Tim & Amy Photo Blog

Lost Glacier Photos- Found!

2007-09-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

Glacier photos are found! Amy and I went up to Glacier in June...and I actually got around to downloading the photos.
Element shot in the woods....

Me...
Fuzzy picture of Amy
Gorge
Rocks.

Yellowstone

2007-09-28T13:02:00.001-07:00

drove up from L.A. to Montana a few weeks back now, and we stopped at many a place (Zion, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone). By the time we got to Yellowstone we were both tuckered out, and I was getting ill from eating a cinnamon bun that had probably stayed under a hot-light too long at a hotel breakfast buffet. But we still managed to have a good time tromping around. Here area few pictures of Yellowstone.

Castle Geyser always erupts when we show up... (n=2). Doesn't Amy look cute?

Here she is being cute again.

Castle Geyser - with orange pools in front.

Old faithful- always a fun one.

Elk- we heard the elk bugle, it is an eerie high pitch call- very spooky unreal sounding.

The buffalo were pretty much just sitting around munching...

Bubble Bubble
Amy - walking along the path with her purse...in case a buffalo charges...get it...
Yellowstone river.
The forest around Yellowstone

Extremeophiles living in the hot mineral rich water flowing out of geysers had great colors. Orange

Brown and little purple bean shaped guys.

This one reminded me of orange and vanilla ice cream cups. Remember those?

Very Large Camp Fires in Montana

2007-08-20T08:48:00.000-07:00

(Not Tim or Amy Pictured)
Every few days here in Helena, I get a campfire smell blowing through my window. It reminds me of the summer trips the McGee clan would make out to Yellowstone. So, it is with fond memories that I drift off to sleep- smoke and ash blowing through my apartment- and I realize I'm enjoying the burning landscape. I realize not everyone can be so romantic about the forest fires...but for the most part they are a part of the summer landscape here in the Rocky Mountains. The most local fire to Helena is the Meriwether fire- From our newspaper this morning.

"The lightning-caused Meriwether fire began July 21 and has burned nearly 43,000 acres in the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area and remains 75 percent contained."

Early forecasts said the fire would likely burn until September- part and parcel of mountain living.

Mushrooms

2007-08-17T09:35:00.000-07:00

Mushrooms are fun. Walking through the woods, the little buggers blend in- but with a big camera they take on a whole new life.

Trains to Great Places

2007-08-16T20:21:00.000-07:00

My little sister has a good grasp of "the funny" (see her blog here). My older sister has a good grasp of the absurdity of babies (see her blog here)...together I think we have some good old sibling blog rivalry showing up. Which reminds me- check out www.brotherhood2.com. I see Evan waiting to enter the fray of the vlog war.

Ok-back to me- I have been trying to get out hiking a few times a week. I figure along with my yoga, and walking to work- the exercise would be a good balance for my newfound snickerdoodle obsession. The bakery here in Helena, Park Ave Bakery, is probably the best thing in town...a very close second (maybe first) is the Black Foot Brewery. You can have delicious baked goods and beer at my place anytime.

Today's picture is from a hike I took a few months back- in Glacier National Park...This train travels from the Puget Sound where I grew up, to the National Park...where I was hiking. A few weeks before this I met a man who spent his youth on this very train, traveling through the rockies and cascades as a guide to train passengers.

Where in the world is Tim&Amy?

2007-07-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

We are all over the place- this is from San Jacinto- Amy is still in School, and I'm in Montana these days. We try and meet up as much as possible.

Robo

2006-09-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

Robo passed away last night. He will be missed.

Alpaca Fever

2006-06-09T22:15:00.000-07:00

Haha- We caught Alpaca fever a while back. A very nice (will remain anon) Alpaca farm asked us if we wanted to volunteer. (they must have seen the big 'suckers' stickers we put on our foreheads). We readily agreed to running around a dirty barn wrangling Alpaca's- it was fun.

