The Landing Spot - The First Week

Shoot I wanted to have 3 panoramas of  Elk Hollar but the moon is almost full and I think I won't be able to include the current elk herd that passes through grazing.  

So I'll just post this and hope I can get a better one.  

Austin Unity Hereford Circle Tour

Headed out to do a circle of Austin-Unity-Hereford and back over Dooley Mountain.  Dooley Mountain I've just found out is popular with motorcycle riders as it has 188 turns on it.  Well maybe it does include down the river.

Forgot to say there is a new member in the group: Hugh M Stick 008  (remind one of the road in Boise called Ustick???  Deb's hard of hearing)

Anyway Hugh had his coffee and was ready to rumble.  Dave drove the pkup with me/Deb in the back and Ken navigating.

We've been trying to tell D/D how, where the mushrooms might be found: beside old rotten dead and down trees, in old burn piles, on old skid trails where the dirts been messed no too long ago, etc.  So we stopped a coupld of time before we got to Austin to go out on mushroom forays.  Yes we knew it was too early.  Yes we knew it was too cold.  You have to start sometime.

Me?  I stayed up on the highway to be the photographer.

Well it was a nice walk anyway.

When we got back to the pkup Hugh was a bit grumbly so we told him to quit whining and sit the window like a good guy.  He seems to be much happier being able to look ou both the front AND the back.  No - that purple bag isn't full of Crown Royal it's full with a pool stick holder.

Stopped at the spring below Austin to get some fresh water.  Still as good and cold as it's always been.

It's been many years since I've been inside Austin.  They've really cleaned it up and it's a cute little historical spot on Highway 7.  For sale if you're interested.

The bar's been there since the 1800's.



However that wasn't as surprising as the makeover at the Waterhole in Unity.  You could have knocked me down with a feather.  Upgraded and updated into a cute cafe, bar, town hangout.  Kimela Koontz (sorry don't know her married name) owns it now and we had a very nice lunch.  Saw Eddie June Greenwood - sure didn't recognize her after all these years.  She knew I look familiar but didn't recognize me either.
Dave found just the thing for us pool players.  A stick with a scope on it.  :)  We'll see about that.

The drive down the valley was pretty but alas I took no pictures.  You'll have to go back to 2010 to see them.  Cranky old Biddy I am I am!!

Arrived in one peice at Elk Hollar. I should get down and kiss the ground!!

Arrived at Elk Hollar (not found on maps) in the early afternoon.  We wriggled and wriggled and got both of us settled.

I'd made a GC stew the night before so noone would have to cook today and we then settled into the living room to watch whatever show was coming out the big picture window.


 Yup. Elk.


Wait.  What's going on?

One of the cows took exception to three deer that were crossing the pasture and began to give chase.  Who will win??

Well I think it's: Elk 1 and Deer 0




She chased them to the other side of the pump house and they went out of sight.............

She is SO proud as she comes back to the salt block.

Wait!  They're back...........but not attempting to go near the salfblock.

With them "under control" she resumes having dessert.

And after they left - more came up to chowdown.









Wes said that Elk don't usually go into the front "yard", but when I staggered out of bed about 5:30 the next morning here is what I saw:

That's how it got its name: Elk Hollar!

Well and a few deer and a couple of cranes.

What will tomorrow bring.