Looking For Montana
Looking For Montana
Not long ago, I thought that the real Zen of Montana was getting more difficult to find and yes it is true that many beautiful places have been taken over by large overdone buildings that seem to dominate the natural beauty of an area. The are still many unspoiled places, they are just farther from town. Here are a couple, enjoy. Butch
Not long ago, I thought that the real Zen of Montana was getting more difficult to find and yes it is true that many beautiful places have been taken over by large overdone buildings that seem to dominate the natural beauty of an area. The are still many unspoiled places, they are just farther from town. Here are a couple, enjoy. Butch
This Is My Jimmy
I like vehicles that I can hear run, I like to drive, I like off-roading, I like undeveloped places,I like to drive stuff that I don't need to worry about door dings and I keep my rigs for a long time.
I like vehicles that I can hear run, I like to drive, I like off-roading, I like undeveloped places,I like to drive stuff that I don't need to worry about door dings and I keep my rigs for a long time.
The Drive In my Normal
I was comfortable, not ready to mature and needed to find out what else is out there, needing to explore, so early on a warm fall day my 57 Plymouth and I left home, headed to college. I had owned my 57 for about four years, so we knew each other well and had shared many experiences, from racing, where I usually lost, to many bouts of beer drinking, back seat parties and many miles of mountain driving. My 57 was a red and white two door hardtop, with red and white tuck and roll interior, the tuck and roll was done before I bought it. We were good friends and I knew how it would respond in many situations from icy roads to back country dirt. I liked to drive it, it was comfortable and in a way it was a part of me, more than just a car.
We were on the road and the 57s’ pipes made a soft, comforting deep rumble as we drove through the winding mountain road. I had driven mountain roads so much that the many curves just developed into a rhythm. The road was set in continual shades of green, early fall colors, snow topped mountains and clear fast moving streams. It was mid- morning when the road opened onto the prairie, like driving out of a tunnel into the bright space at the end. We had left the protection of the mountains and entered the vast unprotected freedom of open space, the prairie. We were welcomed like a drop of water in a lake, something like an astronaut heading into space, on the edge of being insignificant, headed into the expanse of the unknown and when I re-trace my steps, I am still in that feeling.
The prairie road straightened, traffic thinned and with no speed limit the pace quickened and the glass packs got louder. The golden brown prairie raced by interrupted by the light green of sage, marsh cattails, the occasional piece of farm machinery and the distant horizon that changed little. There were small farm towns along the way each one inhabited by people who made a living from the many farms and ranches in the area. These towns were thriving, as thriving as a little town can be and none of their residents knew what was in the future. None would have guessed that the independent farms and ranches that had been there for many decades would disappear to become a part of corporate America. Corporate America has little or no need for small prairie towns. Each town had at least one quick stop gas station, a grocery store, a small general store, a few bars and some churches. I gassed up, purchased snacks as needed and made mental notes of taverns that may be of interest for future trips. I had spent many good evenings in small town mountain taverns, listening to music, playing pool, dancing, playing shuffleboard and occasionally playing cards and I was ready to sample what small town prairie bars had to offer.
Mildly hypnotized, we drove on through the day and late afternoon, about 10 miles from our destination, we made a rest stop at a roadside tavern. It was the start of a new, well visited experience, a building that showed some wear and tear from the prairie winds, with dirt and gravel parking spaces that lead the way to the inside. The tavern was made up of one large room, a long straight dark wood bar with bar stools on the left, backed by large ornate hardwood decorations, a large full length mirror, many neatly arranged bottles and a large burley bartender.
There were two beers on tap and neither was light. There were two pool tables, a shuffle board table, a hardwood dance floor, a few tables, with a band stand at one end and there wasn’t a TV in sight. The bar was dimly lit by an assortment of lighted beer signs, a few indirect lights and the place smelled like beer, whiskey, wood, the faint sent of cleaning solutions, just like a bar. There were a few customers discussing the day’s work and one had just played “Lonesome Fugitive” on the jukebox. That song haunts me to this day with mental visions of that moment in time. I have learned that I am quite audible in my experience of the world. The restrooms were labeled “Cowboys” and Cowgirls”, no other options.
