Whiteout to washout!

This was only the beginning...

...of mountains of snow falling on the Bitterroots (see a mini-mountain plowed to the rear of this alley, with real mountains, behind).

Alex gets his bike out to ride into town on plowed streets and has to plow his own way through our yard.

We decide to take advantage of the extreme snow pack and go high into the mountains to cross-country ski with wonderful new neighbors from Bainbridge Island, Dave Ward and JoAnn Davis.

And who should we meet on a long, wide trail called Broadway? A rather large moose, standing his/her ground. Skiing on both ends of Broadway comes to a stop. Alex creeps forward to get some pictures. Others coming out of the woods from side trails practically run into the moose. Eventually, we all turn around and go other directions because this wonderful beast is planted, nibbling on snowy branches and, apparently, enjoying being out in the open.

Back in town a day or so later, a very fashionable Vicky Bohlig and I ignore more show and go thrift-shop hopping. She's wearing a swingy vintage fur and warmest boots.

This gives me the idea to get my Bill Cunningham on (he's the renowned New York Times street-fashion photographer). I see a girl in town (Hamilton) wearing an adorable knit skirt over her warm tights and under her down jacket. She says she shops for such things at Bob Ward & Sons Sporting Goods in Missoula. I must go.

On another day, I catch a Corvallis High School field trip to our nonprofit Ravalli County Recycling, Inc. It is very cold that day. Most kids -- to my eye -- are adorable and under-dressed.  Then, the weather starts to warm. Montana gets mentioned in a  New York Times headline. Pretty funny, except that it's going up to 52 today. Yikes!

Our side yard is turning into a lake, where there's not pure mush!

Our basement is dry, we're away from the river. But still others are warned about flooding. What a wacky winter everywhere. But here, we rarely get this kind of snow and then this rapid a melt. It's to be in the 50s going into the weekend. At least I'll be able to move my Meyer lemon tree outside for a good washing of its scale-infested leaves. Never a dull moment!