Oh, I miss the mountains, the streams, the evergreen trees, but in fairness to my adopted North Dakota, I've got to tell you that if I was a farmer, I would find it easier plowing the rich, tree-less plains of North Dakota as compared to a forested mountain side in Montana. Still, Montana's scenery is easy on the eyes -- even at 80 mph.
Here's a couple of observations from the weekend about the Treasure State:
- I still enjoying buying things in Montana and not having to pay a sales tax. The price on the item is the price you pay -- not an extra six or seven cents on the dollar.
- Two-lane highways are scary after you're accustomed to driving on Interstate highways. I about met my maker between Great Falls and Lewistown on Saturday afternoon trying to pass a semi-truck. A pickup surprised me -- even though there was a dotted center line -- as it came up really fast. However, I managed to pass the truck and duck back in ahead of a head-on collision. I was glad my car had lots of horsepower and could accelerate very fast. Still, I was looking at the ditch in case I was needing to head in that direction.
- There's no better company than family. It didn't matter if it was my inlaws in Glendive, Aunt Ginny in Billings, Connie in Roundup or Nancy -- Rich's cousin -- in Great Falls, the welcome mat was certainly out.
I might devote another column to Shorty's funeral -- it was memorable and impactful -- but let me just say the phrase that stuck in my head was this one by the preacher: "There are two kinds of people. One kind enters a room and announces, "Here I am." The second comes into a room and says, "It's sure good to have you here with me." I agree with the preacher that Shorty was certainly of the second kind, and he's a good role model to follow.
3 comments:
Steve- Glad to hear that you didn't become a Montana statistic. As for Shorty- I just remember his smile and kind personality- and singing "bye Shorty and Ethel" while sitting on the swings at the cabins as they headed back to Great Falls. Now there is a whole other blog for you- cabin memories!
Later Uncle S
I aggree with G. In the near future I would talk about cabin memories. The inner tube, campfire stories and always volleyball.
There is enough room on the two lane highway for two cars and a pickup but it makes you suck up the car seat with your bottom.The eighteen wheeler puts a whole new perspective on things.They seem to ride the center-line and take curves on the inside lane much like a nascar driver.At any rate,I've been three abreast twice on the narrow Montana highways.The first time, a car pulled out of a ranch driveway onto the icy highway.Picture this,oncoming car 100 yards,rancher pulling out 35 yards with kids,eyes wide open,in the back seat watching out the back window to see how I could avoid hitting them.I locked up the brakes,couldn't slow down so I went to the in between place on the road.This space is only there if the oncoming car is alert enough to give a little of his side of the road.I can almost hear the kids to this day."Dad, remember the time you almost got us all killed".In my second Three-some, a lady, who was apparently blind, passed a pickup.You would think the driver would come out, look and go back into her lane if someone was on-coming.Not this gal.I had 50 yards to react and I had the gaurd rail keeping me from the ditch.That happened so fast I still don't know how we survived.I wish I could have seen her face but I was too busy driving.I hope the pickup reported it.When I drive by that place I still can't expain that near miss.I always thank someone who says "I'll be praying for you".If you drive in Montana you need folks like that; and the One they pray to.
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