Sometimes simplicity is needed

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you matter.

I had the privilege of having my cousin, his wife, and their son, over for their vacation; this also doubled as a stay-cation for Susan, myself, and the boys.

When they asked me months ago if they could come through for their vacation, I was like, “are you sure?!?” People from the outside world don’t know how rural we are here in Phillips County. I tried explaining that there was almost nothing to do here. I explained that the closest taco place is 91 miles away. I explained that there wasn’t a lot going on that their stay would happen before our fair or anything really exciting. I explained that COVID-19 had even slowed some things down.

I was truly thinking that they would be bored. I was wrong.

It seemed as though they simply wanted to escape their world and it’s hustle and bustle. We kept it simple. A barbecue, some time to hang out. We went to the mountains of Zortman and had a picnic. We went to Zoo Montana. There were no roller coasters. No department stores. Nothing fancy.

But they enjoyed themselves so much, that they are already planning on coming back. Just a little simplicity was all they needed.

I can’t even recall if I had introduced them to anyone in town, but I appreciate our county for making such a great impression. Eight years ago, I learned quickly that this place is close to the middle of nowhere but it is a great place, with awesome people.

The stay-cation did not feel like a vacation. I was exhausted after my break from work but I am excited to be back! I look forward to my next vacation but only after it’s safer to do so. I do hope you all are being safe and that no one you know or love has been sick.