I recently returned from ten days in the West – a combination of a bucket list thing, a marathon, and a visit with my son and his family. The bucket list: when my roommate and I were about to begin our senior year in dental school 45 years ago, we drove west in my VW bug, camped in my boy scout pup tent, and basked in the glory of a mini-adventure, taking us from Columbus, Ohio, to Yellowstone, to Seattle and Victoria, down the stunning Oregon coast, through the smog of LA, San Diego and Tijuana, the Grand Canyon, and the Cowboy Hall of Fame. One night we camped in Missoula, Montana, where I ran their marathon last week. After the marathon, Pat and I visited our KOA campground, not far from our hotel. I like a comfortable bed nowadays.
Though we spent a few days before and after the trip to visit my son and his family in Salt Lake City and then drove north through Idaho, most of our time was in Montana. Now, I’ve run marathons in many western states – Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, and Colorado – and I’ve come to enjoy the people of the west for their authenticity and lack of frills. But this was my first lengthy exposure to the folks of Montana.
Let me explain that I am an observer of people and that, when I meet someone, I like to watch, listen, and try to figure out where the person is from. Some are brisk, some seem unhappy, some are critical, some are judgmental. But western people, by and large, are different: they seem content and genuine. And, after a week in Montana, I must say that these people epitomize this character even more than those in other western states. They’re not only happy but enthusiastic. I rarely heard any complaints.
I made this observation not only by interacting with the volunteers during and after the marathon, but also from the many encounters we had at hotels, restaurants, shops, and art galleries. What struck me the most was their enthusiasm. After a few days of this I asked some of them why they felt this way. I’m not sure they could really explain it, but I remember than more than one commented on the unfriendliness they felt when they visited the east – Boston, New York, and other big cities.
As the days progressed, I thought about their Montana attitude and how it relates to health. If one is critical, jealous, angry, depressed, then his or her health will reflect this emotional state. That’s been proven in blood studies done repeatedly. I’m not sure if this is related to their physical condition since Montana is the 10th healthiest state in the county – with obesity levels far below the average. Healthy mind, healthy body.
I would guess that there are many lifenuts in Montana, though I wasn’t thinking about that when I visited. Upon reflection, it makes sense. Their enthusiasm must come from their love of the outside, being active, and being in good shape. Not a bad lesson for all.
Though we spent a few days before and after the trip to visit my son and his family in Salt Lake City and then drove north through Idaho, most of our time was in Montana. Now, I’ve run marathons in many western states – Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, and Colorado – and I’ve come to enjoy the people of the west for their authenticity and lack of frills. But this was my first lengthy exposure to the folks of Montana.
Let me explain that I am an observer of people and that, when I meet someone, I like to watch, listen, and try to figure out where the person is from. Some are brisk, some seem unhappy, some are critical, some are judgmental. But western people, by and large, are different: they seem content and genuine. And, after a week in Montana, I must say that these people epitomize this character even more than those in other western states. They’re not only happy but enthusiastic. I rarely heard any complaints.
I made this observation not only by interacting with the volunteers during and after the marathon, but also from the many encounters we had at hotels, restaurants, shops, and art galleries. What struck me the most was their enthusiasm. After a few days of this I asked some of them why they felt this way. I’m not sure they could really explain it, but I remember than more than one commented on the unfriendliness they felt when they visited the east – Boston, New York, and other big cities.
As the days progressed, I thought about their Montana attitude and how it relates to health. If one is critical, jealous, angry, depressed, then his or her health will reflect this emotional state. That’s been proven in blood studies done repeatedly. I’m not sure if this is related to their physical condition since Montana is the 10th healthiest state in the county – with obesity levels far below the average. Healthy mind, healthy body.
I would guess that there are many lifenuts in Montana, though I wasn’t thinking about that when I visited. Upon reflection, it makes sense. Their enthusiasm must come from their love of the outside, being active, and being in good shape. Not a bad lesson for all.
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