A pic or two, thought I would share.....

**noparking** · 07-21-2011, 06:44 PM

more pics please

**Little Big Lost** · 07-21-2011, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by noparking

more pics please

I don't usually care for graffiti... but this....

i will dig some more up ....

**Little Big Lost** · 07-22-2011, 02:19 PM

These shots from where I was "working" this morning!

**only temporary** · 07-23-2011, 05:10 AM

LBL, I love this shit. Thank you.

**adimmen** · 07-25-2011, 08:00 AM

unreal photos

**Little Big Lost** · 07-28-2011, 03:58 PM

Summer is in full swing here, the snow in the mountains is disappearing fast. Still some white stuff up high and can be seen from my house as I type this. I have tracked this for the last 25 years - in no other year (in that time frame) have I been able to see snow from my house after mid to late June.

Every July 1st I have made a mental note that snow can’t be seen from where I live. Until this year. Not only can I still see snow, I will probably still be able to see it into August. wOw!

Every time I look up and see the white patches it gets me to thinking about winter and all the good times it brings. It will be back, it always does. Each one better than the previous it seems. Can that be?

But while I wait, I make the most of it. Hiking, climbing. Yes, those. Still… some days find me in the backyard. Chillin’ with the dogs. Planning. Reflecting. The good life. I am not rich money-wise, but I am enormously wealthy. My wife loves me. Truly. I love her! My kids, well, I love them ;-). My 3 dogs…well they adore me. My house isn’t new, or even all that nice, but it is paid for and centrally located in awesome, awesome country.

Even my job is awesome. I spent 2 hours looking for rattlesnakes yesterday!! Two hours! I am part safety director, auto body manager…. and company photographer. Good God! I have the best job ever…. Get this, I wake up in the mornings looking forward to going to work. How many people can say that?

Nature is incredibly beautiful and I see it (the beauty) everywhere I go. Everyday. Awesome sunsets, no two the same. Wild grasses as they sway in a breeze. The fragrant smell of sagebrush after a rain. Animal tracks in dried mud. Bird calls. Lichen covered rocks.

I try to see things as a small child would. With wonder. As I age, it gets easier. You would think it would be the other way around. Not so, at least for me.

The farm I work for is large, +11 thousand acres – wheat and potatoes.

The operation is scattered over 50 miles end to end, but not contiguous. I spend parts of my days here and there, looking for safety issues and striving to maintain good agricultural practices. Porta potties and hand washing stations are words that I use everyday. No pooping in the fields!!

Chain guards in place? Check. Electrical up to code? Damn well better be. Driving too fast? Slow your ass down. Conducting safety meetings? Yes, that is me. All part of my day.

I see things, both at work and after.

Looking for snakes on the edge of some hay fields...

Fingerlings....a little oil and garlic salt in a pan.... woah....

On the way home just a few evenings ago, I thought about stopping at the nearby wildlife management area. I do so about once a month, and I though to myself "do you really want to? you've seen all there is to see..." But then I thought "Every time you do, you see something "new" This time was no exception. I had the whole place to myself. Not another soul.

A small nest underfoot (expanded metal walkway over water) ...

Dragonflies were everywhere...

**Vets** · 07-29-2011, 12:51 AM

I love this dragonfly picture:

**AKPogue** · 07-29-2011, 01:18 AM

Sweet pics as usual!! Is it just me or was that antelope fat?

**Chainsaw_Willie** · 07-29-2011, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by AKPogue

..agreed... Is it just me or was that antelope fat?

Well, it is American...

LBL - your pics always amaze me. You have that unique flair for taking something that could be mundane (the wheat, the sprinkler rigs) and showing them off in a light that makes them really interesting. You have quite the life out there, please keep sharing with us concrete jungle dwellers.

**Nohillsnearby** · 07-30-2011, 05:51 PM

Oh, HELL YES!!

**mock1** · 07-30-2011, 09:48 PM

Thanks. Love your pictures.

**BoatBound** · 08-01-2011, 10:56 AM

WOW, just found this thread, you are truly gifted and I want to be one of your kids in my next life. What an amazing place you live. I think my favorite pic (if I had to pick one) would be the icicle shot.

**Little Big Lost** · 08-01-2011, 02:36 PM

Well...shit. Head on collision. Idiot.

Me- Traveling up (East)
Him - Traveling left (North)

Pickup - Traveling down (West)

Him.... didn't stop or even so much as look when he turned left..... him and girlfriend fighting with each other WHILE both of them on cell phones....pickup barreling down from the rear.....so easy way out.....he cranks his wheel to the left and hits me head on....

Me... I see this start to transpire and am braking hard to avoid what I think is going to be the pickup collide into the back of the dipshit in the other car. Instead he does the unthinkable - turn into oncoming traffic. I say out loud " YOU'VE GOT TO BE SHITTING ME!!!!"... WHAM!!

Pickup - Didn't stop. Kept on going.

