The Merc
Brockway, Montana
2019

The plain architecture of the Brockway Mercantile is in good accord with the scenic architecture of the surrounding plains.

Nothing to See Here Folks
Highway 200, Montana
2019

Vistas like this are more common than not along the Big Sky Backcountry Byway. Such scenery in the harsh light of mid-day is hard for even a guy from Kansas to appreciate. (The mornings and evenings when the shadows are long is a different story.) But one thing I appreciated immensely on this drive was the almost total lack of other vehicles on the road. My kind of road trip.

Three Monoliths
Highway 200, Montana
2019

I stopped to photograph these power poles because I liked the way they stood out against the sky in the flat terrain. The poles are actually rectangular shaped rather than round (hard to discern from the image) which added to their sculptural quality. I don’t think I’d ever seen power poles like that but as it turns out I encountered a number of them while driving this route. They were only used instead of round poles when the power lines changed directions, but that occurred frequently over the course of a couple hours of driving.

School’s Out Forever
Highway 200, Montana
2019

Faux Kansas
Highway 200, Montana
2019

Given it’s mountainous reputation I think many people are surprised to find out that much of Montana is in the Great Plains. This section of State Highway 200 is part of a route designated as the Big Sky Backcountry Byway, a drive that is better at evoking memories of childhood in those raised in Kansas than it is in selling Montana as a tourist destination. However, I felt very much at home in that part of the state.

Patriot’s Dream #48
Terry, Montana
2019

Everyone I interacted with on my recent jaunt over in eastern Montana was extremely friendly and, whenever needed, very helpful. But knowing what I know about politics over there I knew better than to wear my own personal views on my sleeve as that might well have changed the tone of conversations in a bad way.

Especially when it comes to business dealings, I think a political “don’t ask, don’t tell” is the best policy. Strong overt displays of politics is a good way to lose business. That was the case at the Hog-N-Jog. At the time I was hungry and I’d heard it was a good place to eat, but it did not feel particularly welcoming to those of my ilk, so I moved on.

Promises Made, Promises Unkept
Terry, Montana
2019

The term ASAP usually implies a sense of urgency, suggesting the referenced action would occur “soon.” But in this case the situation at this building appeared to have been static for so long that the ASAP signs where fading; so neither soon or ASAP seemed to apply, nor were ever likely to.

Star Power
Terry, Montana
2019

The driving gear and tread on an old tank on display in Terry.

Rippled Wall
Terry Badlands, Montana
2019

Three Buttes
Terry Badlands, Montana
2019