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| The Missouri River flows across the entire state of Montana |
It is no wonder with more than 94 million acres of
land and less than a million residents, Montana boasts more scenic views and
wildlife than people. There is a renown beauty that is unspoiled and stretches
for miles allowing one to venture off the beaten path. It is a far cry from
busy city life, traffic congestion, and billboards.
Although those seeking a bit of culture would enjoy a visit to tour the beautiful State Capitol Building in Helena.
Situated against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the Capitol commands a panoramic view of Helena Valley. Its rotunda is designed with French Renaissance styling, hollow scagliola columns of plaster technique mimicking marble, Tennessee marble wainscoting, and a frescoed dome.
A Grand Staircase balcony
overlooked by the arched stain glass skylight ceiling above is impressive. Just above the staircase landing at the
south end of the barrel vault rests Amedee Joullin’s Driving the Golden Spike
painting documenting the completion of the Northern Pacific Railroad’s
transcontinental line at Gold Creek, Montana in 1883 with President Ulysess
Grant.
Charles M. Russell’s painting Lewis and Clark Meeting Indians at Ross’
Hole dominates the House of Representative chamber. Valued at $60 million
today, the scene depicts the intrepid explorers Meriwether and Clark with
Sacajawea and her baby Jean Baptise at daybreak meeting the Salish Indians in
the Sula Basin in southwestern Montana in September 1805. It is said that the
huge canvas, nearly 25’ by 12’, was so large that the roof of Russell’s log
studio had to be raised to accommodate for painting the mural. We were so
inspired by this masterpiece that later on in our travels we drove 64 miles
north in the Jeep one day to Great Falls, MT to check out the Charles M.
Russell Museum, log studio, and home.
Russell (1864-1926) created over 4000 art
paintings, sculptures, drawings, illustrations and personal illustrated letters
and poetry through his lifetime. His subjects were based on Western history and
his own creative imagination or experience, including cowboys, Plains Indians,
and wildlife. As an artist he brought the Old West to life capturing the spirit
and culture of the West during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Many of his
paintings are on display at the Montana State Capitol Building, Buffalo Bill
Museum in Cody, Wyoming, and the Smithsonian National Art Gallery. Russell’s
Log Cabin Studio built in 1903 made of western red cedar poles sits adjacent to
his two-story blue home,
The studio is filled with authentic cowboy gear and
Indian artifacts Russell used as he painted or sculpted. Viewing the studio
setting, with all his artist materials in place, where he created many of his
significant works was a rare treat.
A flock of Canadian geese were wading on
one of the river gravel bars as we return to camp that late afternoon.
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| A beautiful handmade dry fly displayed at a Fly Shop |
The primary purpose of the trip
to Montana has been to visit along both the Madison and Missouri river valleys
which is paradise for anglers and wildlife naturalists. It provides the perfect
setting to step out of bounds. Spending a week camping along the Missouri River
near Wolf Creek has given JR a chance to revisit and share one of his favorite
fly fishing spots.
He is very much
of a purist “catch and release” person although Christa has always felt it
might be nice once in awhile to bring a fish home to cook.
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| JR can readily name the various dry flies in his own personal collection |
Well she managed reeling
in her very first rainbow trout ever. Christa was able to learn what “the
thrill of a catch” is all about. In the process of catching the fish she also
discovered when a fish hook isn't set fast enough at its mouth than a fish will swallowed the
hook too deep. Another fisherman provided us a tool to help undo the deep hook, but
by that time her beautiful 18” trout started to belly up and die. There was
nothing else to do, but keep the fish at that point.
JR cleaned and gutted it right at the river. Back in camp he
filleted and deboned the fish, sprinkled salt and pepper on, and tossed it over
the hot fire pit grill for 15 minutes. Yummy, yummy… it was indeed the best and
freshest fish we have ever eaten. Another day she hooked a 10” wall-eye white
fish which became successfully released safely back into the river. Now that’s
JR’s kind of mountain woman.
At Holter Dam Campground near
Wolf Creek along the Missouri River there has been lots of opportunity to watch
wildlife. A herd of mountain sheep roam the nearby cliffs. cottontail rabbits
scurry hither and thither , elk, deer, and horses graze and roam free, white
pelicans nest and flock along the river. blue damselflies and butterflies
flutter in the bushes.
Canadian geese, hairy woodpeckers, and spotted chested
robins , osprey, and eagles soar about
... and of course the Montana summer
evening skies usually bring some more delight.
Russell (1864-1926) created over 4000 art
paintings, sculptures, drawings, illustrations and personal illustrated letters
and poetry through his lifetime. His subjects were based on Western history and
his own creative imagination or experience, including cowboys, Plains Indians,
and wildlife. As an artist he brought the Old West to life capturing the spirit
and culture of the West during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
