big sky country

there was a time when minimal flight/hotel/taxi disruptions awoke super cranky pants. for no apparent reason, this has mostly passed. its prolly due to my curious (problematic?) relationship with my laptop and simcity.

whatever the reason, the us airline industry provides ample opportunities to test ones patience. cases in point were my 3 flights to and from chicago and bozeman, mt. my flight to seattle (i waved at bozeman as we flew over it) was delayed .5, 1, then 2 hrs because of a dead gas tank. we removed 30 people and made our way. yikes. i considered taking them up on their free trip if you leave tomorrow offer (gate c25 passenger banter focused on people who make a habit of deliberately booking on oversold flights to rack up free travel), but i wasnt in the mood. but wouldnt ya know my montana connection was also late so it wasnt until just after midnight (and two landing attempts) that i touched down in big sky country.

gallatin airfield doesnt have a big terrorist draw or serve a major metro area, so i stepped off the plane onto the tarmac third world-style and i met my dear oldest pal karin seconds later. she had moved to bozeman after terminated pastry chef and midwife career paths led her to a science degree from msu. driving towards her homestead at high speeds along a dark paved road i was reminded that ive become a city boy.

used to the ubiquitous light pollution of urban streets, i almost forgot the reckless sensation of driving fast on a dark road. it was the first of many reminders over the next few days of what has become (but wasnt always) foreign to me, like a house full of happy dogs and tumbleweed-style tufts of dog hair spinning over wood floors, sleeping outside under brilliant stars, flushing pheasants from tall grass, and feeling the kickback from shooting a shotgun. they are all reminders of a comfort with rural life and culture that has faded, but that i want to keep. im grateful to have a wide range of experiences that afford me comfort in most environs... but they need some periodic maintenance.

given that my life these days favors the urban jungle, montana was a wonderful respite, highlighted by shots of whiskey in a cowboy bar adorned with abandoned bras, a few hours in the field eating wild raspberries, and watching my homegirl scientist at work. all in all, id say i enjoyed gorgeous sights and company.