First of all, thank you for all of the super nice comments you all left on the blog and in emails for Alan while he stayed home last week and took care of the farm. Being home on the farm alone is a lot of hard work, and I know he appreciated all of your notes. While he was here tending to the farm, I was enjoying a fantastic camping trip with my parents! I took about 350 photos, and here are a few of my favorites... (You can click on the photos to see them a bit larger.)
On Monday, we drove from my parents house (in northeastern Washington) through the Idaho panhandle into northwestern Montana. Mom and I drove together in the Suburban towing the river boat, while Dad drove in front of us towing their little vintage camper trailer with the pontoon boat strapped to the back. Amazingly enough, it's not a very long drive - just a couple of hours (if that).
We camped on the shore of the Kootenai River. Here is the view just a few feet from the back of our camper when we arrived at camp.
Just a couple of miles up-river from the campground we stayed in is the Libby dam.
I really enjoyed taking photos at the dam -- the colors were super, and the lighting was just as nice!
I kept kicking myself for not taking my "real" camera on the trip, instead of just my pocket-sized point-and-shoot.
Dad and his friend Jeff planned a short float down the river that evening, so they launched the boat and headed out with their fishing poles. It was a perfect evening for a float down river.
The next day, Dad and Jeff took Jeff's wife Paula along for the daily float. I put the pontoon boat in and followed along. Mom stayed back at the camper and did a bit of quilting. We had a bit of wind to deal with, which made floating down-river a challenge at times. But at the end of the day, we made it down river just fine!
Paula did a bit of reading along the way.
I took some photos of my toes, and the amazingly clear river.
Jeff caught some fish, and Dad caught some fish! Every fish caught during the trip was safely released back into the river.
Fishing from the boat.
More fishing from the boat.
Dad, fishing from a rock.
Jeff, making some changes to his set-up.
The two guys, fishing.
Love this shot of Dad through the grass on the riverbank.
A real whopper!
What a wonderful afternoon!
We saw at least two bald eagles during the day, and several osprey nests as well. This osprey nest was a fair distance from the river, but I took photos anyway! There are three birds on the edge of the nest, and one other bird from the nest was flying along the river. I really had to zoom in and hold steady to get this shot (not easy to do while you swirl around in the river's current!)
Here is another view of the same nest, pretty far back from the river.
We floated the river until the sun set behind the mountains.
The next day we decided to move down river to the west side of Troy, Montana. We found a great site at a riverside campground and planned an afternoon river float down the Kootenai River to where the Yaak River meets the Kootneai. On this day, Dad and Jeff took Mom in the river boat with them, and I tagged along behind in the pontoon boat again taking more photos.
Here is Jeff fishing the river on one of our many stops along the way.
Here Dad is fishing a narrow channel of the river, off of a long rock bar in the middle of the river.
The sun was sparkling off of one of the many treasures on Dad's hat.
The afternoon sun created dreamy light on the slower parts of the river.
I like dreamy light!
Can you see the water coming off of Jeff's line? That's cooooool!
The following morning, we started our way home. We stopped in at Ross Cedars for a short hike through the old growth forest.
The old cedars are quite amazing. Dad placed his hat on this one for a photo op.
The scenic views were beautiful...
...at every turn!
And when we finally pulled into the driveway, the resident wild turkeys came running to say hello!
P.S. I think your dad looks like Patrick McManus. Have you read his books?
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | August 31, 2009 at 12:41 PM
What a glorious set of photos! There's nothing better than being in the outdoors in the fall, is there? We just returned from Banff, Canada, and these photos make me wish I was back there. Love the 'dreamy' light shots . . . you're a pro with lighting!
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | August 31, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Wow! Beautiful shots! :0)
Posted by: Tracy | August 30, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Lovely! Thanks for sharing glimpses of your wonderful vacation!
