Sunday July 6, 2008 Ennis, Montana
After getting back to camp so late, we took advantage and slept in a bit.
Walking Maizy in the morning, I became aware of a killdeer bird that was faking being hurt, trying to draw my attention away from her nest. I had seen a killdeer bird in Indiana and was intrigued as to why a bird would lay eggs out in the open of a gravel road and not build a twig nest in a tree like other birds. Sure enough I spotted the eggs, except the eggs were hatching. I ran for my camera and was able to capture two baby killdeer that had just hatched. Within an hour’s time, the babies and parents were not to be found. I can’t imagine them drying out and learning to fly so quickly. I’ll have to do a little research on it.
About noon Bruce, Maizy and I took off to explore the ghost town of Nevada City and the old western town of Virginia City. Both towns are about a dozen miles west of Ennis and the site of a major gold mining frenzy in the mid 1800’s.
I was personally drawn to the rustic feeling of Nevada City over the commercialized atmosphere of Virginia City (the first capitol of Montana). Although most of the original buildings had been abandoned and crumbled with age, a local couple decided to save historic buildings that were going to be demolished throughout Montana and move them to Nevada City. The buildings had been situated in such a way that an entire community has been resurrected. Community volunteers come dressed in period clothing to help
visitors relive the days of the Wild West in a booming gold mining town. I love that time in history and enjoyed to no end snooping through buildings and imagining life as it was.
The ride back through Virginia City was not complete without a stop at a creamery for a sample of homemade ice cream.
The return trip to Ennis included a beautiful scenic vista point where we were able to catch a spectacular view of the gorgeous valley below.
Leftovers were being served at our friend’s cabin before driving down their road to a ranch that allowed us access to the Madison River for a little early evening fly fishing. This time Ann and Larry insisted that I borrow waders and venture into the river for my first fly fishing lesson. Forging through the river to get to the other side was a bit dicey, but with the help of Ann, I not only made it across, but helped catch a beautiful rainbow trout right as the sun set! Ann showed me how to release it properly into the river as a little fawn watched from the opposite shore. Very cool, very enjoyable day!
After dessert we bid farewell to our wonderful hosts, hoping that our paths will cross again soon.
After getting back to camp so late, we took advantage and slept in a bit.
Walking Maizy in the morning, I became aware of a killdeer bird that was faking being hurt, trying to draw my attention away from her nest. I had seen a killdeer bird in Indiana and was intrigued as to why a bird would lay eggs out in the open of a gravel road and not build a twig nest in a tree like other birds. Sure enough I spotted the eggs, except the eggs were hatching. I ran for my camera and was able to capture two baby killdeer that had just hatched. Within an hour’s time, the babies and parents were not to be found. I can’t imagine them drying out and learning to fly so quickly. I’ll have to do a little research on it.
About noon Bruce, Maizy and I took off to explore the ghost town of Nevada City and the old western town of Virginia City. Both towns are about a dozen miles west of Ennis and the site of a major gold mining frenzy in the mid 1800’s.
I was personally drawn to the rustic feeling of Nevada City over the commercialized atmosphere of Virginia City (the first capitol of Montana). Although most of the original buildings had been abandoned and crumbled with age, a local couple decided to save historic buildings that were going to be demolished throughout Montana and move them to Nevada City. The buildings had been situated in such a way that an entire community has been resurrected. Community volunteers come dressed in period clothing to help
visitors relive the days of the Wild West in a booming gold mining town. I love that time in history and enjoyed to no end snooping through buildings and imagining life as it was.The ride back through Virginia City was not complete without a stop at a creamery for a sample of homemade ice cream.
The return trip to Ennis included a beautiful scenic vista point where we were able to catch a spectacular view of the gorgeous valley below.
Leftovers were being served at our friend’s cabin before driving down their road to a ranch that allowed us access to the Madison River for a little early evening fly fishing. This time Ann and Larry insisted that I borrow waders and venture into the river for my first fly fishing lesson. Forging through the river to get to the other side was a bit dicey, but with the help of Ann, I not only made it across, but helped catch a beautiful rainbow trout right as the sun set! Ann showed me how to release it properly into the river as a little fawn watched from the opposite shore. Very cool, very enjoyable day!
After dessert we bid farewell to our wonderful hosts, hoping that our paths will cross again soon.
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