owen
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The Case for Closing National Parks to Cars
I grew up near Yellowstone National Park with deep respect for the National Park Service and its role in protecting our sacred public lands. My father worked as a seasonal employee at the park, which is what first brought him to Montana—where I was born. I have long admired Yellowstone’s geology, wildlife, and natural beauty.…
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Selections: Reflections by Alfred Castner King
Reflections On the margin of a lakelet, In a rugged mountain clime, Where precipice and pinnacle Of countenance sublime, Cast their weird, austere reflections In the water’s glistening sheen, I strolled in contemplative mood, Both pensive and serene. As in a crystal mirror,In that lakelet’s placid face,I saw the mountains upside down,With all their pristine…
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Living Offline
” Not connected to or controlled directly by a computer.” That is the definition of off-line in Merriam-Webster’s 5th printing of its Dictionary and Thesaurus – my trusted reading companion. Offline, without the hyphen, is how we use the word today. It’s an exploratory journey flipping through the pages of a printed dictionary or thesaurus.…
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Dead Trees
At a young age, I was on a speedboat with a friend’s family when I saw the impressive walls of the Bighorn Canyon for the first time. Amazed a canyon like this could exist so close to where I live, I thought, “This is a treasure hidden away and known only by few.” How had…
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A Glacial Marvel
On a cool morning in August 2024, I sat on the edge of Phantom Lake, writing in my mini spiral notepad about glacial landscapes, reflecting on them as the origin of life. Glaciers cling to the sides of peaks, melting into small black and gray streams that flow into alpine lakes, creating a landscape that…
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Last Best Place
Last Best Place is home to reflections on wild lands, humanity, and the unseen. It’s where historical research, reflections on the present, and commentary about where we are converge to explore our place in the natural world. Wild Lands – The Earth is in a constant state of change, shaped by forces both natural and human. While…
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Northern Lights
Northern Lights We’re heading to see the Northern Lights,tonight they’ll be especially bright. I’ll meet you outside of town,that place with no lights around. It was almost a year ago,same place but you wanted more. Now I’m fumbling for any word,That might get us back where we were. And I just want to turn around,go…
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Hemingway
Hemingway Summer time, in the High Country.Somewhere quiet, where he could think.And he’s catching trout,in crystal streams.Somewhere near,Pilot and Index Peak. And…I want to be like Hemingway,With my friends,writing storiesthat will never end. Francis Macomber,was a friend of mine.He lived a short,but happy life.Until he went to Africa,to hunt a lion.That’s where he got shot,in…
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Sara Q
Sara Q I remember when we first met,you brought me down.I had trouble functioning,I had to sit down. But I warmed up to you,you started to work on me. Now I’m happy as can be! Sara, you’re my new best friend,you’re the one I need before I go to bed.You keep me steady,you clear my…
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Ambience and Violence
Ambience and Violence Sitting down on the cold cement,looking down and I’m feeling spent. Ambience and violence. Ambience and violence. Death is upon me,let’s go for a walk in the park,and we’ll talk,about the shit we did at work,and I’ll stumble on the grass.Let’s just let time pass. Ambience and violence.Ambience and violence. Death is…