I had forgotten what a lovely magazine the Big Sky Journal is.
Standing in a magazine shop at the Salt Lake Airport, looking for
something to occupy time while waiting for our flight back to Seattle,
the cover of the Fall 1999 issue honed in like first defense radar.
When we lived in Montana we always had the current issue. There
were neat stories about places we knew. Sometimes folks we had
met. A road map of sorts for things to see and do. Over the
years we lost track of that contact. And I realize how much I
missed it.
The photography is always wonderful! The quality of writing
excellent - thoughtful and informative. This issue has
Fishing, Hunting and Climbing: by Guides Of The Northwest,
Bird Hunting in Eastern Montana (the surprising results of a
husbands efforts to introduce his non-hunting wife to upland
bird hunting) A historical hike on the Lolo Trail by John
Barsness, more Montana history on the N-Bar Ranch (which has
more to do with who Montanans really are) and a piece about
Jordan's Hell Creek Bar. Bars in the remote regions of Montana
are not your city bars. For sure. There are the regular
features, in this issue, Ranch Life, Local Knowledge, Eating,
Images of the West, Backcountry, Western Designs (the best of
Montana homes and living) and the Back Fourty. Heck, even the
advertising is neat!
I read while Castwell worked on the laptop in the waiting area,
and finished it a few days later at home. Reading just one
article, saving something for later. It's that good.
Editor Allen Jones has a column, and I've always enjoyed
his views. Quoting from the Fall issues At the Moment
"It is not so much that we are here, in this fine place in
the northwestern corner of this small country - a place so
delicate as to be ruined by the smallest statistical intrusion
of the rest of the world - but that we are graced, for an
afternoon, an hour, a minute, to know that we
are here. To know that time is passing - yes, of course - but
for the moment at least, we are really here.
In the Little Belts with a bull elk bugling its way toward
you. While it's true that, somewhere, a lump is waiting, it's
equally true that enlightment is available within each day, to
be had for the plucking. An apple to be cored."
You'll just have to get a copy to read the rest.
If the West is only a dream to you, get the Big Sky Journal.
If some of the West is in your blood, here's the perfect way to
keep it flowing. It's almost as good as being there.
~ DLB
BIG SKY JOURNAL
Fall Issue 109 pages.
Single copy: $5.95 US
Annual Subscriptions: 5 issues $24.00 / 2 years (10 issues) for $40.00
To Subscribe: 1-800-417-3314
