Another Barn to add to Sanders Co. Barn Collection

Autumn Barn - Hays Up

What is it about old barns that make you take a double look as you drive by? 

They stand as a testament to our history and our future.

They are romantic and functional. 

They are a symbol of a life that large corporate farms want to destroy. 

These barns are family farm structures that aid in the lifestyle - a lifestyle that benefits

everyone...

Really, they are simply beautiful as well...

Elk Creek Road Barns, Heron, Montana

We decided to take a back road out side Heron, Montana just to see what we'd find. Why not follow the lovely Elk Creek? These are the two amazing barns we spotted along the way. 

 This is Elk Creek - it's a wonderful creek with clear water, about 15 feet wide. 

This barn says "Apple Orchard Stables" on the sign. It was HUGE and well taken care of. I loved this dry creek that ran behind the Apple Orchard Stable barn.

Flat Iron Boat Launch and Picnic Area

Flat Iron Boat Launch and Picnic Area is located about 2 miles west of Thompson Falls. We stopped by there yesterday to capture some photos of the facilities and -- well, to be honest to soak in the view.

There are great picnic spots.

the launch is ADA compliant

 

There is a vaulted toilet and lots of parking available. 

Boat Launches of Sanders County

In Sanders County we have water, tons of it - with the Flathead River joining the Clark Fork River outside Paradise plus the Thompson River, 63 alpine lakes, hundreds of streams, creeks and small rivers. If you want to fish, boat, kayak, swim, or simply dip your toe in, Sanders County has the place for you. Here are photos of some lesser used boat launches....

Flathead River looking West toward Paradise from the Koo Koo Sint Boat Launch.

Koo Koo Sint Boat Launch is located between Dixon and Paradise.

Pair-A-Dice Boat Launch in Paradise, Montana

Noxon has a really nice town park next to their boat launch.

Getting Wild with Flowers

The grass is greening up, the sun is shining more, and wildflowers are starting to come into bloom in Sanders County. Reports of buttercups, croces and violas are coming in. Here are a few shots of flowers from days out and about.

 Wild Iris found at Finley Flats between Thompson Falls & Trout Creek

 These may be weeds to some, to us they were pretty splashes of yellow during a hike around the PPL Island Park in Thompson Falls. 

If you happen to capture lovely wildflowers during visits to or your time living here, please email us a copy so we can add to this blog post: info@tour200.com

Thompson Falls - Big Horn Sheep Capital of the World

It's official. We declare Thompson Falls, Sanders County as the Big Horn Sheep Capital of the World! We know, there are big horn sheep all over Montana and the Rockies. But we make the official declaration. 

The best time to capture a photo of these animals is October - Early spring. You do not have to go far to find them. They are often blocking Highway 200 between Plains and Thompson Falls. 

Here is a short collection of big horn sheep photos & YouTube.com Videos to enjoy.  

Rams in pairs taken by Linda Elliott

Photos by Katrina Campbell, Falls Motel

Sanders County Wildlife Collection

Sanders County has wildlife in abundance! There are so many photos available from area residence, that I wasn't even sure where to begin...so this is a general post of some of the favorites.

Whitetail buck off Blue Slide Road by Graves Creek. We also have Mule Deer in the region.

 Trout? Got them, plus pike, salmon, etc...

 Bison Range Wildlife Refuge near Dixon, Montana. (Photos by James Rexhouse & Linda Elliott)

 Historic photo of Bison in Sanders County by the Sanders County Historical Society.

 

 Elk? Yep, got those too! (Linda Elliott photo)

 Canadian Geese - there's so many we think of them as Montana Geese

 More Whitetail Deer - all year round.

Large herds of Big Horn Sheep reside between Thompson Falls & Plains
Sanders County must be the big horn sheep capital of the world. 

We also have black and brown bear, mountain goats, moose, a huge variety of birds....check back for posts with photos of them in future Wildlife Collections.