I ordered a red beer, tomato juice and Olympia, sat at the bar, talked with the bartender and one of the customers about the weather and the evening’s music and I was back on the road for the last 10 miles. We entered town, turned at the street leading to the college
I was comfortable, not ready to mature and needed to find out what else is out there, needing to explore, so early on a warm fall day my 57 Plymouth and I left home, headed to college. I had owned my 57 for about four years, so we knew each other well and had shared many experiences, from racing, where I usually lost, to many bouts of beer drinking, back seat parties and many miles of mountain driving. My 57 was a red and white two door hardtop, with red and white tuck and roll interior, the tuck and roll was done before I bought it. We were good friends and I knew how it would respond in many situations from icy roads to back country dirt. I liked to drive it, it was comfortable and in a way it was a part of me, more than just a car.
We were on the road and the 57s’ pipes made a soft, comforting deep rumble as we drove through the winding mountain road. I had driven mountain roads so much that the many curves just developed into a rhythm. The road was set in continual shades of green, early fall colors, snow topped mountains and clear fast moving streams. It was mid- morning when the road opened onto the prairie, like driving out of a tunnel into the bright space at the end. We had left the protection of the mountains and entered the vast unprotected freedom of open space, the prairie. We were welcomed like a drop of water in a lake, something like an astronaut heading into space, on the edge of being insignificant, headed into the expanse of the unknown and when I re-trace my steps, I am still in that feeling.
The prairie road straightened, traffic thinned and with no speed limit the pace quickened and the glass packs got louder. The golden brown prairie raced by interrupted by the light green of sage, marsh cattails, the occasional piece of farm machinery and the distant horizon that changed little. There were small farm towns along the way each one inhabited by people who made a living from the many farms and ranches in the area. These towns were thriving, as thriving as a little town can be and none of their residents knew what was in the future. None would have guessed that the independent farms and ranches that had been there for many decades would disappear to become a part of corporate America. Corporate America has little or no need for small prairie towns. Each town had at least one quick stop gas station, a grocery store, a small general store, a few bars and some churches. I gassed up, purchased snacks as needed and made mental notes of taverns that may be of interest for future trips. I had spent many good evenings in small town mountain taverns, listening to music, playing pool, dancing, playing shuffleboard and occasionally playing cards and I was ready to sample what small town prairie bars had to offer.
Mildly hypnotized, we drove on through the day and late afternoon, about 10 miles from our destination, we made a rest stop at a roadside tavern. It was the start of a new, well visited experience, a building that showed some wear and tear from the prairie winds, with dirt and gravel parking spaces that lead the way to the inside. The tavern was made up of one large room, a long straight dark wood bar with bar stools on the left, backed by large ornate hardwood decorations, a large full length mirror, many neatly arranged bottles and a large burley bartender.
There were two beers on tap and neither was light. There were two pool tables, a shuffle board table, a hardwood dance floor, a few tables, with a band stand at one end and there wasn’t a TV in sight. The bar was dimly lit by an assortment of lighted beer signs, a few indirect lights and the place smelled like beer, whiskey, wood, the faint sent of cleaning solutions, just like a bar. There were a few customers discussing the day’s work and one had just played “Lonesome Fugitive” on the jukebox. That song haunts me to this day with mental visions of that moment in time. I have learned that I am quite audible in my experience of the world. The restrooms were labeled “Cowboys” and Cowgirls”, no other options.
I ordered a red beer, tomato juice and Olympia, sat at the bar, talked with the bartender and one of the customers about the weather and the evening’s music and I was back on the road for the last 10 miles. We entered town, turned at the street leading to the college
The New "Normal"
Welcome to the new Normal, the way it is and no matter how much we would like to regain or take back what used to be, this is what we have. Right now, money and power are the driving forces for much if not most of society. Greed, graft and corruption have taken over much of the government and we are governed by a consortium of powerful multinational corporations and bureaucrats doing their bidding. That sounds a little negative, however (true?). Those who come to Montana looking for a better way of life may find something better here, as long as they don't bring many of their problems with them. They will find that much of the afore mentioned society norms can be found in Montana now and I suppose some of it has existed for thousands of years everywhere, even Montana. A Human thing?? I spend much of my time searching for the Montana that I think I remember from my past and youth and I attempt to capture it in pictures. Enjoy, some may remind you of you and your remembered past, Bob
Welcome to the new Normal, the way it is and no matter how much we would like to regain or take back what used to be, this is what we have. Right now, money and power are the driving forces for much if not most of society. Greed, graft and corruption have taken over much of the government and we are governed by a consortium of powerful multinational corporations and bureaucrats doing their bidding. That sounds a little negative, however (true?). Those who come to Montana looking for a better way of life may find something better here, as long as they don't bring many of their problems with them. They will find that much of the afore mentioned society norms can be found in Montana now and I suppose some of it has existed for thousands of years everywhere, even Montana. A Human thing?? I spend much of my time searching for the Montana that I think I remember from my past and youth and I attempt to capture it in pictures. Enjoy, some may remind you of you and your remembered past, Bob
The Virus Thing
I don't follow the heard, I am definitely not a Sheepal and I don't wear a mask. I have been writing a lot about the Virus, because I believe that if we don't change course soon that the individual will be gone and freedom will be a thing of the past. If the masses of Americans continue to be Sheepal and follow the rules and do as they are told by the bureaucrats and politicians at the top "they" will then have absolute control. If a citizen has never experienced freedom, they won't miss it or anything close to it. Watch out for the "New Normal", it will kill. The answer is simple, turn off all mainstream news type media, you have heard enough and start searching out some real education that empowers you.
