Eastern Montana shopping list

 Saco, Montana (all services)

 June 4, 2010

Road Sounds

   the

road

speaks

uncovers

 in stretches

white stripes

staggered lines

crushed gravel of

faded promises and

passing conversations

abandoned dreams and

destinations beckons anew

insists yes I am alive in these

rolled phrases, painted rhymes

jb

Jacques Enjoys the Open Air

Havre, Montana --- Camping at the Great Northern Fairgounds in Havre, once a thriving railroad town and during Prohibition years the home of an underground speakeasy.  The long, wet spring has helped the lilac bushes and cottonwood trees stay in bloom, their scent heavy in the early morning air.  Jacques enjoys an outing along with a whole chorus of meadowlarks, wrens and red-winged blackbirds.

Leaving Chester

At last, the sun mercifully breaks through the clouds and we are blessed with a tailwind.  This next stretch of Route 2 is dotted with a series of railroad towns, most in serious economic decline. Glad to be out of musty, cheap motels and looking foward to camping in the open air.

Native American Art Gallery

On our way through the Blackfeet Nation reservation at the foot of the Rocky Mountains we stopped by the Lodgeple Gallery and Tipi Village, which houses the fine art works of leading Native American Artists as well as a wide variety of artifacts, crafts and jewelry. We were struck by the high quality of the artists' work and the unique combinations of traditional and contemporary styles, each reflecting Native American cultures, languages and ways of life. For many indigenous peoples, visual arts, music and story telling have been the key to cultural survival in the fact of overwhelming obstacles.


We would like to encourage our readers and especially the young artists in Jacmel, Haiti to view some of these works at the Lodegpole Gallery online and to send their comments.

Across the Great Divide

Steep climbs, breathtaking views, stiff winds and heart-stopping descents have been the marks of this last leg of the Tour, from the toney resort of Whitefish, through Blackfeet Nation reservation lands, and finally to the wind-swept rugged town of Cut Bank, Montana.  It is difficult to select a single image that captures the beauty of this leg of the tour, but the view (above) of McDonald Lake in West Glacier comes close.

While we thought that the climb to Marias Pass (5,216 fit) and the Continental Divide would be the most challenging day, it turned out that what we expected to be the long, lazy descent into Cut Bank turned out to be a bone-chilling, 11-hour struggle into a 35-40 mph headwind, topped off with a 'back door' thunderstorm.  We arrived, soaked, frozen and shaking from fatique to find the last room and a warm welcome at the Cut Bank Super 8 Motel. Here we were treated to a steaming hot shower and a plate of spaghetti bolognese straight from heaven. 

Thank you, Blaise

We were just reminded that Jacques, our beautiful blue papier mache mascot from Haiti was created and signed by a young artist named Blaise at the Art Creation Foundation for Children in Jacmel.  Thank you, Blaise and all the children who make these treasures. As we face the weather, the mountains and the traffic, Jacques has become both a symbol of hope and endurance. To learn more about how you can support the work of the arts community in Jacmel and receive a 'Jacques' of your own, please visit the ACFFC website.