Springing Up Sheriff Signs - Near St Regis, Montana

For the critical 'location, location, location', Banks for Sheriff picked a winner with this gorgeous green spring field along I-90 near St Regis, Montana - with bonus scenic mountain views! 

While I try my best to avoid politics, they do get my vote for Best Montana Campaign Signage! 

Moody Blues Snow Sky (& haiku!) - Missoula, Montana

Moody blues storm sky

swirls, twirls out drowsy pale stars.

Snoozed snow shovels cheer.

--cj hull, 3/17/2026

Light Wind Water Stones - Bitterroot River, Blodgett Rotary Park, Hamilton, Montana

“... I take what is: 

The light beats on the stones, 

the wind over water shines 

Like long grass through the trees...”

- from “The Words” by David Wagoner (1926-2021)

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)

Fall Throwback - Haystacked - W. US Hwy 12 Near Helena, Montana

"People who think it’s so hard to find a needle in a haystack are probably not quilters. Needles find you. Just walk on the haystack for a second. You’ll find the needle." -Jenny Lawson in Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things

Summer Throwback - Kayaker Duo - Placid Lake, Montana

Another summer shot I didn't post at the time....Lingering wildfire haze delineates mountain layers and adds an other-world-liness to Montana lake outings.

Summer Throwback - Paddleboard Pup - Placid Lake, Montana

A peaceful Placid Lake, Montana, moment from this summer. Kind of a nice winter reprieve when longing for sunnier skies. (Also totally vicarious, by the way...not my people, OR our pup...just serendiptous strangers drifted into the hazy view i was sizing up!) 

True Fans - Washington Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, Montana

“Neither snow, nor rain... nor gloom of night..." -Herodotus (500 BC). 

True fans braved slushy skies to cheer the University of Montana Griz to yesterday's FCS Playoff Round 2 win, leading to Round 3 in Washington-Grizzly Stadium!

Sound of Music Trail View - East Missoula, Montana

My advance apologies for the catchy ditty about to be stuck in your head, but this photo view point really IS called The Sound of Music Trail.... 

(And the surrounding Missoula hills were, indeed, alive with the sound of music as hundreds of people of many area churches united to pray and praise over our city at summer's end!) 

Oreo Cows and Mountain Smoke - Missoula, Montana

Stopped on my way home to just bask in delight of oreo cows (actual breed: belted Galloways) and the smokey twilight. So much to see when we pause to look. 

(Not to worry -  this scene is from several weeks ago, and the smoke is long gone.) 

Ref Barn Blue Sky Calm - Near Avon, Montana

“Calm and inner peace…Yes, calm and inner peace were undoubtedly important, but did you need to practise yoga to achieve such things? Or was it enough just to be here….to walk along one of those paths…with the sky above you so wide and so understanding of all it witnessed? …Surely there was enough calm amd peace in this land to bring quiet and healing to every heart that was open to it?? Surely.”

- - The Joy & Light Bus Company by Alexander McCall Smith, p. 57

Mountain Wildfire Smoke Plume - Near Bitterroot Valley, Montana

Seasonal wildfire smoke once again filters through myriad mountain canyons near Montana's Bitterroot Valley. 

Off-Season Reflections - Polson, Montana

 “... And I'm just a reflection of the love that I've been given 
Everybody wants to be somebody, I wanna be somebody too

If I'm gonna be known for something, I wanna be known for You...”

- from “Be The Moon” by Chris Tomlin

Looking Left - Livingston, Montana

Today, I have good news! Well, at least within a very small proverbial sphere...of me, myself, and I...but I sincerely wish this same news upon you (and you, and you-ou!) also, which is: This morning, I pulled on a pair of tweedy winter trousers that I haven’t worn since last winter...AND THEY FIT JUST FINE!!! Those of you who have worked from home for any stretch within the past 10 months understand why this is cause for all-caps and exclamation points. So, take heart (plus nap, walk in the snow, and eat more good protein and salad) and be nice to yourself!

7 Degrees F - Corvallis, Montana

 As we drove down the Bitterroot Valley this morning to a special church service at The Place, The Best Husband Ever commented how bizarre that a mere month ago we were riding bikes in 80 degree F. 
But then he countered that you only see the mountain edges so crisply cut when it’s this cold and clear. Brrrrrr-eautiful!

Breathe In - Salmon Lake, Montana

 “Man cannot do without beauty, and this is what our era pretends to want to disregard.”  - Albert Camus (1913-1960)

 

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

View To Mount Jumbo - Missoula, Montana

The not-quite-almost-there switchback features a new-ish bench for anyone wanting a wee break to enjoy this view from Mount Sentinel across to Mount Jumbo and its iconic 'L'. No shame in pausing to take in the grand scenery.

Future View - Missoula, Montana

"The land belongs to the future, Carl; that's the way it seems to me. How many of the names on the county clerk's plat will be there in fifty years? I might as well try to will the sunset over there to my brother's children. We come and go, but the land is always here. And the people who love it and understand it are the people who own it--for a little while." -Willa Cather, 'O Pioneers!'

Rockies Corralled By Grass - Near Anaconda, Montana

"Westward the Rockies jagged up as if they were the farthest rough edge of the world, but the other three directions flung themselves flat to grass, grass and grass." - Ivan Doig (1939-2015), 'This House of Sky', p. 204