As I write this, I am sitting at the edge of an immense field with Montana's famous big skies in front of me. It is 9pm and the sun is slowly setting. I just had a delicious alfresco dinner – rabbit and bison sausages with huckleberry mustard as an appetizer, followed by a Caesar salad, and as the main course, New York steak with morel mushrooms, baked potatoes, a herb pasta and corn with collard greens. I am sipping green tea, about to switch to red wine. Hard life.
I spent the afternoon kayaking on the Blackfoot River, navigating rapids and big stones. For my first river kayak experience, I did pretty well – the boat didn't flip and despite the fact I got absolutely soaked (despite wearing a wet suit) in the white water, it was fun and thrilling.
I arrived to Montana yesterday afternoon and spent my first night in
Tent City at
Paws Up. It was very cold out, unusually so for the middle of July, but I was very happy under the down comforter in my king-size bed, listening to the sound of rain falling on the canvas. Yes, down comforters – and an electric blanket on top! It doesn't sound like camping, right? Well, that's because I'm glamping – glamorous camping.
What awaits me tonight are smores by the bonfire, a spot of stargazing and a sweet night in my tent. I will awake tomorrow to a fantastic breakfast and then move on to
Spa Town for a yoga class. In the afternoon, I plan to go ATV-ing around some of the 37,000 acres of this humongous property. A pretty amazing couple of days.
As I sat by the river this evening, watching a bald eagle's nest in a tall pine tree on the other bank, listening to undisturbed silence, with nowhere to go and nothing to do, I fully realized the beauty of my job. What a privilege to be exactly where I am.
Have you ever been to Montana? Have you done any of the activities mentioned?
Comments (5)
Rats!!!! You're making me homesick. I use to live in Calgary Alberta, I've gone down to Glacier National Park many times, Kallispell, - spent a lot of time in The Crowsnest Pass --- hunting and fishing. Montana is one of my favourite states. It's too bad the troopers won't let me cross the border now.
i wnat to go. i want to live there.
Throw in a mountain bike and it would be perfect.
Sweet baby Jesus, this sounds so wonderful.
I WANNA GOOO TO MONTANA!