World In (Fall) Colour - Missoula, Montana

The last sentence of this (rather chemically adventurous) scientist's quote was, for me, a rather striking reminder of another way we are set apart from amongst all other life on this earth to receive such unmerited care and graciousness:

“Outside is pure energy and colorless substance. 
All of the rest happens through the mechanism of our senses. 
Our eyes see just a small fraction of the light in the world. 
It is a trick to make a colored world, which does not exist outside of human beings.” 
- Albert Hofmann (1906-2008)

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!)

Waterworks Hill, Gilded - Missoula, Montana

Irrepressible sunbeams highlight Waterworks Hill's golden autumn grasses from amidst the hazy, storm-portending blues of a soon-to-be-blustery day. (A very slight - & fleeting! - bout of self-satisfied preening occurs as I discern the higher spine trail of the left hill and realize my rather uncommitted hiking has included a stroll up that ridge...)

Gorgeous Autumn Gold - Grant Creek, Missoula, Montana

In case I didn't mention this recently, we've been having the best kind of gorgeous autumn, as you can plainly see in this sun-gilded shot of Grant Creek right in the middle of Missoula's industrial north-end segement.

Shifting Sky View From Mount Sentinel - Missoula, Montana

Even though Mount Sentinel's M trail is less than a mile long, the 11 switchbacks and 620 feet in elevation gain make for a decent little hike. (Okay, I understated there - it's really a huffer-puffer! Unless you are one of the very fit 20-something athletes who lapped us - running! - both up and back before we were even all the way up.) 
But the Big Sky view is worth every demoralizing wheeze - or, rather, "views", plural, from the lovely little rest-&-view-the-vista benches mercifully situated at multiple switchback turns.
Overall, a good time was had by all - and we wisely balanced out the activities with a stop for handcrafted ice cream a la Sweet Peaks.

Comfort Food for My Soul - Bitterroot Valley, Montana

Familiar vistas spread before my eyes

Revealing layers of consistent beauty 

Never cease to calm, inspire, refresh

During our annual visit to Big Sky Country, Gary (MWH aka My Wonderful Husband) and I take every opportunity to just be outside. Breathing in the fresh air under endless blue skies, savoring views of rolling plains edged by mountainous peaks, or meandering along the river's edge.  

We return home refreshed in body and soul.

- Pat Richards

(A big thanks to Sis 3 (aka intrepid traveler Pat Richards) for sharing another guest post from their 2018 visit. Current crisp autumn skies look just about the same today, but with added swathes of yellow tamarack in the mountains.)

Prison Made (Not the Zephyr) - Helena, Montana

The 1948 Lincoln Zephyr's detailed trunk latch is pretty sweet - but just as intriguing is the vintage Prison Made license plate.
Montana issued its first “Prison Made” vehicle license plate in 1928, pulling production from costly out of state makers. 
Check out Sean R. Heavey's colourful plate sampling here in his post from February 3, 2017. 
Even though the “Prison Made” stamp was only a feature from 1939 to 1957, Montana Correctional Enterprises at Deere Lodge state prison continues to manufacture the ever-expanding variety of Montana license plates - and a host of other products that you can view here.

Zephyr Unity Lights - Helena, Montana

Like a siren call, I was drawn back to a few shots of the 1948 Lincoln Zephyr we saw at an estate auction earlier this month, in Helena, Montana, so please bear with me. 

The detail of the chrome engraving is such a thing of fine beauty - it speaks of time when careful attention to detail was more the norm. I like to think it was a more gracious time in general - a distinct contrast to the caterwauling going on in our present-day media and politics, which saddens and annoys me to no end. 

But I realize it was also a harder time for the bulk of people in our countries. Maybe that's what's missing - a drastic decline in hard physical labour and deprivatious conditions allows for.excess foolish and uncivil blather...but I digress, and so leave you to ponder the calming chrome - engraved with the one elegant word: Unity.
(Hmmm...shinier shades of the Lorax, perhaps...?)