Montana, Montana,
Glory of the West
Of all the states from coast to coast,
You're easily the best.
Montana, Montana,
Where skies are always blue
M-O-N-T-A-N-A,
Montana, I love you.
When I was in fourth grade (I believe it was), we had to do a state report - I decided on Montana. My dad taught me this verse from the Montana State Song which he still knew by heart. We came to Montana frequently when I was a kid and I don't remember being particularly impressed. Hours in the car - a night at a hotel with a pool if we were lucky -sometimes just a straight shot to Helena. I grew up with "Big Sky Country" mudflaps on my dads Scout. Today I definitely appreciated the whole big sky thing. It's very dramatic.
It was also the first good weather we've had which was very welcome since we had a long drive day. We drove from Helena to Glendive. It's truly breathtaking how much open space there is without seeing another soul. We did have a bit of a slowdown where they were rebuilding a whole stretch of road - both sides at once - an interesting approach. We came upon this stop light without another soul in sight. We sat and sat and eventually we were joined by a couple of RVs behind us. They got out, Babac got out, they all stood trying to decide whether there was actually a pilot car coming or what. Finally one showed up and we were on our way.
But the landscape was truly dazzling, the sky showed off all its glory and I remembered my dad at the dining table teaching me this song. Tomorrow, Fargo.