A Vast Land

Yesterday, a little past 8 pm Mountain Time, after 3,150 miles, 15 states, and three stops, Steph and I arrived in Billings, Montana to end our road trip. We drove from Denver up through Wyoming and into Montana. We stopped in Sheridan, Wyoming to have dinner with her grandparents. Her grandparents took us out to the "Chop House" and it was excellent barbeque. I had the pulled pork sandwhich which was very tender and full of great flavor.

Driving through Wyoming was a real wake up call for me. Steph drove from Wyoming and as I looked out the window I felt astonished at the vastness of the land. Hills rolled gently with green flatlands stretching out for miles and miles and miles. I've seen nothing like this in Maine, or anywhere else in the Northeast. The hills began to become more dramatic and I immediately thought of Tibet.

On a previous blog, I wrote about my experiences in India, Nepal, and Tibet (www.robindianepaltibet.blogspot.com). The hills and mountains of Wyoming reminded me of a land in Asia which stole my breath and teared my eyes. These hills in Wyoming are similar, but about 10,000 feet lower than those in Tibet. Still, it was great to drive on the highway and see a massive mountain range on our left, and rolling hills stretch out for miles on our right.

I must have seen over fifty deer and antelope. It was amazing to see them so close to the highway, and yet not even seem fazed. In Maine, I suppose there may be as many deer in the woods near the turnpike, but it's hard to know for certain because there are so many trees.

Today we drove around Billings- Steph gave me the grand tour. With a mall, Target, Walmart, and many other stores and businesses I'm familiar with, Billings seemed like any other town I've been too. As we drove around, I realized that it's a special town because of its location, and the people who live here. Billings is the biggest city in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Being the biggest city for such a large radius, it is a commerical hub for a large amount of land and people.

The people here are also special. Steph's family have opened their home and their hearts to me and have welcomed me to this place I have never been to before. Rather than feel like an outsider, they have helped me feel more comfortable, and if you'll pardon the cliche, "at home".

Although the road trip portion of the journey is over, the adventure is certainly not. Tomorrow we are heading to Steph's condo in Big Sky where I'll be able to start fishing some of best water in the world!! This has turned into a great adventure with more to come!

-rob