Poking Homeward

We plan to be home on Whidbey Island in about three weeks, so we're slowly heading west.

After leaving Canyon Ferry Lake, near Townsend, Montana, where we spent four nights, we've stuck to the crooked scenic roads through the Helena National Forest, Lolo National Forest and the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

Last night and tonight we're at Larch Campground on Seeley Lake...

The floor of the forest in the campground is thick with newly sprouting Fawn Lilies, and their first few blooms. In another week the ground will be carpeted with these sweet flowers ...

Fat ground squirrels and white-tail deer are almost driving Benton crazy with visions of the chase...

We biked into town this morning for coffee and a few groceries. According to shopkeepers their peace is about to end. This area of many lakes is a popular summer vacation retreat and when all the cabins and campgrounds fill, the population doubles or triples. I'm so glad we're here now, in this off season of beautiful emerging spring.

The backroads of Montana are foreign to us. Always before, when driving through the state it was just that -- driving through. Deadlines needed to be met as we traveled to North Dakota to see Ed's mom when she was still alive, and the same when returning home. Poking along is now our travel speed and it's perfect. The views have been vast, beautiful and dramatic. Longer camp stays have helped us feel a deeper connection to our surroundings and increased our wildlife sightings. Just "taking our time" suits us well.

Of all the states we've visited Montana almost has a cult-like feel in the passion and devotion the people living here exude.

~~~

"Montana should come with a surgeon general warning that it's addictive. The sky is big and blue, and the air is always fresh and crisp and scented with pine. There's a frontier spirit, but also a calmness, beauty in the landscape that slows your pulse."

~ Robin Bielman

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