Roadshow

Just got back from a week long road trip that started here in Cowtown and wandered down to Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Saskatchewan and back to wild rose country.

Took my notebook and favourite pens just in case I felt inspired to write a few poems or stories along the way, and in the process, turn my writer's block into a case of writer's cramp.

Saw some very interesting (and big) attractions like Yellowstone Park, The Devil's Tower, Little Bighorn Battlefield, The Black Hills and Mount Rushmore. Took pictures, bought souvenirs, ate too much, slept too little, enjoyed the prairie heat and air conditioned motel rooms.

Didn't write a whole lot at the time, but jotted down some things that might come in handy, sooner or later. Sooner would be better.

Old Faithful geyser is just that ... erupts right on schedule like it's a paid performer. And it's sooo pretty.

Park wildlife, especially bison herds, are a bit camera shy, so my husband and I take close-up photos of buffalo chips instead (a damn poor substitute.)

According to Sioux legend, The Devil's Tower was formed by a big old bear clawing its way up a big old tree, as good an explanation as any.

Hundreds of army soldiers, scouts and native warriors killed each other at the Little Bighorn, so it's gotta be haunted ... must be a spooky place after dark.

The nice folks in Deadwood stage the shooting of Wild Bill Hickock day after day after day for fun and tourist dollars. And they'll put you in a bus and drive you up to the cemetery where Bill's buried, right beside his lady friend, Calamity Jane. For no extra charge, they'll tell you some mighty corny graveyard jokes.

Bikers rule Sturgis (and the Black Hills) for the annual August rally ... take note: Hell's Angels are kinda camera shy, too.

The U.S. presidents' faces carved onto Mount Rushmore are, well, monumental, but just wait until the much, much bigger Crazy Horse monument eventually, finally, at long last get finished ... it'll make Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln look, well, not so monumental.

Crossing the border back into Canada at the port of Estevan on a late summer afternoon is almost a surreal experience ... the sweet little customs agent glances casually at our passports, asks us a few friendly questions and wishes us a safe trip home. By the way, is there no end to Saskatchewan? And what's up with the horizon everywhere? Just curious.

Love those biscuits and gravy for breakfast down south. Mmmm.

Love those half tacky half charming fridge magnets and key chains.

Love my cool t-shirt that says Life Is Short Spend It In Yellowstone.

Life is short.

Spend it everywhere you can.

Write lots of stuff down.

Cause writer's cramp hurts so good.

Mmmm.

Joanne Morcom

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