After being thoroughly entertained by their travel tales, we either found ourselves jealous because of our home-bound nature, or sighing with relief that we could stay rooted in one spot while the world circulated around us. But having friends and family from all over make the effort to see us was probably better than any traveling we could have done.
In early summer my parents broke in their new House on Wheels to visit us, and generally see the country, as they made their way to Boston to meet their new grandchild. They spent six days tethered to our house while they regaled us with the trials and tribulations of RV travels (those Park Rangers can be a real bitch!), had sleepovers in the RV with Zoey, and soaked up a pre-toddler Holden. And, you know, did laundry and took showers and stuff.
In mid-to-late July Uncle Ken stayed with us for a few days while attending the BMW MOA Bike Rally, held this year in Billings. According to the people who know these things, this summer brought in the most revenue for the city, the BMW rally in particular bringing in $4 million. So, Uncle Ken, *that* is why Subway was the only vendor inside the rally.
About a month later - towards the end of August - I had the pleasure of once again seeing someone with whom I was surprised to have a connection. In broad terms, we are polar opposites: he's Southern Baptist, I'm mostly Agnostic Theist; he's Conservative, I've been called a "raging Liberal;" he lives in the Deep South, I live in the North West; he has a sometimes hard-to-understand accent; he mistakenly feels I'm the one with the accent. But we're alike in the things that matter: we love family, believe in a Higher Power, enjoy a good laugh, and an even better beer. For my former boss at the Florida House who I haven't seen in seven years, I treated him to a Red Lodge brewed brew.
It's a comforting feeling knowing you have friends and loved ones far and wide. So thanks for the visits, and keep 'em comin'!
