La Tortuga, here is a link to some photo's of the area that I have posted here. Bitterroot Photo's[/URL" target="_blank">

The mountains to the west, the main river flowing north to Missoula and the valley are named after the Montana State flower, the Bitterroot. This is all within Ravalli County, population about 30,000. Hamilton is the county seat, which is about 10 miles north of our home in the forest. The location is Southwestern Montana and borders with Idaho. To the east of the valley are the foothills of the Saphire mountain range. Because the valley is surrounded by mountains, the tempuratures in the valley are moderated and does not get as cold, nor as hot as most of Montana, hence the nickname, "the banana belt of Montana"

The most outstanding features of the Bitterroot can be seen from Stevensville to the north to Trappers peak to the south where the mountains raise gently to thier summit and the many glacialy cut canyons are exposed to view. The mountains are heavily forested with Ponderosa pine, Grand Fir and Cedar. The Bitterroot Selway wilderness along the Bitterrot is easily accessed thru the many canyons, about 3 miles from the trailheads where you may not see another soul on your outing, on foot or horseback.

The wildlife around here is, Mule and whitetail deer, moose, elk, bighorn and mountain sheep, coyotes, wolf, black bear, couger, skunks, porcupines, various game birds and etc. Lots of turkeys but they are transplants from the east.

The strange part: There is a spiritual feel to valley. I don't know where it comes from or what it is, but others around here know what I am talking about. As soon as you drop down out of Lost trail pass from the south into the valley, this thing hits you, almost a feeling of relief and calm. When driving out of the valley, there is a sense of loss. The same thing holds true for the Big Hole dropping out of Bannock Pass. There is an interesting gost town there, Bannock and some great montana history there. They have the old hanging posts where they were able to hang 2 at a time. They had hired some deputies to round up all the criminals, who instead started praying on the ranchers. They had to round them all up and hang them, 2 at a time. A little off topic there.

Larry

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"If you see a man running up a mountain trail in Montana with a fly pole attached to his back, you are probably lost. LDD

it's still summer in the methow, but i got out a little earlier than usual, hence a little cooler - still in the 60s and gorgeous blue skies. this was the last run before saturday, so DH and pelle walked while i ran and we had all kinds of adventures. a few deer before we even left red dog road (our country lane), rabbits, chipmunks... the run was just what i wanted, 5 miles, 13.48 pace, 125 AHR.

so that's it - 420 miles since the göteborgsvarvet HM in may and i will hit 900 for the year during saturday's run. i had to take a few weeks off due to injury in april, so i think i'm better prepared this time.

could i ask what people mean by "throwaway shirts"? you wear something that you just leave on the way during the race? the race starts at 8 am and it will probably be in the 50s, and warming to 70s by the time i'm done at 11. it will be chilly in the beginning, so maybe that's what to do? what do you do with the shirt when you get warm?

good runs to all and healing to those who are hurting in body and soul,


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susan[/URL" target="_blank">

...thanks dg//.......they just drew blood for a Thyroid Scan.....pickles wanted me to do it.....

........frankly, at this point, I could care less.......

but if the hip makes me stop running,,,,,,,that would bother me.........we'll see.......

http://This message has been edited by tomwhite (edited Sep-13-2007).

Let's see if this link works, to some photos I took today of my favourite route.

http://picasaweb.google.com/karenleighcraig/Sept2007[/URL" target="_blank">

Nice 45 minute run this morning. 15EZ, then 15 at 10K pace then 15 EZ. Quads a little tight, they need to see the foam roller.

Progress on nailing down a place to live for October 1st continues, paperwork and negotiating taking place...hopefully will hear soon. then I have to pack up UGH...what a job that will be on top of negotiating every piece of furniture, etc...

Hug your loved ones, so you d'ont have to go thru this..

Going to Topdown's (some of you will remember that Topdown used to post daily in the past on CR) and his wife for a drink and some solace away from home tonight...

Cheers
Tall

my name is mcsolar99. you dropped me last week. prepare to die.

nah, too violent.

1200
23c 2057m altitude
8km ez 5:36/km pace

rocky start this morning, but got some excellent new observations of our sun, some are the first of their kind. i like this job

good-day sunshine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFxXoHkIwMk[/URL" target="_blank">

quote:<HR>Originally posted by enkephalin:
Let's see if this link works, to some photos I took today of my favourite route.

http://picasaweb.google.com/karenleighcraig/Sept2007[/URL" target="_blank">

<HR>

Oooooh. Very nice and pastoral. So the fog never lifted down there? We're bright-blue and sparkly today, but yesterday was cccccold all day.

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Mustang Sally
Boomers and Beyond wiki[/URL" target="_blank">

Great runs all,i ran a new trail route i saw sometimes driving home from work it was real nice,9.3 miles @ 7:10 pace,all have great day.