I don't follow the heard, I am definitely not a Sheepal and I don't wear a mask. I have been writing a lot about the Virus, because I believe that if we don't change course soon that the individual will be gone and freedom will be a thing of the past. If the masses of Americans continue to be Sheepal and follow the rules and do as they are told by the bureaucrats and politicians at the top "they" will then have absolute control. If a citizen has never experienced freedom, they won't miss it or anything close to it. Watch out for the "New Normal", it will kill. The answer is simple, turn off all mainstream news type media, you have heard enough and start searching out some real education that empowers you.
A Ten Thousand Year Question
If an individual has a large ship full of money, knows powerful individuals, owns his own island, has friends or acquaintances in world governments, can that individual make their own rules, break the laws of the universe, take advantage of anything or anyone, kidnap and abuse anyone that they want, use slavery of anyone, demonstrate the importance of greed and ignore right from wrong? And get away with anything and everything and be the most despicable, lowest, least human of people? Bob
If an individual has a large ship full of money, knows powerful individuals, owns his own island, has friends or acquaintances in world governments, can that individual make their own rules, break the laws of the universe, take advantage of anything or anyone, kidnap and abuse anyone that they want, use slavery of anyone, demonstrate the importance of greed and ignore right from wrong? And get away with anything and everything and be the most despicable, lowest, least human of people? Bob
Montana Summer
A summer in Montana can be great, usually short, but when it's nice it is great. And then comes fall, which also is usually very short and can be beautiful. Then Winter, what can I say, if one likes gray cloudy days, snow, a few very cold spells and many times very long winters, this is the place. Montana is a natural place with extreme changes, that many are doing their best to change, to wherever they came from. It takes a little looking, however Montana is still there. I am native to Montana, I have lived in other places and have liked most of them, but I don't think I will go back. So here I am, looking not to become a stranger in my own land. A couple pictures, Enjoy. I never have bought into the cholesterol lie. Butch
A summer in Montana can be great, usually short, but when it's nice it is great. And then comes fall, which also is usually very short and can be beautiful. Then Winter, what can I say, if one likes gray cloudy days, snow, a few very cold spells and many times very long winters, this is the place. Montana is a natural place with extreme changes, that many are doing their best to change, to wherever they came from. It takes a little looking, however Montana is still there. I am native to Montana, I have lived in other places and have liked most of them, but I don't think I will go back. So here I am, looking not to become a stranger in my own land. A couple pictures, Enjoy. I never have bought into the cholesterol lie. Butch
Looking For Montana and Today
It has just struck me that many, if not most of the people moving to Montana have little or no idea of the Montana that existed before today's Montana, yes I can be a little slow. Real Estate people have advertised Montana well advertised throughout the world and that it's vistas, beauty, lakes, streams, mountains and somewhat fresh air are up for sale. Looking for Montana is about parts of Montana and the people not for sale and I hope it stays that way. That is why I don't hake pictures of real estate, housing developments, communities or large, foreboding house type structures. Bob
It has just struck me that many, if not most of the people moving to Montana have little or no idea of the Montana that existed before today's Montana, yes I can be a little slow. Real Estate people have advertised Montana well advertised throughout the world and that it's vistas, beauty, lakes, streams, mountains and somewhat fresh air are up for sale. Looking for Montana is about parts of Montana and the people not for sale and I hope it stays that way. That is why I don't hake pictures of real estate, housing developments, communities or large, foreboding house type structures. Bob
Cowboys and Cowgirls
I see on my news that Berkley, California is attempting to remove gender pronouns, etc. from the English language and as a result, the Montana language. That is very sad because referring to some of my best friends as Cowthem and Cowthey is going to be demeaning. We have a lot of people from California living in Montana now and I hope that none of they or them move here from Berkley. I went out fishing the other day in another state and the Captain was either a they or a them, whichever, it didn't seem to make any difference, the fishing was great. No more He or She, boy or girl, man or women, the possibilities are as endless as the gender types. Well, probably not. Frued would have a great time with this. Just another goooofy idea, and just another weighty problem like drugs, homeless people, immigrants. potential war, wild fires, etc. Butch
