Now that the spring runoff is well over, the lake has really cleared up. We can easily see down into it 25 feet or so. This makes for some interesting views when you approach the steep rocky shores.
Clear Cool Water
I’m Back, Baby!
Just some clear water and colorful rocks …
I guess the novelty of winter is wearing off a bit and thoughts are turning towards spring.
Here is a short clip of some clear Rocky Mountain water and colorful glacier scoured rocks:
So, this is kind of bizarre: I have always enjoyed maps and now with the advent of Google Earth, I have come to enjoy examining places of interest from above — usually when I am dreaming of visiting the place or am planning some hike, etc. I was looking over Google’s satellite imagery of Flathead Lake when I stumbled upon a boat with two yellow elongated objects protruding perpendicularly off of its stern. I realized that I was looking at Marlene and I underway — from nearly 500 miles above!
Yeah, I’ve seen satellite images of my house and my car parked outside of my house, but I have never seen myself in motion via satellite. Wild stuff.
We live in interesting times.
Kayaking Wild Horse Island
From the anchorage at Wild Horse Island’s Skeeko Bay, Marlene and I generally go on morning and evening shoreline excursions. We are, pretty much, fair-weather kayakers—going only when the conditions are ideal. And we are, pretty much, shore-huggers—rarely crossing wide open water. We use the Mother Ship for that.
Indeed, the beauty of the kayak—aside from being quiet—is that it allows you to hug the shoreline. Our kayaks are, what I call “Tupperware,” so we do not worry about scrapping underwater rocks. To be sure, much of the enjoyment is looking down into the swallow crystal clear water and viewing the submerged shore.
I am an old BWCA Wilderness canoe guy from Minnesota. Many of Flathead Lake’s rocky shorelines remind me of those voyageur days.
Old Growth Ponderosas
I do love Ponderosa Pines with their coarse red bark, long green clumps of needles, and gnarly-shaped branches. Wild Horse Island is loaded with them. Since their fallen needles discourage undergrowth, a forest of them can take on an enchanted look—particularly in the twilight hours.
Wild, Wild Horses
Wild Horse Island State Park has about 6 resident wild horses. They sometimes come down near the Skeeko Bay anchorage in the evenings. They are not particularly afraid of humans, though approaching them is forbidden, for good reason, anyway.
With well over 100 resident Bighorn Sheep, the island might have been more appropriately named Bighorn Sheep Island.
This place is a treasure.
