My husband, Scott, grew up in Montana, an unspoiled paradise of majestic mountains, glistening lakes, vast prairies, and spectacular wildlife—so much wildlife it’s easy to get animals on the brain.  The state has since become our favorite vacation spot.  While traveling through it several years ago, we stayed in communication with friends in another car by means of two-way radios.

            Along the way, Scott related stories of his past—riding Rusty, his favorite mount, on cattle drives, fishing expeditions and gathering wayward sheep from mountainsides.  He also brought various points of interest to everyone’s attention.

            Connie, the radio handler and spokesperson for the second car, was particularly intrigued with the animal names used in Montana.  We passed by Sheep Creek, Beaverhead County, Deer Lodge, Bearmouth Area, and my personal favorite, the Mule Palace—home of the National Mule Marathon.

            Right after the Beavertail Road exit, Scott, a pilot who’d often flown over the area, pointed out a power line spanning a canyon where mountains parted to make way for the highway.  Utility workers had placed large plastic balls on the line to alert pilots in low flying airplanes of possible danger.

            “See the big balls on that line, Connie?” Scott asked, sounding ready to relate another experience.

            A long pause.  Then, in a perplexed voice, Connie replied, “I didn’t even see the lion.”

            We temporarily suspended communication while those of us in the front car stifled our laughter.

Comments

Every time we visit my husband’s parents in Montana and pass under the large plastic balls mentioned above, we share a new laugh.

My husband recently snapped this picture of an example of Montana’s wildlife.

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