Not Fleeing Montana This Winter

Lots of folks flee Montana in the winter.

Myself included most years.

This winter, however, southern Montana just might do.

Following 18 years of living in Malta, the weather down here in Livingston feels downright balmy. It’s regularly 10 to 20 degrees warmer than on the Hi-line, and the snow seldom lasts mores than a couple of weeks on the ground. (At least that’s what I tell Barb.)

With a population at just under 9,000, Livingston, has two large grocery stores, a slew of restaurants, a twin theater showing the latest releases, and a new rec center under construction with an inside pool. And if that’s not enough, Bozeman, with all of its sprawl and congestion, is just over the hill.

Meanwhile, Malta, with less than 2,000 residents, is struggling to keep its outdoor pool operational in the summer, the only theater in town is seldom open, and grocery shoppers have but one choice: Albertson’s. A short drive east down Highway 2, though, is the Pay-N-Save in Saco where they sell the world’s best bacon.

While milder winter weather is a draw, Livingston trails Malta in other areas like snow removal. Malta residents start to complain shortly after the last flake has fallen that the streets haven’t yet been plowed. Sometimes it may take a couple days to clear them. In Livingston, few streets are ever plowed, the city apparently relying instead on the frequent chinooks that blow through to clear the pavement.

Barb and I moved to Livingston in part to be closer to family. Our grandkids are involved in sports and we greatly enjoy watching them compete. But if we can’t make a game we’re out of luck. Unlike in Malta, there’s no local radio station broadcasting high school sports here.

Soon after moving to Malta we came to realize that most everyone is related and you better watch what you say. In Livingston, the long-time residents are far outnumbered by newcomers, many of whom moved here yesterday and couldn’t tell you where Park Street is.

Two Montana towns headed in opposite directions, one representing the new, one the old.

There’s good and bad to both.

I sure miss Malta, but I’ll console myself with warmer weather and Thai food while I wait for the snow to melt. It should be gone any day now.

Parker Heinlein is at [email protected]