Each of these photos feels like an essay on its own, they're so compelling. And bring back a lot of memories. My dad got a job in Pablo when I was ten and we lived in that area for a while. It's easy to forget how beautiful it is -- not just the mountains, but all of it -- when you're just passing through.
Breathtaking vistas! I just might save these to use as inspiration for my watercolour practice! I’m doing another 100 Day Art Project and am always looking for ideas. If that’s okay with you—I promise to give you credit if I post on IG.
Feel free and no sweat over giving me credit or not. I'm currently disabled on Instagram, so if you DO use one, I'd love to have you send it to me so I may see it!
Gorgeous. Makes me homesick for some of the similar landscape in northeastern Oregon, recognizing some of those habitats, and yet Montana looks like it has an even more dramatic and wide-ranging land to gaze on. I used to love rodeos but they've become so changed since the era of he who shall remain nameless, I can't stomach it. Indian rodeo would be the best and I wish I could go. I love seeing these, thanks so much for sharing with us. Just beautiful.
I wrote a piece for Smithsonian last summer about the history of rodeo and it was a trial. I didn't share it because by the time it published it hardly felt like my piece given all the editorial wang-dangery and I realized how much I hate rodeo culture in America, even as I love horses and hats and denim and leather and ropes and dust and saddles and....
When I agreed to write the piece I thought it could be ALL about Indian rodeo, and Indian relay, and all of that. But it wasn't. I was also in the middle of it when they started finding the unmarked graves around boarding schools and my mood was ... not at its best, to say the least. It was probably the most for-the-money-only thing I've done in several years and I felt really grubby afterward.
ugh that’s fascinating but sorry you had to go through it all. Yeah, I’d love to hear about only Indian rodeo--because as you say, it’s the love of horses and ropes and dust and saddles-- all of that is what I came to once love about going to rodeos while still feeling conflicted by the history and erasure and just that ol’ chestnut of the frontier (ugh and bleck). And then the hard turn the world took into that awful hoo-ah overtly... But the horses and saddles and dust and.... I do miss that.
Loved this makes me so proud of this beautiful state I live in and you have captured it. So much history here that has been forgotten, never told, or covered up.
We will need to go to the Bison Range when the big loop opens again in spring. No one ever needs to twist my arm to make a trip up there! Of course that would likely mean breakfast or lunch at the Old Timer's in St. Ignatius. So maybe we shouldn't wait until spring? Maybe we should take the short out-and-back drive this winter ... soon! 🍽☕️🍳🥓
Nov 7, 2022·edited Nov 7, 2022Liked by Chris La Tray
As always when I read/view your work I have so many questions. I will land on two; why are the coyote stories only told in winter AND why mixed feelings about the Garden of 1000 Buddhas, I am assuming because of its placement but that is MY assumption. Sorry one more question; do people visit Reservations like they are National Parks? If so, (opps another question)is that annoying or does it feel like they are trying to learn and understand? This is along the same lines of my previous question in a previous newsletter/blog about whether or not white people attend or participate in Powows and if so how is that received.
One time recently I was hiking with my dog in the woods whom I let off leash. For a long time I kept hearing her in the backdrop following behind me and just kept walking. It was dusk and so pretty. I rounded the corner and saw my dog up ahead. My heart stopped. I slowly turned around to see what I was hearing. And there they were, two coyotes just taking a hike with me. I almost pooped my pants. I have had many encounters with them prior to this but not this close and not with them staying with me like that. I had no idea what to do-not run that was a given. But they got skittish and ran in the other direction. I think about them every time I walk past that place again and am so thankful that my dog did not see them!!
Simply magnificent. I stumbled across your Substack recently via a backroad, and although I am already subscribed to far too many content makers, I couldn't resist. It's just one more, right? The photos, the history, the love of horses. Yeah, I like it here.
MORE please!!
Captions are just right.
Well done.
Thanks, Patrick.
Each of these photos feels like an essay on its own, they're so compelling. And bring back a lot of memories. My dad got a job in Pablo when I was ten and we lived in that area for a while. It's easy to forget how beautiful it is -- not just the mountains, but all of it -- when you're just passing through.
I'm always struck by the vast diversity of landscapes in the area. It's really spectacular, and one must GO there to get a sense of it, you know?
Absolutely.
book.
add your writings.
coffee table book by subscription via your blog.
print yrself. i use lulu. a friend is very good at putting the book together for me. reasonable. i've done 6 books now.
print on demand. i've printed up to 200 at a time, but i have also printed one here and there.
and that way the price can stay down.
i'd buy it.
I've contemplated a photo book of places significant to my people. Perhaps one day....
consider this encouragement.
Magnificent, truly. Each photo feels like a poem.
I appreciate that, Matt.
Beautiful. I have been through the area, but not for many years, so this was a much-needed reminder of a place that feels like home. Thank you Chris.
