JanBeek

Today was a beautiful blue-sky day
to go 4-Wheeling on LUCILLE
(our red-headed ATV who is a BALL)

We drove in our pick-up pulling Lucille on a trailer
to the Macatee Bridge area about 25 miles south of Ennis.
There we met friends, unloaded the ATVs
and headed up into the Gravelly Range
past the Talc Mine.

The day could not have been more beautiful!

We had our bear spray with us.
We were headed to the Cottonwood area
where a couple of hunters
were mauled by Grizzleys last week.

There were 6 guys (That’s Bob on the right)
and 3 of us gals

Yes, when we got up to 8,000 ft. level at the look out,
it was time to bundle up!
I covered my ears,
Barb covered her neck,
and Caroline covered her head and neck!

Barb’s dog, Charley, was not afraid of the cliffs.

Our TazE stuck mostly to the rocky lower levels.
Both dogs enjoyed the freedom to explore.

Our goal was to see the Aspen gold-
Autumn in the Rocky Mountains is a spectacular time of year.
The landscape became more beautiful the farther up we traveled.

This is what we traveled up the Gravelly Range to the Ruby Valley to see!!

When we got up to Monument Ridge at 9,587 feet,
it was gorgeous, but really cold as the wind
came right off the left-over snow
on the higher mountains.

Black Butte had snow tucked in all its crevices.

Caroline bundled up to stay warm.

Coming back down, we made a potty stop and let the pups do a little more roaming.

Barb, Don & Charley were ready to be on our way.

We passed at least two dozen of these harvested tree stacks
on our way to and fro.
The forest service has been very busy
cutting down dead trees and clearing out areas
near the road that might cause a fire hazard.

Besides the gorgeous golden aspen groves,
my other favorite scene is this red barn on the Ruby River.
Isn’t it gorgeous?

We passed some grazing cattle
before following the signs and our friend, Chuck,
who led us back to our vehicles
where we loaded the ATVs and headed home.

See the cool beaver dam we passed on the way down?

Back down in the Madison Valley,
the Madison River,
and the Macatee take-out,
we were ready to return home
and share our great trip with you.

Hope you enjoyed it.
Have a good night.

The End!

See ya tomorrow.