Montana - "Big Sky Country"

Our house (at 3550'/1082m ASL) is located on the south side of the ridge known as "Reservation Divide".  Most of the area between our house and the top of Reservation Divide is either state or national forest.  Although this location causes a poor radio horizon (10-15 degrees elevation from the NE around to the NW),  it also makes it a very beautiful and convenient place to hike!
Lance Collister (W7GJ), Karen Orzech (XYL) and Brittany Collister (daughter) atop Squaw Peak (7996'/2438m ASL) on Reservation Divide, July '99. Activity from the top of Squaw Peak: Steve (K7PX) coordinating while Lance (W7GJ) signals with a hand mirror to K7VK, 28 miles away in Missoula, MT. 
Every December, we always cut down a Christmas tree from the woods around the house.  Not only does it reduce the fire danger around the house, it is a fun outdoor activity, and means so much more when it comes from your own yard!  Here, Brittany (on a visit home from college in Oregon) and Lance prepare a tree to bring inside and decorate for Christmas 2001.
 
 

Farmer's Market
 Lance and Karen (XYL) at the Missoula Farmer's Market on May 15, 2004.  Loading up on plants for the garden!