18 years ago this past June, I was in a motorcycle accident on the way to Elkhart Lake to watch superbike races with some friends. The accident was not with another vehicle, but the result of an inexperienced rider, trying to keep up while driving through the hills by Holy Hill. This particular trip I decided to wear the helmet that I recieved for my birthday; thank you Sisters! Prior rides I did not wear one, it wasn't really cool, but I'm sure glad I had it on that day! I also had on a jacket that I borrowed from my sister because it matched my helmet and custom paint job on the bike! Maybe I should have left that part out because I never did replace it after it was cut off of me...shhhhh! (she does however remind me of that on occasion)
Where am I going with this? Well, this was the year that I also decided to move away from the big city and become a "hick". My hobbies at the time where just as they are today, hunting and fishing. I spent mostly every weekend running up North to spend time on the water or in the woods, so why not move up there? I didn't have anything holding me down in Milwaukee, as a matter of fact, I couldn't even work because of a broken shoulder and I couldn't afford rent! So, like a bum, I packed up my stuff and moved in with some "hick" friends until I was able to get back on my feet and find a job.
During this time I was dating my wife. She continued to live in Milwaukee and catch a ride up North every weekend to see me, with my cousin who worked down there but whose wife lived up North. I'm still not sure what she saw in me at that time, but whatever it was it worked! Now picture this, my wife grew up in West Allis, on a busline, 2 blocks from work and never had a drivers license. She then tells me that she wants to move up North with me and be a "hick" ....hahaha, wow! Our first apartment was in a town of 1296 people and I'm pretty sure there were more people in her High School! Just an FYI, towns that small do not have fast food restaurants, Wal-Marts or Pick N Save stores and they pretty much roll up the carpets at 5pm; unless it's the tavern!
One thing I've found really funny over the years is that people think we live in Canada or something. "Come up and visit!" we tell them, "But it's so far away" is usually the response. The positive to that is, we don't have to do that extra cleaning because company is coming up!
October 31st, Halloween, will mark that 18th year of being a "hick". That's what most people call me that still live in the Milwaukee area. I'm ok with that, this "hick" is pretty happy up here. Our crime level is low, the school system is great and we've even met some great "hicks", that we call friends, since we moved up here.
This is now home to us and I'm glad we made that decision back then to get out of the "Big City" and become "hicks"!!
you really do have a flair for writing, Mark. I laughed, smiled, rolled my eyes, and gasped all in one sitting. Now that's talent! :)
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