a river runs through it...

I spent an afternoon last week with my cousin Lindsay and her two montana boys at a pristine little spot along Rock Creek- just quick hour-or-so-out of town. Thought I'd post a few more photos of this rather spectacular place I've found myself in...

Oh Montana, give this child a home....!

Wild montana skies- I've had it in my head since our early morning hike up Jumbo... Ah Missoula, this crazy happy little town where people drive just BELOW the speed limit... Where all cars and trucks STOP for pedestrians and bicycles regardless of zebra crossings or stop signs (annoying if you're trying to navigate a bike that is too big for you and an injured foot...) but, yes, yes, very considerate.... Where everyone either looks like they just stepped out of a Patagonia catalogue, or have been hitch-hiking for the last 4 years and are still wearing the same clothes they left home in... Where everyone is very environmentally concerned, but recycling centers are few and far between and only take VERY specificly sorted goods: only #1 plastics, aluminum cans, tin cans, cardboard, newspapers and magazines, and "desk paper," but no primary colors or manilla envelopes please! Where you have to worry about bears getting in to the compost... And where you want to listen to nothing but twangy, over-the-top country music... and feel exceptionally happy about it! And eat huckleberries. And float... down beautiful mellow (chilly) rivers in the hot sun.

I'm quite loving all of this... :) Still adjusting the headspace... but loving it.

Kansas...

After a wonderful (minus the surgery) month at home with mom and dad, and a helpful (loving) push... I embarked on my travels. The intra-continental ones at the moment...

First stop lovely Kansas. Beautiful lush, greengrowing kansas with Auntie Eileen, Raha, Ryan Zephyr, Auntie Annie and Skyler. Five days of the farm, harvesting, baking zucchini goods, eating, Lawrence, copious cups of tea, sweet little Zephyr, oh, sweet Zephyr!! mosquitoes, thunderstorms, beads and jewels, tropicana, murals and sculptures and little houses to dream about....

Ok, Zephyr is flipping cute in photos... but in PERSON... My oh my; he is ever so wonderful! He is so happy (with the exception of being in his car seat)... with a squeaky fun smile/squeal like his auntie B, and strong little legs... for standing for standing and stretching. He has deep, clear blue intense eyes- and a forehead that furrows in serious pondering and questioning (much like his mother). He loves blue. And his zanny/grannny. And ceramic drinking vessels... after my own heart for sure!

Tea at Auntie Annies:
Pantalon!
late afternoon, early evening harvesting:

Me and Zephyr with his beloved minin ratta (would you look at that beautiful little tummy?!):
Zephyr and his papa Ryan:
Host Skyler:
Zwat and his zanny:
Get a load of that enormous, luscious, home-grown stuffed zucchini for lunch...!
The best porch swing ever... in the best of company...
Already indoctrinated properly: teatime.
Carebear STAAAAAAAAAARE!:
Went on a mini-art tour with Auntie Annie... a beautiful mural in the health center:

And I'm off... Next stop Missoula Montana. Kwaheri ya kuonana Kansas... and thank you for a special weekend!! Much love to all you...