R and J in the USA

Some of the Montanans we met enjoyed telling us stories of the depths to which the freedom to be outdoors and to enjoy it unencumbered by rules or too many other people was core to the Montanan soul. Some even told us, with a glint in their eye that Montanans are a judgey people, but in a loving way, a good way. Not a way to really tear anyone else down (well, not that much anyways), but just part of the depths of their love for their way of life. We learned that some (or maybe more than some) Montanans call the town of Bozeman, “Bozangeles”. 

When we visited Bozeman and got to stay at the campgrounds that were part of the Bozeman Hot Springs, we definitely noticed it was more developed than a number of the super small towns we passed through, but it seemed more like any smallish mountain town that we’ve been through, rather than a huge city, let alone one as massive and distinct in character as LA. Yes, there was a charming Main Street with shops and boutiques and a road just outside of town with the big box stores, but this was pretty standard in our experience of a town of this size in a beautiful location. We could hardly find ourselves calling it a city, let alone comparing it to one of the most sprawling and city-ish cities in the country. 

Once arriving in Bozeman, and having been to Los Angeles more than a handful of times, Julie’s literal-oriented brain was having a virtual meltdown. She was deeply perplexed. And she just couldn’t let it go. Why “Bozangeles”?

“I don’t understand!” She would exclaim to Ryan. “I need to understand this! I can understand that it is more developed and cutesy with charming shops and boutiques than some of the other rough and down-home towns in Montana, but…Los Angeles?! If I had to pick a city it was LEAST like, Los Angeles would be on my short list. I must understand this nickname!”

Ryan’s brain that is not so limited by the literal tried to explain the satirical nature of the nickname. 

“I kind of get that,” Julie proclaimed, “but WHY Los Angeles? Why not Denver? So much closer and so much more similar but in bloated city style – if you are trying to be satirical, that would get the job done.”

It just seemed too random to Julie. She figured there must be more to the story.

It turns out, there was.

After we had more conversations and asked more questions of more Montanans, we had it explained more deeply just in time for Julie to avoid an unnecessary self-induced aneurism. It was actually quite literal. Bozeman used to be a small horse-town, like any other Montanan settlement. Then, the folks from Los Angeles, especially the celebrities and wealthy folks that needed a respite from the Los Angeles-ness of Los Angeles sought the wonders of wide open nature in places like Big Sky and the Yellowstone Club, driving prices up in the area to levels that many local Montanans could not afford. The town grew to a massive (by Montanan standards and preferences) 67,000 people! 

“I see!” Julie said with relief when talking with our educational Harvest Hosts, Scott and Louise, “so, it’s like it’s a literal suburb of Los Angeles, just a suburb that is very very far away from the “urb” that it is “sub” of. It is actually filled with Los Angelinos that want a taste of the wonders and beauties of Big Sky country.”

”Yes, exactly.” They replied.

Julie exhaled a sigh of relief. Now, not only is the name clear, but also the frustrations of some of the local Montanans were easier to understand. 

Moral of the story, when things don’t seem like they add up, they usually do – if you dig long enough. 

Other moral of the story, Julie’s brain is weird and insatiably hungry for answers as to how things fit together. 

Other moral of the story that is a big part of this trip for us, we are big believers that when other peoples’ behavior doesn’t make sense to you, rather than jump to conclusions that they are insane, malicious, stupid or take your pick of the list (we’re looking at you America in YouTube comments sections and in the political fray), oftentimes, there are little or big details, angles or perspectives that are just not visible to someone that is looking at it from the outside or from a different point of view that make their stance or words seem insane or nonsensical. We’re not saying that humans don’t have faults in their thinking and conclusion-drawing – we believe that all of them do – very much including ourselves (and whoever you are reading this, sorry, you too). But, aside from our collective fallibility, there is also a sensical-ness somewhere inside the thinking of most people, no matter how exasperating or ridiculous they seem to those with different viewpoints on the surface of any dialogue or idea or statement. And, you can sometimes get to see that sense, if you are willing to do the digging to find it. That last part is, of course, a big “if”. In our experience, the digging is work, and it can include confusion, confoundment, frustration and exasperation before the relief of seeing things from other peoples’ perspectives can be arrived at. But, perhaps its worth it.

And we are not saying we all should do that digging. What we are saying is, in the case of the Mystery of “Bozangeles”, not only was Julie willing to do that digging, her mental capacity to move on with her life necessitated it. So, happy ending, mystery solved.

As for Bozangeles and the people of Montana, it was also explained to us, there were a few perks to the not always enthusiastically welcomed changes to this town. One person said to us with a smile, “Well, all Montanans will snarkily call it Bozangeles, but they will just as quickly head there to enjoy a Wagu burger and get their shopping done.” Another couple explained to us the benefits of now having the once teeny little Bozeman airport have become the spot they can get direct flights out of to all over the world. You also see all the privately owned leer jets of the well-to-do folks making this spot a second (or third) home. Whether that’s a plus or a minus, the added convenience of direct flights is nice.

We, personally, found every cloud in a big Montana sky to be surrounded by bright and brilliant colors during our stay. It looks like at least a few Montanans were able to find the silver lining on this one. 

For our part, as outsiders, we quite enjoyed Bozeman and found it to be a whole lot like, well, anywhere but Los Angeles.