When Connie and I first purchased property up on a mountain side our friends questioned how we would get along with each other being so isolated. We knew we would be fine though. We have always had very common interests. When we were young, having children and creating a family was extremely important to us. When we were growing our farm business Connie was tolerant if not understanding of the time I spent away from home. She ran the household and raised our kids, I worked on the farm. A little old fashioned yes, but it worked for us. Not to say Connie didn’t help with fieldwork in those early years, cuz she spent many days helping with combining or other fieldwork. 

Common interests and goals have been the biggest asset to our marriage. When a couple is working together to achieve a common goal life together is so much easier. We definately are not the same type of people though. Connie was always more sensitive and nurturing, where I was more pragmatic and practical.

Family has alway been important to both of us. We raised three awsome kids that are grown and raising families of their own. We were so fortunate to be able to raise our family in the small farm community of Churchs Ferry, ND. This was the kind of Mayberry type atmosphere that reeks of wholesome and goodness. This community where we carved out our lives and livelihood,  will always hold a special place in our hearts.

So it was somewhat surprising that when we discussed the possibility of purchasing property in Montana for when we retired, we were both on board with the idea. We were both born and raised in Cut Bank, a small town on the east side of the Rockies, and have always had a love for the mountains, but giving up our farm life was exceptionally difficult. To start a new adventure living on a mountain and raising horses was definitely a huge life change. We are still farming and working through the transition with our son who is taking over, but our home is now on Teakettle mtn.

Now we spend as much time as possible in Montana’s backcountry. I had been leasing horses for summer pack trips and fall hunts for years, but until 2011 Connie had never been on a horse packing trip. She fell in love with the experience and seldom passes on an invitation to go.

Truly blessed when you get to share life with your high school sweetheart, life long love, and your best friend.