Too often I am just as guilty as the next person of bemoaning the fates that befall us as we go about our daily lives and fail to realize and appreciate the fullness of good and great times, such as was my hunt with you, your friends and your family. That a simple email, from an unknown person, to someone else 780 miles away, could end up enabling me to have such a great time like I did on Saturday, October 13.
It amazes me that people who are not related by blood can reach out to someone else of similar passions and principles, via an instrument that didn’t even exist 10 years ago, and can then get together to enjoy a morning afield. That people separated by miles, age, cultures, and the like, can still find some common ground where the passion they have for the outdoors and hunting, can still get together and make new, positive memories that will last forever.
Is it the Internet? Is it hunters? Or is it the great people of North Dakota?
While I know it is all three, I still firmly believe that the great person of North Dakota truly brings it all together and makes so many hunters dreams possible. I have had the pleasure of traveling to and around the great state of North Dakota four times now – all since 1989. That was the first year that anyone in my family had ever been there, and even though I suffered a broken arm, sprained wrist, and concussion when I fell in a parking lot in Garrison on the second morning of a hunting trip, I couldn’t wait to come back.
And that was the same feeling I had when just two weeks ago I arrived in Fargo for the beginning of a week long hunting excursion with no particular plans or destinations in mind, other than to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. But, I have been known to suffer from a “Dark Cloud” that hovers over me and it seemed to rear its ugly head after I had driven 120 miles west and discovered that I had left my primary shotgun, coat, and other gear in someone’s truck that I had just met that morning. That even though I had backup shotguns, this was not the way I wanted to start my trip off, and I drove back to Fargo while trying to track down people I had just met and didn’t have all the telephone numbers for.
As I drove down the highway and then waited at an Amoco Station on the edge of town, I was not worried about getting them back, just about how long I will have to wait or how far I am going to have to drive to get them. That I started to count my blessings that I carried a cell phone and that they are wonderful tools that can alleviated a situation I had inadvertently placed myself in so far from home. That the people of North Dakota, and the Hustad family in particular, are some of the best, honorable, and thoughtful people, is something I already knew, but it was great to be reminded of it firsthand!
So when your Dad drove up and dropped off the gun, gear, and coat, I ended up feeling so bad that I had interrupted everyone’s afternoon with my dilemma. That someone from Illinois no less, was being treated so well and as a friend or even a family member would have been, just typifies the people of North Dakota.
So even though my “Dark Cloud” appeared to have returned to grace my life that day, I wasn’t worried and truly am grateful for you and everyone’s consideration, invitation and assistance that day. This was North Dakota, where people are honorable, hardworking, and serious about their fellow hunter, as well as the enjoyment of the outdoors.
When I was in the United States Air Force in San Antonio, Texas, they would try to frighten recruits with an assignment in Minot, North Dakota. Little did I know, that they were all wrong, and I could have been living a happier life right now if I had just made someone mad at me back in 1973….
Who knows, that when my children are grown, and I am ready for retirement, being sent off to North Dakota might be in my future?
So once again, and from the top and bottom of my heart, thank you for being whom you are and for the way(s) I was taken care of on October 13. I just hope I am welcome back and that others will come to understand and appreciate the great state of North Dakota and its residents, as I have over the last 12 years.
Sincerely Yours,
Bob Zettler
Bob, there will always be a place in our spread if you'd like to come up again....Chris
