Brydn's 2003 Travel Journal - Montana: Clattering Up the Hill

Brydn's 2003 Travel Journal - Montana: Clattering Up the Hill

Page 52


I deliver the race tapes around town. A lightning storm blows over the fairgrounds. My pick ups begins to break down.


I take a race tape to the Half Time Sports Bar. I resent doing this because its just a favor for Bill; a free $28 tape, personal delivery, no payment or complimentary beer, nothing. Ken tells me the next day that we'll bill them. I feel better about it. Then, I take a copy of the race tape to the City Bar and Casino. I use one of my drink cards for a Fat Tire pint. Now, that is worth it. Then I go to Albertsons. I get a six pack of PBRs in bottles and five $1 TV dinners. I also get cottage cheese and a bottle of orange juice. I immediately chugged the orange juice. While I am drinking a beer, I open the door to watch the rain which begins to pour down in bucket loads again. There is thunder and lightning. I start counting how long it was between the flash and the bang. It gets closer and closer until one goes off right over my head. My first thought is it hit the Grand Stand or one of the rides. So, I put on my boots and go over to the Fairgrounds to unplug the equipment and take a picture if there's any damage. No lightning strike, just a bunch of wet people. I talk to the hat man awhile. Then go back to the motel. I fall asleep and sleep in a little bit late. I go back the next day. I get in at about 12 noon. I finish the steward's tape. Patrick comes in to open the photo finish room. He says he's five minutes away from quitting. He says Brian had punched the guy in the arm during the hearing. He says he'd also gotten in the guys face. I put on the reruns and then drive to the back tower to put the transmitter antenna up where it was sitting the day before. It doesn't help. Judah shows up, meaning Ashley won't be working today. Ken comes in and tells me Patrick quit so Ken will have to be the photo finish. He says we'll get fined "only" $200 a race if we have no finish photo. This is "only" more bull sh*t. Anyone can take pictures. We run the first race. Bill comes up after the second race. Next thing you know, there's a lady photographer for the rest of the meet.

6:56pm, Mountain Time; Milepost 256, Cascadia.
Ruthy, my truck, overheats leaving Great Falls. By the time I get to the Air Force base, she is clattering up the hill. I stop at Conoco and add 5 gallons water (oops). I change the oil and change the oil filter. I put 10w-30 oil in thinking that is 30w. I fire her up and drive back to Great Falls. I go for it. I get to mile post 260. She over heats and loses power. She's topping out at 35mph all the way to the exit. The thermostat is bad. I wait for Triple AAA to tow Ruthy back to Helena. I tade out the thermostat and run her without one to get her going again. Everything gets way too hot to touch. The outdoor temperature gets over 95`. The truck parts will be available in Helena. I call Steve to say I can't be there today. It is 7:00pm.