2006-06-09T22:14:00.000-07:00

Big Eye Alpaca

2006-06-09T18:20:00.001-07:00

Obilan

2006-06-09T18:20:00.000-07:00

Amy

2006-06-08T22:16:00.000-07:00

More flowers

Tulips for your Pond

2006-05-05T21:37:00.000-07:00

Yes it is spring, and I have been as busy as a bee. But, lucky for everyone who checks this (you know who you are...) not much has actually happened in the past month. As usual spring is a time of renewal, taking stock of the past winter, and doing a lot of work. I haven't had the time to stop and smell the roses, or in this case the tulips. Alana planted all of these tulips last year, and I wish I had a chance to go see them, but this picture from my dad will have to do for now. Summer is just around the corner, and that means it is finals for Amy- who is diligently studying as I type. I'm hoping to get her attention after next week, and maybe we can plan a trip up North to see the tulips- oh and family and friends too.

Giants of the Pacific

2006-04-09T15:24:00.000-07:00

It is hard to grasp the sheer size and scale of this picture, but imagine the tree trunks diameter is around 8 feet. Back in 2003, some friends and I went to the Ventana Wilderness along the Pacific Coast in California. The drive is amazing, our destination was directly inland from the one of the most spectacular coastline I have ever seen -Big Sur. (Kaui's Na'pali wins for most dramatic in a tropical setting).

At the trailhead, we decided to hike down into the valley, instead of hike up the valley trail- mostly because we are lazy. The hike in to the canyon was long and hot. I brought my trusty sherpa from previous ventures, and we managed to sweet talk a few of our friends into hiking with us on the condition that we carry most of the gear. As an aside here, I don't think I had walked more then 3 miles for two years at this point, so stumbling down steep paths with 50 pounds was brutal. I was excited to exhaustion when we reached a good spot to set up camp for the night. Basically the first flat ground where we could pitch a tent. But, sleeping under Redwoods is one of my favorite things to do.

My new tent (purchased 2002-REI half dome- highly recommended), has a moon roof. I'm not sure what you actually call it, but the vent on top is great. As I sat by a mountain creek, listening to silence, I sleepily gazed up through the tent, and saw redwoods towering above me like sentinels. Then, across the open sky between the branches I saw one of the brightest shooting stars of my life. As I closed my eyes I knew every aching muscle was worth it.

2006-04-09T15:23:00.001-07:00

Coast Route To Wilderness

2006-04-09T15:23:00.000-07:00

Ventana Wilderness

San Diego Full of Surprises

2006-03-27T21:08:00.000-08:00

A stick insect may not be what you expect when you pull into the mobile station- but when the opportunity presents itself, it sure is fun to have a camera handy. Obilan, Amy, and Myself found our way to San Diego this past weekend with the help of our new friend TomTom. On the way down, we stopped in Temecula for a few wine tastings. While Napa and Sonoma get all the credit, Southern California can be home to some fine wines. I find that Syrah's from Southern California tend to be very tasty, if a bit spicy (which I like).

We met up with the Rambler and Handsom Hubby (more on that tommorow), and had a fantastic dinner and drinks out in the Gas Lamp, Gas Light, Gas Lantern -whatever-district. So, in Honor of the Rambler- here are a few things I learned:

Lesson 1- Just because they let you throw toilet paper at other patrons doesn't mean they don't have bathroom attendents.

Lesson 2- You can dodge pushy bathroom attendents by washing your hands until the next guy is finished with his business, then slip out while the bathroom attended is busy with the other customer.

Lesson 3- Toilet paper, when thrown, travels much further when wet.

Lesson 4- You get in trouble for dipping your toilet paper in the ice bucket.

Lesson 5- When you order a 40oz. beer, it comes in an ice bucket.

Lesson 6- Only order 1 40oz beer- two is too many.

Lesson 7- Meeting up with old friends and throwing around toilet paper is a surprisingly good way of catching up.

Lesson 8- Don't try this at home.

And, below this post you may notice I took some more pictures- Enjoy!

2006-03-27T21:05:00.000-08:00

Orange

2006-03-27T21:03:00.000-08:00

Sunshine Flower

2006-03-27T21:02:00.001-08:00

No Clue

2006-03-27T21:02:00.000-08:00

Winery Flower

2006-03-27T21:01:00.000-08:00

Cool Kids

2006-03-27T21:00:00.001-08:00

Red Rose

2006-03-27T21:00:00.000-08:00

Pink Rose

2006-03-27T20:59:00.001-08:00

Spiky