One Wren and a Thousand Buddhas

Yesterday was one of those days were the gears of life just seem to mesh together, and it all started with changed schedules and unwarranted stress.

I traveled to Plains, Montucky to launch the new website for a client of mine, Rehbein Ford (great folks), and to visit my buddy Batt (Block Mountain Stone) and family. In order to get Rehbein Ford up and live, we needed the cooperation of an old vendor, who wasn’t the most organized and prepared. We were suppose to cut over on Tuesday night, but we were delayed until at least mid-morning Wednesday. I immediately went into a stress spiral. Then, the remarkable news came across the email. A Carolina Wren was present at a residence near Arlee, which is not more than 45 minutes from Plains. This is the first time that this species has ever been documented in the state. So, what to do? C’mon, you knew I was going to chase that bird.

Olivia and I hit the road at around 6:30 in morning. Olivia just slept and I dodge deer and a fox on the highway. I followed the directions, ended up at the designated parking area near the Jocko River. Pulling up behind were Nate Kohler and Gary Swant (both crack birders) from Deerlodge. We waited for awhile for Dan Casey and Jim Rodgers before we noticed to walk down to the house. Our anticipation got the better of us. As we neared the house, the home owner came out to greet us with kind offers of seats and something hot of drink. We listened and looked intently for the bird, and within a couple of minutes, we heard of the distinctive song cascading from atop a tall ponderosa pine. The bird then flew down into a winter nude apple tree that stood no more than 10 meters from our position. We all got great looks as the bird sing from his perch. Another new state bird and getting to bird with great folks, what a start to the day.

I had to leave for Plains, much too early, but I bid my companions adieu and headed down the river to Plains. Once I got to Rehbein Ford, everything seem to click into place and I was actually able to finish up my work efficiently and early. The launch went very well and the people there were amazingly kind and patient.

Then, I headed over to Block Mountain Stone to put their new commercial on their site and shoot the breeze with Batt and Karrie. It was great to catch up with old friends and, at the same, help their business.

Dad called and we met for lunch at the Butcher’s Nook, a great little deli/butcher shop in Plains. They do a killer pastrami on rye (they even baked their own bread). We made our made back to the house where I got to play with my niece and nephew for a bit. They are such gentle and happy kids, and they dig their Uncle Radd, too.

I said my farewells and it was back to Bozeman, but not before the best stop of the day. Konchog Norbu had suggested that I stop by Ewam and the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas, which is just north of Arlee. I know, two stops in Arlee in one day, especially after not having stop in the town for anything in years. I found the place easily, and I was immediately greeted by Charlie, who has a wonderful New York accent even though he has lived in Montana for years, and Luke, who has a head of hair that just mocks a bald man. The sense of inclusion and warmth in the place was apparent. Luke graciously took me for a tour of the property. We walked around the statue of Yum Chenmo and went into the Buddha Barn, which houses the completed Buddha statues and the studio for creating the remaining 600 statues. It is an incredibly special place of meditative solace.