Wow, my first 4th of July back in Montana. I had forgotten exactly how much of a celebration this was here. Err, perhaps celebration is the wrong word, implying some sort of massive patriotic feeling. How about really good excuse to break the bank buying fireworks ? Dear Lord, do MTans love to blow stuff up. It makes noise and throws sparks? Even better!

It was a terrific weekend, with only a slight charring to prove that I helped fund the Chinese GDP. I was able to hang out with almost all (sorry Mom, you went to ND!) of the people I wanted to, which is a major feat for me. I know it was a good weekend as I’m looking forward to working as a break from the fun

Now without further delay, another installment of the ‘numbers game’:

• Amount of fireworks purchased in Cody: $100.07 USD personally; $500 USD+ for the group.
• Number of full face helmets to be purchased after riding 50 miles in rain using borrowed helmet: 1
  • It is sad it took this for me to realize how great they were. Honestly Nic!
  • I like this one. Rain gear might not be a bad investment either…
• Bugs plastered on face from ride to Cody: 10 billion. Mmm, tasty!
  • For the uninformed, bug splatter feels much like a greasy booger.
• McDonalds ‘Cause that’s how I roll’ references by the FurryOne: 100s
• Number of girls with broken arm: 1
  • Yeah, ok, whatever. Save the drama for your mama.
• Little bratty kids at the pond that SHBABJ: 6
• Parents of said kids that needed to be beaten about the head and neck: 3
• Chevy pickups ‘mud-a-fied’: 1
• Other Chevy pickups needed to be yanked out of mud: 1
  • Cuz: Kudos on creative use of bandana
• Friends of mine who needed to wash their trucks due to taunting of my less-than-spectacular rooster tail skills and subsequent redemption of myself: 1
• Hours of fireworks show: 1.5
  • Hours for end of night bottle rocket war: 1
  • Number of idiots who decided that Roman Candles make appropriate weapons: 1
  • Ordinance spent by me: 5 gross bottle rockets, 10pk 4oz rockets, 20 banger rockets
  • Square inches of rocket-launch blackened skin: 30
  • Square inches of blistered skin from holding on to a 12pk of bottle rockets lit with the torch a bit too long: 1
• Bottles of booze consumed: HA! Like we can count that high!
• Rating of the firework show in Castle Rock part: 8.5
  • Special thanks to the sisters & their boyfriends for fun banter!
• Hours spent actually thinking: 5, maybe 6.
• Old friends seen at the grocery store: 2. Wow, how things have changed.
• Number of girls whose relative youth does not translate into relative attractivness: 3
  • Yes John, the hot people do get everything. Thankfully they let us hang around.
• Well behaved kids that are bucking the genetics of her parents: 1
  • environment and discipline go a LONG way. Sis – you and Bek rock!
• Star Wars 3 rating: 8 compared to first 2 prequels, CG gets a 10; plot 7; acting 4.
• Miles run: 1.5, and an ugly 1.5 at that.
  • You know it is going to be rough when you get a sideache 5 blocks out and can smell the fireworks and bourbon 10 blocks out.
• Extra hours of sleep needed Tuesday morning: 3.