More Early Summer photos from the Larry Creek Hike

Here are a few more pictures from our summery hike. This frog jumped in the creek as we ambled down the trail & swam beside us awhile!

Since six of us were on this hike, we tended to pair off to chat & then pair with someone else after we stopped to view scenery. At some time in the hike, we walked with every other hiker in this paired fashion, as it sort of happened naturally.

We could smell the Lupine & Wild Hyacinth since they were so plentiful.

If one couple of hikers got too far ahead of the others, we just stopped & waited for the others to catch-up.

Prairie Smoke or "Old Man's Whisker's" grew in these pastures in some of the drier spots. Because of it's fragrance, I liked the Wild Hyacinth the best.

Arrival of Summer in Western Montana

One of my best friends, Janie, lives in the Bass/Larry Creek area. The Hallelujah Hikers visited Larry Creek last Wednesday, starting our trek just behind Janie's ranch. Looking East, the Sapphire Mountain Range was blue in the distance & pasture land with small creeks & overflowing irrigation canals were all around us. Looking West, snowcapped tops of the Bitterroot Range peaked above the treeline at uneven intervals. The meadows held a different type of beauty than the canyons we often visit. We did climb some hillside slopes, but the trail led through flower-laden pastures most of the day. We could label this our Lupine Hike, as the Lupine was everywhere in full bloom.

Brodiaea or Wild Hyacinth was common in some spots as well. These flowers signal that Spring is leaving & Summer has arrived with warmer temperatures, mosquitos, flies & the smell of fresh-mown hay. We praised the Lord for His creative variety.

VBS during March-April weather

This was the perfect week to participate in "The Power Lab" VBS. Outside rain & snow kept our attendance stable & in the 80 range all week. As one of three crew chiefs for the 19 5th & 6th graders, I was responsible for 6-8 of them each day. Praise the Lord! Two of these - Trevor & Mickeala - accepted Christ into their lives for the first time on Thursday. Mickeala comes from a broken home. She lives with her Mom in Arizona most of the year, but is currently visiting her Dad in Lolo, MT. Her previous friend & neighbor...Dakota, standing near the power lab. sign with one of the other leaders in the middle photo... invited her to attend VBS with her. Trevor is the grandson of Judy, who has attended my Women's Neighborhood Precept Bible Study the past two years.

One of the children's favorite crafts this week was making "slime"! It's a slime-feeling silly putty.

Here's the recipe:

1. Measure & add 1/3 cup Elmer's Glue All, (not school glue), & 1/3 cup water into a large canning jar. Screw on jar lid & shake.

2. In a separate bowl, measure & add 1/3 cup water & 2 heaping tablespoons of Borax. Mix in bowl.

3. Unscrew the lid on the jar & add Borax mixture & up to 6 drops of food coloring. Screw lid back on the jar & shake well!!!!! The mixture will turn to slime. This can be divided & placed in baggies.