Bitterroot River Dusk - Blodgett Rotary Park, Hamilton, Montana

Yesterday evening's Bitterroot River ramble conjured fond thoughts of Ratty and Mole.

"Then they got out their boat from the boat-house, sculled down the river home, and at a very late hour sat down to supper in their own cosy riverside parlour, to the Rat's great joy and contentment." - The Wind in the Willows, Ch 2, 

by Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932)

Riverbank Path At Maclay Flats, Bitterroot River - Missoula, Montana

“... By the side of the river he trotted as one trots, when very small, by the side of a man who holds one spellbound by exciting stories; and when tired at last, he sat on the bank, while the river still chattered on to him, a babbling procession of the best stories in the world, sent from the heart of the earth to be told at last to the insatiable sea.” —Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932), The Wind in the Willows)

Full-Fed - Big Hole River, Near Wisdom, Montana

“ ….as he meandered aimlessly along, suddenly he stood by the edge of a full-fed river...this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal, chasing and chuckling, gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh, to fling itself on fresh playmates that shook themselves free, and were caught and held again. All as a-shake and a-shiver—glints and gleams and sparkles, rustle and swirl, chatter and bubble. “  -Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932), The Wind in the Willows
(Thanks again to Sissie 3 for sharing meander views!)

Riverbank Moss Sprouts - Turah, Montana

"Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly little house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing." - Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows, Ch.1

Winter Riverbank - Missoula, Montana

"No animal, according to the rules of animal-etiquette, is ever expected to do anything strenuous, or heroic, or even moderately active during the off-season of winter." - Kenneth Grahame, The Wind In The Willows

View From The Riverbank - Vaughn, Montana

“Beyond the Wild Wood comes the wild world,"said the Rat."And that's something that doesn't matter, either to you or to me. I've never been there, and I'm never going' nor you either, if you've got any sense at all.” 

- Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932), The Wind in the Willows

(If it's been a while since you've read this delightful classic, or you've never savoured Grahame's delightful world, brew a cuppa tea or cocoa then click the title link above to access the book via Project Gutenberg and enjoy!)

Riverbank Habitat, Alberton, Montana

Riverbank cutaways bring to mind Mole of Kenneth Grahame’s “Wind In the Willows”.

“He saw clearly how plain and simple - how narrow, even - it all was; but clearly, too, how much it all meant to him, and the special value of some such anchorage in one's existence. He did not at all want to abandon the new life and its splendid spaces, to turn his back on sun and air and all they offered him and creep home and stay there; the upper world was all too strong, it called to him still, even down there, and he knew he must return to the larger stage. But it was good to think he had this to come back to, this place which was all his own, these things which were so glad to see him again and could always be counted upon for the same simple welcome.”
― Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

A change of perspective sometimes reveals new wonder, and rediscovers misplaced appreciation.