Big Sky, Big Heart

Sunrise at Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park

About two years ago, I moved to Big Sky Country, Montana. Lake McDonald at Apgar Village was the first big view I had of Glacier National Park. It was amazing, wonderful, intimate, inspiring, and all those other beautiful words we use to describe those moments which change us and last with us the rest of our lives.

Previously I had been a ranger up in the great expanse of Alaska working at Glacier Bay and Denali National Park and Preserve. Feeling remote, and out of touch with community I moved to Portland, Oregon to find myself and my art, but something was always missing. A winter trip to North Cascades National Park in Washington, reminded me of how much my heart needs places like Denali, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park to thrive. So I turned my efforts back to working for the parks, and moved to Montana meaning to stay and work for only one summer season.

It was like coming home. It felt like I had discovered a place where the romantic west still exists, a place where I could find community, work on my art, and fall in love. Follow me, as I share with you some of these first experiences and some new adventures yet to be had exploring America’s Last Best Place.