Montana Fall Colors
A Gorgeous Fall Day Wandering Around Near Condon
October, 2013
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In the middle of October, Dona and I went up to Condon
where she was displaying her woodworking and talking to people about it
for the
Alpine Artisan's
"Tour of the Arts".
After setting up the first day,
I
went for a hike up by Swan Peak.
The next day I stayed down in the valley wandered around.
Our host,
John Mercer of Swan Valley Images,
is a great photographer and I was inspired by seeing his work.
The day was gorgeous, and the fall colors close to their prime.
The Mission Mountains to the west were illuminated by the morning sun,
although I didn't get out and about until way past the
"Golden Hour".
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| Aspen |
While wandering around I came upon an old sign
from the days when the place was operating as a dude ranch.
I didn't find the ski cabin
or much of a trail.
 |
| Sign |
The sun eventually came around enough to light up the Swan Mountains to the east.
I didn't see much wildlife;
a few red squirrels,
some ravens,
and a passel of white-tailed does.
When Dona and one of our hosts' daughters went for a walk the evening before,
they heard elk bugling.
 |
 |
| Red Squirrel |
White-tailed Deer |
In the afternoon I went to see some of the other artists' exhibits.
Russ Abolt's Third Life Studio
was a delight with all of his sculptures,
and I enjoyed talking to him about his process of creating them.
He had an amazing array of natural materials he has collected over the years.
I also enjoyed talking to Georgina Staggs about her stained glass
and learned a little more about cutting glass.
As you approach Russ's home studio, you encounter a fork in the road.
There's a small worn patch of ground where people have parked,
and a path leading off to a break in the trees to the right.
I pulled over by the sign in the picture below.
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| Walk, Joy replied! I got out and walked. |
The path leads to a mountain meadow alive with music and Russ's sculpture.
There are wind chimes hanging just far enough apart that they don't interfere with each other,
and the sound floats around and fills the air with music.
It's a wonderfully restful, contemplative place.
I thought about trying to create something like it at home,
and came to the conclusion it's a skill and talent totally foreign to me
but which I really appreciate.
Below the initial field of sculptures,
a long meadow extends to the south.
At one end is a wonderful piece of a hunter,
and at the other a large piece honoring prey species.
 |
 |
| Meadow Sculptures |
Hunter, and another prey |
Towards one edge is a whimsical owl,
and hanging in a tree nearby was a mobile-like arrow pointing down a trail.
I took the trail and came to a quiet marsh.
The wind rustled; aspen and cottonwood leaves came showering down.
 |
 |
| Owl |
Marsh |
Unfortunately, the day was too short to visit all the other artists;
something to look forward to next year.
