Bill and I picked up a hitch hiker yesterday and took her to Yaak.
We should know better, but we weren't concerned.
Our new friend Cory, who lives off the grid near Yaak, was on her way to work at the River Bend Restaurant, a steak house north of Libby. Cory said the place serves the best steaks in Montana.
It was the restaurant's opening night for the season, and all the employees (Cory says they're like family) were showing up for the occasion.
Cory's long drive to work fell short a few miles south of Yaak. Her car just stopped moving. She had just enough warning to pull it to the side of the road.
When we came along, Cory had her hand out, letting us know she needed some help.
Soon, she had squeezed into the back seat with the dogs, and we continued on our way.
Cory told us the mechanic was at the bar and to drop her off there.
The bar is connected to the Yaak Mercantile, a very nice and homey convenience store where manager Angie has a jar of doggie treats for the local pups who come through the door.
We said good bye to Cory. She thanked us and headed inside the bar. I soon followed because I knew where the restroom was.
When Cory was sitting at the bar, I asked Kelly, the bartender, if she knew La Rae Kistler (a former student and owner of the Silver Spur in Troy), and before the words came out of my mouth, Cory said her full name.
Cory had worked for La Rae for a while. Seems like it never fails in these parts; someone usually knows someone that we know.
After using the restroom, I walked into the Mercantile where I met Angie.
Within moments, another small-world situation emerged. Angie told me she had lived in Libby for a while. When I asked if she knew Doug and Dolly Crum, sure enough she did.
Her husband is Dolly's farrier, and her father-in-law, a trainer, had worked with Dolly and her horses.
Soon, however, Angie wanted to share with me---since I was a horse lover---highlights about the week that she and her daughter had just spent at the Art of the Cowgirl gathering in Wickenburg, Ariz.
Ironically, earlier in the day I had seen a FB post from my friend and former student Kari who had attended the same event and loved it.
Angie showed me some of the swag that she had brought home.
The event was envisioned and founded by one of her friends, Tammy Pate, from Montana.
Sadly, Tammy died from cancer in 2023, so, according to Angie, she never really got to experience her dream.
But Tammy's memory moves on through this amazing event, and from what I've heard and read, it sounds like an event that every girl who loves horses would enjoy experiencing this event.
I really enjoyed the brief time spent in Yaak, as I did the entire drive.
Bill and I took the dogs on a couple walks, one alongside the Yaak River falls and another in a campground just down the road.
We learned, before leaving Yaak, that our hitch hiker Cory was in good hands, as the mechanic would be coming soon to figure out what was wrong with her car and the restaurant had found someone to cover for her.
We don't normally pick up hitch hikers, but yesterday's experience led to some new friends and great stories.
It's almost always a "must-stop" for Bill to stop at Sturgeon Station north of Bonners Ferry for a Sonic milk shake, and yesterday was no exception.
At Sturgeon Station, you can get those shakes and drop off your bear spray cans.
******
Anyone can shift your understanding.
But there’s always underlying detail to examine as well, along with other data that helps paint a clearer picture of what’s actually happening.
******
I saw the item above today in regard to a news commentary about job numbers, which are supposed to be posted today.
After reading the comment, I thought it was good advice for life in general, especially these days.
Searching for and absorbing valid data is still helpful when arriving at most conclusions.
Sadly, it's not easy in this time of Artificial Intelligence and lyin' lips, so we may have to work a little harder to have a firm grasp on the events of the world.
Just sayin'.
In other news, soup's on the menu today at the Empty Bowl luncheon.
Should be fun and helpful for the Bonner Community Food Bank.
Happy Friday.
