The farm...is a nice place to live

Sunsets on the farm...perspective refining every time.   It really is a wonderful life...scenes like these help confirm that to me better than almost anything else.

Warren Peak...is located in Montana

After a stellar run and a stellar breakfast, we packed up to do some hiking.  Most of the group went in Oram's truck, while a few traveled on the 4-wheeler.  We started in the truck, but the kids on the 4 wheeler were getting too cold, which gave Wynn his golden opportunity to ride with me on the 4 wheeler.  It was a little chilly, but the kid loved it...so much so that he would not easily relinquish his seat on it the remainder of the afternoon.  Fortunately, the other kids did not like getting cold on it so Wynn mostly got his wish.  I couldn't drive the 4 wheeler all day...I had to share, which meant that the HippyUte took the front, Wynn in the middle, and I in the back.  I can't imagine Wynn could have enjoyed the ride like this...indeed, he did not express his enthusiasm for the 4 wheeler after that last ride in the middle.

 After traversing over some still snow-packed roads, we made it to a clearing where we could gaze upon majestic Warren Peak.

Warren Peak is the mountain over Meg's left shoulder.

There must have been an Air Force base or something nearby...a number of jets were flying off in the distance.  That's what I was pointing at.  Sitting with Wynn on that log looking at the beauties in front of us under a deep blue sky is something I will cherish for a long time.  Thanks for taking the pic, Meg.

Morning run is better with vistas like these

Saturday morning I woke up to run around near TJ and Lib's place.  Lots of hills, but lots of spectacular views.  I ended up running 10 miles...one of the cooler runs that I have experienced.

Ghost towns are eerily fantastic

The Granite Bank

 Above Phillipsburg,up near the top of one of the mountains, was once located a thriving mining town named Granite.  It had a number of churches, stores and a red light district, in addition to a bank and Union Hall.  It's last resident lived and died here in the late 60's. 

Main Street

Union Hall

Old man Withers house...not really, but it made for a good story for the kids.

Supposedly the old ball field of Granite

 Hiking around Granite.  Wynn was a fan of hiking.

Churches and businesses used to line this street called Bell Avenue, as you can see posted on the tree stump at the beginning point of the old street wall.

 The mine.  This used to be a high producing silver mine.

Throughout the trip, John Denver's "Wild Montana Skies" played through my head.  Hard not to with landscaped and skies like these.

Phillipsburg, America

Mining sapphires really works up the appetite.  We traveled to nearby Phillipsburg for some grub.  Phillipsburg is an old mining town straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting.  Cool little stores and restaurants with American flag-lined streets at the base of mountain ranges on all sides. 

We ate at a place called Doe Brothers Restaurant...highly recommend its deliciousness to all.  I thought I would live a little dangerously and ordered...a cheeseburger and fries.  Fantastic! 

At the height of its mining prowess, Phillipsburg was home to a number of Chinese families.

Excellent ice cream, too.

Evan Coppin.  Fan of chocolate ice cream cones and pirates...I'm starting to wonder if his father is actually the famous Ute-pirate.

 After lunch, we traveled directly across the street to famous The Sweet Palace candy store. 

 

 Candy everywhere.  And a tremendous variety...they even had a brand of peachies that are made in Spain...we bought some and I can verify the authenticity of the Spanish Peachie, having eaten a few many years ago.  They also make their own taffy and fudge...and you can sample both, which I gladly did.  And they had a huge selection of truffles, which Dad partook of for his father's day gift.  I heard they were excellent.

You can also purchase ginormous packs of smarties...which Wynn kindly asked us to do.