Things I Learned On Our Trip This Summer

Randy, Marley and I left for Montana on July 24th and returned on September 27th - two months away from home! I believe that's a little long and I'm thinking next year, if we go, will be for six weeks instead. I was ready to leave, I believe Randy was, and I KNOW Marley was NOT! Big Sky, Montana is truly "dog heaven" - Marley lost 10 lbs., played with dozens of other dogs, ran around free as a bird, smelled everything in sight, swam in cold mountain lakes and streams, and truly had the most wonderful time of his life. Now that we're back home he is either exhausted from the three-day return trip, or a little depressed to be back in this heat. He usually wants to be wherever we are, but yesterday when I came back in the house he was on his big orthopedic bed and I asked him if he wanted to come outside with us. He looked at me as if I had grown a third arm and his eyes told me, "Why the hell would I want to do that? It's cool in here; I have this comfy bed to lie on. Uh, NO!" So inside he stayed.

Another wonderful aspect of Big Sky is the people. The population of 2,308 has GOT to be some of the happiest, kindest, healthiest group of folks on the entire planet. They welcomed us with open arms as if we were long lost relatives. Our neighbors, a young couple with a precious little 1 1/2 year old daughter named Braxie, said they were really going to miss us when we're gone. I miss them, too. Every day you see people hiking, biking, walking up hills and mountains, always exercising in some way or another. I suppose if you undertake those strenuous winter sports like they must, you have to keep yourself strong in order to be able to accomplish them. I admire their tenacity. Everywhere you go people are smiling and truly want to help you any way possible. They are a proud, independent, take care of business type of folks and I think they could probably withstand almost anything. It's the wild, wild West and I love it!

We had many encounters while on our trip but one stands out in my mind that I'd like to pass on. At the entrance to Yellowstone National Park, Randy was talking to the park ranger while he paid the entrance fee and asked her about something he'd read. Apparently some people are throwing trash into the geysers and mud pots. Can you imagine? Her response was classic and true, "People are idiots." She shrugged her tiny, green clad shoulders as she said this. So now when Randy and I observe or discuss something we consider ignorant, we shrug our shoulders and say, "People are idiots." And we've been saying it frequently every since.

The last thing I'd like to talk about is not a happy topic. In fact, it is a sad situation out there and I HAVE to say something about it. We virtually drove across this entire country from south to north and back again. It took three ten-hour days, thirty hours, and we did that twice. So sixty hours of driving on highways and byways with me in the passenger seat observing the driving habits of our country. There was much to observe, too. Almost every single time a neighboring car would do something stupid; swerve in our lane, drive erratically, speed up, slow down, whatever dumb thing I noticed, whenever we passed them they were either talking on their phone, looking down at their phone (texting or reading a text, one would assume) or openly texting as they looked down at their phone. I was absolutely appalled at how many times I saw this. Does one not realize how dangerous that is? What could possibly be that important? We're talking about situations on interstates where the speed limit is 80 miles per hour and most are driving faster than that. Is that safe? Are their tiny little lives so important that they not only risk their own lives but everyone around them? And I observed this more times than you can even imagine. I would estimate that about half the people I passed were doing something else besides driving their damn car! It's abominable, outrageous and downright ignorant beyond comprehension. If any of you do this, STOP IT RIGHT NOW! From this moment on, don't use your phone in your car unless you have a speaker type system and that should be used minimally. If there is anything so important you feel you MUST respond to, at least wait 'til the next stoplight, pull over; make sure it is a safe place. Seriously, I mean this from the bottom of my heart. Texting while driving is THE stupidest, most selfish, dangerous act one could ever do under those circumstances. Don't be that person.

Sorry about that y'all, but I had to say something. I hate to be Debbie Downer but there is way too much of this happening and I felt compelled to mention it. 

All in all it was an awesome trip. We had a wonderful time, ate some great food, had some fun hikes and the scenery! Ah, the landscape in Montana is outstanding and we enjoyed every moment of our time there! I hope you enjoyed the photos I posted on Face book. If you ever get the chance to visit that part of the country, don’t hesitate. You won’t regret it!

And remember … y'all be careful out there because, you guessed it, "People are idiots!" (shrug)