As some of you guys know , I was busted up pretty good this spring in Idaho while guiding, no worries , I am doing good or should I say , so/so.
The main subject I want to bring up in this post is the kind people I met through my ordeal.
I was life flighted to Missoula Montana, you know that Life flight insurance you can purchase for about $70.00 per year? Buy it! .
That flight cost $23,300.00 alone, anyway back to the subject.
I woke up in the hospital looking at my very worried wife's face, not sure where I was or why I was seeing Lois. After about three days they let me go, but not after just about every test in the world, seems I was hurt worse than I thought I had been when I crashed on the snowmobile, I was going slow and yes I had on a helmet, I just managed to bash my head in the rocks, fracture two vertebra and a major concussion.
I kept working for the next four days trying to convince myself I was just a little sore , not uncommon at 52.
Well I passed out on the 5th day and wound up on that expensive helicopter ride.
Anyway , back to the getting out of the hospital, well they put you in a cab and tell you to have a nice life, remember my truck is about 70 miles west over Lolo pass and my wife flew in, we had to find a motel and wait for someone to come get us.
Sue from Weitas creek outfitters was to pick us up the next day and called a motel to book us a night.
The motel is called Ruby's Inn.
To make a long story a bit shorter once they found out I was a registered IOGA guide in Idaho that had been injured and flown there they would not accept payment for our stay, they even made sure my room was on the ground floor , easy to get to and that we had everything we needed, especially making it easier for my wife to move me around , I was pretty busted up.
Its not often in this day and age that someone treats a guide or hunter in this manner but they went above and beyond, our pickup was late, for those of you that know Sue , well you understand, (she's a busy woman), but they told us not to worry , just relax till they arrived.
So if you are in the Missoula area ever and you need a great place to stay with great people that help out someone in need , make sure and stop in at Ruby's and tell them I said Thank you!

wow. just wow.

Good to hear you're doing better Ted. And you betcha. Ruby's is on my list.

Thanks for relating the story.

Glad to hear you're on the mend, Ted! Sounds like you met some real fine people in Missoula too.

Can't beat real Montana folk..... Terry

I work at a fly shop in Missoula and Ruby's is always a place we tell people about if they are coming in from out of state. Glad to hear you are ok!

Missoula native here.....glad to hear you were well cared for.

Glad it worked out for you Ted sounds like things coulda' have been otherwise without that chopper and the free ride!

Ted,
Sorry to hear all of this was going on without knowing about it. I know several of us locals would have tried to step and make your stay even more comfortable.
Glad to hear things are working out.

Ted, I glad to hear you are feeling better, following your ordeal in the back country. Considering the seriousness of a head and spine injury, it is hard to imagine trying to carry on when your hurting that way.

It sounds like the folks at Ruby's and Weitas Creek Outfitters were really concerned about you, my hat is off to them. Get well soon, I will be in touch.

Didn't know you had an accident.  Glad to hear you're on the mend though!  We'll have to catch up when I'm home in December.

Chris

Great to hear .
Glad it all worked out for ya Ted !

Now worries Elkchaser , I didnt know where I was anyway.
Thanks guys

Duh...Missoula is a great place.  But you're a jerk for not calling Ron or myself.  52 years old is tough on a guy's brain...I was probably at the Kettlehouse having a beer anyways.

Hope all is well pal.

EH

Heck Eric , I would have looked you up if I would have had your # and a couple less oxycodon, Ah men on the 52 being tough , enjoy it while you can buddy.

I'm going to be in Missoula on the 26th, if we stay the night, which I think we are, I'll make Ruby's my first stop and let them know they're getting my business because of this. Glad to hear you're on the mend. Concussions really worry me though...if you start getting depressed, GET HELP!!

Thank you Tad , That means alot to me.
Thanks to all of you for the well wishes.
Chris , I look forward to seeing you stateside, maybe you should bring Ben as well , we could show him about hunting steep brushy and wet.

Damn Ted, just read this for the first time. Glad you're okay bud!

I was through Hood River about 10 days ago and wanted to stop by, but got in a hurry to get over the mountain and home.

Stay well!

Ron , I cant imagine being in that much of a hurry to get to that side of the mountains, but home is where it is right?
Are you doing OK and ready for hunting season?