17 signs you're in montana

1) The moths are bigger than large hummingbirds.
2) In a matter of minutes the weather can turn from sunny and bright to clouds of death with hail the size of...really big hail.
3) The rodeo happens every night, despite the hail.
4) You find yourself chasing an escaped pony down the interstate. It's fine to stop traffic in both directions.
5) The term "Big Sky Country" suddenly becomes very real. And very addicting.
6) Hearing snuffles and movement in the bush at the side of the trail you are hiking on by yourself sends you into a flight or fight state because it's either a bear, a moose, or another really huge moth. you then proceed to debate whether you would run from the bear, lie down and pretend to be dead in front of the bear, or quickly snap some photos of the bear. honestly still trying to decide on that one.
7) You get sunburned. And peel. But don't have to wear makeup for days-which is awesome.
8) The congregation at church is upwards of 900 people. 877 of these are visitors. 150 of those are probably somehow related to you. #richardsandcoveysunite!
9) Game night is every night.
10) You have no phone coverage, which is frustrating but also liberating. But then you go steal internet from the church building because you just have to see if an email is there. and it is. which makes being rebuked by the relief society president totally worth it.
11) Wilcoxson's ice cream is a must.
12) So is the DQ.
13) Spirit and Brother Bear are the only soundtracks that seem to make sense, just...because. they're also the only ones you have in the family van. so all the grown siblings sit there singing along with Bryan Adams. it's cool.
14) It rains and everything smells glorious. So you go outside just to be outside. Maybe play a game of unsuccessful frisbee with your mom and sister. Maybe go on a dirt bike ride. Or a pony ride. Or a ride in your great-grandpa's 1963 Jeep that has three gears, no seat belts, no power steering or braking, is manual, and can literally go up the side of mountain like it ain't no thang.
15) You grip the tube so tight, in order to save yourself from certain death, that it chafes off all the skin on your knuckles. no it's not leprosy.
16) You see buffalo on your way to the beach. It's no biggy.
17) You never want to leave.

who needs fireworks?

#happyfourthyo

 treasure at the end of the rainbow.

awww..... {smiley emoticon with heart}

but really.

not our pony.

yes our pony

she's cool because she has seahorses on her shorts.

and because she's just cool.

peace and return trips

rrw