big big sky

Montana. 

Many of you may have heard it called "Big Sky Country". 

Maybe you have wondered why......

I am about to show you.

Let me just tell you first how thankful I am 

for this wonderful state. 

When I was little, I lived in a small mountain valley in the west. 

We were close to mountains for picnics and camping and playing in creeks.

We spent summers at rivers, lakes, and the county fair.

We would hunt for our Christmas trees, and spend time sledding and drinking hot cocoa in the snow.

When I was eleven, we packed up and headed to the country--the middle of the state--in the middle of....well....nowhere. 

Miles and miles of plains to the east, and the Rocky Mountains to the West. 

We could roam forever, and even had horses to help us do so.

But come 18....I was ready to flee (I'm sure if you grew up in a small town you can relate to this "need to get outta here" feeling. )

It's been more than eleven years now since I've been gone, and some days I just miss it so much. 

When we drive to Montana we honk and cheer as we cross over the border. 

It's always so hard to leave--the mountains, the plains, the old barns, the haystacks, 

and that outrageously giant, enormous blue sky.

seriously though, have you seen a bigger sky?

We were able to hike up on to Crown Butte while we were there. 

Just my little family and my sister's family, on top of a giant flat topped mountain. 

The hike is short and easy, and the views are spectacular. 

The wind on top was CRAAAAAAAAAAZZZZY.....like, blowing my kids away, crazy. 

We weren't able to spend as much time on top as we would have liked, but I'm so happy I got to do this with my family. This butte sits right outside my parent's house and I've starred up at it so many times in my life, and haven't been on top since high school. 

I can't wait to get back and explore more.......so much Montana to see!

Did you move away from where you grew up?

Do you miss it?