Distinctly Montana Magazine

25 w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m roded. Everything made of rubber—belts, hoses, seals, tires—had hardened into something resembling fossilized tree bark. The fi- berglass had developed a fine network of cracks like a spider's web. The alternator was shot. The air conditioner had given up the ghost. Water lines leaked. The sewer tank leaked, which was considerably worse. Everything needs replacing, but you'd have better luck finding replacement parts for the Space Shuttle Chal- lenger (to which she bears a little resemblance, come to think of it). It took hundreds of phone calls and several hundred dollars just to locate a replacement alternator, and the first one they sent me was defective. They replaced that with a second alternator, also busted. Screen door weather stripping, refrigerator door locks, and cabinet latches have all proven as elusive as Bigfoot; you can see pictures of them and persistent rumors suggest that they exist, but you can't exactly buy them on eBay. So I gave up in frustration and sat in front her, my little princess. She's still beautiful, I thought. Plus, it occurred to me, it means that my mother-in-law has someplace to stay when she comes. It'll be a little cold in winter, but she can always light a small fire inside. Plus, it gives me a place to go when I'm in the metaphorical doghouse. Which, I began to suspect, I might soon be. Yes, I thought, rubbing my chin and looking at all the grandeur of her 38 feet, she was a good investment after all. No matter what. I got my RV. Even if she was totally, utterly inert. Immo- bile. Paralyzed. But how to tell the wife? The screen door closed with a bang as I entered the kitchen, wiping oil off my hands with a rag. She turned from the sink and looked at me with an arched eyebrow. "Well?" she asked. "Let me put it this way. I've named our little pavement princess. We're going to call her Christopher Reeve." Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails and a fun time! Welcome! Best Mexican Food Best Sports Bar jordiscantina.com (406) 563-0134 627 East Park Ave. Anaconda Margaritas in the back! Kick back in Jordi's back room for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, sip your favorite drinks, and challenge your crew on our brand-new Golden Tee Golf or Big Buck Hunter games! To work on a motorhome, A MECHANIC SHOULD BE YOUNG ENOUGH TO GET BACK UP AFTER CRAWLING UNDER THE CAMPER ON A CREEPER. IT CAN TAKE A MAN MY AGE HALF AN HOUR JUST TO RETURN TO STANDING POSITION.

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