Uncategorized – Page 7 – Mateo Monk

Cowboys, Pistols, & Hemp

After exploring the wild northwest corner of Montana, I followed a suggestion and proceeded down to just south of Salmon Idaho, to visit the natural Goldbug Springs in Elk Bend. I was also curious about the area after reading about it in the book “This Land: How Cowboys, Capitalism, and Corruption Are Ruining The AmericanContinue reading “Cowboys, Pistols, & Hemp”

Searching for apex predators and flyfishing in the smoke

My plans to head over to the Oregon Coast and down to Mt Shasta got derailed due to all the wildfires. So I spent several days in the Kootenai National Forest in the remote northwest corner of Montana, home to grizzlies, wolves, and cougars… none of which I was able to see, although I didContinue reading “Searching for apex predators and flyfishing in the smoke”

Fishing And Paddling In Montana

I started exploring Montana just before Labor Day weekend and soon found a serene and picturesque lake in the Flathead National Forest, Holland Lake. I appreciated how, unlike so many other lakes, this lake did not have wealthy lake houses all along its shoreline. It was a completely natural setting, apart from a humble lodgeContinue reading “Fishing And Paddling In Montana”

Lamar Valley And Beartooth Pass

I spent a couple days in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone hoping to glimpse wolves to no avail. All I glimpsed was legions of tourists and jampacked roads so I got out of there quickly via the Beartooth pass into Montana. At nearly the peak of the pass, on top of the world above 10,000Continue reading “Lamar Valley And Beartooth Pass”

Enchanted Bighorn Canyon And A Touch Of Yellowstone

I spent a few days in the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, at the base of the Bighorn Mountains to the west. The canyon is known to be one of the more dramatic canyons in the US for its sheer vertiical cliffs a half-mile high and it did not dissappoint. As some of you knowContinue reading “Enchanted Bighorn Canyon And A Touch Of Yellowstone”

Decompressing in the Bighorns and soaking in Thermopolis Hot Springs.

I’ve spent the past two weeks in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming, my time divided evenly between two different campspots, one in the north end of the forest, and one in the south end. The north end seem to attract an older, more rural set of outdoor enthusiasts who spent most of their time flyfishing,Continue reading “Decompressing in the Bighorns and soaking in Thermopolis Hot Springs.”

Bansuri In The Badlands

I have been coming to this same spot in the Badlands for 28 years now. You could say it is the center of my world, my Eden, the gateway to heaven. It is here I have had many of my most profound visions and experiences. It it truly a magical, sacred spot, visited by few,Continue reading “Bansuri In The Badlands”

A meeting with climbing/caving legend Jan Conn

I had the honor and pleasure of getting to meet and play music for Jan Conn today, a true living legend in the climbing/caving world, a pioneer both of first ascents around the nation, as well as in ethics, ideology, and lifestyle. She’s been “on the road” following her bliss and passions since Jack KerouacContinue reading “A meeting with climbing/caving legend Jan Conn”

First thing I had to do was update my wardrobe!

My first stop westward was the western wear section of the famous Wall Drug in Wall, SD, at the entrance to the Badlands. I figured a new phase of life and a new journey deserved an outfit to get started. I really just wanted to shed my old skin and put on a new oneContinue reading “First thing I had to do was update my wardrobe!”

Sturgis, and another addition to the wardrobe!

The controversial, COVID-era, Sturgis motorcycle rally poured over into the town of Custer where I was holed-up to work on this website. I couldn’t resist the temptation to pick up a badass, tassled, biker vest and have a wolf patch sewed on the back by the junkie onhand seamstress. Although such a large public gatheringContinue reading “Sturgis, and another addition to the wardrobe!”