We have been nice and busy this summer. Mike took a summer position with Kansas Wildlife and Parks doing habitat management at a 10,000 acre wildlife management area here in our end of the state. It has been hard work but he says, " how many jobs would allow you to hear quail calling all day?! ". His rich knowledge of Kansas flora and fauna has been enhanced by working closely with several biologists and lots of wildlife encounters. Including crossing paths a couple of times with a rattlesnake species that had not previously been seen in the area. The biologists were much more excited about that sighting than I was.
I have been getting settled into our home and the area, discovering how simple it is where people give directions such as 'go north 3 miles, then west 2" instead of Vermont's "turn left where the old red barn used to be then right after the big hill." I bought a bike to explore the endless miles of quiet dirt roads around us and have watched as the corn has grown taller than me. We have had a nice amount of rain this summer, ending the drought of last year and filling up our pond which was at a record low level. The temperatures have been much more pleasant than I had feared. I love the beautiful sunrises and sunsets and how they cast amazing colors onto the pond and the many flowers in the gardens left by the previous owner.
But we are feeling energized because in only 13 days we will be loading up dogs and guns, hooking up the Open Range and pulling out. Although we had considered hunting Idaho this year, conditions in Montana are reported to be too good to pass up. The scheduling of a French Brittany breed club event in central MT at the beginning of Sept decided it for us. Our plans are to stop in both South and North Dakota on the way to MT to renew friendships and let the dogs stretch their legs as we all get used to living on the road again. We are thinking that we will spend September and October in Montana and return home in time for the Kansas season opener on November 9. Let the season begin!
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