My husband thought I had found another person. My daughter's high school class is smaller than the population of the town I detour to.
There is something provocative about Fishtail, Mont., a small town with about 250 people. It wasn't another lover and it wasn't the scenic grandeur. The Fishtail General Store was the most popular attraction.
The fishtail store is one of the two or three businesses in town and it is strikingly quaint.
The business has been open continuously since 1900. The store has been owned and managed by the same person for 22 years. Customers say thatKaty is a force of energy and generosity. The store is a work of love.
At 72, Katy is still moving and greeting her customers. She is always on the go, according to her manager.
Even though I am not in the worst shape, I still struggled to keep up with her, spending a lot of money on drinks and chasing her around the store. I tried to convince myself that she was constantly moving.
People from all walks of life come to the store. Locals and visitors from out of state are some of the people we get.
You can find almost everything here. Milk, sodas, beer, chips, and toothbrush are things you would expect. "We try to have what people might need so they don't have to go to town to fix something"
Freshly made pie, yard signs, steak and sausages, baby clothes, dog treats, toys, rock-painting kits, puzzles, handcrafted soaps, games, Spam and fresh fruit can be found here.
There are mining boots. The general store can be found 22 miles away from the Stillwater Mine on Nye Road. The East Boulder mine is operated by the company. A good-neighbor agreement was signed between the mining company and a coalition of environmental and citizens' groups. Good will exists between the mining company and the surrounding communities.
Doug said that the good-neighbor agreement was a win-WIN. It allows the mine to conduct its business while preserving the lifestyle of Fishtail.
15 years ago, a mine employee requested that the general store serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Store employees arrive at around 3:30 every morning to prepare for the first round of miners, who sweep through like a flock of birds at sunrise.
The miners gather their hot coffees, prewrapped burritos and snacks before heading out for a day in the Underworld. The night shift mining crew usually stop by the store at the end of their shift.
Austin Jensen said, "It's blinding" when he was greeted and asked how he was doing. He was still adjusting to the aboveground light.
Morning-start miners finish their day earlier than evening-shift miners. At those hours, you can find hamburgers, sandwiches, Mexican food, pizzas, homemade cookies and more.
There are also ranchers here.
The store manager said that a rancher could be moving cows on any given day. Many ranchers in the area come in to buy groceries, snacks, water and beer to help feed their crews.
Everyone is included in the store and you don't have to be in it for a long time.
I met Chase Anderson andBrett Heggie, two day-working cowboys, at the store as they were making their breakfast burritos. Hoof rot and pink eye are illnesses that can be identified with the help of their job.
Looking towards the future. The travel industry is hoping that this will be the year that travel comes roaring back. What to expect.
It's a place of lodging. Travelers discovered the privacy of rental homes during the Pandemic. They want to compete again by offering stylish extended-stay properties, sustainable options, rooftop bars and co-working spaces.
Cars can be rented. Travelers can expect higher prices and older cars since companies haven't been able to expand their fleets. Is there an alternative you're seeking? It's possible that car-sharing platforms could be a more affordable option.
The ships are on cruises. Demand for cruises is high despite a rough start to the year. Smaller ships are ideal for luxury expedition voyages because they steer away from crowded destinations.
It's possible to find destinations. Travelers are eager to visit a city such as Paris or New York. Some resorts in the U.S. are experimenting with an almost all-inclusive model that makes it easier to plan a vacation.
There are experiences. Sexy travel options include couples retreats and beachfront sessions. Families with children are increasingly looking for educational trips.
The cowboys took on the popular show. The show has done a good job portraying small parts of the real West. The show sheds some light on the fact that real working cowboys are still here, doing the tasks necessary to keep agriculture alive and well.
I befriended Kirk Martin, the co-owner of the Fishtail Grind, while I was at the general store. They were married at the courthouse in Columbus, Mont., in the spring.
I met a number of regulars, including Sherry Winn, a speaker, author, leadership coach and two-time Olympic athlete in team handball, and John Dinsdale, the owner of Beartooth Concrete.
Bill Kalyn was in Canada. He laughed and said he was getting a lot of teasing for the portrait session. He said that they like to visit the store and that they keep some unique items in stock. Beer cans were one that caught his attention. It looks like a sleeping bag, he said. The large selection of cards made his wife happy.
There are items in the store that are worth looking at. The customers reflect the joy of the place.
I asked if people felt comfortable here. They are standing in line and talking. It doesn't have to be huge. They talk about what's going on in their lives. We are more compassionate because of that.
She said that the fact that we have good food doesn't hurt.
Janie is a photographer who lives in Montana. You can see her work on social media.
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