MCC is wrapping itself up. We spent the last few weeks off the trail and on the road. MCC collaborated with HRDC to help weatherize low income family's homes throughout Montana. It was a lot different than trail work but gratifying in a different way. It felt good to witness first hand how our efforts are helping others. The crews were scattered across the state in Billings, Browning, Missoula and Havre.
Our crew spent the first week around Missoula and then took a road trip to Havre for the second week. Havre is along the high line which is home to some amazing views. Everywhere you look you can see for miles and miles across rolling hills morphing into snow capped mountains along the horizon. We worked on an indian reservation where I met a man who told me about his friend who was cured of diabetes by a medicine man. Many of the homes we visited were trailers with single paned windows and horrible drafts around their doors. It showed us how much some of these families really needed the help and really made the job feel worthwhile. It showed everyone a side of society we had never witnessed before.

We had some free time one of the days and visited the battlefield where Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce were defeated by the American army. The battlefield gave everyone a strange feeling, standing on the grounds that so many died upon. By reading the signs explaining the battle and scanning the landscape I was able to re-create the battle in my mind with vivid description. I felt sadness sweep over me, imagining the Nez Perce so close to freedom, having their lives destroyed.

Everyday working with MCC was a new experience. Whether it was working on trails in beautiful landscapes or traveling to low income family homes to weatherize there was always something to learn. Every member of our crew overcame so much adversity and discovered strengths we
never knew we had. Now that the season is over we are all going our
separate ways and traveling down different tracks of life. We may keep in touch, but we may not. Life is funny like that sometimes. But we will always remember our summer with MCC=

Kevin Bisset
Wes and Keri's Crew
Western Wildlands