Montana Thoughts

After talking to a few of my friends in PA last night it got me thinking about how we meet them and things we learn about each other. For instance, my Best friend in PA Patrick who I've know 20 years already is just like me. We met through his brother-in-law Pat who I worked with, and later found out that Patrick worked at the same place just a different shift. The first time I met Patrick, I was invited over to Pats house where Patrick lived with Pats sister Pam. Pat had invited me up to watch movies and drink some beer but I ended up playing a game called " QIX " on Nintendo with Patrick because Pat got called out to his second job. Patrick and I because best friends and still talk today. Michele, my co-worker and I became friend over the phone. When I decided I was moving to Montana I was thinking I would just transfer from my job in PA to the same Job in Kalispell , MT. I got the number to the business in Montana and called. Michele answered the phone and we...

(Above) The Galloping Gallows (Above) The 1959 Riot (Above) A Prisoners Home (Above) Jeff The Guard and Joey The Inmate Here are just a few pictures from the Old Montana Prison. It was an interesting tour. I swear Jeff tried numerous times to leave me in a few of the cells for a long nap. Good thing you couldn't lock them because I might have been left in the solitary cells. I will try and go back in better weather and try to get some better pictures to display here. Be safe, Joe

Its the middle of the week and not much is happening. At work we are slow due to street construction(No, Not in Great Falls). After work the nights are ending sooner that they used to and that is a sure sign that summer is slipping away. I know the last few nights have been chilly when we've been out around dark. I actually had to turn the furnance on last night. Pretty soon it will be dark when I lock the store and head home at 6:00PM. Wow, what a change from getting dark around 9 or 10pm anly a month or so ago. I'm going to try and get as much motorcycle time in as I can before I have to put them away for a long winter nap. My co-worker Michele got her first motorcycle this year as a mid-life crisis(She turned 40) and has been enjoying it. She has had a little set back with it as of this post, it needs the carburetors rebuilt and we are in the process of finding parts to do that. Hopefully she'll get a little more time on it before the snow flies. This weekend I am co...

Had a good weekend helping a friend and his family move to Deer Lodge. We left Helena about 9:30 with my truck loaded with boxes, furniture and people and headed west. After crossing MacDonald Pass at 6368ft we stopped at Stoners Bar in Elliston for a drink. I'm Telling you now, IF you Ever get the chance, CHECK this bar out. The Interior is really unquiue. They Support A "Bigfoot" Hunt Every year. People fly in from all over the United States for this big Event(Party). My Friend Jeff, who I am helping move just told me about it. I'm going to be at the next one! After getting back on the road, we thought we would cruise to Deer Lodge in no time because the Speed Limit is 70mph, but NO, we got behind a few cars out for a Sunday drive going55-60mph. The raod winds throght the Blackfoot River Valley and there isn't alot of places to pass. We decide to stop at Garrison and use the restrooms and stretch a little. I swear the store there has the best lemonade.It is ca...

Everyone, here are a few more pictures from my files. Joe

Well The weekend is upon us and the weather is looking great so I hope everyone gets out and enjoys it. Unfortunately I have to work this Saturday, but tonight I plan to grab my camera's and hop on the motorcycle and shoot a few decent pictures around the area. I am posting a few pictures from my travels. I have a lot more and probably post more. We weekends tend to packed full and this one is no different. After work on Saturday I will be going to Helena to help a friend and his family move back to Deer Lodge in the next few weeks. Last weekend I dropped off a 16' trailer and my other truck so he and his wife could pack all week. We might even take a load over to Deer Lodge and get hime on his way. My Co-Worker lives in Helena(Yes, She drives back and forth) so, I might travel around the area with her. before returning to Great Falls. In the next few weeks I would like to get to Kalispell and see some friends up there. While I'm there, you know I gotta stop by and visit Gl...

I swear the city and state have in digging up and supposedly fixing Great Falls since I moved here 3 years ago. Now they are digging up infront of where I work and business has been slow for weeks. It's so slow at work that when I we close I feel so tired because I hardly did anything all day that I just want to go home and sleep. I think the City/State should compensate my owner for the lack of Business they are causing. I swear everytime I look out the door and down the street I see guys just standing, or siting around. Joe

The Situation in Texas: I can't believe all the people who disobeyed the manditory evacuation in Texas before Ike. If you didn't listen to the Mayor's evacuation order and choose to stay there then you chose to take your own like in your hands and have no one to blame but yourself. You made your bed and don't want to sleep in it now. You should be left on your own. I think the FEMA and the National Guard should worry about the people who DID leave and the utilillies first. If you disobey a manditory order you are sayiing "To Hell With That" and you choose to stay on your own, then you should help your self. If you choose to stay in your house when there is a Huricane barreling down on you, then I have no sympathy for you. and you would not be a priority for me. People who obey the laws and who need help would be first on my list. IF you don't follow the laws, you are relying only on your self. I don't think the State of Texas should be resueing cry...