Remote versus Rural

Having grown up in rural Illinois, I love it even better here in Montana. It’s our home.

However, it’s not rural here.

We are NOT rural.

We are remote.

In fact, I live in the 17^th most remote county in the United States. Considering there are approx. 3100+ counties in the US, that's remote.

Not rural.

There is a huge difference between rural and remote.  It’s good to understand this, in case if you ever find yourself wanting to visit or move to a remote area. Your stay will be much more pleasant if you prepare.   If a remote area person tells you to watch out, it's best that you watch out, because obviously they care about you.  Sometimes people don't get advice. Take that with a grain of salt. And a shot of tequila.

Anyhow,

Here are just a few feral notations on the differences-

1)     DISTANCE

Rural - you count distance by miles i.e. “it’s ten miles to town, eight miles to the gas station, etc.”

Remote -  you count distance by time i.e. “it’s an hour to town unless it’s raining. Then it’s give or take an hour and a half unless ____ road is washed out. Then it’s usually a day or two unless the sun doesn't come out. Then it could be some time.  Yep. it could take a season to get to town.”

2)    TRAVELING

Rural – “make sure your cell phone is charged!”

Remote – “make sure you get that flat tire fixed in town from last time, we’re down to only ONE spare for the truck.”

      or

“AAA? … isn't that for drinking drivers who think they may have a problem?”

3)     911 MEDICAL SERVICES

Rural – “we will be there as soon as we can.”

Remote – “Meet us at the highway as soon as YOU can.”

or

(if it’s really bad**)

 “whats your GPS coordinates for air flight?”

**Really bad means how much did you make at that last cattle sale and then ask yourself, is that missing finger really worth a helicopter ride $ ?

4)     USPS MAIL DELIVERY

Rural – every day except Sunday. The Rural USPS is very proud of that.

Remote –3 days a week; Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

And it’s just like a little house on the prairie freakin’ Christmas each time- yay big rubber-banded bundles!! - Except our mail carrier is super much better looking, nicer and more dependable than Mr. Edwards could ever wish to be. And you end up with a  healthy supply of rubber bands.

I love our post office people.

5)    PACKAGE DELIVERY

Rural – “we guarantee delivery to your door, no matter how far!”

Remote – “Are you are coming to town? Next season? We can hold it for you.”

               

           or

“I just paid another extra $17.95 to that  @#$% company for delivery, and the delivery people dropped it off at the post office?"

Like I said, I love our post office people. They don't even complain when they have that umpteenth package on top of the little house on the prairie Christmas rubberband bundle to deliver on Mon/Wed/Fri; they are that very remotely wonderful.

6)     NEIGHBORS

Rural –  “we call almost daily to see if they need anything!"

Remote – “they were alive three weeks ago at branding time."

No explanation needed.  If you need one, stay away.

7)       CELL PHONE SERVICE

Rural – “sometimes I can’t get coverage if I’m out in the fields.”

Remote – “oh yeah, those things people have attached to their hands in the city….”

 or

(when talking to visitors)

“Hmmm, if you really need to send a picture of your cell “selfie” with a cow, we can drive you out to _____ Butte to see if there’s a signal. It’s about a half hour from here… unless it starts to rain…”

~

We may be remote, but its HOME!

 ...although for some, temporary...

:o !

but for us Humans, ALL the time!

:)

~