Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Sense Fest




Montana. Big Sky Country. The Treasure State. Land of the Shining Mountains. Whatever you call it, Montana is certainly a land of space and diversity. We chugged our way across most of the state and I can honestly say the sights, sounds and smells were ever changing and ever giving. We saw jagged mountain peaks scraping the sky while we drove through valleys of sweet smelling grass tickling the fickle breezes. The  sounds of jingling cowboy spurs punctured the air as golden meadowlarks swabbed the wind with trilling melodies. The 100 degree heat created ripe smells of freshly cut hay and steaming pavement. Towering pine trees soon gave way to scrubby sagebrush and back again to a coniferous wonderland. Pressure changes rattled water bottles as altitudes climbed past a mile high and just as quickly dropped to the comfort levels of prairie folks. Horses nibbled on wildflowers as turkey vultures soared the air waves scanning from above for their next buffet. A squawking magpie hippity-hopped through the parking lot looking for a morsel left in the wake of munching travelers.

The wheezing of weary ones climbing a steep hill to a bathroom at a rest stop had the thrill of Mt. Everest attached to the final summit. The siren song of coffee in the hotel breakfast room lured the bleary eyed into another day of road cruising. The clanking of gas pumps played like hand bells in yet another convenience station. Harried mothers chided children when they scampered ahead too far and dogs yelped in delight when they were finally released from their cramped quarters. Long hours of traveling were cleansed away by chlorine and happy children in the hotel pool.

Gratefully we experienced an uneventful five hundred miles but Montana made sure our senses were filled with wonder and delight. And if you watch and listen very carefully, you might even get lucky enough to see the elusive purple cow.


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