Though I shared a few photos from our stay on the Upper Missouri River, I wish I could convey how absolutely serene this place is. Within the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, the land is largely open for our use, yet it remains much as Lewis and Clark saw it over 200 years ago. Montanans flock to the Slippery Ann elk breeding grounds every September where as many as 500 elk gather, but jealously guard this secret from outsiders. This is what brought me here last year, and what led me to return with Paradee so that she could see the annual ritual. But it is the Upper Missouri River that is the real secret. I sat outside last night watching the clouds dance around the moon to the music of the river, a deep and vibrant melody carried from the high mountains and hot springs. The sound slowly lulled me into a wonderful meditation and moon, stars, and clouds began to appear magical. There was no artificial sound, save a harmonious note from an outboard moving a hunter down the river, to break the spell. The morning brought the chatter and singing of the ducks and birds. All the while the water kept moving slowly and certainly through the gold of the autumn toward the east. It is a beautiful river.
Posted on: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 05:30:49 +0000
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