Big Sky Country

About 5 years ago my family decided to load up the covered wagon and forge a trail to the wilds of Montana. Being unwilling to take risks, I stayed in Southern California. Sure it kind of sucks to have them so far away but it does give me an excuse to pack up the car and go on a road trip a couple times a year.

But every time my wife gets to Montana, she starts looking at real estate. She finds an awesome house on several acres that would be "perfect" for our little family. The house she found this time is a newer 4 bedroom on five acres with a large shop with an apartment. For $225,000. And it would be really close to my parents.

Last week I drove with the family to Montana. I stayed a few days and then flew home so I could go back to work. As I write, they are on their way home. Last night when I talked to Aidan on the phone he told me he wants to move to Montana.



The boy needs room to roam. I get that. Abigail loves being able to see her cousins. I get that. Tabitha loves the slow pace of life. I get that.

I also have a job I can't leave so easily. I like it.


I've thought about moving the family to Big Sky Country while I continue working down here. I could fly home on my weekends and see the family. Flights aren't too expensive and I would rack up air miles pretty quickly. My in-laws have said I could stay with them. So it's all settled then, right?

The fly in the ointment is that it sucks to be away from my wife and kids. Sure, they can be annoying but I'd rather they were annoying in my presence. I don't think I could commute from Montana to California for the next ten years. It would get old after a while.

Enough excuses. Here's a few things I did on this trip:

• I helped my dad move logs in the yard by pulling them behind the Jeep.
• I walked through a cow pasture with Aidan and my nephew, Logan.
• I threw a rock into the canal and watched it sink to the bottom.
• I rode my bicycle up my parent's road.
• I drove in the Jeep with my dad and Aidan over gravel roads to the middle of nowhere. I used four wheel drive.
• I skipped rocks on Flathead Lake with my nieces and nephews.
• I had a root beer from A&W.
• I spent time with my sisters. And my parents.
• I contemplated buying a pair of cowboy boots.
• I drank cool fresh water straight out of the well.