Sanders County, Montana, is a "Galt's Gulch" of sorts. The longer we live here, the more brilliant people we discover who have dropped out of the world and settled into a quiet existence in this very unassuming and unpretentious valley. Nobody flaunts anything here--not wealth, appearance or background. The person sitting in the booth behind you at Minnie's Cafe could be a retired nuclear physicist or former Broadway choreographer. They're all wearing flannel shirts, jeans and Carhartt jackets now. They all drive dirty pickups with dogs in the cab.
There's a guy who--unlike Al Gore--really was instrumental in the invention of the Internet. He's lived all over the world and is a wealth of stories and knowledge. Now he spends his time building or repairing saddles, for next to nothing. He likes the work.
There's another guy who was a POW in the Hanoi Hilton for seven years. He's just a regular member of the community now, although I can't look at him without feeling deep emotion and awe. He's shared his stories of what real torture is. How he can live a normal life after seven years of that is beyond my comprehension. He will tell the story if you ask him, but otherwise blends into this eclectic community.
There's an 83-year-old woman who's the world's best "tatter." She's a true artist with her shuttle. She hosts several yearly seminars, which draw tatting devotees from all over the country. She feeds and houses up to 30 tatters for each seminar, and she does it without any compensation at all. She simply wants to share her knowledge with those who seek it.
There's a reknown gunsmith (I bet you know him) who offers his services for next to nothing. Yesterday a guy called, wanting Don to look at his gun, which was giving him fits. He drove down to the house and Don fixed him up in about 10 minutes. Basically his scope needed adjustment. The charge: $3.
There's a woman whose musical background is from Juliard. She's done operatic arrangements and choreographed dances on Broadway. She offers her services freely now, to whoever wants to learn to sing or dance.
There's a guy across the river from us who used to play guitar and piano with some of the top rock'n'roll and jazz groups of the '60s. Arthritis has slowed him down now, but he can occasionally still be convinced to pick up an "axe" if it's for a good cause, like a musical fundraiser for the local animal shelter.
We have a friend--our Realtor, in fact--who played professional music for 12 years. As an emcee, comedian and entertainer, he's as good as they get. You'll see him donating his services to groups all year long.
There's the Master Gardener down the road, who freely shares her knowledge with those who seek it. The accomplished woodworker next door, who can exquisitely craft anything you can imagine, and will charge very little for it because he does it for his own enjoyment. The nationally recognized dog trainer who donates her services to those who can't pay. The phenomenally successful water witcher who will find you a well and charge nothing.
Compensation comes in other forms besides an exchange of currency. Jams, preserves, fresh baked goods, firewood, and good deeds done "in turn" seem to work out very well here in "Galt's Gulch," where extraordinary people have chosen to live quiet lives with like-minded believers in the production of excellence.
