Captain Bill and the Magic Bus are in Montana - Anaconda, Montana to be exact. Anaconda vied with Helena to be Montana’s capital - just a bit of trivia for today.

The day was not without its excitement - no snow, but very windy and one of the wind gusts blew out both slide topper awnings bending an arm of the rear mechanism and generally wreaking havoc with the front mechanism so that the front slide was not able to be fully retracted. Bill called mid morning to tell me what happened and ask for the nearest place to get a repair as he was limping along at 55 mph with stuff flapping in the breeze.

Hart’s RV in Butte came through and got him in and headed down the road without too much trouble and very minimal expense - $35.00 - practically unheard of for anything RV. The rear mechanism still needs a part which has been ordered to be delivered here at my home but things are semi-operational for tonight and driving tomorrow.

I miscalculated the mileage yesterday - he has 214 miles to go tomorrow…

Temperature at 5400 feet elevation in Anaconda, MT is 52, Florida Panhandle 87. It is forecast to get down to 32 in Anaconda and possibly snow so there is still an outside chance for snow angels.

And yes, Cardavis01, I plan on a Sunday post!

I got it….

And do they know their marketing or what??? I felt wickedly, gleefully, sinful just buying it.

I took these photos last Saturday. I kept hearing geese overhead and when Karl and I were walking our ridge path I heard them again. Although a bit hard to see in that first photo, I have never seen so many “V’s” at one time. The cacophony of honking almost hurt my ears. But it brought to mind “The Goose Story” … I could link to the old post but I think it is one that is worth repeating so here it is:

What science has taught us about why geese fly they way they do:

As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following it. By flying in a ‘V formation, the whole flock can fly at least 71% farther than if each bird flew on its own.

Perhaps people who share a common direction can get where they are going quicker and easier if they cooperate.

When a goose falls out of formation, it feels the resistance of trying to go it alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of flying with the flock.

If we have as much sense as a goose, we will work with others who are going the same way as we are.

When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose flies on the point.

It pays to take turns doing hard jobs for our group.

The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. The lead goose (on the point) never honks

The power of praise and recognition is critical to success.

Finally, (get this) when a goose weakens or is wounded and falls out of formation, two geese fall out and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and they then set out on their own or with another formation until they catch up with the group.

If we had the sense of a goose, we would stand by each other like that.