Flathead Lake- Polson, Montana

"And yet these flying fountains of all the rivers of earth, these armed and thundering legions of the storm, that beat down the forests with hail and bury the mountains in snow, and flood the plains with water, go floating over us at vast heights with all their mighty magazines when all our philosophy would require them to sink to the earth."

- Daniel March (1816-1909), "The Balancings of the Clouds," Our Father's House, or the Unwritten Word, 1869

Wonder More - Ladybug - Big Arm, Flathead Lake, Montana

“Here, where much more is hidden than apparent, I am reminded that a companion to mystery is peace; that knowing less and wondering more offers expectancy.”

-Joan Anderson, in A Year By The Sea, p. 163

Sacajawea Park on Flathead Lake, Polson, Montana

I got to tag along with The Sound Guys (hubby & friend) on a day trip to Polson, Montana. Sacajawea Park was one of my ramble locations.

Morning Calm - Flathead Lake, Big Arm, Montana

“Now that your worry has proved 

such an unlucrative business
Why not find a better job?”
― Hafiz (1315-1390)

My Little Boat (On Flathead Lake), Polson, Montana

"Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a yacht big enough to pull up right alongside it." - David Lee Roth (Possibly a mis-quote)

And some days, happiness aplenty is found in watching the calm bobbing progress of a wee vessel comprised of a seagull feather mast wedged into a shoredrifted scrap of pine bark.