Under The Big Sky

Today I am writing to you from one of my childhood homes Montana, Big Sky Country. After 3 days of driving endlessly through state after state stopping only for provisions, I was relieved to find myself taking a much needed run after dinner. I have suffered an awful case of insomnia for several years now and I feel that a run before bed can help the sleeping process. As I ran out onto Main street, breathing in the fresh mountain air, basking in the sheer beauty and confident silence of this space, I found myself almost colliding with a rush of brown mass. Nearly knocked to my feet, I stumbled a bit catching my balance long enough to realize that I had nearly been run over by heard of 9 elk! I stopped for a little bit to watch them graze on the grass nearby and to catch my breath, when all of the neighbors came outside to join me on the road to watch. After a few moments, I decided to carry on with my run, when out of a patch of tall trees to my right, came two young elk, their antlers barely reaching the tips of their ears and still coated with fur. Less than a yard away, they stared directly at me. The largest of the two was gently chewing on grass and his huge brown eyes staring straight into mine, unwavering. I froze in place and stood in a stupor staring back at the gorgeous creature for what felt like an eternity. My heart began to beat faster the longer he didn't move and I found myself becoming a little unnerved. Almost, as if it had been a human looking back at me. When I finally moved I took a step back without realizing. This scared the smaller, younger elk at his side and he began to move away from me in the other direction. I am positive he sensed my apprehension and mistook my surprise as fear. But, the larger of the two stared on and moved a couple of paces closer. Positive I could reach out and touch him, it took all of my restraint in the world not to. It wasn't the fear of being bitten or charged (a normal city folk fear), that stopped me, it was the fear of disrespecting his space, his peace. If his companion was that afraid of me, how would my touch affect him? I decided not to find out. I started to run again, the taller elk never moving his gaze from me. I ran for almost a mile until I could no longer see him, when I happened upon a bridge overlooking the yellowstone river. Wishing desperately to be rafting on those rapids, I looked up into the sky, meeting the most beautiful image my eyes have set gaze on in many years. The sun was setting in the West, just behind the peak of the great mountains etching the skyline. The confident silence I mentioned before fell upon me like a ton of bricks. I stopped in the middle of the bridge to bask in the sight, my ears listening as the soft wind began to talk. Almost, like a child's whisper. As I stared up at the firey hues disappearing into the mountains, I realized that there was nowhere else on earth I was meant to be at that moment. Alone, staring over the roaring river rapids, staring off into the West, breathing easy at the sight of Creator's great work. It was so simple and so needed. Complete and utter peace. I ran back to my lodgings trying to return before sundown. I ran with a renewed energy and spirit. My pace quickened and I felt as I had when I first came across the elk. Insomnia or no, tonight I will rest my head upon my pillow, the sweet images of tonight's run under the Big Sky in my head. I hope to sleep well (like a bear as the Galician says) as I dream of tomorrow's adventures. A run at sunup, followed by a trip to the ranch for a horse ride, and a celebration in the evening in Livingston. Riding boots and cowboy hat at the ready, I am looking forward to an experience that may one day lead to a wisdom and peace as great as the sky in Montana.