Once upon a time a girl from a concrete town in the North of England discovered inspiration in a book, planned a trip and found home. A place to breathe, to marvel and to dream. Now living closer to that dream, our family’s heart travels the last few miles almost every day as we talk about our Last Best Place and tell each other “Love you more than Montana”. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push([‘_setAccount’, ‘UA-21810337-2’]); _gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’]); (function() { var ga = document.createElement(‘script’); ga.type = ‘text/javascript’; ga.async = true; ga.src = (‘https:’ == document.location.protocol ? ‘https://ssl’ : ‘http://www’) + ‘.google-analytics.com/ga.js’; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Tumblr (3.0; @bigskydreams)http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1mhf4OkWI1qzar4lo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Bison Landscape</strong></p> <p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://tonsofland.com/post/20094210657/made-weak-by-time-and-fate">tonsofland</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://heartlessbastards.tumblr.com">made weak by time and fate.</a></p> </blockquote>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/20246277373http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/20246277373Sat, 31 Mar 2012 14:18:18 -0700bison montana buffalo<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwgpyiYgwP1qgytuyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Kalispell | </strong>Montana</p> <p>The road less traveled is always the more interesting one to me; who wants to follow the crowd.</p> <p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://slipshodphotog.com/post/18465483436/the-road-less-traveled-on-flickr">slipshodphotog</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronkroetz/6538745881/" title="The road less traveled">The road less traveled</a> on Flickr.</p> </blockquote>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18466958320http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18466958320Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:02:25 -0800kalispellmontanaphotographylandscapewesternbig sky<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyra7wp2e31r96o1ho1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Yellowstone Photography | </strong></p> <p>Mountains, Montana and horses; I always imagine Heaven to look like this.</p> <p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://yellowstonephotography.tumblr.com/post/16913033971/c-2012-ryan-m-bell-photography">yellowstonephotography</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>© 2012 Ryan M. Bell Photography</p> </blockquote>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18414548733http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18414548733Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:18:00 -0800yellowstonemontanahorsesmountainsphotographylandscapeheaven<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m02v6hYRzI1qgbl0ko1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m02v6hYRzI1qgbl0ko2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m02v6hYRzI1qgbl0ko3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p><strong>Montana on Etsy | </strong><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/90310983/montana-roots-map-11x14-customized-print?ga_search_query=montana&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5262987">Montana Roots Map</a> (<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChildrenInspire?ref=seller_info">ChildrenInspire</a>)</p> <p>Which part of Montana owns your heart?</p>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18408412540http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18408412540Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:50:17 -0800montanaetsyheartchildrennurseryposter<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m00v3vifiD1qgbl0ko1_r2_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Road-tripping Yellowstone National Park </strong>| </p> <p>Even with sandwiches from the <a href="http://www.picklebarrelmt.com/aboutus.html">Pickle Barrel</a>, drinks from the <a href="https://foursquare.com/v/coffee-creek-drive-thru-espresso/4c22dec07e85c928fecdbc21">Coffee Creek</a> drive-thru in Livingston and animal spotting along the way, it can be a very long day’s drive in Yellowstone National Park if you are two years’ old.</p> <p>On this particular trip, we had to ‘entertain’ my daughter on the way home by burying her with jumpers in her car seat, so she could play hide and seek and then break out of them; again, and again, it was a LONG drive home. Yellowstone you are worth it.</p>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18343079576http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18343079576Sun, 26 Feb 2012 14:50:00 -0800yellowstone national parkmontanaroad tripnpspickle barrelcoffee creeklivingston“You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You...http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18340088820http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18340088820Sun, 26 Feb 2012 14:04:00 -0800happy birthdayjohnny cashman in blackquotationfailuresuccessinspiration<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m00rq0htai1qgbl0ko1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m00rq0htai1qgbl0ko2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m00rq0htai1qgbl0ko3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p><strong>Happy Birthday Levi Strauss | </strong>February 26, 1829 - September 26, 1902.</p> <p>Everyone here is rockin’ vintage Levis today.</p>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18338325455http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18338325455Sun, 26 Feb 2012 13:37:00 -0800levi straussdenimjeansleviwesternshirtvintage<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m00qu6CYgZ1qgbl0ko1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Mine is Always the Americano | </strong></p> <p>Do good coffee beans really need anything else?</p>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18336555565http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18336555565Sun, 26 Feb 2012 13:10:00 -0800americanoblack coffeecoffeehot chocolatelatteinstagramsunny day<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m00c94Mzke1qgbl0ko1_250.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m00c94Mzke1qgbl0ko2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p><strong>A River Runs Through It | </strong>The Legacy</p> <p>This year marks the 20 years since the premiere of A River Runs Through It. Carly Flandro of the Bozeman Chronicle has written an <a href="http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/article_b07d873c-6039-11e1-b043-001871e3ce6c.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter">interesting article</a> reflecting on the film’s legacy to Montana and fly-fishing. With thoughts from Norman Maclean’s family and the original fly-fishing advisor, Dan Bailey; if you love this movie, or Montana, read the full article.</p>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18317597176http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18317597176Sun, 26 Feb 2012 07:57:19 -0800bozeman chroniclecarly flandroa river runs through itnorman macleanbrad pittrobert redford<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzzmnyl2To1qgbl0ko1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Montana on Etsy | </strong>Grain Elevator, Wilsall, Montana</p> <p>Along with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaperAndCanvas?ref=seller_info">Paper and Canvas</a>, I also found this building fascinating; you can see my photograph, taken in 2009, <a href="http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/3766060502/grain-elevator-wilsall-montana-2009-more">here</a>. More about grain elevators; an icon of the American west <a href="http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/3759065015/grain-elevators-an-icon-of-the-american-west">here</a>.