From The Ridge

Here I am, perched on University Ridge, where the night paints its masterpiece in contrasting strokes. To my right, the lights of Missoula twinkle like a constellation grounded on earth, a gentle reminder of human presence in the vastness of night. To my left, an open ridge unfolds, its golden grasses dancing gracefully in the moonlight, as if swaying to a melody only the night wind knows.

The moon, in its full glory tonight, shines with an intensity that rivals the headlights of an oncoming car. Its luminous beams, so unexpectedly brilliant, make me wish for sunglasses – a whimsical thought in this nocturnal serenity. The light bathes the landscape in a surreal glow, turning the ordinary into something magical.

But as the night deepens, so does the chill in the air. It’s a crisp reminder of nature’s indifference to human comfort. The cold nips at my skin, whispering that it’s time to leave this moonlit reverie. Reluctantly, I prepare to hike down, carrying with me the memories of this serene moment on University Ridge, where the moon was my companion, and the night, my canvas.