1 - August 1995. The steady drizzle has stopped, and the sun's energy begins to work on the ground-hugging clouds. This is Big Sky country at its best. Ample spring rains have rejuvenated the life force that runs strong in CMR, whose heart is the mighty Missouri River and the massive Fort Peck Reservoir the river has created.
Riparian areas are lush green from plentiful moisture.
Willows, alders, cottonwoods and emerging clover glow with the colors of new growth. A profusion of wildflowers carpets hillsides and meadows. Perched on a high overlook we're able to gaze into the chasm below and survey what is only a minute fraction of the huge refuge. At the same time, experiencing CMR in its entirely is a nearly impossible task. In sync with the state's Big Sky reputation, scale becomes exaggerated here, too.