So everyone knows that Vermont has the best fall weather, foliage, apple picking, picturesqueness (I think I just made that word up), and general appeal. I was hoping that Montana could complete in at least one of these categories… It turns out it can’t. It also turns out that good ‘ol Mother Nature decided to skip Fall here in Montana and blast right into winter. Before I get to the that, here are a couple fun things we did in the 4 days of fall we had early last week…
Bears are a big problem here, or so I have heard. I have yet to see one, but they say that this time of year bears get really hungry and come down to Missoula neighborhoods to munch on apple trees, trash, poodles, small children and really whatever they can get their mouths around. It makes sense that people here do whatever they can to minimize the chance of waking up to momma bear hanging from their apple tree in the front yard having breakfast. To help with this problem, a friend invited a bunch of us to come and pick all the apples in his hood and press them into apple cider. “Oh, what wholesome fall fun” you say, let me tell you it is hard work! Here are some pics from the apple sweatshop:
Blue decided these were HER apples and she had to guard them
The apple press crew humming along
Yellow ones too
My 30 second turn on the crank
Eating, drinking and pressing apples
Blue guarding the finished product
P.S. I am enjoying a hot cup of spiced cider we pressed from that night as I write. Mmmmmm.
Last week I woke up at 5AM and something was amiss…I ran to the window and guess what I saw:
If you are reading this from Miami, go ahead and keep your snickering to yourself.
On the commute to work that morning I saw two bike wrecks – they were both fine, crazy, but fine. Who rides their bike when there is a sheet of ice covered by 3″ of snow!!? I am all about having a small carbon footprint, but come on.
Post mini blizzard, Matt and I along with our friends Mo and birthday boy Ted went to the Griz homecoming football game. They won their 5th straight game, obviously, and it was a great time despite the frigid temperatures.
Mo, Ted, Mt. Sentinel and 26K Griz fans
This pooch has spirit - how 'bout you?
Bundled up and full of cheer
Did I mention that we are closing on a new (105 year old) house in 2 weeks? Stay tuned, more about that to come!
Big Sky Bound 