Return to Crow: Expansive Skies

Friday,  July 10, 2015

An uneventful flight from Denver brought me back to Billings, lulled into thinking that this trip would be smoother and easier.  Until I got to the phone for the rental minivan, and the response was: “You’re the one who wanted a mini-van, we don’t have one and we don’t have any 7 seat vehicles.  Naively I indicated that I had a reservation, how silly of me, that was made on the internet!  Four rental companies, and a lot more money later I was nicely outfitted in a huge GMC SUV with 7 seats.  Nothing like arriving in Crow Agency in style.

On the way I stopped at the huge Walmart Supercenter where the young woman cashier couldn’t quite grasp my need for 2 full cart loads, copious amount of bread, cereal, pasta, salsa, fruit, salad…..etc etc, you get the picture.  The SUV worked well for the huge grocery haul.

Next stop : Hardin  to check out the pool hours, and the local Museum, something that I had missed last year.  The museum is home to an exhibit(yet to be viewed by me), and 26 historic buildings on the property.  After I inquired about fees for a youth group, I found myself escorted to the office for a lengthy and enthusiastic conversation with Diana, the director, and although not from Montana originally, a resident for over 35 years.  She had great ideas for contacts to come and talk with us about the area and the Crow people, and by the end of the conversation we were plotting a day spent at the museum working on their project of relocating the original gates to the Custer Battlefield on their property.  She said she would try to get a group of local youth to work with us.  Would be terrific if it turns out……we will see.

My arrival back in Crow at the Head Start building was less exciting.  The Family workers, most of whom I recognized from last year, were underwhelmed and unenthusiastic about my arrival.  Not a door held, or welcoming greeting.  The building is in total disarray again.  Looks like they are trying to paint and strip floors, and as result, most of  the classroom furniture is piled in the hallways or the middle of rooms.  After unloading and putting away food, I set about the now familiar task of finding all our stuff, unpacking, cleaning, and arranging sleep space for my team.  It’s a mystery to me that many of the supplies and equipment I purchased last year, have seemingly disappeared into thin air.  And the window air conditioners that were intended for the sleeping rooms have mysteriously been placed in office space or are missing altogether(as is the coffee pot!).  I’ve done the best I can to set things up and make things as welcoming as possible for my team.  They arrive tomorrow.

The day ended with a lovely drive up the road in search of a bite to eat.  I had forgotten how expansive the sky is here, and once out of Billings how stark , remote, and barren the rolling hills are.  A different kind of beauty  than the Rocky Mtns.  

Love from Crow

Barbara