The rocky and rugged landscape of Montana is unique and exciting. The perfect place for another camping adventure. We headed northwest from our tiny cabin to see the mighty cedar trees mentioned in a Montana magazine we found, but the ranger at the visitor’s center told us the Ross Creek Cedars Nature Trail was closed for construction. They were building plank walkways at the time.
Nuts! They couldn’t finish that before we got here?
Disappointed, but not discouraged, we moved on to visiting the Kootenai National Forest. We followed a hiking trail to the Kootenai River. Loving these cinnamon-colored tree trunks of the ponderosa pines that smell like vanilla when the sun warms the bark. The cooler temperatures in the 70’s helped with our hike. Especially when the temperatures were in the high 90’s back home in New Jersey.
A suspension bridge crosses the powerful Kootenai River. A wiggling, wobbling, chained-together beams with planks-on-top walkway. There is a sign: No more than 5 people on the bridge at a time.
With the three of us, the bridge swayed back and forth as we started across. The twins didn’t like the movement, so they hurried across.
Guy wires rise from the planking, allowing for a railing—which I gripped on either side in order move across slowly. I don’t think I could have crossed the bridge, if it weren’t for the chain link sides to prevent hikers from falling off when the bridge sways.
Once across, we climbed down to the riverbank to step into the cold, refreshing water from the rocky beach. As I dug my toes into a riverbed of smooth red, blue, and green pebbles about five inches long, I steadied myself in the shallow rushing water to look around.
Surrounded by tan rocky slopes, dotted with pines, the fresh air calmed my spirit. Deep aquamarine water bubbled and churned upstream. Across from me the riverbank climbed steeply to the trail we had followed to get to the suspension bridge.
And then the world stood still. For me. At least for a few minutes. Such breathtaking beauty brought a silence to my soul. This is the power of nature. In this “hurry-up” culture of ours, nature can bring you peace—even if it is only for a few minutes. So needed in today’s world.
After filling ourselves with calm, we wobbled back across the suspension bridge and hiked along the Kootenai to the falls. White water thundered over rock-slab steps, dropping the river down and down. The waterfalls of the Kootenai drop over 90 feet in less than a mile, according to the website. Https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/kootenai/recreation/kootenai-falls-and-swinging-bridge We climbed up the sides of cubed rock slabs to the precipice where the water rushed over the lip of the rock to crash below. We attempted to take in the majesty and power of the water to shape the land. An overwhelming quest. A never-ending journey.
Our drives throughout Montana, from hiking trails to falls to mountains, took us along many roads edged in golden fields of cannoli plants. Vibrant, sunny contrasts to a backdrop of evergreens reaching into a clear blue sky streaked, occasionally, with smears of clouds.
The refreshing beauty of nature allows us to clear our minds of troubles. To free our souls of conflict. To breathe deeply and enjoy completely. I hope you find your vacations, no matter where you go, as rejuvenating. Enjoy nature!