I may have misrepresented myself earlier this week when I claimed to be “stranded” in the back country of Montana.  While it’s true that I stayed about three days longer than I had anticipated, I wasn’t necessarily “roughing it in the bush,” like our friend Susanna Moodie once said.  In actuality, I’d packed my bedroom essentials, like toothpaste and my boar bristle brush, and we were staying in a five-star luxury cabin on lakefront property.

I guess if you sleep in the back seats of enough Ford™ F-Whatever50s, karma eventually gets the hint and throws you a bone.  And I got a really massive bone (still talking about karma here, people—stay with me!).

The cabin belongs to Poor Kyle’s aunt and uncle, who shall remain nameless because they live in constant fear of being verbally torn to shreds on my blog, which is totally silly because I never trash talk people I know in real life unless I’m 100% positive they’ll never find out about it.  At any rate, they were perfectly splendid hosts, even if they had no idea we were coming.  They were gracious and hospitable and even let me eat their FibreOne™ bars and drink their Diet Dr. Peppers™.  And it’s always a good time if DDP is involved.

DDP is to me what vodka is to the rest of the world.

DDP was the fuel that propelled me through the woods driving a quad all by myself (not pictured because mercy sakes alive, I looked atrocious).

DDP compelled me to photograph my lovely surroundings. Well, DDP and the following comment from Poor Kyle’s Uncle Jethro:

“If you’ve got some time to kill, what do you think of all the beautiful nature around the cabin? Would you consider a plain ole Jethro style pictures only post? I’ve not been to the cabin, but I’ve heard from everybody it’s a lovely place, nature wise.”

Yes, Poor Kyle’s Uncle Jethro, I will indeed show pictures of the cabin and surroundings.  Unfortunately, words will be included because, let’s face it: I’m a wordy, wordy, wordy girl.  So with no more ado…

My Not-So-Stranded (But I Still Had No Underoos) Few Days in Montana

The cabin was nestled in the forest…

…and also abutted a gentle lake.

It’s truly a spectacular place.

The most spectacular part (aside from the views) is the stunning polished-log staircase.

How amazing, right?  I know.

But the outside views are just as lovely as the interior ones.

Wouldn’t you agree?

Supposedly that white line in the center of this photograph was a ripple being caused by a loon.  I don’t know the difference between a loon and a duck, though, so really, it could have been anything.

Any nature lovers know what type of flower this is?  I’m pretty dumb I guess.

But I’m not too dumb to know that this is a squirrel.  Or a chipmunk.  Or a gopher.

Motion shots are cool—can you see the split log wedges flying away from the force of Poor Kyle’s Uncle Steve’s axe?

This photo was taken at 10:00 p.m.  See how bright it still was?  I like being in the northern states during summertime.

Poor Kyle does, too.  He told me.

We all sat outside and stared into the fire for three hours.  It was very soothing.  Especially with the call of the loon/duck/swan/goose/seagull {I never know} echoing off the lake.

As you can see, it was a beautiful trip and we really did have a lovely time.  Thanks, Poor Kyle’s Aunt Debbie and Uncle Steve, for not kicking us out when we showed up unannounced on your doorstep.  That was really nice of you.