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Sometimes, great places are more than a great setting for a novel. They become characters in the story.

My next novel, which is the third and final installment in the Thomas Conner Series, takes place almost entirely in Southeast Idaho, and in particular, the area east of Ashton. It's a beautiful place with amazing scenery. The land abounds with amber waves of grain, and the horizon is framed by purple mountains majesty. In this case, the Teton range.

View of the Tetons from Idaho

Much of the snow that falls on the Tetons and Yellowstone National Park is plumbed through this area via trout-filled rivers, creating spectacular wonders like the Henry's Fork of the Snake River cascading over Upper Mesa Falls.

Home for me and my family used to be in the town of Ashton. Surrounded by such natural beauty, our lives adapted to the region, and it shaped us. We took full advantage of the hiking trails, remote campsites, and endless fishing spots. Ashton wasn't just an address; it was a place I fell in love with.

Upper Mesa Falls

The Warm River (pictured below) is another enchanting spot east of Ashton. Solitude and wildlife abound. It's a place to fish, hunt, hike, and reflect. But you need to be alert while reflecting because there are also a lot of bears there.

If you've read Wardrobe Of The Wolf, the second book in the Thomas Conner Series, you'll recognize this area. The locals call it Green Timber. In fact, a pivotal scene in that novel takes place just a few miles from where these photos were taken.

I thought I'd never leave the Ashton area. We owned land on a hillside above the Henry's Fork. I planned to build my dream home there. My forever home.

Warm River

But plans changed, and my family and I moved to Bozeman, Montana. We used to live in a home west of Bozeman with lovely trees and incredible views of the Bridger Mountains. Occasionally, I'd sit by the fire and read my Bible while sipping my morning coffee. I lived there for eleven years and loved watching the sunrise. Even two cats couldn't ruin the view. :)

Fireside view of Bridger Mountains

The huge pine tree in the front yard was the best tree ever. I don't know if anyone has ever conducted a survey, but I know it would have won! It was great for climbing on, provided the perfect amount of shade, and on one limb was tied a rope swing to relax on. I've never seen or experienced a more kid & family friendly tree.

But there was only one problem. We didn't own the place.

Greatest Tree Ever!

In 2025, it was sold, and the new owner bulldozed the home, that perfect tree, the yard, driveway, fire pit, all of it. It's all gone. This coming spring, it will be plowed under, and a crop will be grown on it. All that's left are the memories.

This helped drive home an important lesson for me. God gave us this earth to be good stewards of it, not to love it more than Him. This is not our eternal home, so don't get too attached.

Bulldozing in progress

Green Timber is still a place I love. I visit often, and I love writing about it. I can't wait for you to read about it and see how it shapes the characters in my upcoming novel. But the purpose of all my books is not to share a love of place, but to share the Gospel by weaving it into the storyline.

My forever home isn't here in Montana or Idaho. It's not overlooking a lake or situated on the banks of a beautiful river. My forever home is with the Lord in Heaven. Is that where your eternal home is located? I hope so.