First Snow!

Clouds Over Mt. Helena

HarvestFest

 

The above are a few pictures from this Saturday's HarvestFest in downtown Billings.  It was perfect chilly fall weather and a great turnout!  I wish I could have bought something from the vendors - like a mini-pumpkin; they're so cute - but I had $4 to spend on some bad fried rice for lunch.  I love fall and local events like this.  You'd never see something like this in downtown Dallas!

A Party of Special Magnificence

A while back I became a member of a local Tolkien fan society called the Council of Westmarch.  I heard about this group through some people I recently met in Billings who sort of know my parents and are huge LOTR fans themselves.  The big thing this group does every year is called A Party of Special Magnificence, in honor of the birthdays of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins.  I was happily invited to join the group in time to attend this year's festivities.  Yes, it's somewhat nerdy - but it's also awesome, since the LOTR series have been my favorite books since forever, and since I wrote my senior thesis in college on them and everything.  

So, with that background: here are some pictures! It was held on some land that used to be a bird farm in Greycliff, Montana, which is about 15 miles east of Big Timber.  It was just off I-90, and right next to some train tracks, so traffic noise lurked in the background and occasionally trains would come rumbling through, but other than that it was an utterly idyllic setting for the day's fun and games.  Especially considering the weather was absolutely perfect, albeit hot (until after dark, when it got downright cold), it was a spectacular day.

There was a schedule of events including story-telling (which petrified me, but I ended up winning a prize, go figure), tournament fighting (I managed to get through to the second round, amazingly enough; until I had to fight, in the dark, a 6 foot something guy wielding a spear/lance that was longer that I am tall - I didn't stand a chance! Although I did beat him one round out of three.  So there.), trivia games, etc.  There were 11 people there, including myself, and they were all very nice and welcoming.  A grand time was had by all! Speaking for myself, anyway.

ANYHOO, pictures!  Here ya go:

A view across the fields.

The banquet table! Much merriment (and mead) was had. Please note Gollum lurking in the left-hand corner.

Oh joy, the cottonwoods are turning yellow!

Farmer Maggot's apple trees!

The treasure trove of goodies I returned home bearing. *love*

The reason for it all: Happy Birthday, Bilbo & Frodo!

Legolas bids you welcome at the Plough & Stars Inn. (The front sidewalk was lined with votive candles in mason jars, and it looked quite lovely once it was dark out.)

No admittance except on party business! (That means you, Sackville-Bagginses.) The Party Tree is in the background.

This was a fun swing.

The banner of the Council of Westmarch. Well met, my friends!

A view over the fields and over The Hill...

Looking out over The Water...don't you just love the perfect reflections?

Stop with the Heat, Already!

Is it just me, or should fall be making an appearance sometime soon?  This is Montana, and it is after Labor Day, ergo: it's time for cooler temperatures and changing leaves.  But nooo, it's still in the mid-80s and I haven't seen any colorful trees yet.  Enough already, I am done with summer!  I can't even tell you how much I'm looking forward to the first snowfall.  Extended warm weather into September is for Texas - not Montana.  And yes, it is cooler in the mornings when I leave for work, but otherwise it seems to be holding steadfastly to shorts and tank top weather.  

I'm sure after a couple months of sub-freezing temperatures I'll be singing a different tune, but for now I would just like to say: Fall, get here soon!

Labor Day Weekend in Helena

Four O Six is a store downtown that promotes art and the Montana lifestyle...and I want this shirt!

Breakfast Sunday morning at the No Sweat Cafe...the heart of downtown Helena, really.  Great food and a great atmosphere...plentiful coffee...just don't go there when you're in a hurry!

The Cathedral of St. Helena.  I don't know why I didn't bother getting a better picture.

A nice little park downtown - I'm sure it has a name, but I can't think of what it is.

Nice dragon mural, eh?  Looks like a tattoo.

Not Mt. Helena, but a lovely view Saturday evening.  The weather was unbelievably gorgeous all weekend.

Farmers market, Saturday morning, on Fuller Ave.  Knocks the Billings one right out of the park.  I mean, come on - you can buy Montana sapphires at this one!

Me on top of Mt. Helena on Sunday

Another shot of the farmer's market

The view from my booth at the No Sweat.

The No Sweat counter...just don't assume that just 'cause you're sitting right up front, you'll get served any faster!  But a good place to grab a spot if you're on the own and the place is packed.  Which it usually is.

On the slopes of Mt. Helena

My Saturday night dinner at Bert & Ernie's, a great place for outdoor dining right downtown at Lawrence St. and Last Chance Gulch.  The pasta was rather "bleh" but the wine was good!

The Rialto is a very popular bar right on the Walking Mall.  I've had many, many interesting times there.  Isn't the sign nifty?  Thought this picture turned out pretty good, too.

My reading buddy in the park by the library.  Apparently he wanted to learn more about working in the restaurant business.  I really like how this picture turned out!

The Power Block, right downtown.  I used to work in this building. *sentimental sigh*

Me again - a little closer.

A view down the walking mall, from the corner of 6th and Last Chance Gulch.

Arrrrgh I know it's been forever!!

Life being what it is, I haven't posted in a bit.  Obviously.  Hopefully I will get some good pictures from my upcoming Helena/Missoula trip to post!