When I looked for places to stay on my trip to Glacier National Park, my options were limited, not much was available. I found this place east of the park that is on a ranch, sounded interesting.
When I turned off on the dirt road to get to the house, I got excited by the view. Then as I drove, I saw alfalfa fields, tractors, and various farm equipment. As I continued I came up on a freshly cut alfalfa field, I quickly rolled my windows down, fresh cut alfalfa is one of my favorite smells. I was immediately taken back to farming with my Dad. As I drove further, the black angus cattle grazing came more into focus. Holy shit I thought, this is amazing! I just drove through Glacier National Park on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and now this! I felt like I hit the jackpot, two amazing vacation spots with the expectation of one.
I parked and got out, walked to the fence and started taking it all in. I started crying. It was beautiful! And I just came out of GNP! I was overcome with memories and feeling so thankful for this experience.
Let me explain. My Dad was a farmer in addition to his full time job. He loved it. He busted his ass and bled for the farm. And he passed that on to me. We’d joke that the Smith’s bled John Deere Green. And you know what, I feel like I still do. A very big part of the person I am today is because of my Dad and time spent on the farm. I miss that part of my life. It was hard work, yet the feeling of doing something real at the end of the day made it worth it.
Now here’s a piece of this puzzle where I let you all in on something. The farm took something from me, something I could never get back. And in turn it took a piece of my Dad too. What the farm took is how onearmedmike came to be. I lost my arm to the farm. And you know what, I wouldn’t change it. If I had to choose having two arms or the experience of farming with my Dad, knowing what an impact it had on the man I am, keep the f’ing arm!
I came to GNP because I LOVE hiking/the outdoors/nature, and I was gifted this ranch that reminded me of so much more. I am truly thankful for today!
