Friday, September 30, 2005

What is a Bitterroot brake?

Bitterroot brakes is an alliterate title I've been carrying around in my head for about 5 years. I originally thought it would be a band name, and I suppose it still could be, if it wasn't so obscure.

Bitterroot refers to the Bitterroot mountains of Idaho and Montana. It's a large, mostly wilderness, area of forest that is quite beautiful. Brakes refers to cane brakes, most likely blackberry.

To be caught up in a Bitterroot brake would be quite dangerous, as careful maneuvering would be required to extricate oneself. That said, it would also be wonderful, in the right season. Ripe blackberries all around, and the stillness and grandeur of the wild forest. Total concentration on careful movement, and complete awareness.