I'm sure it's changed since you were through in many ways ... but then not so much in others, thankfully.
“ Would it even be a rez without dogs?” 💓
🐶
Lol thought of that guy later, on my yoga mat. “Should have used the shaggy dog emoji” 😄 🐕
Breathtaking vistas! I just might save these to use as inspiration for my watercolour practice! I’m doing another 100 Day Art Project and am always looking for ideas. If that’s okay with you—I promise to give you credit if I post on IG.
Feel free and no sweat over giving me credit or not. I'm currently disabled on Instagram, so if you DO use one, I'd love to have you send it to me so I may see it!
You bet!
Gorgeous. Makes me homesick for some of the similar landscape in northeastern Oregon, recognizing some of those habitats, and yet Montana looks like it has an even more dramatic and wide-ranging land to gaze on. I used to love rodeos but they've become so changed since the era of he who shall remain nameless, I can't stomach it. Indian rodeo would be the best and I wish I could go. I love seeing these, thanks so much for sharing with us. Just beautiful.
I wrote a piece for Smithsonian last summer about the history of rodeo and it was a trial. I didn't share it because by the time it published it hardly felt like my piece given all the editorial wang-dangery and I realized how much I hate rodeo culture in America, even as I love horses and hats and denim and leather and ropes and dust and saddles and....
When I agreed to write the piece I thought it could be ALL about Indian rodeo, and Indian relay, and all of that. But it wasn't. I was also in the middle of it when they started finding the unmarked graves around boarding schools and my mood was ... not at its best, to say the least. It was probably the most for-the-money-only thing I've done in several years and I felt really grubby afterward.
The terrible history of the Americas is still being written. We live it under darkness in these ancestral lands.
There is far more to our history than first meets the eye. Beautiful essays thanks.
ugh that’s fascinating but sorry you had to go through it all. Yeah, I’d love to hear about only Indian rodeo--because as you say, it’s the love of horses and ropes and dust and saddles-- all of that is what I came to once love about going to rodeos while still feeling conflicted by the history and erasure and just that ol’ chestnut of the frontier (ugh and bleck). And then the hard turn the world took into that awful hoo-ah overtly... But the horses and saddles and dust and.... I do miss that.
Would you care to elaborate on your mixed feelings about the Buddha garden? It feels out of place to me.
I will! You aren't the only one to ask, both via comments and direct email, so I think I'll put it in a proper newsletter.
Yes any time someone is like “I have mixed feelings” I’m leaning in
Loved this makes me so proud of this beautiful state I live in and you have captured it. So much history here that has been forgotten, never told, or covered up.
We will need to go to the Bison Range when the big loop opens again in spring. No one ever needs to twist my arm to make a trip up there! Of course that would likely mean breakfast or lunch at the Old Timer's in St. Ignatius. So maybe we shouldn't wait until spring? Maybe we should take the short out-and-back drive this winter ... soon! 🍽☕️🍳🥓
You have no idea how much I would love that.
We'll make a plan, then....
As always when I read/view your work I have so many questions. I will land on two; why are the coyote stories only told in winter AND why mixed feelings about the Garden of 1000 Buddhas, I am assuming because of its placement but that is MY assumption. Sorry one more question; do people visit Reservations like they are National Parks? If so, (opps another question)is that annoying or does it feel like they are trying to learn and understand? This is along the same lines of my previous question in a previous newsletter/blog about whether or not white people attend or participate in Powows and if so how is that received.
I love these questions. I will answer them!
I want to know more about the coyote stories and why winter too!! Coyotes and I have an unnerving relationship.
One time recently I was hiking with my dog in the woods whom I let off leash. For a long time I kept hearing her in the backdrop following behind me and just kept walking. It was dusk and so pretty. I rounded the corner and saw my dog up ahead. My heart stopped. I slowly turned around to see what I was hearing. And there they were, two coyotes just taking a hike with me. I almost pooped my pants. I have had many encounters with them prior to this but not this close and not with them staying with me like that. I had no idea what to do-not run that was a given. But they got skittish and ran in the other direction. I think about them every time I walk past that place again and am so thankful that my dog did not see them!!
I love this story. Thank you!
I look forward to it and will wait patiently...
Thank you, Chris. There is such majesty and beauty, history and community, in these photos.
It is a magical place for sure, thank you.
Oh Montana, captured as it used to be. _Lorelei
Your photo essays are poetry. Grateful for these glimpses into the spirit of the place you love so deeply.
Thank you so much. 🙏🏽
Hi Chris!
LOVE THESE PHOTOS !
Thank you so very much!
Sincerely,
Melissa
Simply magnificent. I stumbled across your Substack recently via a backroad, and although I am already subscribed to far too many content makers, I couldn't resist. It's just one more, right? The photos, the history, the love of horses. Yeah, I like it here.
Thank you! And you're right, there's ALWAYS room for one more, isn't there?
There's always room for one more--if it's the RIGHT one.