Made it! My friend Sandy F’n Campbell is a Widows Son brother to my John. We go waay back, and what a great guy to have a brew and a visit with! After an excellent night in Dunmore at Marion and Sandy’s…I packed up, filled up and headed south.
The trip so far has had tears, laughs, and long conversations: and thats just me in the car alone! Now I was heading south, thru Cypress Hills, across the border, and onwards to Laurel MT. And indeed, I hit construction. All the way through Billings. Luckily I think Mac was helping me stay on target, no swerving left or right ,and soon, with a few phone calls for clarity I was in Laurel. Ok I did end up in a truck stop parking lot surrounded by big rigs and weaseling my way through them. But soon I was at my friends Wally and Nevas house. They are the best! For three days they chauffeured me around, took me to The Man Cave and Lodge where everything was happening. This years N/S run was outstanding! Riders from Fort Mac, 11 from Saskatchewan, Sons from North Dakota, Alberta, Wyoming and of course Montana… and many had their spouses. One soul from Alberta had just returned from a ride to Tuktoyaktuk, talk about endurance! Then made it to the event. What a guy! I love them all, with the exception of three (who were drunk the whole time, but are a-holes when sober) but they were are all Macs Brothers.
We had beers, Tacos by Dan, many many heartfelt words of missing Mac and offers of help to me. And big Man Hugs! At the Lodge a Masonic tribute was on display, sort of the Widows Sons version of goodbye, like a riderless horse with boots on backwards. I was asked to say a few words, and I admit I did break down a couple of times. But the crowd had many tearful faces. Male and female, it was so touching. He would have approved!
The brotherhood shown me that day was healing. I felt it was a big step to moving forward for me, to have strong people who sincerely care. I can only strive to thank them and will never forget them - they are my family now. We shared two bottles of MacArthur scotch and toasted absent brothers, the way Mac would have wanted. And on Sunday, I started north. After 35 bikers sang Happy Birthday to me after breakfast!
Montana is gorgeous. I stayed at one of our favourite spots in White Sulphur Springs, sat in the hot springs and reminisced about our times soaking in the pools. A friend who is a Widows Son and the local Sheriff took me for dinner…chicken fried steak, as big as a hubcap which although delicious was toooo much! In the a.m. I packed up, and left for Havre. Ok note to self: don’t leave without coffee…so after a quick return to get my phone charge cords, I was off! Yeah, I headed the wrong way. Lol so a Uturn and I was on my way north.
The speed limit here is 70 mph…about 120 kpm, and that sure works for me! Breathtaking mountains, forest, rivers, it is amazing here! Stopping at the State Park and being overwhelmed by a chorus of birds, watching deer, one antelope once I hit the open prairie, it is hard to put in words the emotions it brings out, and the joy and peace I’m filled with.
I feel I’m healing. His death is still raw, still fresh but now I am secure knowing I’ll be alright. The love and support that has surrounded me from his friends on this trip leaves me with a deep sense of peace and hope for my future. As my good friend Karen said “It’s okay”.
Tonight I’m in Havre for my last night in the US on this trip. Tomorrow another adventure commences into the Cypress Hills, this being my 50 year anniversary of my high school grad. Can’t wait to see my girlfriends, share some Vino (did I mention my fav wine was $20 a bottle cheaper in Montana!) have some laughs and catch up on life. Then I’ll venture to Saskatoon to see family. But that will undoubtedly be another tale to tell.
In the words of Tolkien “there was Frodo, pale and worn and yet himself again; and in his eyes there was peace now, neither strain of will, nor madness, nor any fear. His burden was taken away.”
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