Epic Bearded Griz Fan - University of Montana, Missoula, Montana

In the levels of fandom, Most Dedicated Fan status definitely goes to this gent and his energetic family who drove across Montana to cheer on the University of Montana Grizzlies today.  Oh, and dyeing his epic beard Griz-maroon AND layering on a small vat of glitter is absolutely icing on the commitment cake. 

A big thanks to these Griz enthusiasts for the friendly post-game chat and pose, and also for granting verbal permission to post his photo. (Alas, in the moment's delight, I spaced on asking a name...doh!)

Redemption Cross - Chase Matthew - Missoula, Montana

Well done, Chase Matthew!  - for bringing your high energy band to Missoula, Montana's Washington-Grizzly Stadium AND, even more, for sharing some of your redemption story and the hope of Jesus as the reason you wear that Cross with sincerity.

(Bonus best-stadium-view showcases Mount Sentinel and the iconic M trail.)

Spring Cloud Wave Over Mount Sentinel - Missoula, Montana

"And so there we all were on a little wave of time lifting up to eternity, and none of us ever in time would know what to make of it. How could we? It is a mystery, for we are eternal beings living in time."  -Wendell Berry, from Jayber Crow, p. 205

Fall Game Day Besties - University of Montana, Missoula, Montana

Crisp fall views on a sunny University game day  - life is just better in Montana. 

Go Griz!…to FCS Semi-Finals - Missoula, Montana

Mount Sentinel’s iconic M will be lit again for Saturday’s  FCS Semi-Final playoff game. Go Griz!

Seasons, Cycles - Missoula, Montana

"In actuality, life is full of cycles, and cycles are not always unhealthy. In our walks, we will have cycles. I think my biggest barrier is my own reaction to what is at times completely normal behaviour for anybody. 

If I could just begin to incorporate more of the principles of God's love and His forgiveness as it relates to my own inability to be perfect, then I think my commitment would be a lot more solid and a lot easier to uphold."

-Margaret Becker, in 1990 interview with Jerry Wilson for Cross Rhythms

Kierkegaard On Walking.... - Missoula, Montana, Mount Sentinel Trail System

“Above all, do not lose your desire to walk:  Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.”  Søren Kierkegaard  (1813-1855), in a letter to Jette, 1947

 

M For Missoula - Mount Sentinel, Missoula, Montana

When you stand just below it, Mount Sentinel's "M" really is rather gigantic - I inched back down the trail until it mostly fit in my viewfinder. And you don't fully appreciate the annoyingly arduous trail until you turn through that 11th switchback to arrive at the M (which is not the same as "at the top" - you can go further up and further in, and even explore an old mine cave - hence the trees visible between M and sky!)

Life's Work Sampler - Missoula, Montana

"Sometimes I think life would be simpler if I'd been born a man."

"Oh rubbish. Life is what it is. 

Your life's work, on the other hand - that you might exercise some control over."
 - from Painted Horses by Malcom Brooks 

The Sri Lankan sojourners are homeward bound. See the latest updates at JourneysWithGod.com .)

Bright Spot - Missoula, Montana

Despite the persistent heat, Mount Sentinel boasts vibrant varieties of blooming wildflowers, including this bright blanketflower.
In the interests of preserving natural flora, aforementioned blanketflower included, the M trail is rife with signs reminding travelers to keep to the trail. Bear in mind that the main path to the giant M consists entirely of ELEVEN huff-puff inducing switchbacks, divided amongst 620 vertical feet, with only steep and wire fencing in between. I have to wonder if these admonishments exist thanks to some crazed coed who hopped the fencing only to slide, screaming like a banshee, 600+ feet to the trailhead. THAT would definitely be a diversionary trail sighting! But bad for any wildflowers en route. So let's hope the signs are merely a theory-based preventative.