No injuries, mostly attributed to me being aware and reacting as such.

My car = totaled, Ford Escort. His = unsure if totaled, big unit, Mercury Grand Marquis.

FUCK.

**Edgnar** · 08-03-2011, 09:08 AM

Shit LBL, hope you are ok!

**TNKen** · 08-03-2011, 09:18 AM

Great shot

Originally Posted by Little Big Lost

**toast2266** · 08-03-2011, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by Little Big Lost

Well...shit. Head on collision. Idiot.

What!? No pictures?!?!?!

Kidding - glad you're ok.

**Little Big Lost** · 08-03-2011, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by toast2266

What!? No pictures?!?!?!

Kidding - glad you're ok.

Thanks!

Oh, I have photos.... but I am still so bummed about it that I can't bring myself to look at them. The car isn't all tore up, most of the damage is to the grill, radiator, frame - pushed into the side of the engine, headlights.... so on and so forth. Enough to more than total the older outfit. Put about 2 grand into it over the last several months. Was running so nice, gas mileage up around +-40mpg. Smooth. Dependable. Yeah...gonna miss it. Fuckers.

I have been involved in a project here at work that has required my full attention for the last few days. Now I need to deal with other party's insurance company (who have yet to contact me)..... neck and back hurting a bit - whiplash I suppose. Money out of pocket for chiropractor.... borrow another outfit (from daughter), all the shit that comes with this type of shit.

**skiJ** · 09-21-2011, 08:04 AM

hey, JB ... I have neglected your thread --

' Hope you are on-the-mend ...

as Always : awesome photos . And I appreciate your prose, too - -

... keep On ! J

**Little Big Lost** · 09-27-2011, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by skiJ

hey, JB ... I have neglected your thread --

' Hope you are on-the-mend ...

as Always : awesome photos . And I appreciate your prose, too - -

... keep On ! J

Yep, Thanks! Doing better! Just returned from a 3 day trip to Yellowstone / BTP / GTNP... was awesome...and yes, I did take the snowboard. Got a few late, late season turns in!

**Little Big Lost** · 09-27-2011, 04:35 PM

Last weekend... September 24, 2011

**Little Big Lost** · 09-27-2011, 04:44 PM

Sign of the season....

**moonlightdbag** · 09-27-2011, 06:17 PM

^^^^Awesome!

**Little Big Lost** · 09-27-2011, 08:52 PM

So...last Wednesday my sister (who loves in SD) called and asked if I wanted to take a few days and take a short road trip. "Hells yeah! Love to! Anywhere in particular?" "Nope" she says... "you decide".

So I did, Yellowstone. Beartooth Pass. Tetons.

She drove out from Rapid on Thursday and we took off Friday morning 6 am...ish. Dinked around in Island Park, saw my brothers wife and kids, been a while since aunt Mare saw the boys. Sis bought me a year pass to the parks. Awesome. Drove leisurely up to Gardner, spent the evening sipping on a cold one.

6am and we are on the road again. Brought my scope. Spied on a dozen wolves by 8. No bears.

Beartooth Pass by noon.

Gardner Headwall mostly gone (no top. no bottom) oh well, found a slope to get some turns in. Was most satisfying. Amazing how comfortable I am once strapped in. Yeah.

Drove down to Red Lodge.

Saw the ski resort from town, never been there...long way around in the winter. Headed out of town for a few miles, just to get a feel for the area. Some good vibes. Turned around, headed back to the pass. I didn't mention, driving my sister's 2010 Mini Cooper. Convertible. Turbo. Holy Shit. I mean it. Light traffic and the i-pod plays the Eagles "Life in the Fast Lane" Son of a bitch. Me..... I am normally a conservative driver, but .... well... I put my foot down. My god. Hold the fuck on. Fighter Jet shit. Six gears of insane acceleration. I love Montana.

More Yellowstone and a 45 mph drive over the Pass to Canyon and to West for the night.

Early morning, fall colors. Elk and Buffalo. Huge vistas. Teton Park, used the scope to watch some climbers on Mount Moran, and then later, more on the Grand. Blue Helmet. That you?

Went by the hill to show the sister where we hang out sometimes during the winter. I think she was impressed.

Onto the pass, where, if I blew you off the road, my apologies. Smoked that hill. Made that mini bark.

Sister headed for home and promised to be back.

Whew. Back to the grind and my mild manners. Thinking about all the great miles we put in. I drove every inch of the way. My sister rocks.

**astralboy15** · 09-28-2011, 01:13 AM

Originally Posted by Little Big Lost

Early morning, fall colors. Elk and Buffalo. Huge vistas. Teton Park, used the scope to watch some climbers on Mount Moran, and then later, more on the Grand. Blue Helmet. That you?

Nice little weekend you had. I miss fall in that part of the world. Falls doesn't even exist here (AZ). It's always a good time when I see "a pic or two, thought I would share" pops back up.