Took a short drive to the west of us, about 20 minutes from the house, to see if the local lake was beginning to fill up. Black Butte Lake is where we get our water to irrigate the pasture.

So pretty out there, I kept driving for another 10 minutes.

Drove by the place that inspired the painter who painted this picture that hangs in our house, a gift from our children.

Came to the end of the pavement. The next 12 miles would be gravel. Not today.