photo by jjsglacialfun
I’ve got wanderlust today. Specifically, I’m aching to go back to Montana. This morning, I found this blog, From the Front Porch, filled with Ann’s gorgeous photos of the scenery from her I’m-envious-of-it place in Montana.
From time to time I troll the real estate listings in Montana around Flathead Lake, near Glacier National Park–Whitefish, Kalispell, Bigfork–just to indulge my dream of living there someday. A dream that makes no practical sense, since I’m not quite sure how we would make a living there. Still, I look and hope, and then I slip the dream back between the pages of reality, where it remains crisp and preserved for the next time I need a fix.
The fix I really need is to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road again. If you’ve driven it, you know. If you haven’t, you should.
Later in the day, we went to the drive-through car wash and right in front of us was a truck with a red and white bumper sticker that said Flathead Lake, Montana. Which was exactly the area I had been lusting after all day long.
“Look,” I pointed. “Look at that bumper sticker. Flathead Lake, Montana.” I didn’t really expect my kids to be listening.
“Hannah Montana bumper sticker?!! Where???” Girl squealed.
Sigh.
“No, honey, not Hannah Montana. Flathead Lake, Montana, which is a really beautiful place, and I want to take you there someday.”
Her disappointment was palpable. And whiny.
“But where is it? I don’t see it. Where?” she whined, “Where?”
I pointed and explained (“Left side of the tailgate, left side”) as I pulled into the car wash. The truck drove out and stopped just outside of the wash tunnel. The man inside got out and walked around his truck, checking the quality of the wash, I suppose.
By then, the three of us were wondering aloud if there was a town called Hannah in Montana. Girl was very excited by the possibility.
Something didn’t seem right about where I was situated in the geography of the car wash, and I was just about to figure it out when the man gave me a strange look and said something.
I gestured, “What?”
He said it again. “Back up.”
I looked behind me.
Ohhhhhhh. My back tires were where my front tires should have been. The car wash was doing a great job of washing the back of my car. (For the record, I stopped when the lighted sign said STOP. Plus, we were having a super-important conversation about Hannah, Montana. And I stopped when it said STOP.)
There’s your blonde moment for the day. And his.
So today, all roads lead to Montana. Except for the ones that lead to Hannah Montana.
But not to Hannah, Montana. Turns out, there’s no such place.
Who else is glad about that?
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m a fan of the Big Sky Country, too. But not so much in the winter.
Jenn @ Juggling Lifes last blog post..
daaaaaaaamn those pics are gorgeous. I am wanting to go…anywhere but here. *sigh*
flutters last blog post..The Chart of Elements: Spirit
Wow – that’s absolutely gorgeous. I need to go out west one of these days.
Gorgeous photos Jennifer and I understand wanderlust as well as love for Montana which is my home by choice. And I love it in Winter also, but I work from a home office AND love winter sports.
Ann from Montanas last blog post..the distance from amazing to not…
You know I am a firm believer in NOT A COINCIDENCE .. maybe more research on employment in Montana is necessary .. I’m just sayin”
And I am very thankful Montana has no Hannah .. but there is a Helena …
:-Daryl
Daryls last blog post..
Montana IS beautiful, especially around Flathead Lake, where my brother-in-law and his wife (who is one of my best friends) lived for several years.
Tell your daughter that I don’t know if there’s a town called Hannah in Montana, but I know for sure there’s a town called Goat Lick – I’ve driven through it. It ought to amuse Boy, anyway.
Jans last blog post..Hawaiian Bread
gorgeous pictures. maybe hannah should move to helena and leave us all alone….
Madges last blog post..Winner!! Winner!!
Never been to MT, but I have been to AB & BC in Canada. I know what you mean about wanderlust!
: )
Daves last blog post..Memorial Day
That looks just amazing;
Hannah Montana and her sassiness–not so much!
Lisas last blog post..Help a Soldier Phone Home
GORGEOUS pic! Found you through that heated post about religion over at KB – and I simply could NOT agree with you more (could have written your reply myself) – so much so, that I had to click on your profile. Lo and behold, you’re in AZ, as am I – so hello! 🙂
Anns last blog post..Five Reasons To Not Be Me, Plus Pie
Good grief that is something spectacular. Don’t think I could handle winter. Can I summer there (’cause “summer” is totally verb)?