Posted by: Danielle | August 30, 2009 at 08:38 PM
oh goodnes, I just had to pop in to say that your photography is stunning. What a beautiful place
Posted by: Tracy | August 27, 2009 at 04:58 AM
Sooooooo homesick I am. sniff. No mountains, shiny rivers or old-growth forests in Florida. Just heat, humidity, bugs, and the occasional pretty flower or bird. Love the turkeys that welcomed you home. We had an egret welcome us home. I blogged him. Sorry about your little goat. Life is hard on the farm.
Posted by: kathynruss | August 27, 2009 at 04:22 AM
This place is amazing! With all the clear waters and green environment. It's perfect! By the way, wonderful vacation photos!
God bless!
Posted by: Volunteering abroad | August 27, 2009 at 03:35 AM
After viewing your amazing vacation photos, I have only one thing to say, "Will you, or your parents, please adopt me!!!" My first (and unfortunately, last) vacation to Montana and Idaho was over 30 years ago. Oh, how I would love to live there!
Posted by: E Waterous (on SCS) | August 26, 2009 at 01:33 PM
Oh how I miss Montana! Thanks for making my day with those awesome pictures.
Posted by: Joanne | August 26, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Anna, thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures from your camping trip. I will have to show them to my "fisherman" nephew who is 10 years old. I just love the scenery! I've always wanted to go to Montana for a visit, although I could never move from beautiful upstate NY! Thanks again!
Posted by: Annette | August 26, 2009 at 09:27 AM
Fantastic photos. Love the old cedars.
Posted by: DeeDee Roe | August 25, 2009 at 10:29 PM
We live in beautiful country. Thank you for sharing your photo's.
Posted by: Laurie in MN | August 25, 2009 at 01:31 PM
These are wonderful photos Anna. Especially
the fly fishing ones. They bring the picture alive with the whizzing lines. Can't say the fish they caught warranted all
the work though. LOL.
Posted by: Norma | August 25, 2009 at 01:08 PM
Absolutely gorgeous photo's. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Jill | August 25, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Anna these are spectacular. What a dreamy location. I could live out in that location and be perfectly content (at least until it got cold). Your photos captured the serenity perfectly. TFS
Posted by: Justine | August 25, 2009 at 01:40 AM
Your photos are wonderful! Looking at them almost makes me feel like I'd been on vacation too. Thanks!
Posted by: Martha | August 24, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Yup, the pictures are so nice I should have stayed home and I would known how the trip turned out! Then I would have stayed home for a day or two longer to avoid the wind on tuesday! Paula has some pictures of Anna screaming going through some "white water" she says they are pretty good too. yuk, yuk yuk.......... Love, ....Dad
Posted by: DK Wight | August 24, 2009 at 05:55 PM
thanks for sharing the photos -- beautiful country!
Posted by: Sandy in VA | August 24, 2009 at 05:28 PM
Goodness, I enjoyed the pix and the description of what you all did and saw. Amazing! What a truly beautiful place. It looks so relaxing as well as majestic. Heaven!
Posted by: Lisa Hjulberg | August 24, 2009 at 03:27 PM
Way to go, Anna! :) Thanks for the travelogue! :) I better not show them to my husband and kids, though, or there will be massive jealousy! :)
Posted by: Shala | August 24, 2009 at 01:04 PM
Ohhh Anna you amazing photos made me feel as if I had tagged along on the fun and relaxing trip. Glad you had a good time and are safe at home. You have inspired me with your photos and I am currently taking a digital photography class! I love it. Hugs...
Posted by: Carol Dee | August 24, 2009 at 12:52 PM
So beautiful anna...makes me homesick! I loved the pics with the "dreamy light" those were my fav! very nice, sounds like a nice relaxing vacation!
Posted by: Renee | August 24, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Just beautiful pics! Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip with us.
