Blue
Copyright© 2024 by Old Man with a Pen
Chapter 4
Now ... unlike the road from Townsend to Helena ... the road from Helena to Great Falls IS scenic ... twisting ... and windy and it is the locality and range of numerous wild animals ... deer ... bear ... elk, and others of their ilk. Moose figure in there. There are posted signs with the silhouette of a leaping deer in select places along the road.
“WARNING ANIMAL CROSSING”
They never cross at the signs.
The road is scenic ... there are places of extreme beauty ... extremely gaze-worthy ... and that is where the animals cross ... where the driver and occupants have just uttered a gusty sigh at the gaze-worthy and are gazing. Since I am a ‘resident,’ KNOW about Animal Crossing Signs ... and have driven to an archaeological site sorta close to the Interstate and north of Helena ... a great many times ... I know where to look ... and it’s not at the gaze-worthy.
Nope ... never ... well ... maybe once. Driving that road to and from the archaeological site? First trip is a ‘road trip’ ... the rest are a chore and in the way.
“In the way?”
In the way of rapid retrieval of beer, groceries and a REAL shower. Mostly BEER. Montana Archaeology runs on beer. Archaeology is never near civilization. Former civilization? ... yes. Active civilization? ... No. The access to affordable beer is distant ... very distant.
After the Warning Sign ... I look in the rearview mirror ... just checking to see if I missed an animal ... crossing. Never.
They never cross at the sign, but I am notorious for ‘just making sure.’ However, I have been cited for stoping to assist an out of state or country gazer who is removing a crossing animal from the front of his new Cadillac ... unless the wounded animal is flailing sharp hooves while in the final throws of life ... or the animal has shattered the windscreen and has the good wife impaled by antler. For those situations I offer condolences and depart. One cannot imagine the paperwork involved if one is first arrival.
No stoping ... it’s a weekday. Tourists tour on the weekend.
After the ordeal, we arrived undented and safe in the city of Great Falls. Unlike the band bus driver, I know where the arena is situated ... and avoid the place. I’ll show up to check the sound levels and supervise the roadies setting up our stage.
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