I had the privilege of growing up in Montana, a state of rugged land and rugged people.
It’s a state where you watch for rattlesnakes and prickly pear cactus, neither bother you and you know both are edible.
The average person never dresses completely in style or completely out of style, and cowboy is always an accepted style.
A four-wheel drive pickup has always been the vehicle of choice, and not because of the flashy commercials and current buying trends, but because you can help your friends move, transport your building materials, and haul home the gutted deer that’s food for the winter.
Montanans have been slow to adapt drinking good coffee, but are quick to offer you a cup if you stop by.
When I visit Montana my soul is invigorated. I’m alive and I’m home. I write and photograph like a mad woman, knowing the visit will soon be a vaporous memory.
In 2005 I received my first digital camera and immediately forged the habit of shooting pictures through the car windows. We had driven to Montana for Thanksgiving with the relatives, and I was reluctant to leave.
On my way home, I shot frantically out the water-spotted windows, capturing those last fleeting images that would be my final souvenirs of a too-short visit.
I wondered if these ranchers were content with their simple lives and their land, or if they dreamed about the city lights and all that existed beyond their mountains.
Hearty sagebrush kissed by winter’s frost, brought a lacy, softening touch to the landscape.
A peak into a valley I imagined Lewis and Clark traveling through. I can almost see Native Americans on their horses watching the process below. Shadows of past buffalo herds highlight the base of the mountains.
I long for the rocks to speak, to tell me the stories I have missed.
The winter beauty of Montana isn’t the flashy floral beauty and white sandy beaches of warmer climates. But, if you look closely, you will see so many shades of brown, gray, and green, your heart will marvel at the Creator’s subtle palette.
The foothills of the Rockies aren’t the towering peaks that demand to be conquered, they’re the mountains of quiet strength and constant presence.
Even the rocks cry out majestically in their diluvian formations. There is gold in those hills, and silver, sapphires, copper…it’s the Treasure State, but the treasure it gave me wasn’t monetary.
I shot through the valley and into the mountains. I shot horses, trees, and the Yellowstone River that kept us company for part of the trip.
And then, I put my camera down. There was no prolonging it any more.
I had to go home, and my home isn’t in Montana.
But my heart is.
I’ve been to many states in the US, but not Montana. Looking at your gorgeous images makes me move it to the top of my bucket list!
Thanks, Mitzi! I would love to show you my favorite thrift and antique stores in Helena! 🙂 But, then, again, we might be wanting to buy the same things…
Beautiful images. The tip of my nose got cold just looking at the chilly views.
For some inexplicable reason (just ask our kids!), Montana has always done *something* to my heart. I’ve been to the US twice, but never further west than Michigan, but one day …. one day 😉 . Absolutely loved the photos … post them as often as you can – here’s one heart that’ll shout for joy!
Loved your post! So beautifully written with such heart. It made me smile. And I gotta say not only are you photos evocative and serene to look at, I love the name of your Blog. Nice work. Cheers!
Oh I LOVE the pictures – thank you for the tour!
Now and then Shawn and I dream about living in Montana. Simple. Quiet. Rustic. A few beefies, chickens and dogs. Let the kids roam free. Explore. Yes. We’d need a fireplace for stormy days. Your pictures made me dreamy too. Maybe someday you’ll move back to rest, write and feel at home. 🙂 ….and we’ll come visit since we’re probably never going to actually make the dream a reality. =/
Tandis, we would love to be your next door neighbors in Montana. We always were sure our life plan was to buy a farmstead and raise a garden and animals. The Lord’s plan was to move us to the biggest city in the PNW where we could fight traffic instead of weeds. Wait, I have tons of weeds, and slugs and moles and rats…But, yes, our hearts are so longing for a slower pace.
I’m still dreaming about it too. I love The West. Especially MT.
My problem…I don’t really know where “home” is since I have always been a military dependent.
I know! I haven’t moved as much as you have, Kendra, but we’ve lived in ND, MN, KS and WA since we got married. When people ask me where I’m from, I never know what to say. That’s why I say Montana, because it was the favorite place I’ve ever lived. But, you and I have had some amazing life adventures! 🙂
I LOVE Montana! It’s one of my many dreams to take Doug there someday. When Jubilee was an infant we went to visit my parents in ND and that was the farthest West Doug had ever been!
We’ve been trying to figure how to have a family reunion there someday, but nothing is working so far. We have to keep trying!
I’m the same way when I go home to Montana! I’m taking photos out of the car window like crazy & each time I go it’s harder to leave! I’m so excited to be going for Thanksgiving this year!
I’m kinda’ jealous, have to admit! Enjoy your time there. If you blog Montana pics, come back and post a link under your comment, k? That would be cool. Thanks for visiting my blog today, it was great to see your work when I visited your blog.
I will definitely send you a link. I try to post every day when I travel & once a week when I’m home. I say try only because as you know when you’re in Montana cell service and/or wifi aren’t always available and I’ve actually come to love that. 🙂
Oh, wow! LOVED this post! The pictures just really draw you in. It is hard to imagine not loving a place like this. I’ve dreamed of going to Montana for years. You are so blessed to be able to at least visit there. 🙂 Thanks for sharing the lovely pictures and giving us a peek into your heart. Love, Cheryl
Cheryl, your kind comments are always a blessing. It’s like having a friend come alongside me and give me a hug. Thanks for visiting and encouraging.