Country February/March 2021

JUDGING A PHOTO CONTEST is never easy. Our latest one, Great American Road Trip, was no exception. Through their entries, readers took me on journeys all across the country. At a time when I’m so tired of being cooped up because of COVID-19, it was a lovely escape. As I looked at images on my home computer, my 8-year-old son lingered beside me, entranced by what he saw—a miracle in the age of video games and content streaming. Starting on page 36, you can go along for the ride, too. Reader Roy Goldsberry won the grand and third prizes for photos of Starved Rock State Park in Illinois and Antelope Canyon in Arizona, which graces the cover of this issue. It was an unusual year for a road trip-themed contest,…

Dear Country… Looking at the picture of Montezuma Castle on page 17 of the Dec/Jan issue, a terrifying thought came to mind. “Honey, run down to the store and get a loaf of bread.” Yikes! JC COOPER Eagle Lake, Texas WHEN I READ THE STORY “Grandma’s Legacy” on page 14 in the Dec/Jan issue, it reminded me of Memere, my French grandmother, who knitted us mittens for Christmas every year. She wrapped them in interesting ways to try to trick us. One pair might be inside a toilet paper roll or another might be hidden in a tissue box. Even though we knew what we’d be getting from Memere, we acted surprised and thanked her. These mittens were so well made that I’m able to pass them on to my…

Spring Awakening For a brief period after the snow melts in the spring, Muddy Creek rises and floods this little area. It isn’t long before the weeds and grasses take over and the creek becomes barely visible. I wanted to capture this fleeting moment of beauty with my camera, but it took me nearly a year. Finally I was graced with a wonderful sunrise to complement the reflection of the trees in the flooded creek. Sometimes patience pays off! KELLY JOHNSON Eau Claire, Wisconsin…

THIS RIDE WAS NOT at the top of my Idaho bucket list. Growing up close by, I had always viewed Big Southern Butte as a desert wasteland. This morning, however, my dear husband announced, “We’re taking the side-by-side up to the top of Big Butte today to have a picnic.” With nothing better to do, I agreed. Big Southern Butte rises to a lofty elevation of 7,550 feet! Fascinating fact: Big Butte is one of the largest and youngest volcanic domes in the world. We begin by parking along the road in Atomic City, population 25. As we follow the trail to the base of the mountain, I’m surprised by the wildlife we spot along the way (though the rattlesnake was not my favorite). The trail up the mountain begins…

I HEAD OUT for my morning walk through the woods. I enjoy seeing wildflowers and little critters scurrying about. Sometimes I see a deer or two. This morning I came upon a fallen tree that had split into several pieces. Moss covered the bark. I crouched down beside it and ran my hand over the moss and the beautiful carpet of little white flowers growing on it. The tiny blossoms glistened in the bright sunlight coming through the surrounding trees. From a distance, the flowers looked like floating clouds on top of the underlying moss. I ran my fingers back and forth, making the flowers sway in waves. This tree is embracing new life. I thought of my own life journey and how it continues to evolve—being a child, growing…

ROLLING THROUGH THE HIGH PLAINS of western Oklahoma can seem a bit desolate for some tourists, but small-town country life still flourishes on the Mother Road, old Route 66. Elk City stands out among these towns. Maybe it’s the warmth of the people, the peace and quiet, the charming vintage homes that grace the brick streets in the historical district, the open plains that melt into an endless sky or the windmills that grace the horizon. The town is home to one of my favorite attractions, the National Route 66 Museum, which is located at the west end of town on old Route 66. About 400 miles of the 2,448-mile route wind through Oklahoma. The museum is full of memorabilia from the Mother Road, including vintage cars, and it tells…