Thursday, July 26, 2012

Bear Tooth & Sunlight

We had a much needed break from the usual around here.  It was also a nice break from the heat.  The Bear Tooth Pass is an awesome sight as usual and the Sunlight Basin…well, it was breathtaking.  This cabin was new to us so that was an adventure too.  The cabin had everything:  electricity, water, an actual shower with hot water, three bedrooms, refrigerator, microwave and even a washer and dryer!  The first day had a shocker when we were unloading the cars.  I was with my son unloading when Lovely who was standing closer to the cabin said:  “bear!”.  My first thought was a black bear that was far away but to my shock it was a very large grizzly bear about seventy yards away!  I shouted for Love and Gabby to go inside the cabin and fortunately the bear got startled and moved out of sight.  Later we found out this area had problem bears released in the area, I’m quite glad we didn’t have any problem with it!  We had other visitors that weren’t as large or dangerous but were a lot of fun none the less.  I think we all just loved having a change of scenery.  You couldn’t go wrong no matter which way you looked out from the cabin.  Don’t get me wrong, I like our views here from our house but it’s pretty hard to beat things like this.  Though I hear it’s been dry in the area of the cabin the mountains remained very beautiful.  I enjoy seeing other pines besides what we have near our house too.  The cabin was built in the 30s so the style was rustic and different from the other ones we’d stayed in before.  The fence gate had a tree shaped holes cut in them…I thought that was a cool touch.  I’m a texture man so while I was examining the fence I couldn’t help but notice the rusty bolts embedded in some of the fence posts.  I also like the moss and such that grows on old fences don’t you?  I think the delicate greens and the worn wood make for a texture lovers dream.  The front gate to the cabin had the same tree cut pattern but there was a large spring on it that creaked like some old castle door when it was opened.  The cabin host and his wife were actually from Pennsylvania.  He faithfully raised and lowered the flag each day.  The ground hogs became our best friends before it was all over.  Their antics were really funny and they all had personalities that was surprising for such little fellows.  We explored down this road both directions and even spent the day wading a bit on a warm day.  You just can’t beat the smell of a wild rose!  We spent a lot of time looking to see if the large grizzly would return but that didn’t happen…nothing but beautiful scenery out there.  Interestingly enough (or not) most of the fences weren’t the standard barbwire I was used to…most was wooden and when there was barbwire it looked old and on its way out.  What’s better then a classic weenie roast when in the woods?  I have many more pictures to share but that will have to wait for now.  I hope all is with you my friends.  The truth is I wasn’t ready to come back but it’s good to have friends to come home to when you do have to return right?

32 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures Joe. I am glad you all had such a great time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you kindly Beth, I think if we all had trips like this once in a while we'd all be a lot happier. I've got more pics to share...stay tuned!

      Delete
  2. You sure had a beautiful place to have a vacation.
    The fence with the tree shape cut in it sure is unique. The wild rose is such a lovely color.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was beautiful and really rustic...but it had better stuff than any cabin we've ever been to...kind of nice for a change I've got to say. The rose was amazing and smelled as good as it looked.

      Delete
  3. What a lovely place. The pictures are just awesome. I always enjoy the wonderful pictures you put up. I so interesting to see how others look at God's world.

    I would have been keeping an eye out for a bear too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a pleasure to share them with you my friend. You just don't get more creative then God and seeing what He's got out there for us us just awesome for sure.

      Delete
  4. Hi Joe,

    Really enjoyed this post, thank you for sharing it with us. I love all the pictures and especially like the tree shape cut outs. Could almost feel the fear and see the grizzly bear. Pleased you and your family were able to have this wonderful break.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you could enjoy it my dear friend. That was a terrified moment with that large bear but God was watching out for us as always. Bless you Nita.

      Delete
  5. Hi Joe,
    I love to see all of beautiful picture.
    I hope every thing I can be back in here.
    Michiko

    ReplyDelete
  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by my friend, all is well here though it looks like the heat has returned to stay for a while :(

      Delete
  7. Hi Joe!
    Thank you so much that make big happy with me.
    be back to you all the time.
    Michiko

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Joe!
    You have a nice your son with bear! it was very large grizzly bear and I love to looking out from the cabin..
    Do you know the temperature also tell below Zero in the alpine region Ballarat.
    After winter time pines besides will be cold-stream on the your house texture man... I will be back to help for weenie rust weeds?

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Grizzlies killed several people last year, unusual actually and not a thing to mess with...I'm just glad this one didn't have cubs! During the winter nobody would be able to access this area I think...cold that will freeze anything and snow many feet deep. I'd share the hot dogs but they're long gone! I use Windows Live Messenger my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  12. After the grizzly I made have turned around and leave. It all is beautiful there. We actually made wood shutters for a house with cut out pine trees in them ;-) I love the details also of the fence and the rose. Glad you all are safe and had a nice get away.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That grizzly was awesome to behold! You've got shutters like that? Well, isn't that just cool! Thanks for stopping by Toodie!

      Delete
    2. a grizzly bear and u walk there Joe????
      now im not afraid easy but i will not walk without looking around every minut

      Is that not dangerous?
      I will join Nandy lol
      get into the car and zoefffffffffffffffff.

      Delete
    3. They can be very dangerous indeed. Last year several people died in Grizzly Bear attacks. They are large and powerful and if they have cubs you must be very careful. I have a gun but still am interested in getting some bear spray...I'd much rather be safe then sorry.

      Delete
  13. So happy you had a nice time..nice to have a place you can get away to..so glad those bears stayed away too. Love the photos! Have a blessed week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was good but quickly gone my friend, it's roasting here and our state is dry as a bone right now...I guess we'll have to wait for relief in that regard. I will put up more pictures from this trip starting tomorrow...good memories! Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  14. Hi Joe!
    I just thinking about you ..
    see you soon.
    Michiko

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Michiko, thinking of you too! I've been watching the Olympics and thoroughly enjoying it. I pray all is well with you.

      Delete
  15. Joe, these vacation pictures beat them all! They are awesome and the view just makes me wish so much that I could see it too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you'd truly enjoy it Carole! Maybe some day you'll stop by, you never know!

      Delete
  16. Good thing the Bear was gone. I really dont like them near either.
    Loved all the photos. The fence with the textures is wonderful and I think a fav. Glad you all had a wonderful time. and washer and dryer.. heaven .:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think we share some similar countryside in some ways Lisa but there are certainly differences. That bear was a beauty but it was surely danger close...the nice extras in that cabin did make life a lot easier!

      Delete
  17. Boy that Grizzly would have made me a little anxious about walking about and exploring the area. I so love the details on the fences and more that you see. What no grizzly photo...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, no grizzly photo, I was unloading the car and thought my family was danger close. Fortunately when I told them to go in the cabin the bear got startled and ran off...ah well. Thanks for stopping by my friend.

      Delete
  18. Thank you Joe, it was nice to thinking about me ...
    I went other part of yours that is your grandfather and Gabby is lovely girl too.
    I waiting for this is okay with me.....
    Michiko

    ReplyDelete