We Got Air! - Off Roading On A Montana Mountain

It was a different kind of ride for a Long Distance Biker when the Painter's, Grace, Greg and Janelle, Jentry and Hadley left Willow Lodge and chased each other into the High Country of the Rocky Mountain Front.
Jentry showed us how easy it is to FLY.
We got air and he made it look easy.

The trip through the mountains began at the family camp grounds, Willow Lodge, where family members spend most weekends enjoying the quiet of a serene mountain meadow.


The tranquility came to an end with the twist of a starter button on the Polaris RZR four wheelers.
These machines could travel and the drivers knew the back roads through the hills.

Greg piloted his new four passenger model with Janelle, Grace and I as passengers.
Jentry and his girl friend Hadley traded off driving duties.

She used her skills as a Ballerina Dancer and Barrel Racing cowgirl to fly their rig through the twists and turns of the mountain trails.

                                                            The scenery was fantastic as the trails wound through the high country forests and the machines allowed us into areas not often seen by tourists.

The ride started with bright sunshine but as clouds began moving in became even more beautiful as the gulches and ravines filled with shadows of the clouds.

As we drove out of the tree line onto the ridges the panorama of mountains stretching off into the far distance was beautiful. The Bob Marshall Wilderness was visible from the High Country hillsides.

This area looked familiar. It was Mount Belmont where we built Kicker FM 104 back in 1989. Roger will well remember that hill since we climbed it so many time carrying equipment from the Great Divide Ski area parking lot to the top of Belmont.

Where have all those years gone?
They were exciting times in the broadcasting business. Some times better than others.

Exploring the back country on these modern day steeds you come across strange looking things constructed for some purpose by someone in the distant past. What is this anyway?
Why was it built high on the mountain and far from the roads of today?

The remains of an old mill appeared out of the trees. It was reported to have a railroad track running across the top where rail cars come to dump the ore extracted from mines far above.

Late afternoon brought lengthening shadows and the Montana mountain explorers had a long slow ride back to Willow Lodge.

It was a happy crew who had enjoyed a fun filled and exciting day in the Back Country.

What a great day.
 Enjoyed by all.

After a great Pasta and salad dinner it was time to bring an end to a beautiful day in the mountains of Montana.


  A farewell to Willow Lodge.

A thirty mile drive brought us back to Helena and brought an end to a day in the country.















Watch for me, I'll be in the Right Lane America.
Del "Lonnie" Lonnquist