running new roads & a pitchfork fondue

I've found this wonderful place to run and walk...
From a distance, it doesn't look like much, or maybe a better way to say it, is that, it doesn't look like anything fancy; a rocky hill, rolling grass, wide open sky
When people ask me how I like living here, I usually just say that I've never taken so many pictures of the sky in my life...

I have two passengers, so real 'hiking' doesn't work these days, but a decent road and my wonderous-life-saving-double-stroller...yes... we can do that.

I usually don't see anyone, sometimes a lone pickup will drive by, usually with a dog or two in the back

I feel independent and strong out there- the hawks seem to fly along the road with me.

The business that Mike bought (which prompted our move to this part of the world) had a 'retirement / meet-the-new-guy' party the other weekend. The Dillon term for such a thing is a 'pitchfork-fondue'... intriguing, yes?

Amelia planted herself in a group of rowdy kids...and had a blast




we are feeling very welcomed...

bloom

ahhhhhhhhhhh.......

explorations

I've lived in Montana my whole life, but have spent very little time in this part of it - the light reminds me of Bozeman, where I lived for five years of grade school and one year of high school. Anyway, it has that same open, expansive valley light that makes everything look kind of lit-from-within and golden regardless of the time of day. So beautiful...


This new sense of vastness practically begs us to explore it...from the far off mountains in the distance,



to the brilliantly colored life that thrives on a smaller scale




or those monumental adventures that happen within the walls of our home, like turning three,


or getting the bathtub all to yourself,

From our little spot on the planet it feels like we could take off in just about any direction - so many possibilities...

"Tomorrow will open again, the sky wide,
as the mouth of a wild girl, friable
clouds you lose yourself to. You are lost
in miles of land without people, without
one fear of being found, in the dash
of rabbits, soar of antelope, swirl
merge and clatter of streams."
-Richard Hugo, 'Driving Montana'

walking to the mailbox

We're finding our stride, I think.
Finding our new pace, a general rhythm to the days,

Most days the girls and I walk down our long driveway to the mailbox; I've never felt so inspired just getting the mail...






Then back to the house before it starts to rain.

good omen

I'm a believer in making your own luck, taking responsibility for your own life, actions, outcomes. That said, a good omen should not be overlooked.

We began our move in the late afternoon under thick grey skies and rain. Halfway through our drive the clouds began to break,

and then this: