Day One

And so it has begun...

 

Our drive started just after lunch and took us to the DelBonita border where we were greeted by a friendly yet "don't mess with me" border guard. We all agreed later that his personality was one the much resembled my papa's - great sense of humor and friendly yet you knew he meant business. We continued to Cut Bank where we made a bathroom break at the TNT casino. A polite young man hinted that we were to be paying customers to use the facilities so we all sat down for a drink. As we sat for a few minutes I couldn't help but enjoy the true country music playing in a little bar in a small town in Montana. I knew my friend Parker would have loved the atmosphere!

Once we arrived in Shelby at the station, we said our goodbyes and grabbed our packs! As we waited for the train, Granny and I enjoyed our first of many meals out of our packs  -pizza flavored Pringles and beef jerky. The trained arrived and we climbed on board. Here I was picturing an old wooden train with windows that pulled down, like the one my grandparents took me on in Stettler. The one that as a six year old had me wanting to hide under the seat as the cowboys chased the train on horse back firing guns at us! I now know that was not real but as a young buck I had no idea! So turns out trains aren't as old fashioned as I thought. Here comes this big shiny silver, double decker hunk of high tech machinery towards us! And talk about leg room on this bad boy!!! I mean I don't have long legs to start with but let me tell you the inside was a lot more civilized than I expected! There's even a leg rest that pops out and power plug ins! Talk about fancy! We are riding in style. 

 

When we got all our stuff plopped down Granny and I both pulled out our food and started chowing down on a lovely meal. I hadn't realized how hungry I was! Meat (that Granny innocently smuggled across the border), cheese, crackers, snap peas, and M&M's for supper! Yummm. After filling our bellies we popped the foot rests out, grabbed our books and enjoyed the utter silence of the half empty train! Settled in for the rest of the night!