Melding

It’s been eight days of camping in the magnificent Gallatin National Forest of Montana. What I was before this trip I am not anymore. Instead, I am some conglomeration of smooth river rock, jade pools, moss, twisted roots, wind-blasted cliffs and numerous other attributes of this environment.

I could always stay, I suppose. And always be this new thing.

tent

Big Sky Country

It’s good to be home again, for a little while anyway.

I was struck by the significant contrast between Chicagoland air and Montana air. You have to feel it for yourself to truly understand. Sure, you notice at first how crisp and sweet Montana air is. But it is not until the next morning that it feels like you have new lungs, as if someone had swapped out your overworked city lungs while you slumbered.

Along the way I encountered a few critters of the furry kind.

Big Sky Country

A room with a view. And feet.

prairie-dog-family

One of the many prairie dogs I encountered today. They are a blast to film.