BIG DOG

Everything about Jake is huge.No wonder he was brought back to the pound twice before we picked him up almost 4 years ago. He is a wonderful and gentle canine, but even when he wags his tail, one better not be near it or it will bruise and hurt. We jokingly tell him one of these days we are going to trade him in for a compact, economy model. Our "big man", as I often call him, is powerfully muscular. My guess is he can pull speeds up to about 30 mph on a typical sprint.  

 Gidget prefers small hide-outs, like under our counter table. She has learned to close her eyes when Jake approaches wagging his tail, which sweeps about mercilessly at the same height as her face. JIR

ABUELOS ORGULLOSOS

This is how it all started October 3, 2012 with Xavier James Ramirez. We always are so proud of our kids, and now we have a grandson to add to that pride.

 Fast forward to January and we were back to celebrate his 3 1/2 month birthday

Xavier loves baths

 He was developing pretty good head control by then

 Shortly after we left in January his smile became much broader and full of emotion

 I can attest to the fact that Lindsay did not bribe him to pose for this absolutely beautiful shot

"Now, that's what I call a good book Dad" (and a great photo by Mom)

What can I say? This grandson of ours is absolutely and positively cute. JIR

HEAVENLY WINTER

 This must be what winter looks like in Heaven. The Yellowstone River flows in the foreground as Emigrant Peak (tallest at 10,900 feet elevation) and Chico Peak (10,200 feet elevation) dominate the background

 The "movie actress", as one of my family members has called her, is framed in the background by the peaks of the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness

 No movie actor here, just me. Chico Peak in the background

 Chico Hot Springs near the town of Pray, Montana, must be our favorite place to visit in Montana. We counted 8 times in 19 years. Their natural hot spring pool (near Olympic size) is filled every morning around 7 and emptied every night around 11. But what really keeps us coming back is, well, we get to remind ourselves what Heaven must look like in the winter.

 Easier to tell in this frame the tallest Emigrant Peak from its slightly shorter relative Chico Peak

 Once we arrive at Chico, less than 3 hours from our home, it's only 30 miles to Yellowstone National Park. So we always pay a visit to the matriarch of our National Parks. This herd of hungry bison walked in front of us and decided to have a picnic (notice the covered picnic area and picnic table).

 Mamooth Hot Springs, a few miles from the north entrance is open year round. The sulfurous steam from the geo-thermals in this area is particularly visible in the winter

 On our way out of the Park, and after seeing lots of bison, we came upon these 2 gorgeous bull elk, foraging on a slope right above the road

 No day is complete near the north entrance unless one is able to spot the masters of equilibrium in high places, Mountain Sheep (also Big Horn Sheep)

 Back at Chico, we got ourselves ready for soaking in the hot springs pool and an exceptional dinner at their 5 star restaurant. JIR

WINTER GETAWAY

Absaroka Mountains towering above Paradise Valley, gate to the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park. They looked ominous  today, covered by moisture engorged clouds. We'll be driving into the Valley on our way to Chico Hot Springs and Gardiner, MT. the north entrance to Yellowstone

We stopped overnight in Livingston, MT, one of the major railway centers in Montana from the early 1900's.  We stayed at the historic Murray Hotel in downtown Livingston, across the street from the rail yard.

 Built in 1904, the Murray was popular with railroad passengers visiting Yellowstone National Park, and others heading to new horizons out West. As the sign in the memorabilia cabinet reads: "Fireproof and Strictly Modern"

More to come...JIR