Finn at Archery Camp Last Weekend

Between Ennis and Big Sky, at Jack Creek Preserve

Finn and I spend last weekend at an archery/outdoor camp in the mountains north of Yellowstone.   Lots of archery instruction and shooting, some hunter education, edible and medicinal plant ID, map reading skills, fly fishing, astronomy, and more.  It was a lot of fun, and Finn turned into a pretty good shot, finishing 3rd in his intermediate level competition at the end of camp.   

He took the chance to challenge me to a shoot-off where we each had a water-filled ziploc at the end of a balance - first solid hit drained the back and dropped the other's bag to the ground.  I'm proud to say that I won one for all the old guys and dads out there... But Finn redeemed himself by out-shooting his instructor!   Way to go, Finnbar!

Thanks to Jack Creek Preserve for awarding Finn with a full scholarship to the camp!

Finn right after beating Tom, in the background

Fine sportsmanship after Merrill beat Finn in the water shoot challenge

Bluet (Damselfly)

Essex Skipper

Painted Lady Butterfly on Clover

Lake Whitefish on Flathead Lake

Ryan and I FINALLY found them, and hit them hard... we boated 31 fish in 1.5 - 2 hours, released a bunch more, and lost dozens more.  It was crazy.   We kept a half-dozen whole for grilling and feasting on fish tacos, and I'm hoping to smoke and jar the rest this weekend.  So good to be on the water with a great friend, coupla' beers, sunshine, and our toes hanging off the boat as we filled the cooler with fish!

The Girls at the National Bison Range Last Night

We had a great visit to the NBR - Maille and Marita Lierdahl, our exchange student from a small town in Norway.  We managed to find most of the bison herd and be able to park the car, turn off the engine, and sit in the middle of them.  Lots of other wildlife, too, and a picnic dinner at the end of the lower tour road.   Top it off with ice cream at Big Dipper, and it's one night for the albums...

Maille and Marita at the iconic entrance sign, with the Mission Mountains in the background

Finn and Elias Playing at the Missoula Farmer's Market

Finn's been practicing hard... in addition to his usual weekly lesson, he's joined a group of kids who also practice weekly and play all sorts of public events.   This Saturday (7/15/17) they played a set a the Farmer's Market.   This version of Shenandoah is one of my favorites...

Also, Elias brought his guitar along and got to play two quick songs with Nathan, his guitar teacher.  He's hoping to be able to join the Ensemble in a couple years.

Odd sign for a shaved ice stand...

But Elias and Finn got a kick out of it...