The last day of 1999 found me in this part of Northwest Montana, seeking winter landscape shots for my portfolio. I had finished for the day, and was making my way back to my car, when I slipped on an icy part of the trail. I heard my ankle break as I fell. After a short time of trying in vain to yell for help, a bobcat approached and at first I thought I was going to be lunch. Amazingly, the darned thing just laid itself across my chest like an over sized house cat, purring and warming me with his body until help eventually arrived.
Once I was rescued, I was transported to St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Montana. I lived in Missoula back in the 70's, so when I was recuperating from the surgery on my ankle, I thumbed through the phone book and looked for names of people I knew. I found one family, and I called them. Little did I know that call would set the wheels in motion for the New Years surprise of my life.
I was awakened early New Years morning by a phone call. A shy, nervous voice on the other end of the line asked if I remembered her. I did remember her as a lady I had dated more than 20 years before. She had remained friends with the family I had called the previous night.
Deb visited me in the hospital later that day. We spent every possible minute together after that, and we were married later that year.
Naturally, this photo has a special meaning for both of us.
Go to shopping cart.