Dry Grass View - Missoula, Montana

"And I'd like to give my love to everybody,  and let them know that the grass may look greener on the other side, but believe me, it's just as hard to cut." - Little Richard

Top O' the M-ornin' - Missoula, Montana

Looking directly up from the last leg of Missoula's M trail on a clear day, here's your view; about ten more vertical feet and you've arrived at the popular destination 620 feet above the valley floor. If you are summit minded, you may continue on a side trail up and around the 100 foot wide and 125 foot long letter. If, like me, you are more in it for the company of your hiking buddy, you may wonder briefly what it would take to get a coffee and snow cone stand up there. Or you may just happily head down trail knowing increasing temps equate to high ice cream potential. 

Beyond The 'M' - Missoula, Montana

On Father's Day, The Best Husband Ever wanted to trek up to Mount Sentinel's 'M'. So trek we did! Consisting entirely of a series of short switchbacks, the trail presents a decent cardio workout. This, of course, is my positive spin on the potentially demoralizing huffing and puffing that ensues within 10 minutes above the parking lot. But, as TBHE pointed out halfway up, at least we were still ahead of the 20-something young woman and her two little kids! The trip up always rewards with far-flung views. Plus, it makes for guilt-less post-hike ice cream at Sweet Peaks!

Lock View - Missoula, Montana

"Needing was so easy: it came naturally, like breathing. Being needed by someone else, though, that was the hard part. But as with giving help and accepting it, we had to do both to be made complete- like links overlapping to form a chain, or a lock finding the right key." - Ruby (pgs 400-401)” - Sarah Dessen ,'Lock and Key'

Mullein Sunset - Missoula, Montana

The hillside above and below the Sentinel Fire Road in the Pattee Canyon trail system was thick with chin-high stalks of blooming and spent mullein. Then, suddenly, around the next bend, there were none - almost as if the wind and critters conspired to transport these seeds to a limited portion of the grassy, open hills. Since I‘d assumed plenty more of these tall plants would pose for me further down the trail, I trudged back the way I’d come to find a likely subject - and the bonus of cooperative sunset clouds. 
Moral of the story: take your chances while ye may - there be no guarantee of yet to come, or nay.

Gimme An L, Mount Jumbo, Missoula, Montana

If you’re looking for letters, Missoula currently offers a choice of an M on Mount Sentinel, or Mount Jumbo’s L for Loyola Sacred Heart High School. 
Our church hoped to do a fundraiser run up Mount Jumbo’s back titled “To L And Back”, but received a "no" amidst the approval process - apparently a running horde might encounter some safety issues.

Walking the trails to each letter, you can definitely spout phrases like, “The joy is in the journey.” Both are attainable locations for even moderate walkers, and boast splendid views the whole way. And isn’t that why people come to Montana? (To spout well-rehearsed phrases, I mean.)

Go Griz, Missoula, Montana

This seven-foot tall grizzly bear statue graces the west end of the Oval at the University of Montana. Created by Rudy Autio in 1969, "Grizzly" is a stunning life-sized representation of the University's mascot, and a vibrant reminder of why you'd not want to meet the real creature in the woods.
Behind "Grizzly" are two other U of M icons, the University Hall clock tower and the giant "M" on Mount Sentinel.

Mount Sentinel Backside, Missoula, Montana

I hear tell there’s a steeper trail that can take you to and from the “M” on this side of Mount Sentinel - just in case the main trail didn't get you huffing and puffing enough.

Branching Out to the Missoula “M” Hike, Missoula, Montana

The “M” on Mount Sentinel is a good spring hiking trail because there are no overhanging trees wherein ticks can hide to launch their attack on unsuspecting victims. Well, that, and the great exercise, and the spectacular views. (Not that I have a tick phobia or any such.)

Looking South from the "M", Missoula, Montana

If you ever get to Missoula, be sure to pack a water bottle & hike up to the “M” above the University of Montana. The continually changing views are worth any anguishing reminder that you used to be more in shape.
On the early fall day pictured above, forest fires still hazed the mountain ranges all the way down the Bitterroot Valley. Which brings me to another thing for which to be thankful during the winter: we’re not breathing smoke from local forest fires.