You call this a ski lift? It's all they got at Pass Powderkeg, Alberta.
After a day of skiing, I hit the golf course.
Dusk patrol on the Continental Divide.
Looking toward the prairie.
Back at the lodge.
Lovely Wapiti Ski Club ski area, Elkford, BC
Parting shot: Fernie at dusk.
Meanwhile, back in Montuckey...
Montana is one of two states unfortunate enough to have a budget surplus. (The other? Nortrh Dakota). I say 'unfortunate' because the lack of a focusing effort has left our legislature with too much time on their hands. Following are some of the Montana House's major efforts to date:
-An effort to legalize hunting with hand-thrown spears.
-Elimination of incentives to create wind power.
-A repeal of laws prohibiting concealed weapons in banks, schools and churches.
-Support of the U.S. withdrawal from the United Nations.
-Official designation of the 'Code of the West' as the Code of Montana; the code includes such inspirational encouragements such as 'Ride for the brand.'
-Nullification of endangered species laws.
-Elimination of educational requirements for persons running for state schools superintendent.
None of this should come as too much of a suprise. In 15 years of covering officials ranging from vice presidential candidates to at-large irrigation district board members, it was state representatives which left me, ahem, least hopeful for the future. (The best, by the way, were city councilors, followed my mayors and elected county attorneys.) Our budget surplus was maintained by Democrats, who were voted out in November in favor of Republicans, who pledged to 'create jobs' and 'eliminate wasteful spending.'
Luckily, the Montana legislature meets only every other year, so we get a 22 month break beginning in April.
