I ♥ Big Sky Country

Buttercup often questions my passion about Montana. (The word "obsessed" has been used before.) She's still young and doesn't fully understand why I love it so darn much. She still has fantasies and dreams about moving to a big city and living among the throngs of people and tall buildings. She dreams of the hustle and bustle of city life. The constant moving, the noise, the smells. She hasn't felt the need to escape to wide open spaces, fresh air, no population and almost complete peace.

I think I was much like her when I was 18. And, I will admit that there still are times that I dream about those things too.

Then I repent.

And hop into the car and drive to where the skies are big and blue, where the mountains tower above me. As I drive I roll down the windows and inhale the fresh pine smell and the sweet scent of wild flowers. It's usually chilly and rarely too hot. The only down side I can find are the irritating mosquitoes or painful horseflies... but I can deal with those.

Montana is home to me. I grew up in nearby Guilder, and almost every summer weekend we would go to the family's property in Montana. We hiked the mountains, swam in the lakes, prowled the National Park, watched thunderstorms bounce between mountains, fought skunks, laid under the stars gazing at the Milky Way, picked wild flowers, fished for trout, cut wood for our home fireplace, played cards, and enjoyed wonderful family time together.

I'll say it again, MONTANA IS HOME!! I've never had my own official Montana address. I've never had my own Montana fishing licence or driver's licence. But it's as comfortable to me as my own town of Guilder. I heave a sigh every time we cross the border. The air is fresher, cleaner and more pure...

Don't believe me? Let me show you!

(Warning: be prepared to be innundated with photos from the July 4 weekend in My Montana.)

Did you know there are hummingbirds in Montana?

There are lots of Mountain Bluebirds to be found.

And Burrowing Owls.

There is plenty of wind for kite flying.

You can watch the storms roll in for miles.

The scenery and mountains will take your breath away.

(This is my first panoramic shot...)

You can hike tall mountains or smaller hills.

Who wouldn't want this view out of their kitchen window?

There's always time to play cards and be silly!

And many opportunities to pick a wildflower boquet for your loved one's birthday!

Do you have your heart set on riding bikes? NO PROBLEM!!! We can find you a trail!

I find many opportunities for fulfilling my obsession of photographing clouds in Big Sky Country.
If this hasn't convinced you, that's okay. I like it better when there's less people there!