There was a time when a vacation had to include some serious shopping. Then, it evolved into the “Let’s do Something New” phase. This is where Friend Denise broke her ankle roller blading, but it is also where we learned how to play pickleball. So, there was some good and bad during that phase. This summer I visited the Pioneer and Art Museum in Salt Lake and enjoyed that.  Then, last week friends Max and Rebecca wanted to take a few days and visit Glacier National Park and a Prison-Auto Museum* in Deer Lodge, Montana. Glacier sounded like a good idea, but a Prison and an Auto Museum all rolled into one? I was skeptical, but the company was good and so we went. 

I am not a car buff. If a vehicle can get me from point A to point B in relative comfort, I’m happy. But now, I realize the T&I boys were actually on to something. We spent more time than planned oo-ing and aw-ing at vehicles from the late 1800s to the 1970s. Generally, they were displayed chronologically so you could see how transportation has changed over the years.  Each vehicle had been restored, and a descriptive card identified the make, model, year, and listed price of the car when it was brand new. That was interesting. There was also information about the historical significance of the vehicles including some trivia about artifacts that had been in movies or belonged to someone famous. It was a great couple of hours. The cars were beautiful, and I left with a better appreciation for the many workers and geniuses who have labored to make a good thing better.

Then we moved on to the prison side of the museum to check out the rougher side of life. We learned about the visionary warden, Frank Conley, who promoted creating jobs for the inmates, teaching them to read and write, and helping them acquire a vocation before they left prison. We saw solitary confinement cells, inmate-constructed prison walls and even a theater the prisoners had built. Again, a man who stepped in and worked to make life better.

We then headed north to Glacier to view some of the Master Curator’s work. It was breathtaking. As I’ve reflected on earth’s wonders, man’s creations and human relationships, I’ve concluded again that Life is Good. I think I’ve entered the “Let’s Go See a Museum” stage when it comes to vacations. Maybe it’s because anything over 50 years old qualifies as museum worthy and I’m worthy. I’d really like to be restored, too!

*Old Montana Prison and Auto Museum, Deer Lodge, Montana