</p>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18302558908http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18302558908Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:43:10 -0800etsymontanagrain elevatorswilsallamericanaillustration<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzzluj7VLV1qgbl0ko1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Beartooth Pass | </strong>Montana 2007</p> <p>Charles Kuralt proclaimed it to be ’<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beartooth_Highway">the most beautiful drive in America</a>’. The Beartooth Highway is the section of US Highway 212 between Red Lodge and Cooke City, Montana. It has a series of steep zigzags and switchbacks to the 10,947 ft high Beartooth Pass. I was so glad to be in the passenger seat on this drive.</p>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18301843934http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18301843934Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:26:00 -0800beartooth highwaybeartooth passscenic driveamericamontanared lodgecooke city<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzzkpmm8Pd1qgbl0ko1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Hudson Bay Inspired Crib Blanket | </strong>Purl Bee</p>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18300648502http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18300648502Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:00:58 -0800hudson bayblanketpurl beecraftsknittingstripesnorth americacanadacribbaby“The real things haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make...http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18298993182http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18298993182Sat, 25 Feb 2012 21:28:58 -0800laura ingalls wilderlittle house on the prairiesimple lifetruthhonestycouragequoteLHOTP<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lz1mnvLT9S1rp4yw2o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Visit America’s National Parks | </strong></p>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18273174875http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18273174875Sat, 25 Feb 2012 14:03:28 -0800npsnational parksyellowstoneyosemite<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ORPQgaNt2Ww?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>Days Aren’t Long Enough | </strong><a href="http://steveearle.com/">Steve Earle</a> and <a href="http://allisonmoorer.com/">Allison Moorer</a></p> <p>The husband and I heard Steve & Allison sing ‘Days Aren’t Long Enough’ in Bozeman; great song.</p>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18209827017http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18209827017Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:27:00 -0800steve earlebozemanallison moorerfamilybluegrasstraditionsmontanaacoustic<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwgpriB2Dt1qgytuyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Fading Snow | </strong>Kalispell, Montana</p> <p>Loving these shots of Kalispell, it is many years since I made it that far North, so it’s nice to get a glimpse again through this recent series.</p> <p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://slipshodphotog.com/post/18157904186/fading-snow-on-flickr">slipshodphotog</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronkroetz/6538765197/" title="Fading Snow">Fading Snow</a> on Flickr.</p> </blockquote>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18167966264http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18167966264Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:08:22 -0800kalispellmontanamountainssnowblack and whitephotographylandscapehay bales<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lztlk7Cyr41qgbl0ko1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Montana Acrostic | </strong></p> <p>Loving Montana is a family affair here; we are all equally obsessed. My kids collaborated to create this acrostic with seven reasons why they love the state.</p>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18099703134http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18099703134Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:34:53 -0800montanaacrosticnational parknpstreesmountainsnature<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lztgrpOBAK1qgbl0ko1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Big Sky, Montana | </strong>Sneaker Love <a href="http://www.behance.net/boulais">Marco Boulais</a></p>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18093145407http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18093145407Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:50:00 -0800sneakerskicksbig skymontanagraffitiartcanvasshoesrocky mountainsbearelk<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzt4evgsBO1qgbl0ko1_250.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Big Sky Reads | </strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0156899825?ie=UTF8&tag=bigskydreams-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0156899825">This House of Sky: Landscapes of a Western Mind</a> Ivan Doig</p> <p>I bought this book in September 2000 from <a href="http://www.countrybookshelf.com/">The Country Bookshelf</a> in Bozeman, Montana. Or rather, that is where I bought my first copy. I have read many, many books inspired by Montana, a love of the West, landscape, sky and family; to this day this remains my favorite book. Perhaps because on first reading, I was falling in love with the story and the land; but this book left me with an indelible mark. The writing is inspired. I find it amazing that in his preface Doig explains that when his manuscript returned from the first edit, only the smallest changes were recommended. When you read this book, when you share his life, you get that; it is written from the heart in such a pure and true way. This book moves you; to tears, to joy, to longing, to love, to appreciation, to treasure, to remember, to honor. </p> <p>I decided last week, to re-read this book again. I wondered if the second read would live up to my first impressions; it is better, sweeter. Now, I read with a different perspective, not that first love for the land and the people, but with a deeper understanding of the landscape, the towns, the culture. I had the privilege of hearing Doig speak during a book tour; it was quite wonderful to listen first hand to his stories. </p> <p>My second through fifth copies of this book were purchased on return from my inaugural trip to Montana and shared with my family. I wanted them to understand how I felt about the place, but also to understand how I felt about them.</p> <p>I would be delighted to <strong>gift this book</strong> to someone, so you can discover this treasure for yourself. Leave me a comment/tweet/follow/heart, etc. and I’ll pick one person at random. </p> <p><strong>This giveaway will end on February 28th, 2012 at which point one of my children will randomly select one winner. To enter, please retweet/like/reblog or comment before that deadline. </strong></p>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18078918828http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18078918828Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:23:00 -0800booksbozemancountry bookshelfgiveawayivan doiglandscapesliteracyliteraturemontanareadingthis house of skywesternwestern literaturefreeautobiographyrecommended<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzt1z09jTa1qgbl0ko1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Montana National Guard Class A Patch</strong></p> <p>“How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!” John Muir</p>http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18076703813http://bigskydreams.tumblr.com/post/18076703813Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:30:00 -0800armyforcesmontananational guardpatchjohn muir