I didn’t intend to write something this long about this topic. But the words just flowed." That's when you write at your best. You're not "flowery," but you're not Hemmingway, either. I can get lost in your words. You took me back to the time that I was a road warrior on this, my first day back to a desk job. I forgot that I was reading. That I had just finished my lunch. That I have to get ready for physical therapy. That I was here. You took me 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. Thank you.
I've lived in the west my whole life, in Idaho, So Cal, New Mexico, Wyoming, No Cal, front range Colorado, Montana (U of M Missoula graduate), Arizona, four corners Colorado and now Washington. That description of Billings is spot on. If you've ever been to Rock Springs Wyoming (I lived there briefly as a kid) it's the doppleganger of Billings, in terms of vibe (or at least it was in the mid 1970's).
From the book Eat Pray Love, there's a bit where she and a friend try to come up with one word adjectives for cities they are visiting. It's now a game my husband and I sometimes play on road trips. We once dubbed Salt Lake City as Wholesome while eating at an Olive Garden, lol. There's something gut level energy about places that is often hard to describe, but you know right away if "these are your people". At least if you are the kind of person who is attuned to that kind of thing. True of houses too. My husband and I have literally walked into a house during house hunting days, looked at each other, said, "NOPE" and walked right back out, just based on the residual energy in the place. Feng shui, old ghosts? Who knows. But you know it when you feel it.
Great story. Enjoyed the virtual drive from Minnesota to Montana. I have made that actual trek to NoDak, eastern Montana and the Black Hills so thanks for jogging my memory of those trips. Hunted waterfowl in Gackle for many years-never knew about that scofflaw it was named after. Oh, yes, they do call it Bissssmark. In Montana I was fortunate to make the grand slam on grouse-what great memories of the prairies and mountains. Keep up the great work.
This is one of my favorite pieces you've written, Hank. Thanks for brightening up an otherwise droll morning. I'm both a nester and a wanderer, though I've been convinced more and more that it is good to have roots of some sort: particularly in our culture that values superficial success, comparison and otherwise has completely lost what it means to be invested in people and place. When we have spent time in one place, become acquainted with neighbors, and paid attention to the details that become apparent over time, we can better observe other places too, I think, and generally cultivate a spirit of curiosity that lends itself well to worthwhile time on the road.
I get the last paragraph completely, as much as I love Delmarva, I also love taking my time going places. Both bunches of folks I hunted with in SD last week were get out and back as fast as possible folks... Looked at me like I was crazy because I took a somewhat circuitous route out and back, trying my best to take roads through areas I have never been through before. We have a beautiful country that most folks have no clue about.
Thanks for the words, Hank. This was just hands down great, best thing I've read in a quite a while, and it's just what I needed to set the stage for a much shorter road trip to SD with a new pup next week. I'll be even more attentive to critically thinking about the sights, sounds, and people I encounter. And, that was a nice doff of the hat to PF. I spent most of a career there and, while obviously biased, think it is top of the heap in conservation groups.
Absolutely spectacular! Thank you. IMHO, being a nester and a wanderer is keeping the universe in balance just within one soul, a microcosm of the cosmic experience. How wonderful you travel comfortably in both worlds, and what a blessing that you share that with the rest of us.
Loved it! After just coming back along most of this route last week from hunting in NDak, it really rang a bell. 24 years of going and coming the same route during hunting season, I had many of same thoughts.
I'm currently not far from "Buffalo Alice", reading this in my truck as I kill a bit more time before heading out and setting decoys in a pretty cold rain...
Great read over an icy cold frothy bev. On the Road goes North. Thanks for the thought break today.
I didn’t intend to write something this long about this topic. But the words just flowed." That's when you write at your best. You're not "flowery," but you're not Hemmingway, either. I can get lost in your words. You took me back to the time that I was a road warrior on this, my first day back to a desk job. I forgot that I was reading. That I had just finished my lunch. That I have to get ready for physical therapy. That I was here. You took me 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. Thank you.
I've lived in the west my whole life, in Idaho, So Cal, New Mexico, Wyoming, No Cal, front range Colorado, Montana (U of M Missoula graduate), Arizona, four corners Colorado and now Washington. That description of Billings is spot on. If you've ever been to Rock Springs Wyoming (I lived there briefly as a kid) it's the doppleganger of Billings, in terms of vibe (or at least it was in the mid 1970's).
From the book Eat Pray Love, there's a bit where she and a friend try to come up with one word adjectives for cities they are visiting. It's now a game my husband and I sometimes play on road trips. We once dubbed Salt Lake City as Wholesome while eating at an Olive Garden, lol. There's something gut level energy about places that is often hard to describe, but you know right away if "these are your people". At least if you are the kind of person who is attuned to that kind of thing. True of houses too. My husband and I have literally walked into a house during house hunting days, looked at each other, said, "NOPE" and walked right back out, just based on the residual energy in the place. Feng shui, old ghosts? Who knows. But you know it when you feel it.
Love your essays. Please don't ever stop.
Great story. Enjoyed the virtual drive from Minnesota to Montana. I have made that actual trek to NoDak, eastern Montana and the Black Hills so thanks for jogging my memory of those trips. Hunted waterfowl in Gackle for many years-never knew about that scofflaw it was named after. Oh, yes, they do call it Bissssmark. In Montana I was fortunate to make the grand slam on grouse-what great memories of the prairies and mountains. Keep up the great work.
This is one of my favorite pieces you've written, Hank. Thanks for brightening up an otherwise droll morning. I'm both a nester and a wanderer, though I've been convinced more and more that it is good to have roots of some sort: particularly in our culture that values superficial success, comparison and otherwise has completely lost what it means to be invested in people and place. When we have spent time in one place, become acquainted with neighbors, and paid attention to the details that become apparent over time, we can better observe other places too, I think, and generally cultivate a spirit of curiosity that lends itself well to worthwhile time on the road.
I get the last paragraph completely, as much as I love Delmarva, I also love taking my time going places. Both bunches of folks I hunted with in SD last week were get out and back as fast as possible folks... Looked at me like I was crazy because I took a somewhat circuitous route out and back, trying my best to take roads through areas I have never been through before. We have a beautiful country that most folks have no clue about.
Thanks for the words, Hank. This was just hands down great, best thing I've read in a quite a while, and it's just what I needed to set the stage for a much shorter road trip to SD with a new pup next week. I'll be even more attentive to critically thinking about the sights, sounds, and people I encounter. And, that was a nice doff of the hat to PF. I spent most of a career there and, while obviously biased, think it is top of the heap in conservation groups.
Might be my favorite post yet. Thank you.
Absolutely spectacular! Thank you. IMHO, being a nester and a wanderer is keeping the universe in balance just within one soul, a microcosm of the cosmic experience. How wonderful you travel comfortably in both worlds, and what a blessing that you share that with the rest of us.
nice one been there done that
Loved it! After just coming back along most of this route last week from hunting in NDak, it really rang a bell. 24 years of going and coming the same route during hunting season, I had many of same thoughts.
Reminds me of driving between home and college. Only a 12 hour journey, but long enough to lose yourself in thought.
Lovely, thanks.
Read this in a tree bowhunting. Enjoyed it very much. It made me look and appreciate the woods i am in.
Great reflection, Hank — and always great to see (also) my friend Matt from NBB get a shoutout!
I'm currently not far from "Buffalo Alice", reading this in my truck as I kill a bit more time before heading out and setting decoys in a pretty cold rain...