Yearn to Wander

Montana Pasture

Eastern Montana's vistas were similar to North Dakota, except as elevation continued to rise slowly, the crops changed, and pine forests began to appear here and there.

This year's green fields and pastures are rare. More rain fell in May and June than has fallen in decades. The landscapes are lush. One rancher told us the winter wheat crop would be harvested early. As summer marches on though, and what will become waist and shoulder-high grasses dry, the concern for fire season rises. More fuel is available now than in drier years.

We spent a couple days in Great Falls, named for the five falls on the Missouri River, and around which Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery portaged. It was a nice city, which we enjoyed, but we could get less expensive accommodations in Helena, the state capital, so we continued our journey.

Observation: most public places have signs in the windows that weapons are not permitted inside. These signs have existed for decades in the West, not just since 9/11. The first I noticed them was in the 1980's in Prescott, AZ. One person here told us the schools have the signs, too, because children hunt, and may have forgotten to leave their guns at home. The atmosphere with guns seems relaxed. It brings more light to the Second Amendment discussion.