prairies

There are a few things the prairies are good for. Big hay fields, grain silos, frighteningly cold winters, and thunderstorms. Its very big here. They always say that the mountains are big, they make a person feel small. But there is something a bit haunting about being able to see for miles around. It really is majestic, in its own way.

People who come from coastal areas often tell me that they miss the mountains. Or that they were disoriented by the lack of a skyline. I've never really felt that here. Yes, its big. Yes, its open. But I've never felt like there was an absence from the horizon. I do appreciate the mountains more when I go back home, but some how, without my knowing or permission, this little flatland has endeared itself to me. I'm not saying I'm never leaving; but its been a nice few years getting to know this place.

First thunderstorm of the season was yesterday evening. And another littler one today. A good thunderstorm party is something that this place sure knows how to throw. Good sound effects, spectacular sights. And on the plus side, not a lot of rain. Although a bit of rain could be a very good thing right about now. But perhaps I should hold my tongue, because I see their calling for more of that this weekend.

I was planning on trying to find a few more sights that really epitomize the prairie life. I saw a silo in the distance and thought for sure I could make it. But then I came across something else that this city is really good for: pot holes. This one wasn't the largest, wasn't the worst, and sure wasn't the only one. But fear for the undercarriage of my car and the suspension forced me to turn around and hightail it out of there. Not that we don't see some just as big and bad in the city.