Just Jamies last blog post..Do You Think It Was the Vagisil That Sealed the Deal?
I love the photos and thank you for the link to a very interesting new blogger!
I think I may have to add this to my list of places to check out!
-suz
Suzannes last blog post..Gratitude Found in a Florida Thunderstorm
Never been to Montana. Have to add that to the bucket list.
tysdaddys last blog post..Role Play
Just Jamie–It’s totally a verb. I’m pretty sure you and I are both spoiled for winter.
Suzanne–I tried to tell you. 🙂 I’m rooting for you to find a house there! Let me know if you need a real estate consultant (or some other made-up job that requires me to go with you).
Tysdaddy–Definitely, add it. Near the top of the bucket.
Also, you are all so polite not to mock me for the car wash incident. Please do.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve mocked yourSELF enough for the car wash incident!
Love, love Going to the Sun Road. Probably my second favorite place in the whole world I’ve been. Might even tie for first, but I haven’t been there since I was 16, so I’m not sure. It was my favorite until I found the OTHER favorite place. Anyway, I’ve always thought it would be a great place to live. You get used to winter! And I prefer winter to have snow. If it’s going to be cold, might as well have some snow to go with it. It would be fine.
I don’t know how feel about there not being a Hannah, MT. My Girls don’t know much about Hannah Montana–other than what they pick up at school. I’m not impressed. But I might have the tiniest more respect if she was named after some cool place in Montana. But alas, I’ll agree with Madge that she should just move to Helena and leave the rest of us alone.
Did you wash your car again??
Brenda, I backed up and got the benefit of most of the wash. I hadn’t missed much, fortunately. 🙂
I’m trying to remember your other favorite place–I should know this one.
OH my goodness! The Big Sky Country!!!! BEAUTIFUL indeed, one of God’s greatest gifts!
Megs last blog post..The Men In My Life Through The Years…
Thanks for the tip. I always love reading a new blog…Peace – D
D / Mommas last blog post..Normandy, or How to Change a Man
Hey, Jennifer! First time visiting your site. Just relocated to Phoenix 5 months ago. I too would love to see Montana! Loved the Redford Film “The Horse Whisperer” that was filmed there!
Stop by anytime! All Best!!!
What a great blog! I hopped over from Ann’s blog (Velvet Lava) and immediately fell completely madly in love with your blog! The photos! Your writing! I love, love, love it. I’ve decide to move right in and start peppering your posts with my commentary — hope you don’t mind.
🙂
Blessings to you!
Hanna Montana, indeed.
-Lacy
Love me some Montana. Loved how the kids squealed to Montana. When they grow up, all these kids are going to think that the capitol of MT is Hannah.
We attended a wedding in Eureka Montana, just out of White Fish and then went on to Glacier National. I was hooked. Love it there. I want to live there too.
Love the pictures.
Jans last blog post..Memorial
Beautiful place. I would love to spend some time there.
HRHs last blog post..Potluck: holiday style (I have no idea what that means)…
There’s a Helena, Montana. Is that close enough?
My year in Montana was my darkest year ever but you actually just made it sound so lovely that now I kind of want to go back.
the mama bird diariess last blog post..i don’t have a problem. do you have a problem?
Me here, much gladness. Ooh and aah over Montana pictures…
JCKs last blog post..Collecting clouds and the Witsy, Witsy Spider
We’re headed up there this summer, and I’ll have to institute a Hannah Montana music ban. Both of my parents are from Montana, and I had two sets of grandparents there when I was growing up, so a lot of our summer were spent there. We’ll be driving up and camping through the Tetons and Yellowstone and then to a mini family reunion at a ranch near Big Timber. I’m off to check out some of the Montana bloggers who have commented here! Thanks for visiting me at Figs!
cindys last blog post..Add to packing list: Rain boots, umbrellas
beautiful. and i have to laugh because my kids misunderstand me all the time through their “disney filter.”
melissas last blog post..My Favorite Summertime Present
Stunning photos. Truly stunning!
I would love to visit Montana. I’ve only heard wonderful things about it.
I’m SO glad there really isn’t a Hannah, Montana 🙂
Sandy (Momisodes)s last blog post..One-Sided
You had me at the title. Too funny. And yes, I’m glad there is no Hannah in Montana. That would just be so wrong.
Carolyns last blog post..sugar. now with more sugar!