The Gallatin Valley has become an attractive place to relocate, especially for people with substantial human capital.  High human capital implies creative, entrepreneurial, and intellectual qualities directed with self-discipline.  Success in building wholesome lives is a regular consequence.  Why do they find our valley so attractive?  Quality attracts quality--and on several dimensions.

Of course Bozeman is a strong magnet for "Fun Hogs" of any age.  Skiing, hiking, kayaking, fly-fishing, running, biking, are popular.  And we have many stores catering to these active people.  That's how the market process works. 

It's also a healthy place, one where many people build regular work-outs in their lives.  One consequence: People of 79 years still must pay for a season pass at Bridger Bowl*.

In addition to Gallatin Valley’s obvious recreation attractions, we have much open space and relatively open minds. The local culture is permissive, not dominated by cultural conservatives nor severely constricted by progressive authoritarianism.  A mild undercurrent of a libertarian, classical liberal culture runs through our valley, even including Bozeman.  

This is unusual for a college town. I realize MSU rejected an economic institute to be funded by the libertarian Koch Foundation. Usually however, outside some humanities departments, people with responsible views on economic and public policy are not automatic outcasts. This surely contributes to the University’s remarkable success.

Another important quality is the kindness and civility of locals.  Kindness like meanness is contagious.   I like to note and share examples of the former while ignoring the later. Here is one involving bankers.

A good friend recently asked how Ramona and I were getting along on crutches while out on the ranch.  Could he help us?  My response follows.

Here are two pleasant accounts of life on our ranch.  Supported by the kindness of others, two temporary handicapped individuals enjoy life.

Recuperating from a total ankle reconstruction, I'm non-weight bearing until July.  And last Wednesday, following a ski injury, Ramona had knee surgery.   Essentially, two crips are out on a ranch 10 miles from Bozeman and dependent on others.  

Our freezer is full of beef and lamb but it’s downstairs and inaccessible to us.  Hence, I ordered a box of frozen steaks, etc.  Last week they arrived packed in dry ice.  

I planned to store them in the office freezer, just 122.5 feet north of our home**. I can't climb stairs but the office is accessible via a ramp. 

Alas, I couldn't move the rather large box of frozen food and asked our friend Shauna if she would please help.  She did.  We are thankful for her—and for other friends who brought us meals and stayed with us to enjoy them.  This behavior is normal in friendly communities.

Here is a more interesting and unusual story with a happy outcome -- one involving our bank.  

Knowing I would not be able to drive for some time, I withdrew hundreds of dollars from a Stockman Bank account.  This was for deliveries, occasional hired labor, odds and ends. 

I underestimated out-of-pocket expenses and ran out of cash.  What to do?  I called my personal banker at Stockman Bank's Kagy Branch, and explained my situation.  Would she please withdraw from a "Good Time Account" and send me some bills FedEX.  "No, I don't want to do that.  I'll go through bank procedures and bring you the money over my lunch hour."  And she did.  People from urban places find this amazing!

We live in a community of kindness and trust, blessings to celebrate.   In how many places can a normal customer call a bank customer rep and have her volunteer to drive out to a ranch and deliver the cash.  All on her lunch hour no less.  Stockman Bank has inculcated a culture of service and kindness in its business model.   

It's easy to take blessings for granted.  Ramona and I are experiencing wonderful medical technology while recuperating where kindness and trust are the norm. 

A major challenge locals face is maintaining this ambiance of kindness as our community grows so rapidly.  The key is to appreciate that kindness is contagious.  Please help spread it.

* f. n.* (This year Bridger Bowl mandated that all people clean out their lockers over the summer, even if they have pre-paid.  Why?  Some skiers with lockers are old, the waiting list for lockers is measured in years. The predictable result?  Between the close of the ski season in April of 2017 until its reopening in December, several people with lockers died.  Cause? Old age.  Problem?  How does management dispose of the skies, poles and boots left in the lockers?)

**  f.n. (How do I know the exact distance?  The firm that linked FREE's office with our home charged by the foot.)