I see on my news that Berkley, California is attempting to remove gender pronouns, etc. from the English language and as a result, the Montana language. That is very sad because referring to some of my best friends as Cowthem and Cowthey is going to be demeaning. We have a lot of people from California living in Montana now and I hope that none of they or them move here from Berkley. I went out fishing the other day in another state and the Captain was either a they or a them, whichever, it didn't seem to make any difference, the fishing was great. No more He or She, boy or girl, man or women, the possibilities are as endless as the gender types. Well, probably not. Frued would have a great time with this. Just another goooofy idea, and just another weighty problem like drugs, homeless people, immigrants. potential war, wild fires, etc. Butch
Found Some Montana
We were driving the back road to Somers from Kalispell and found a real Montana treasure. A great place to eat, wonderful view, outstanding food, nothing out of a can and great Montana service. BBQ, Chicken Fried, Cornbread, etc, "Cowboy Up". Cowboy up, how does it get any better than that? bob
We were driving the back road to Somers from Kalispell and found a real Montana treasure. A great place to eat, wonderful view, outstanding food, nothing out of a can and great Montana service. BBQ, Chicken Fried, Cornbread, etc, "Cowboy Up". Cowboy up, how does it get any better than that? bob
How Does It Get Any Better than this?
We drove for hours on a dirt road to find this beautiful part of Montana. The pictures speak for themselves.
We drove for hours on a dirt road to find this beautiful part of Montana. The pictures speak for themselves.
Forgotten Town
It was spring and we had just experienced a long, cold, gray, unforgiving winter, so we took a drive to the East Slope of the Rocky Mountains, to experience some openness. I all ways experience a sense of freedom, driving out of the mountains and onto the prairie, it's like being able to see out after many months of clouds, snow, gray and limited visibility, today was no different. It was a warmish clear day and the horizons spread out in all directions, as far as the eye could see and the familiar sense of freedom and expansion was still there. We drove to what used to be, a bustling, busy and alive little prairie town, used to be, because the little farming prairie town had gone away, because corporate America has no need for little towns. Most of the large farms in the area had become, corporate farms that had few employees, no sense of belong to the area and send most of its profits/money to their corporate home far away from this little prairie town. Is this an old story or what. Bob
It was spring and we had just experienced a long, cold, gray, unforgiving winter, so we took a drive to the East Slope of the Rocky Mountains, to experience some openness. I all ways experience a sense of freedom, driving out of the mountains and onto the prairie, it's like being able to see out after many months of clouds, snow, gray and limited visibility, today was no different. It was a warmish clear day and the horizons spread out in all directions, as far as the eye could see and the familiar sense of freedom and expansion was still there. We drove to what used to be, a bustling, busy and alive little prairie town, used to be, because the little farming prairie town had gone away, because corporate America has no need for little towns. Most of the large farms in the area had become, corporate farms that had few employees, no sense of belong to the area and send most of its profits/money to their corporate home far away from this little prairie town. Is this an old story or what. Bob
Looking For Montana, Real Montana Zen
Looking For Montana is about Montana before it was discovered by developers, box stores, corporate America, or people who believe that a wilderness is a parking lot without stripes. It is about real Montana places and people, people who are individuals and places without large structures built in beautiful places sucking the energy out of the land and environment. Montana is changing, truly a no brainer statement, however there are still some Montana places and people left, what we are about Butch
Looking For Montana is about Montana before it was discovered by developers, box stores, corporate America, or people who believe that a wilderness is a parking lot without stripes. It is about real Montana places and people, people who are individuals and places without large structures built in beautiful places sucking the energy out of the land and environment. Montana is changing, truly a no brainer statement, however there are still some Montana places and people left, what we are about Butch