|
10 Things to do while your wife is at
Quilting
in the Country
as explained by Dr. Dean Center, husband of QIC Creative
Director, Kathy Center
1. Wander
around the store and look at things.
This is good for killing about 7 minutes, then you'll be
aggravating her by being bored and denying it. If she is
not just there for a quick peek at the place, you'll need a
better strategy.
2. Look at Bill's Zoo.
Horses, sheep, ducks, geese, raccoons, cats. The
animals change from year to year, but there will always be some
critters around that were homeless and taken in. Many will
be amusing. Some will bite you on the butt.
3. Sit in the shade and read western
stories.
On the far side of the house under the giant Cottonwood
trees is a quiet, sheltered spot where you can pull a book of
stories out of the crate and enjoy a relaxing read. If only we could train
the cats to make lemonade.
4. Take a hike up Kirk Hill.
At the end of South 19th Street, up against the foothills is
a nice little nature area where you can hike one of several
loops of different lengths. You can look at the plants and
the birds and smell the pine on the warm summer air.
5. Fish Hyalite Creek.
Farther on around the bend at the south end of South 19th is
the entrance to Hyalite Canyon. If you drive up the road
toward the mountains, you drive along the creek and can stop at
one of several turn-outs to fish for small and willing trout. The
creek is sheltered by large trees and the hillsides, and it's
usually very cool and pleasant there.
6. Take in an MSU sporting event.
College sports are seasonal, so if it's May-July you're out
of luck, but the rest of the year you might be able to
entertain yourself by taking in a football, basketball or
volleyball game, or maybe a track meet. To find these,
just step outside, look north and you'll see the dome of the
field house. Even watching the
football team practice on the fields across from the stadium
will beat an hour and a half of fabric shopping.
7. Hit a bucket of balls.
About a half mile east of the football stadium, on Kagy
Blvd., is the Valley View Golf Club. Around the far side
of the club house is the pro shop where you can buy some
balls and go out to the driving range, or borrow a putter and
practice stroking the ball on the putting green. You've
got a better than 50/50 chance of finding Bill there, too!
8. Catch a movie.
Just north of the football stadium, on 11th Street, and
across from the fieldhouse is the Campus Square theater
complex. We don't get them as fresh as LA, but you can
still catch one of those macho adventure films your wife will
never go to see. But prepare for a BIG trunk of fabric to
take home if you're gone for 2 hours.
9. Check out our wild life.
About 1/4 mile past the stoplight at Kagy, still on 19th
Avenue, is the regional offices for Montana's Fish, Wildlife and
Parks department. You can look at mountings of fish and
wildlife, and collect brochures for places to go and things to
do. Or ask for Bernie Kountz, the local public information
officer, who will regale you with tall and bawdy tales of his
hunting, fishing, and military exploits, most of which are true.
10. Kick some tires.
If you follow 19th Avenue north to the corner of Main
Street, there are 3 auto dealers, representing 10 domestic and
imported lines. Surely, you've always wanted to know what
it would be like to sit at the wheel of the mammoth Hummer or
feel the wind in your hair as you cruise past coeds in your top
down Audi TT. For those of you with absolutely no
imagination, 2 of the dealers have quick lubes, so you can do
something useful while you wait.
11. Try out a new fly rod.
If you turn right at Main Street at the Audi dealership,
a half block down the street is one of our local Orvis Fly
Shops. Take a nice 9 foot, 4 weight
out for a test drive, or stock up on whatever flies the local
fish are biting on. You took her to the quilt store today,
so she gets to take you to the river tomorrow! |