Posted by: Troy Louise | August 24, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Anna, your point and shoot photos are better than mine with a real camera any day. You have the eye, girl. Looks like you had a wonderful time. I love that dreamy light, too. Thanks for sharing :-)
Posted by: Barb S | August 24, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Wow Anna, great photos. As I looked at each one I kept thinking "Is Anna getting ideas for new stamps???" Thanks for sharing
Posted by: Kathy Archer | August 24, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Beautiful photos, Anna...and beautiful country!! Thank you for sharing. Looks like you had a wonderful time.
~Lacey
Posted by: Lacey | August 24, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Wonderful photos-glad you had a great vacation. Looks very relaxing! tfs
Like your stamp sets!
Posted by: Bev J. | August 24, 2009 at 10:07 AM
WOW, WOW, WOW!! What superb photos. Wish my point & shoot would take photos like that. Mind you, it's probably more to do with the person behind the camera - lol!! Would love to know what your little point and shoot is ....
Posted by: Pam (PeeJay) | August 24, 2009 at 09:50 AM
Just fabulous photos of the river, Anna. I felt like I was right there with you!
Posted by: Kathy | August 24, 2009 at 09:30 AM
These were taken with a Point and shoot? SERIOUSLY?! What camera are you using (seriously....I would love to know how you get such wonderful photos with a p&S....WOW!)
Posted by: Starla(star) | August 24, 2009 at 08:33 AM
Beautiful pics...enjoyed them greatly!!
Posted by: Jackie | August 24, 2009 at 08:24 AM
Amazing photos even with a point and shoot camera! Glad to hear you had a great time.
Posted by: Beth M | August 24, 2009 at 07:32 AM
Wonderful pics, Anna! Looks like you had a great time and now I'm even more antsy to go on a trip somewhere (haven't been anywhere for over a year).
Posted by: Cheryl R | August 24, 2009 at 07:04 AM
It always cracks me up when people say they can travel to another state in just a couple hours. TX is just too dang big, LOL. These are beautiful photos. It looks like it was a beautiful and relaxing place to camp at. I love all the fly fishing pics. That always mesmerizes me to watch!
Posted by: Kimberly O'Rosky | August 24, 2009 at 06:26 AM
Every one of these photos is suitable and worthy of framing. I particularly liked the shots of Dad. I'm so happy to see that you documented your time with your folks so well. These are some breath taking photos and I feel privileged to see them on your blog. TFS. Welcome home.
Posted by: Gabriela | August 24, 2009 at 05:59 AM
AMAZING photos...I can't believe these were taken with a P & S...would love to know what kind you have as I am thinking of buying a new one!
Posted by: Terri | August 24, 2009 at 05:47 AM
Wow, Your photos are absolutely beautiful. What beautiful scenery. Would love to visit that part of the USA.
smallcity
Posted by: smallcity | August 24, 2009 at 05:30 AM
These are amazing! The one of your dad fishing reminds me of the Thomas Kincade picture (and stamp!). Glad you had a nice vacation!
Posted by: Lisa Kind | August 24, 2009 at 04:53 AM
Just gorgeous!!!
Posted by: Janine | August 24, 2009 at 04:07 AM
Beautiful. Nice to see fishermen fly fishing. It is such a pretty way to fish.
Posted by: jeanette | August 24, 2009 at 04:05 AM
Anna..... beautiful pictures....... I'm suddenly feeling very relaxed. 8)
Posted by: Carla Murphy | August 24, 2009 at 03:33 AM
So what's a "real" camera? I can't imagine better shots than the ones you got. Amazing.
Posted by: SueB | August 24, 2009 at 12:29 AM
Beautiful photo !! WOW...so peacful. The one (#21 I think) after the ospreys is stunning ("we floated the river....")
So beautiful!
What do you mean you didn't take your good camera? Are you nuts???
TFS...
Posted by: Sue | August 23, 2009 at 11:58 PM
WOW! Man, I feel like I went with you...what a fabulous trip! How's your mom? I've been thinkin about ya.
Posted by: Shannan Teubner | August 23, 2009 at 11:25 PM