On the way back from taking Trooper and Popeye to the vet in Helena today (see post above), I decided to take some photos of the road home -- during the last 10 or so miles, from just north of Helmville on Montana Highway 141 all the way to the ranch. So here's a quick travelogue. And yes, I did take them while driving, but don't worry, I wasn't looking through the viewfinder as I drove ... just using the autofocus and clicking away!
In the first photo at top, I've driven past Helmville and am heading toward the junction with Montana Highway 200 at the Blackfoot River. In this next photo I'm on Hwy 200, now headed west. That's Ovando Mountain in the distance ... the ranch is at the base of the mountain:
Still heading west, and after this curve I'll start up an incline:
Now I'm at the top of the hill and about to drop down into the broad valley called Kleinschmidt Flat, where the ranch is. That's the Swan Range in the distance:
In this next shot below I've turned right, or north, off Hwy 200 and onto our county road that runs north-south. You can see why it's called Kleinschmidt Flat, right? (The Kleinschmidts were the original settlers out here in the 1800s.) You can't see the road sign from the highway, so it doesn't do any good to look for it:
Here I'm now headed due north on Kleinschmidt Flat Road, towards Ovando Mountain in the distance:
About two miles farther on, I've crossed Dry Gulch Road, which runs east-west across the Flat, and now you can begin to see the ranch buildings behind the sign (click on the photo for a larger version and you can read the sign):
A little bit further and here's a better view of the ranch:
Our drive, a private lane, is coming up on the right-hand side farther down the road:
Here's where Rolling Dog Ranch Lane starts, and it continues across the ranch, eventually turning south in the middle of the property and connecting with Dry Gulch Road at the other end. (The wind has turned our signpost a little!) On the right is our new hay barn, and Widget's House is behind it to the left:
I've turned down our lane ... there's the hay barn again, and Beauty's Barn is the first large structure on the right past the small "mini-barn":
And next is our snowed-over sanctuary sign, with a closer view of Beauty's Barn. That's blind Bridger and his girlfriend blind Madison in the corral outside their mini-barn. Note how much snow we have, and then compare this photo to the very first photo, taken just 10 miles away, and see how little snow there was outside Helmville. Typically we have way more snow than surrounding areas:
That concludes today's travelogue!
(Note: Click on any photo for a larger version.)
Do I dare tell you it was 86 degrees here today? I'd rather have snow!! That was an awesome blog!!! Great job and glad you made it home safe!!
Posted by: Nicci | February 19, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Who plows the private roads? It's beautiful both in the summer and winter. You two are living your dream and we get to hop in for the ride.
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | February 19, 2008 at 10:28 PM
What a beautiful Montana winter!!!Great photos!
Posted by: Nina | February 19, 2008 at 08:49 PM
I found you on google maps!
Posted by: Janet | February 19, 2008 at 07:23 PM
Great travelogue! You have quite a bit more snow than us. We have only had two big storms of note so far this winter.
You have an excellent blog and your posts are a pleasure to read! You really should consider writing a book about the Ranch.
Posted by: Mark | February 19, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Great Idea Steve...was a beautiful day to take pictures!! Shows how gorgeous the mountains are in the winter. Gives everyone who hasn't had the opporunity to visit the ranch a better idea of what it looks like and how to get there.
Posted by: Laura | February 19, 2008 at 02:18 PM
What GORGEOUS scenery! I wish we got that much snow here in VA!
Posted by: Kathryn | February 19, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Thanks for the lovely pictures! I've been through Helmville before, so I have been in your neck of the "woods". I really enjoyed getting to see the approach to the fantastic RDR!
Big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | February 19, 2008 at 01:26 PM
I am praying for Trooper's surgical success. Please keep us updated on the blog. He looks so adorable now. You have done wonderful things for this pet. Thank you and best wishes for a successful procedure.
Posted by: Claire S. Moen | February 19, 2008 at 01:15 PM
WOW...this was a fun journey to take with you Steve! Thank you for showing us the the beauty of a Montana winter road trip...awesome!!
Posted by: Boundforglory | February 19, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Thank you for the Trooper update and the travel pictures.
I have wanted to see the ranch area for a long time and now I have a great set of pictures to look at. Beautiful area.
Mary
Posted by: Mary Ware | February 19, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Good Luck Trooper!Thanks for the beautiful Photos!!!
Posted by: Mary Young | February 19, 2008 at 07:47 AM
Thank you!! Only looks a little different from when we visited during August!!! :)
Posted by: Joyce | February 18, 2008 at 10:07 PM