Mountains

What’s a road trip without at least one obstacle. Lewis would comment that no one likes a story without any drama.

Sheryl Eaglewoman

I headed out early in the morning. I’m not a smart enough Vermonter to understand that when in Montana they issue warnings about slipperiness you ought to take heed, and in any case, we have 270 pounds of sand across the axle and studded snow tires.  The road to Marion gradually goes up a mountainside, with some ups and downs but basically up. I was going quite slowly, as is my way in the snow, and being passed by the confident Montana residents, so I sped up a little, hit a patch of black ice, swung around a few times and ended up in the ditch.   I was fine, the truck was fine (but for some bumper damage) and the friendly help arrived immediately. I didn’t even complete the call to CAA before three people had stopped, the last one with the gear to haul the truck out. “Welcome to Montana!” they said, cheerily attaching the tow line.

A little late, I drove (v e r y  s l o w l y) over to where Sheryl was waiting with a big hug.  I gave her the gifts, and we swiftly chucked the boxes into the back of the pick up so she could lock up and get to work.  The day broke, the sun came out, so I spent some quality time repacking and tarping before attempting the down slope.  I got to the top of the hill and stopped, suddenly terrified, but another friendly Montanan stopped and asked me what was wrong. I told him that I was petrified given what had happened and he was completely reassuring.  “The sun is out, it’s 34 degrees now, and they’ve been by with the stuff.  You’re going to be fine, just take it slow.”  Slow I did, but safely down.  Sheryl had invited me over for a cup of coffee, but I went to the hotel first, and ended up speaking with her on the phone to say our goodbyes.  It was a missed opportunity, but it would have meant arranging the stuff in the truck so it was driveable which would have taken a long time.  This is because in spite of the sun shining, the ominous black cloud hanging over the 93 highway, my route out of here, meant that it wasn’t safe to leave yet – the same conditions prevailed out there on the much higher mountains. SO,  I made it my project to go through the years of paper and reduce the load.  It was an excellent project for post-truck-in-ditchness waiting out the weather, and it took the rest of the afternoon.  I threw tons of out of date medical periodicals into the thoughtfully placed rubbish tip in back of the Hilton.  And in among the paperwork of life, I discovered some gems that made the trip worthwhile. Small things, gifts, artwork, research project reports and photographs that get to come home now.  I even found a letter from Sheryl Eaglewoman!  It turns out she had sent Lewis her book, and he had blurbed it without her even asking. She said she has been grateful ever since, and that is why she had no trouble holding those bits of his life together until he could collect them.

Meanwhile, I broke the shredder with documents that weren’t needed any more (2003 was a long time ago) and cut down the boxes by almost half.  I got rid of the very old toaster (we have one) the broken microwave and donated some kitchen supplies, a basket and a cat carrier, but kept anything that might be surprisingly precious to my true love  like his bundt cake pan – who am I to decide about his love for bundt cake and ability to make one at home?  (When questioned he said it was for making Yaqui Easter cake. We had a nice talk, me here and him in Hungary, probably spent more than we ought to have on our expensive long distance plan).

And I had the best Elk meat loaf I’ve ever had for dinner.

Now it’s morning and I’m going to head out.  I have some more prep to go, integrating the boxes of papers into the load on the back of the truck, throwing away the last of the garbage paper and tarping the truck down very very securely.  After that, fill the tires, gas it up and head out.  They say it’s brilliant sunshine today and surprisingly warm.  I have the chains available just in case, and a song in my heart.  Heading home!