Dung Butterflies?

The weekend of April 27-29 we went to Fairmont Hot Springs http://www.fairmontmontana.com/ near Butte, MT for Morrison and Maierle's Annual Stockholder/employee meeting. We hung out with some of Erik's new co-workers and Erik attended meetings. The Hot Springs consisted of two LARGE pools and hot tubs that are heated by the Hot Springs, they actually cool the water so people can swim in it. (that's where I tried the recipe mentioned in the previous post. ) On the way home we chose to take the Pintler loop http://travel.mt.gov/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordID=11543&siteid=1 It's a gorgeous drive. Along the way we decided to stop and hike a little bit. So we stopped on the road to Skalkaho Pass (which is still closed for the "winter") and tried to take a hike well back in the wilderness area. We were stymied by the snow and fallen trees they have not clear yet because the hikes are still closed due to the snow! (Sunburned and hot one day, snow the next! ) But we stopped the car and got out to hike along the road. It only had snow in patches so it was fine to hike along.

We got to the trailhead and realized there was too much snow to actually hike on the trails so we returned to the car. Along the way we saw many butterflies and new plants blooming. We also saw a winters worth of scat along the road. Then we noticed that the butterflies (or possibly moths) seemed especially interested in the scat! Ugh!!

After the hike we stopped in Phillipburg and quaint old mining town where you can buy gravel and search for sapphires in it or go to the best Sweet shop in the area. From there we took a little bit different scenic drive into the Lolo National Forest and some dirt roads. It was amazing!
Again, another great day in Montana! That's all for now.