Skiin' with Ali

A nice hole in the clouds.


Ali is skiing without her leash! We made 12 runs from Midway in 2 days!

The Van

Steep n' Cheap:
I remember when everyone drove conversion vans instead of SUVs. I'm not sure why they were called 'conversion vans.' Probably because they were commercial vans converted to vans of opulent luxury. The nicer ones would have up to four captain seats, and usually the back bench seat could convert into a bed. They had thick carpeting, electronically controlled drapes, and built-in color TVs that hung from the ceiling. I saw a stat that about 80% of SUV drivers never take their vehicles off road, and I think these people would be happier if they went back to conversion vans.

Not sure why I found this so great? Probably the memories it conjured up of the various vans that dave n' deb had throughout my childhood. As normal, dave's custom 'conversions' go without saying. It wasn't until I was probably 13 or 14 that we got one that actually had a TV, I never remember the set actually working, but that is beside the point. The carbon footprint we left shuttling kids back and forth to ski hills and camping cross-country in those things was worth the memories alone. Now I think we need a sustainable fuel source more than ever just so we can bring back the Van in good conscience. Then again, it may not meet the needs of the new era of 'campers' who need a 58 foot RV so they can bring along their satellite dishes, outdoor patio heaters, and gas powered generators to keep their shitters flushing their cell phones charged?

-DzJr. (<-- That be brother Doug)

Wintry weather

It's downright cold here now. Winter happened overnight. On Saturday, the wind was rippin' through town and drifting snow up against curbs and cars. Not much snow is left now, but it's cold!

Icicles that have formed on the windows. We are going to put up plastic ASAP.


I made bread in an attempt to heat up the house. It was my first oatmeal bread and it's delish!

Día de los Muertos

Graphic Design.

Disclaimer:
Any action taken in response to this request may very well encourage a questionable breech of personal ethics. However, in doing so could greatly benefit your appetite for trail mix.

Story:
Northern Lights Trading Post of Bozeman has sponsored a tshirt design contest with the theme "local landmark" awarding in-store gift certificates for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place designs. The online voting process has been revealed to be nothing more than a complete hoax with people voting themselves all day long. So, as an act of good measure, I have elected to take corruption into my own hands, and in a shameless act of self interest have decided to racketeer a few votes of my own. If I somehow end up winning a thing I will gladly be sharing a handful of trail mix with each and every one of you on mountain top in the near future. So, here goes, one of the best dang designs in the entire batch happens to be "Beartooth Pass" by, you guessed it, yours truly, DZjr.

1. See the designs http://northernlightstrading.blogspot.com/

2. VOTE! Send an email to contests@northernlightstrading.com with your vote or, drop by Northern Lights on Babcock to fill out a paper ballot.

PS. For any of you out there who want nothing more than to follow your heart and vote for a design other than the impossibly amazing "Beartooth Pass", I urge you to keep in mind that trail mix I mentioned earlier.

PSS. "You want a toe? I can get you a toe. Beleive me, there are ways Dude. Hell, I can get you a toe by three o'clock this afternoon, with nail polish."

Hoop for Peace!

Hoop Wars.


Hoopin' at the Peace sign


Not a bad view.





Run, Madison, Run!

Geology Club trip to Flathead

Geo Club went up to the Flathead area to check out some glacial features around the area. We had a really fun time, but so far, the club isn't living up to the group from last year


Downriver from Kerr Dam


A fort we found at Yellow Bay


How many geologists can you fit into one telephone booth? It was kind of a lame effort, really.


A Gilbert style delta at Wood's Bay Gravel.

The Clay Street Apartment.

I am LOOOOVING my living arrangements this year. We are 2 blocks from downtown and about 6 blocks from campus. PERFECT.


We don't know where this kitty belongs, but we call her Muffy. She comes over when we have our door open.


Sunflowers from the Farmer's Market basking in the sun.


I got out my hula-hoop and pogo stick the other day. My friends are hooked on hooping! They are making hoops this coming Sunday at Hoop for Peace!

Good food.

My roommate, Erin, is a fabulous cook. I'm learning all kind of new tasty tricks from her.


Our attempt at making calzones. We ended up making "pizza balls." Home made marinara sauce and crust! Mmmm!


Home made chocolate espresso mousse with strawberries, a dollop of home made whipped cream, and a few espresso beans.


Poached eggs. Just leave it up to your imagination here. I thought it was quite funny. :)

Necklace Lakes

A relentless hike into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. It was absolutely gorgeous! It rained on us on our way in, and snowed just as we were buckling our packs to head out. My foot is having some issues, so we left a day early. Bummer, but I think it turned out for the best with the weather turning more wintry than we had planned.


C-Bass and Madison


Holland Lake


We thought we were almost there. Not even close.


A nasty blister that was quickly worn off my heel. That's a quarter for size comparison.

aRt.

My friend is spending the summer in Seattle. We decided to be 'pen pals' for the summer. She sent me a great postcard on her last turn, so I had to send her something just as clever. This is what I came up with.

4th of July

I'm a little behind on the blog, but the weather finally turned around and it seems to be summer finally! It was nice to have a small crowd and relax this 4th.


Cooking hotdogs on the beach.


Munching hotdogs on the beach.


mx.sara.michelle.

Hiking to Leigh Lake

get Schmidty!

What do you do when you are partying like it is the one and only day you will ever party at America's most prestigious private ski resort …and you stumble upon Scott Schmidt milling around the crowd?

…You ask him to sign your boob, that's what!

And for all you fools with no idea who or what Scott Schmidt is!?, I recommend you pay your dues:

http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-brand/scot-schmidt.html#/hopup/?showme=1/brand/?id=1&item=0

Ski or DIE!

Old Highway 2

I took a walk up Old Highway 2 and to Shannon Lake, just off the beaten path. I'd never been here before and it was kind of neat.

Shannon Lake.


The valley from high on the hillside.


An old VW Bug.


Curling bark.

RoSs CrEeK cEdArS

I took a friend from out of town up to see the cedar forest and it was quite lovely. Not too many skeeters yet.

Geology Club trip to Yellowstone!

I went to Yellowstone this weekend with Geology Club and our club advisor. She's really intelligent and I learned SO much. She has done a lot of research in the park and knows the best places to go.

I can't remember which geyser basin this was in but I was fiddling with my color accent because the pools were such pretty colors.


Just because it's a post about Yellowstone, I have to add a picture of Old Faithful


Our "guide" for the trip checking out the difference in the scum below the boardwalk. She's a geology professor.


Dead tree surrounded by travertine at Mammoth Terraces.


Mammoth Terraces


This is some photosynthesizing scum in Norris Basin.


There were 2 grizzly bears across the meadow but of course, the geologists found the rock with obsidian veins.


This was such a beautiful creature.


This is the Yellowstone Canyon. I didn't know this existed and it totally blew my mind. The pictures don't do it justice at all but it took my breath away!