Once again,
Master Po happy to report awesome 8-day vacation with Mrs. Po – with our first
visit ever to wonderful state of Montana. Master Po used to believe Montana was only bunch
of ranches, cattle, cowboys, wolves, grizzlies and mountains. But the city of Missoula prove me dead
wrong. This town, extremely liberal
and progressive and its citizens are as open in thought and behavior as much as
big sky there is open to sunshine. (Master Po must rememba to bring sunglasses
on next visit to avoid retina burn from big sky.)
Evidence of
liberalism found everywhere, as example of Montana 4-H photo show below:
Music,
ballet, arts, entertainment and huge variety of beverages are prevalent throughout
area. And most women there must be allergic
to Spandex and Latex because they not wear bras.
At last count,
there are also 8,652 registered micro breweries in Missoula County too. And at end of every work day, they full of
patrons, who not only imbibe on premises, but fill huge glass gallon jugs
called “growlers” with different types of beer so they can do honorable thing
and bring some home for spouse and kids.
Each brewery
have at least 7,887 different flavor of beer too. Moose Drool, Elk Snort, Sip and Go Naked, and Bear Bottom Blonde are just a few examples that you cannot purchase in PA. Some of the beer is light in color like water –
others dark as tar. Hops (as you can see in the 4-H symbol above) are big out
there too. Amount of hops connect to
alcohol content and to bitterness of beer and directly relate to manhood of
consumer – the higher the numbers, the more manly the imbiber is. “Hops” – derived from the Native American
languages are so named cause it caused early settlers to hop around, up and
down, uncontrollably when consumed. Today
it is frowned upon for women, allergic to spandex or latex, to consume hops. But
there has yet to be one man complain about them doing so. See pics below taken
in Tamarack Brewery.
Above: Alcohol content # followed by Hops #
Above: Ordering dinner at Tamarack. Dave Jr. will fill "Growlers" at other location.
Montana Highways
Master Po
sharp eye notice many white crosses along road when we take ride north to
Blackfoot and Lake Flathead. He puzzled as to why so many fatalities occur on
road. He figure it out though when he
notice speed limit is 75 mph and drivers drive home after stopping at local
breweries. Combined with an occasional grizzly mauling, bighorn gorging and
rattlesnake bites, it is no wonder so many people succumb to their demise.
University of Montana
Residents
take pride in local university too, with students even more liberal and free
than townsfolk. They build and now
maintain a huge “M” above town on mountainside made from concrete. Students traverse up the mountain, each one
hauling paint, tools and 8 growlers of beer to work on the “M” a few times per
year. Some do not return, but theories
differ whether it’s the hops or grizzlies that are responsible for missing
volunteers. Top-heavy women, allergic to spandex and latex are advised not to try to climb hill
too.
Area History
According to
legend the Cheyenne of the Black Hills of S. Dakota met up with Sioux tribes in
eastern MT to fight General Custer at Battle of Little Bighorn. Due to all the fighting, the Native Americans
had little time to bath in clean river water and after leaving Black Hills,
they take on name “Blackfoot” after their victory over Custer.
Celebrating
their victory and moving westward, they discover herbs, hops and hemp growing
wild in area, and began bumping their heads on branches and rocks, and challenging
male bighorn sheep, while intoxicated.
They soon changed their name to the Flathead Tribe.
Years later,
they make huge recreational lake, rent out canoes, make rope of hemp and start
to brew their own beer. And that brings you up on history of area.
Mrs. Po
Mrs. Po has
little issues on this trip. She sign
lease on car rental and was only one permitted to drive. She end up going into Exit lane of fast food
place one time, but she able to back out (in strange, non familiar car) in
about a half hour or so of trying without hitting anything or anyone. Also,
while landing in Denver, she look out plane window. She usually close eyes, but
this time she feel brave (from learning history of brave tribes) and she keep
them open. She announce to others on
plane, “That was the smoothest landing I've ever experienced.” I reluctant
to tell her, that we not touch down yet.
She soon find out, and her braveness leave in hurry.
Business Idea
When Master
Po grow up, he want to become Master Brewer and market his own brand of beer
here in PA. He intend to call it, Master Cheap Po’s Pale Ale and hope to sell
it for 10 cents per quart. Of course any
lady with allergy to spandex or latex will get further discount.
Above: Brewing vats at Flathead Lake
Above: View from Dave Jr.'s back yard - Missoula just over the hill - Western snow caps in background.
Above: View from Dave Jr's front of house
