Quick! You’re living in another country, you don’t have much time, and you need a USA fix? After visiting this weekend, I have to say that for a distilled concentrate of America, you can’t go wrong with Montana in general. If time is short, visit Missoula, home of the University of Montana, on homecoming weekend.
- Hand-painted Grizzly. Of course.
- Decisions, decisions… microbrewski or home-brewed root beer?
- Best. School name. EVER.
- Ever wonder where all the hippies ended up? Thank Gaia, they came to Missoula to be VW bakers.
- At least they’re honest…
- Bob’s bike. There are no words.
If you live in Montana, you own a truck. If you own a truck, it’s in the Homecoming Parade.
And how best to prepare for the event? Why, by painting pianos and leaving them around downtown. Duh!
- Karlene from the ZACC (Zootown Arts Community Center) plus volunteers Chris and Ashley work with budding young artists on Missoula’s painted pianos project.
- Make sure you’re in uniform–this town wears maroon.
P.S.: In the battle of the bears, the University of Montana Grizzlies beat the Northern Colorado Bears 38-13 in front of a homecoming crowd of 25,000 maroon-clad fans. Okay, there may have been a few less-than-delighted Bears fans and one very lost Illini, but the Grizzlies owned the day.
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Barb Taub 
My husband has traveled the world but seen very little of the USA. I hope to take him on a tour some day. Thanks for the ride.
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Sounds like fun! I never even thought of going to Montana until my son moved there, but it’s just gorgeous. (Very good beer too.)
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I love Americans. Enthusiastic and fun, one should never go to a sports game or a music concert without a few of them in tow.
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I have no idea what you’re talking about.
(Oh, and did I leave my lampshade there after our last pub crawl?)
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Glad you had a good time!
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I had a fabulous time, thank you very much. Next trip it’s the hot springs for sure!
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Oh yes, fall and football!!! YES!!! You can tell I’m from the states–guilty :D . Looks like so much fun–got to love that topless servers sign and false advertisement ads…hey, at least they advertise. Looks like it was a lot of fun!
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I know what you mean! There’s just something about autumn that makes you want to buy school supplies, put on your team colors, and tailgate. With brats. The school I went to (University of Chicago) didn’t even HAVE a football team, but somehow I have a big hoodie and matching scarf and gloves. (For those poetry slam tailgaters, I guess…)
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Both daughters went to schools with no football teams but one of the girls has a college shirt that says, “Still undefeated” with a football logo. :) Poetry slam tailgaters….LOL :D I’ll have to remember to tell her about that. Have a good evening.
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College football Saturdays. You gotta love ’em, Barb. Welcome home(coming), even for the slightly confused Illini, I can tell. It looks to me like your son picked a wicked fun college town for his relocation to the States. I’ve loved living in Syracuse the last 31 years, Long Islander happy in upstate New York. Friday night, Louisville comes to visit the Orange in the Carrier Dome. Yes, my wife and I have season tickets.
What compares to this school spirit thing back over on the other side of the pond? I know you truly love it there.
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It really is all about the (other) football, although not school related. I have been to some intense cricket–but of course that’s spread over the better part of a day. Or more. You don’t ever see bumper stickers for your school. At most you might see the school tie or scarf. But there is no more enthusiastic fan on earth than the ones supporting their local football club. They make hockey fans look like guests at a tea party.
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OK, yes, I have watched your football on your ESPN when I have been on Royal Caribbean cruises and that’s what the TVs carry in the cabins and sports bars, even in the waters on North America, Barb. And it’s obvious the fans are, shall we say, avid. Enjoy that with your tie and scarf. As for me, I’ll throw on my T-shirt, wear my baseball cap, drink a few beers, eat food and yell. I am a yeller, no profanities. :-)
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College football, motorcycles, beer, and Montana. You can’t get more American then that!
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I have to admit, that over the past few years I’ve gone back to the States twice … and had a whale of a good time seeing all the weird things that I’d not seen in 40 years with the eyes of an outsider. And I enjoyed every moment … especially tale gating and homecoming at Carbondale (IL) …
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