Montana marks the roadside where fatal motor vehicle crashes take place with the use of welded steel crosses on red poles. We haven’t gone very far into Montana and we’ve passed far too many of these. I am reminded at each one of these of the previous topic on this journal from five years ago and the effort conducted to reach out to those who have suffered these losses.
Dear Readers: Please note my intentions as mentioned in the tab for the 2016 ride are different for this 2016 ride journal.
The 2011 ride remains a remarkable journey in many ways, not the least of which is the life-changing effect on me. The 2011 journal is an expression of grief from the perspective of one traveling a healing journey. Those are not empty words, and the trip was not a false device, but a genuine movement through resolution both physically and physiologically. The very hard work, exhausting hours, and deep introspection all came to a completion during that journey.
I cannot go that deep this time.
As stated, this is a victory lap for me, so I invite you to enjoy the pictures, maybe have a chuckle at the comments and like the reflections seen in the surface of a lake, we’ll skim the top, speak of bike travel and enjoy the journey as it comes.
Thank you for reading. Let’s travel on.
In Memory of Warmer Summers 
Thanks, Carl. The crosses are a beautiful, and very meaningful way of remembering those souls who were lost. Loving your posts, from the heart, and enjoying your journey. Thank you.
Although I was just a child when I lived in Montana, I still have memories of the crosses on the roadside. Even 62 years later, they are still vivid. One cross for each death makes quite an impression to a ten year old. At that time they were just plain white crosses, but when you see three, four or five at the same spot, you never forget.
Enjoy the rest of Montana. Be thankful you aren’t experiencing it in the winter. Another memory and we never rode school busses or closed the schools.
Lynn Chiotti