It's been a strange winter...early December brought us sub-zero temps for the first time in 3 years. We dropped to -14 and re-learned what winter is. Then we received snow; almost a foot of it...and we thought, 'finally, we are getting a real Montana winter'. But then January came, and with it warmer temps and rain. Rain on top of our frozen ground brings only one thing to Rock Creek, and that is ice. Everywhere. The walking is difficult - we've all become experts at the Artie Johnson shuffle, once again. The last several days have been up in the 40's and there has been a spring-like feel to the air. And though we'd like to get excited, it's too early. We need snow...and though the chart looks good, there is no snow in the forecast for the next 10 days. I won't say we're worried, but will say we are cautiously concerned.
As a RESIDENT though, this winter has been outstanding! Other than the ice, it's been fairly warm, we haven't had to shovel much snow, and the roads have been good. It's weird to be looking at winter from 2 viewpoints, but really that's the way we do it.
Joe has been working in his wood shop these past few weeks building cabinets for different people. He finished a beautiful corner cabinet for the Coleman's place (the cabin he built last year) and has just finished some bathroom cabinets for our neighbors Dave & Katie. He also built a cabinet for the bathroom in our bedroom...another thing crossed off the honey do list :)
Today he's gone ice fishing for perch with Gary Brown and my Dad. Hopefully they come home with a mess of them. Dad lives near the Perma bridge (between Dixon & Paradise) on the Flathead River, and he met Joe & Gary at the Pablo reservoir. Sometimes it's really good, and other times it's really stinky. We'll see what the tale is today. One thing I know though, they'll have fun. My Dad is quite a character, and will keep them amused...of that, I have no doubt. Here's a good story for you, that happened last summer.
Joe & Gary were going to fish for bass on the Flathead, and Dad was going to do their shuttle. Since the Flathead River is on the reservation you have to have a Tribal Permit; Joe wasn't sure of the fishing regulations though, so he asked Dad how many were legal to keep. Dad said 'how big is your cooler?' Joe laughed and said, no, really...what are the regs? Dad said, well now, I'm not sure...lets stop at the Perma Store and ask there. Well, the owner at the store seems to play by the same rules as Dad does because when Dad said 'this is my son-in-law, and he seems to think he needs to know how many he can keep'. The guy behind the counter said 'well, as many as you can catch'. So, there you have it :) Joe is off on an adventure with Dad, on the reservation...and though I know they're playing by the rules, I'm sure there are alot of stories that have been told today and I'm not sure how much truth has been in them.
A good portion of the creek is pretty much frozen over, other than the very lower section. I got some good photos last week when we drove up to mile 22 to install that cabinet, and I though you'd like to see what it looks like this time of year.
So, here we are...a new year has begun, and is well on its way. We pray all of you reading this are well, and planning your 2014 trip to Rock Creek. It's quite a place, summer OR winter...nothing really compares. It is the solitude of winter though, that replenishes the soul with its quiet...and peace. And readies us for the activities of summer when the days are long and there are many fish to be caught. But now...we contemplate other things. The flames flickering in the fireplace, the chickadees at the feeders, and the tracks in the snow. It is a time to rest...a time to reflect...a time to grow.
That's it from our little house in the big woods of west central Montana...
until next time.
Deb, Joe, & Molly (of course)
As
a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single
thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical
path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think
over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/henrydavid121510.html#kJ3V6zmMx6L1OoZb.99
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/henrydavid121510.html#kJ3V6zmMx6L1OoZb.99
As
a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single
thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical
path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think
over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.
Henry David Thoreau
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/h/henry_david_thoreau.html#szWokOKI6vKHAdKl.99
Henry David Thoreau
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/h/henry_david_thoreau.html#szWokOKI6vKHAdKl.99
As
a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single
thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical
path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think
over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.
Henry David Thoreau
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/h/henry_david_thoreau.html#szWokOKI6vKHAdKl.99
Henry David Thoreau
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/h/henry_david_thoreau.html#szWokOKI6vKHAdKl.99
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| mile marker 20...Walquist (white bridge) area |
Henry David Thoreau
