Fourth of July Memories

Road to Rapelje

My favorite childhood memories of the Fourth of July took place in my grade school years - pick any grade they were all pretty good. Growing up in Billings, MT the pace was slow and the mid-summer holiday was celebrated outdoors, all day with family, Aunts, Uncles and many cousins.

The best Fourth of July memories took place in a small town west of Billings where my Dad spent his youth - Rapelje. Hard to spell, easy to pronounce -- rap-el-jay. The small community is named after J.M Rapelje, vice-president of the Northern Pacific Railway back in 1913.  

On the forty mile car ride to and from Rapelje we'd ask our Dad to take the "weeds way" route where the hills were plentiful and the grazing cattle next to the road seemed touchable from the back seat. We'd coax our Dad (didn't take much) to hit the gas approaching the hills so our stomachs got the thrilling air drop sensation - much better than the August Midland Empire Fair roller coaster.

Once we arrived, my sister Lee and I ran around anywhere and everywhere outside on my Aunt Betty and Uncle Ben's farm. My two older brothers did whatever older brothers did.

I'm told, since I was too young to remember that Lee and I were playing outside on the east side of their farm house when a rattlesnake sidled into the yard. No one knows how my Aunt Betty knew the snake was near us, but she was out to our rescue in a flash, a sharp shovel in hand. She told us to freeze in place while she walked over and in one motion sliced the snake's head clean away. She tossed the remainder over the fence. Later my brothers retrieved the rattles. Darn, I wish I could remember that happening!

Later in the day we'd head over to my Uncle Ben's brother's farm for a pig roast accompanied with more side salads than Furr's Cafeteria and an endless spread of homemade cakes, pies and assorted desserts.

As soon as it was dark we all got in position to watch the sky light up with fireworks. 

Life was simple in those days, I miss them.

We still have cousins living and farming in Rapelje, I wonder if they still gather and watch fireworks like the old days?

Betty and Lee at the Rapelje Cemetery

Both of my parents are buried in the quiet cemetery. It's a beautiful setting and on the mostly clear, blue sky days you can see the Crazy mountains to the west, the Little Belt Mountains north and west, the Little Snowy Mountains north and the Beartooth Mountains south.

Truly, Rapelje is a small gem in The Big Sky Country of Montana. 

Hoping the Fourth of July brings back many good memories and more to follow.

Wishing you a wonderful July 4 celebration, enjoy the birthday cake.