catapalooza

in an effort to pass time here on campus, waiting for 4:30 to rear its head....i will commentate on the present.
i am currently nestled in the shade of some type of deciduous tree here on campus, as catapalooza snakes through the courtyard. the msu pep band is busting out a spirited bobcat number, completely out of sequence. out of sequence like the football teams offense that they root for. moments ago, two harnessed ferrets by the names of frodo and blaze just weasled on by, leaving their funky ferret odor. had a friendly conversation with a bright red-headed guitar player named connor from new england that is taking a break from the stage while the pep band plays. as i sat down, initially, i noticed a woman in front of me, who looked wildly familiar. after a quick cat nap...yes, in the eye of the hurricane that is campus today, i woke to find this woman looking at me. she says, you really look familiar....yup...we know eachother....how? a yoga instructor from last semester.
ooo...connor is getting back on the stage now....and the yoga instructors booth sign just fell down with the wind. seems she is the director of bozemans student activities as well.
connor has a suprisingly deep sensuous captivating voice for his scrawly appearance.
anyways, i am getting restless and still have two hours until i meet with dr. hutchinson to set up undergraduate research times that will fit with my schedule. i am going to get a snack....and possible come partake in this whirlwind of action instead of writing about it. peace and love.

stretch

I rose today early, with the orange sun. the magnificent colors spread across the horizon of the bridgers, gently breathing movement and life onto the sleeping world. Gazing out, I watched the colors soften from an electric orange to a faint yellow hue. wishing I would have worn something orange today.

retroville

so as my whirlwind summer starts to slowly wind down, and a slower paced bozeman reality has its way with me, i breathe out.
i am home. i am back in the throngs of life i have become accostomed to. 9 ta 5. school. bills. and the frisky winter on the horizon. but, i have my friends and my familiarity which is pretty nice. nice like nestling next to a blazing fire in the holds of an old comfy sofa. nice like conversation pouring easily like a good red wine. just nice and comfy.
as i left my house this morning, i walked out with a few intentions. i am moving and would ideally like to do so before school starts. i start to open my computer in the local 'wild joes' coffee shop, when i see my friend, pascal. after our initial embrace and super smiles....i find that he is moving to L.A. along with work ventures, montana winters have really just gotten the better of him...and lo and behold...he offered his place to me. so there. i close my computer and jaunt downtown to take a look at my new stomping grounds...its retro. the kind of retro which includes carpeted bathroom ceilings. but its nice and it has character. its perfect. its clean and its got a modern twist with new appliances, nice oak walls and a gas fireplace.
so, i am a happy camper. happy with a shaggy camping spot. my fire has officially been stoked.

jewel basin

this past weekend, a friend of mine and i decided to venture out into the basin of jewels....
with bags, tents, snacks, jetboils, 9mm and 22, ropes, new merrell hiking boots, cameras, and seven and nine (the labs)....we set out...

seven sporting fishing gear and dogfood...yeah, this didn't work for long


and yours truly...packin heat


we set out, about 50 pounds heavier with all of our gear...
the walk was breathtaking...sunflowers, forget-me-nots, indian paint brush, strawberry plants, lupines, many purples and yellows. the predominant plants of the basin were bear grass and huckleberry plants... a couple more weeks and the hucks should be ready to harvest...

beargrass kissing the sun...


the trail was gradual, the sun was intense, the mountaintops magicalness danced all around us...i took my sweet time, taking pictures, enjoying the views step by step.

our first vantage point overlooking parts of the flathead valley...


past twin lakes...it looked a bit shady for us...


at the end of the trail awaited our camping site...nestled next to wildcat lake


the following few days were spent swimming, relaxing, fishing, and hiking. we cleared our own trail (bushwhacked basically) up the side of the mountain to the top of the ridge. from the top, our views were stretched all across the flathead valley.

early sunday morning, we woke with the sun and hiked out. the only signs of wildlife were mountain goats, gophers, birds, and a deer.
on our way out, i overheard a hiker say that a drum would be nice to bring up to jewel. dually noted. my bongos are coming with me next time.

rebounded

i have taken 3 weeks off since last writing. precisely when i flew back into the states. it has been a whirlwind of long lost friends and pending must-do's since i have been home... so all apologies. i am currently residing in both whitefish and somers, montana. bouncing in between towns like a homeless ping pong ball... but enjoying myself with every bounce. have been caving, camping, taking pictures, and canoodling. have been attending receptions, reunions, and showers.... a busy bee, thats me.

will resume my daily whimsicalness as soon as the dust in my rearview settles.