Watching the Montana episode right now. Normally I record and watch Bourdain later but happened to be in the casa and saw on the blurb that one of my true American literary heroes was appearing in normal irascible mode. How very much fun. Thank you for this episode. Harrison and Chatham both doing their thing. You're a lucky man Tony.

Anthony, Anthony, Anthony!

I was at once ingratiated and disappointed by your peice on Montana. Rather than identifying this peice as representative of Montana, it should have been called, "A Conversation With Jim Harrison." We (Montana residents are all charmed by his persona and what he is and has accomplished in his life. Your unabashed admiration of him is at once disarming and charming. Still, I would like to see Montana resented fairly for what she is.

I am a fifth generation native of Montana. I am almost 53, so inour family there are seventh generation natives. The state was origially settleld as a result of the attraction of the gold rush...lots of money and no food. Lots of crazy lawless people came to Montana as a result. My great great grandfather Nelson Story conducted the largest cattle drive in history, driving 1,000 head of longhorn cattle from fort Worth, Texas, to Livingston, Montana in 1866. This drive was the epic upon which the movie "Lonesome Dove" was loosely based. My fmaily owns a 30 square mile ranch in Paradise Valley, where you were with Dan Larren. It boasts two stocked trout lakes. Nelson story settled this area, and we've been rahcning it for the past 150 years. Every spring we brand, castrate, tag, and innoculate, etc. over 300 calves. Then we eat rocky mountain oysters and have a hugeg feed with music and many of the valley residents who come together to help brand. My grandfather put a man's head through the plate glass window at the Old Saloon where you had a drink with Dan in an argument over water rights. You've missed a lot of the Americana that the area bosts.

You must come back. We have some of the most spectacular skiing in the world, the best rodeos, a horse breaking program at the university, Ted Turner's buffalo ranch, (and yes we are home to some of the best buffalo and we all eat it), and we are home to some of the best beef and finest dining in the worldwhich you didn't even begin to tap into. It's also a shame to go without attending a pow-wow, (yes, we have cowboys and Indians),and we also still have some of the best authentic western honky tonks which noone showed you. It's too bad.

Russel and Jim are not Montanans, and if you are going to examine our literary population, how could you go without mentioning Richard Brautigan, among others.

Although this missive is rambling, I'm sure you've gotten my message. I am presently staying in Honolulu, Hawaii researching an historical novel on Princess Kaiulani, the last heir apparent to the Hawaiian throne prior to the overthrow of the monarchy and Hawaii's annexation as a state. I am a published author myself and a doctor of academia and the last of the authentic cowgirls from Montana. I do have my horse here. and at present, would give my right arm for one intoxicating breath of fresh Montana mountain air.

I and my family would like to invite you to return to Montana. We would love to show you the REAL Montana. Also, it would be a great excuse for you to come back and see Jim.

Here is my contact information:

Dulce Drysdale
60 N. Beretania Street, #603
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
ddrysdale1056@aol.com
(406) 209-7527

Congratulations on the birth of your child, and undying admiration and support for your decision to quit smoking. You go! You have a great show!

Dulce