Montana: Good Lord

I did not anticipate a lot of social interaction on this trip. Mostly, I thought to convene with elk and bison, especially while in the super Covid-heavy state of Montana. But on emerging from the bath house at my Missoula-adjacent campsite on Day 3, a pleasant older man (probably slightly younger than I) was sitting with my tethered dogs, and greeted me warmly in an (Italian?) accent. Starting with some innocuous dog questions and comments, he moved to more personal revelations (he is traveling solo from North Carolina to the west coast, likes to hike, also has a dog (Irish terrier), is staying one more night), and questions–Where am I going? Do I like to hike? Why hasn’t he met me before? Why don’t I stay another night and he’ll take me on a hike?

Leigha tells me to pay attention to my Creepy Feeling alarm. But my feeling about this guy was good. He was open and friendly, seemed nice. It was my brain that said uh oh. I mean, I wasn’t interested in staying another night or getting to know a stranger from North Carolina (or anywhere else, I guess). Still, when does caution about The Other get in the way of connection? Is Stranger Danger the reason we are so divided these days? Or one of them?

Anyway, the boys and I had a great time exploring Missoula–beautiful park, lovely U of M campus–and a not-that-great time exploring Butte–tired, tacky, and seemingly populated exclusively by odd men (Creepy Feeling alarm activated)–then settled at a trailhead outside of Bozeman for the night. Now on to Big Sky and a hotel stay! Ooh-la-la!

 

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