Why Do Montanans Love Back Roads So Much?

I learned how to drive before I was 10 to help my dad move equipment to other areas of the farm.  I never drove in town or unless we were moving, always on gravel of dirt roads.  I first drove a 1970 Ford Pickup, shifting and all.  Granted, I never really had to take it above 2nd gear, but I knew how to shift before I learned that driving a stick was cool.  Before I could drive legally, I did everything I could to take a back road because if I played my cards right, I could drive there. Before you get into some kind of tizzy, let me make some things clear; This was the 1970's, I wasn't the only farm kid driving to help operate the farm.  I didn't get to just DRIVE whenever I wanted, there had to be a reason. Once 3-wheelers became a thing, driving the pickup was over when moving machinery.  My brother and I would flag dad with our bikes.  Sometimes all the way to my Uncle's place in Pendroy.

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I actually prefer a gravel road to a paved road, for some odd reason.  I've always chalked it up to learning to drive on them.  I feel really at ease. I also think it's why I'm someone who will ALWAYS take a back road.  In town, out of town, between towns, I will choose the back road any time.  I even take side roads in any town I know to avoid their main road.  Especially on the weekends.

Most of my friends grew up the same way, or very close to the way I grew up.  Driving the back roads just to drive, avoid our parents or the police (keggers in the country), it's a great date, or did I mention just the thrill of driving? And in Montana, there is a lot of driving to be done.  We don't even think it's out of the ordinary because to get to almost any major town from the country, it's a good half hour to an hour, and that's if you're close to town.  To get from one big town to another it's a good 2-3 hour drive, generally.

Next time, take a back road.  There's always a back road.  My dad was the BEST at knowing the back roads.  They usually have really cool things, too.  Things only a Montanan knows about.  Know why?  We love to take a drive, especially if you can take a back road.