More Than Just a Change in Season.

Two weeks have passed and so much has changed. It's officially fall - my favorite season.

A few updates:
1) As promised, I have two fall recipes to share
2) 10 more miles have been added toward my goal
3) I accepted a new position in Salt Lake City, Utah and will be moving in just over a month. Crazy right?

For my first round of fall recipes I give you Quinoa Lasagna brought to you by Averie Cooks and Spicy Southwest Pumpkin Soup by A Spicy Perspective.

These ladies were spot on with their recipes and I didn't modify either recipe aside from using lactose free dairy products and a spicy marinara for the lasagna. Both recipes were easy, filling, and vegetarian. Perfect for fall and could easily have meat added if you prefer.

Last weekend I ventured back to the Bitterroot for another hike into the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness up Sweeney Creek. Given that I was in a time crunch, I only ventured to the first of three lakes, Peterson Lake. The hike was 10 miles round trip which puts me at 47 miles since I've returned from New Mexico. I have one week and 13 miles to go to reach my goal!

Here is a view of Peterson Lake from the trail. From this point the trail takes a long descent down to the lake and then continued to climb back up to the upper lakes.

After hiking Saturday, it was time to celebrate Lindsey's 25th birthday. The Griz had a win and we played drinking games that had not been thought of since we were 21. Funny how things change. After the game we went out to celebrate and see my favorite local band, The Lil Smokies. I was lucky enough to see them the following day as well at Montana Snowbowl where they opened for David Grisman.

Ski areas, beer, and live music. What more could I want?

Now begins the countdown for the big move. I can't believe how fast these next five weeks are going to pass. I have so many trips, hikes, and places to eat for my last hurrah (for now) in my favorite state and place I call home. Kettlehouse, you'll be seeing me...many times.

I'm really looking forward to exploring, skiing, and adventuring in Utah. I can't wait to add another state to my list of places lived. The Northwest Gypsy forges ahead.... but let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's my favorite time of the year in Missoula and I intend to enjoy every moment.

Grab your boots and party pants, this will be one hell of an October.
Hike on and beer me.

k.

Time Flies.

The last month has been a bit of a hiatus between driving back to Missoula, going out on a fire assignment, and traveling around catching up on all the summer hiking in Montana that I missed. How is it already the second week in September? This month marks my sixth year in Missoula and I seriously don't know where the time has gone. Over the years I have been able to explore and experience so many great things in the area, but there's always room for more.

To all my fellow day-hikers, I highly recommend checking out your local REI or Barnes and Noble for any hiking book by Robert Stone. If you're in the Missoula area, I recommend "Day Hikes Around Missoula". I always had thought I was pretty knowledgeable about day hikes around Missoula and had been on many. After buying this book I realized how many I didn't know about and how over the years I had clearly found my favorites and put myself on repeat.

I tried to diversify my first hikes back with all new routes. Some were simple, some were long, but they were all beautiful. It feels great to be back in the forests. I finally visited the largest Western Larch in the country last weekend which is right outside of the town of Seeley Lake.  Over Labor Day weekend my dad and I made a rainy and cold (48 degress) 10 mile trek in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.

Ravine Trail - Grant Creek/Rattlesnake Wilderness

Morrell Falls - Lolo National Forest

Bass Lake - Selway Bitterroot Wilderness 

The snow hasn't started to fall quite yet. There is still plenty of time to check a few more off of the list and still be able to hike a few of my favorites. My goal is to get 60 miles in (since I've been back to Montana) by the end of September. Currently I'm at 37 miles, game on.

If I haven't mentioned before, I love fall. The weather is great, ski season is almost here, and it's football season. GO CHIEFS. Fortunately I missed the game yesterday because I was hiking as they lost terribly to the Titans. The thing about being a fan of a team that is hit or miss every year is that you finally accept the "no expectations, no disappointments" attitude and find that you will be much more happy. Especially when they pull through with a win.

Cooking during the fall/football season is also one of my favorite seasons to explore in the kitchen. Time to dust off the crockpot. Bring on the baked goods and beer-cheese dip.

I hope to have an update on my mileage goal and will have a new recipe next time, I promise.

Go explore.

k.