On the drive home from work, I was reminiscing about the ranch - inspired by a song on the radio by Peter Gabriel, which I used to listen to for hours on end in the 80 square foot cabin I shared with Bonnie... the same cabin with no heat, no phone, no radio reception and no indoor plumbing.

If you're reading this, chances are you know the significance of Montana, the Lazy K Bar Ranch and the Van Cleve/Kirby family to me. It was an experience that helped me regain my footing after my dad died, and created values that would ultimately lead me to Portland and the life I have now. The ranch itself is a place that offers me solace and peace and reminds me of the bigger picture - and even though I haven't been back in more than five years, it continues to have a meaning greater than anything I could really explain. To say that it was a life changing experience is an understatement.

Anyway, I just received an email from the Kirby family, that a wild fire started on the eastern slope of the Crazy Mountains and did some serious damage to the Van Cleve home ranch. There are several ranches on their property, and I can't recall which is considered the "home ranch," but the thought of six generations of history going up in smoke is a horrible one. The thought of that place changing in the least is nearly as unbearable, but far more selfish.

Here are some pics if you're interested, from the road trip I dragged Beto on, in 2001 (note to self: Brazilian is not a fan of the All American Road Trip - not sure if it was the Johnny Cash or the truck stops) -