Day 2 - Wisconsin, North Dakota and Montana

OK, so we awoke in the Wisconsin Dells a little worse for wear after driving for sixteen hours yesterday. The only traffic we hit was in Minnesota; a big truck tipped over just outside of St. Paul, knocking the three lane highway down to a single lane just in time for rush hour. An interesting thing starts to happen somewhere in Minnesota - the trees gradually start to get shorter and spaced further apart until eventually, somewhere in North Dakota, you hit the plains where there aren’t any trees at all. But what North Dakota lacks in trees, they make up for in sunflowers - gigantic yellow fields of sunflowers! It’s the most glorious sight. We hit Montana in the early evening, and the sun started setting just after we passed through the bustling metropolis of Circle, population 600. Montana is hazy with wildfire smoke, but the particle-filled air made for a stunning sunset and turned the tiny sliver of a moon a brilliant red. The last leg of the trip was a slog as we passed a hundred or more deer, many with little spotted babes, and none overly concerned with getting out of the middle of the narrow, dark road. Thankfully, we made it to the farm without impacting Montana’s deer population. 

It feels really good to be here. This is the farm where my dad grew up and where my brother, sister and I spent a good portion of our childhood. Our days here are quiet and peaceful. We wake up early to watch the sun rise and then go on long sunset walks in the evenings, usually stopping to visit the quarter horses that spend the summer raising their babies in a nearby pasture. Dinners are simple, usually cooked on the grill and always served with a good glass of wine. It isn’t fancy, but it’s awfully special. Come visit if you happen to be in the area or if you’re looking for something to do in the next couple of weeks! We’d love to see you.