There is more to Montana than fishing, mining, the wild animals are everywhere! We prefer to take photos of them in their majesty, from a respectful distance. However we have been awakened by moose in our camp, and had bears walking down the river towards us while we are fishing. I know, I know, they probably just want to know what fly we are using to catch so many fish. They probably don't think we know many other words than "OH #@$%! AAGHHH!! B... Baaa...! RUN!"
Every year we start planning our next trip to Montana even before we get back to our home in Washington, the Evergreen State. We never stick to the plan, its more fun for us to get an idea of what we would like to do, let the fishing guide us. The whole point is to explore new areas, new fishing streams, breathtaking scenery and historic places.. Never know what we are going to do from one day till the next, except it will be a great adventure. Truly the best fly fishing water is usually the hardest to get to, through the brush, past the herd of 'squitos' and moody moose, to find prime untouched water.
Life is full of choices that can open doors or close them, its all up to you.
When you get a diagnosis of cancer it makes you question if there will even be another trip. Even if you have "the best cancer to get" - many doctors have told me this, still makes me wish we had spent more time in Montana.
"Every year I leave a little bit more of my heart in Montana"
My prognosis is good, even if the cancer is on the move. Still wish we had found a way to make my favorite playground of Montana my home, even more so now. Where else can you experience natures grandeur from the Oregon Trail, where Lewis and Clark looked out with Sacajawea at places like the Beaverhead and catch more fish on water then you knew possible! Not to mention mine for Gold and Sapphires in the Great Rocky Mountains and explore ghost towns? |
| My husband with a nice German Brown, I know it doesn't look that big, but like everything else in Montana, it fought big. Yes my dog is on point, she fishes too. It is anything but cute, one of us has to hold her back because she jumps in for the big ones! |
We camp for ten days, usually no more than two nights in one campground, too much territory we want to see again, even more that we want to explore. Personally I need at least a month, or two... to really get some relaxing in, or fishing in, or more carats of sapphires?
Sure, as soon as we get home I start telling the lies about the exact size of the mosquito's, but I understate the number of them, same with the trout. My 16 inches might be closer to 14", but at my height can you really blame me?
Ghost towns, History, Gold, Rocky Mountains, Hot Springs
Hopefully, there will be years more of sunrises and sunsets in my life. If not, if there were one place I would recommend - before you would die, it would be Anywhere Montana. See old faithful for yourself, at Yellowstone, hike in to see the painted pots and other hidden gems off the beaten path. Beware - there can be traffic jams in the park so city folk can take pictures of a Bison's back side.Walk on glaciers in the peak of summer's heat at Glacier Park, make room for the wild sheep on the trails, I know from experience that they often will "ram" their way through.
Get the real "wild-west" experience and see as many ghost towns as you can. At Bannack the third weekend in July you can experience the ghost town come alive - where you can pan gold and try not to stare to much at the women-of-the-night and the rowdy gun-slinging cowboys walking up and down the promenade. Visitors are welcome to dress-up and participate.Mine for sapphires at Gem Mountain in the morning before the bees wake and the heat becomes too much and refresh yourself in the afternoon under the air-conditioned century old Sapphire Gallery. Have one of the best Angus cheeseburgers at Doe Brothers across the street in the most interesting town we've been to, Phillipsburg, MT.
Seriously I could go on forever on the highlights of this great state, best espresso - Venus Rising in Butte MT, dig for amethyst and quartz crystals at Crystal Park, camp on the Big Hole and listen to the Sandhill Cranes haughty cries. Early mornings bring the songs of the coyotes, take lots of pictures, and pay to $5 to go to the hot springs, it is worth it.
Where ever your haven is here on earth, make the time to go and experience it. There may not be a tomorrow, the time to do it, is now. Go, live & live well, with no regrets.
