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Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Big Apple to Big Sky by Ryan Connolly
3rd Avenue got crowded. Needs changed from black tie parties and 3 star dinners to the challenges and solitude of wild places. I dreamed about wild things but remained in Gotham’s stronghold. A passing bird or a flower box was a bumper crop of urban nature.
Slowly the plan made itself. Starting with borrowed knowledge and an ancient 30-06. Then a ‘lightly’ used truck. 150,000 miles turned into 250,000 miles studying the wooded corners and uncovering the secrets of NJ, NY and PA. I drove and drove and hunted and fished and camped. www.HuntingLife.com <http://www.HuntingLife.com> adopted me into their family. The calling grew louder but still echoed from those vertical monsters. Fighting the daily tide. More and more out of place. Out of peace.
The plan developed it’s own momentum and finally one morning I packed that truck. Full of what I thought I’d need. Out there. Put the rest in the street. Thousands of books. Furniture. Stereo. I sold the plasma. I said hasty goodbyes to my life, job, loved ones, to my city, to the concrete and the noise.
Four days and 2,400 miles later I made my way up the mountain and into my new life. Log cabin. Air. Mountains. Deer. The dog jumped out of the window. I parked, got out and breathed. Free.
Days are shed hunting. Trailing the elk herd. Watching wolves over a kill. Learning tracks. Watching for the Grizzlies. Wading the Blackfoot. Tying new patterns. Splitting wood. Shooting sticks in the river. Feeding the pig and chickens. Watering the garden. Whistling for the dog…long gone on an adventure.
The phone doesn’t ring. It doesn’t work here. No TV. No Google. The wolves and coyotes hunt the river at night and sing. The world goes on somewhere out there. The stars bring us the news we need. The clouds bring rain and the river and garden feed us.
The hills lose their snowy blanket and bloom with squaw grass. Golden and Bald Eagles take to the massive ponderosas and we share curiosity. Somewhere the tide of people float the concrete in the stale air. Some letters come from there. Asking if I’d lost my mind. And when will I be ‘back’. I send them pictures and whispers of the decency of this place. Big Sky. God’s country. They try but can’t understand that I’m finally home.
Pro-staffer Ryan Connolly recent traded in the furious grind of New York City for mountain air and now lives in a hand- hewn log cabin in Western Montana. The cabin is the home of the Bunyan Bug (River Runs Through It) and sits on the Clearwater/Blackfoot winter game range and is steps from a turn in the Blackfoot River that he explains is ‘too beautiful for words’. His closest neighbor is not that close at all 
western montana, big sky, big apple, nature, photography
POSTED BY KEVIN C PAULSON AT 01:48 PM | 13 COMMENTS | LINKS TO THIS POST | EMAIL A POST
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Comments:
hey bro ..... great article and pictures as well. so glad to hear that you've found happiness out in big sky country. hope to visit you soon!
- cooper
Posted By Cooper Jones on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 09:10 AM
Hi Ryan, Great write-up! Sounds like a terrific place. Maybe I'll pay you a visit (and stay for a year or so!) Hope all is well.
Posted By Mr H on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 06:59 PM
I commend the courage it took to make a drastic move across the country (and culture). Hope your days in the outdoors treat you and Coop well.
Posted By Jason K on Monday, June 29, 2009 at 04:29 PM
That's so awesome! Cheers to you for sharing your experience with so many others. My hat goes off to you for doing what most of us don't have the courage to do but a lot of us long for.
Posted By Courtney Cleaver on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 01:36 AM
Ryan,
Somewhere Jack London is nodding and smiling! Can't wait to hear what happens next. Did the dog eat the fish? Did the donkey shuck you and your 'city' clothes?
Posted By RC on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 07:49 AM
I have stood atop those mountains in Montana...its spiritual. Had thoughts of the mountain life at a younger stage of my life, but they stayed just thoughts. You have made the thoughts into a reality. Scarey place to be...that place between what I know and who I love, and what I think I want to do and see. I hope you find what fits you best, and I hope its a beautiful journey.
Good luck!
Posted By Tom Rudd on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 04:50 PM
Ryan, What a life- changing and unforgetable experience for both you and Cooper. Upon reading the, all to short, travelouge of your exploits to Big Sky country I must admit that even I paused for a moment and wondered if a trip to "Nature's Cleanse" might not be appropriate for for my "Urban Scared" existence. But alas, I will have to find my release in your prose and pictures. Thanks for the all too short journey.
Posted By D. Stephen Ferito on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Ryan - great article and pictures. You are a true inspiration to all of us country-boy transplants living in big cities.
Posted By Nate Fischer on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 04:09 AM
Looks just like Freehold, NJ. Sans in-ground pool.
Posted By Bad Time Tim on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 05:40 PM
Ryan,
I am almost moved to tears as I read this story. You have done what only a few men have dared to do, step out of their comfort zone and the rat race and follow their heart and dreams. I grew up in the mountains of NC, but having been there, Montana is a whole nother world. I will pray that God keeps you safe and healthy to continue to live out your dreams.
Posted By Randall Buchanan on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 04:19 PM
Inspirational Ryan, you followed the voice most only wish they had the gumption to follow.
Posted By Sam on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 03:40 PM
Love the article and the pics! Looks beautiful cant wait to see it for myself!
Posted By Kerry Hajko on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 03:07 PM
Beautiful story and beautiful pics to go with! Some people just dont understand how beautiful the world can be if you just take the time to look at it. you did a great job bringing all the beauty of Montana for everyone to see! Again i say Great Job!!
Posted By taylor rather on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 02:59 PM
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