3am came around rather quickly. And like always, I was up before the alarm clock.
I paid particular attention to the inside of my place today. I looked around thinking, “Wow, this is the last time I’m going to see this place for a while.” I guess I had been thinking about this day for so long that it didn’t even move me as much as I thought it might have. I was at peace with it. Yeah, it’s going to be good.
Moving through the airport was smooth as silk. There’s a reason I flew out of a smaller airport farther away from the city. Honestly, paying a bit more to not have to deal with big city airports is a no-brainer. There was no line at check-in and getting through TSA was a breeze. Getting through the terminal was quick and easy too. Yes, indeed, I’ll be flying that way as much as possible.
The sun was just starting to come up. The sun so low on the horizon created quite a dramatic image. I often take for granted the beauty that exists.
After two hours total flight time, I finally arrived in Missoula.
First up, get my rental.
“Good morning!” I greeted the young man behind the counter. “I believe I have a reservation for a full-size car”
After running my name through the system, he replied, “indeed you do, sir.”
“I was hoping I could swap it out for a minivan,” I asked.
“You’ve been approved for a full-size car, not a minivan. You would need to get authorization from the person who reserved it for you,” he replied.
After getting off the phone with the person who reserved it for me, I looked at the young man with a bit of heartbreak and said, “I guess a full-size car it is.”
The young man looked at me and told me he’d be right back he’s going to get my keys.
“I won’t say anything if you don’t,” he said with a smile as he slid a set of minivan keys across the counter towards me.
At that moment I lit up. My day was looking up.
After signing some paperwork and collecting my luggage, I made my way to the minivan, a 2021 Chrysler Voyager, fully loaded with all the bells and whistles and a boatload of room for my fishing gear and other outdoor gear. C’mon is there any other reason I’d want a minivan?
Excited, I exited the rental parking lot. Now, for the most important bit of business of the day, head straight to Cabelas and get my FISHING LICENSE!
“Can I please have a fishing license for a year?” I asked the clerk, while grinning ear to ear.
“There you go, sir. Have a nice day,” she replied, after I handed her my money.
With a smile on my face and a fishing license in my hand, it is time to get on the road and drive to Hamilton.
After checking in to my room, I spent the rest of the day driving around and visiting some of the old places along the river I enjoyed hanging out at the last time I was here. Boy, I sure wish I would have had my rods with me. No worries. tomorrow is another day and I’ll be able to get to the truck then.
