Several years ago my wife and I started to discuss what our life might look like after our son left home for college. Neither of us have family in Texas and only moved there in 2008. We discussed where we might live and what our life would be like. My wife wanted mountains. I also wanted mountains and to be able to hunt and fish. Really like to fish. I started a search around those parameters to start and then added in access to good healthcare, airports, etc… Narrowed the search over a couple years and then we went looking with boots on the ground. In 2020 we purchased some land where we decided we a wanted to be.

Well, our son is off to the University of Michigan, we have sold our house in Katy and now reside in Kalispell, Montana. We are renting while getting our final house built in Polson.

Our time in TX was truly unbelievable, both in terms of financial success and in the relationships that we made. We both consider Texas our home and are very grateful for our time there. I have met some extraordinary people, true salt of the earth, give you the shirt off their back people. People like TEXASLEFTY that friended me over the phone, came to Houston to work on my Jeep and most importantly, got me out of my introvert shell to go on a goose hunt. I cannot express my gratitude enough to John doing that. Because of that I met Judd, txshuntr, Snakewrangler Ramsey, Bullfrog Dave Kershen, and many others, men I consider true friends and excellent sources of knowledge. Some of these men are:

Ramsey, who did a couple loans for me and became a trusted friend and advisor. I always appreciate time with him, his counsel and advice. Snakewrangler has taught me so much about life and living. He works very hard and is a wealth of knowledge about most anything. Bullfrog is an amazingly selfless man and I marvel at his abilities to fix anything and his skills with peppers and leather. Big Fitz built a rifle for me that shoots lights out and is an incredible resource for anything shooting related. Big Pig is a great friend and even better father and husband. I try to be like him every day. Judd always answers a text and is very helpful with all the stupid questions I have about guns. Skinnerback and I had lunch when he returned stuff that I lent him after hurricane Harvey. Had never met him but gave my stuff to Snakewrangler (who I had also never met) when he went down with a load of supplies. He even returned the gas cans full, which really surprised me. Skinner’s love and devotion to family is an inspiration and a model to follow, and if you ever get the chance to sample his cooking you will consider yourself truly blessed. David Layton (txshunter) remodeled my lake house and did a great job, even though it was way out of town for him and his crew. Dave Kershen and the work he and his wife Sharla do with handicapped children simply put me in awe. All of these men I met during a single hunt/get together. We have been on several get togethers since.

I will miss our get togethers but hope these men know that they will have a place to stay if their travels bring them to Montana. I hope they know the impression that they have made on me, even though I am not someone that easily lets my feelings known. I appreciate the THF for being the place that allowed all of this to happen.

I will still be on the forum when time allows and hope that everyone takes advantage of the opportunities that this forum provides. Just thought you should know the caliber of some of the men that you interact with every day.

Good luck on the next chapter.
Hope there are many blank pages to fill

Great luck and happiness to you and your wife Sir.

I love Kalispel, good luck up there. Winter is coming!

You'll be living the dream soon in your Montana lake house. Got to admit I’m a bit jealous. Paulie the doors always open when you get back down this way. And I’m serious about heading up your direction to ice fish. Better get to work on finding a few spots.

I’m happy for you, wish you hadn’t moved away

Oh yeah….. thanks….

And

I’d like to try ice fishing

Good Luck, sounds like a dream.

Sounds like you had a great plan and worked it!
Congratulations and God bless your family!!

Congratulation Paulie!!!

All the best!

Congrats that is some beautiful country there. Seems like another THFer moved there awhile back?

we love Montana - congrats on your new home! Get some warm clothing!

Congratulations Paul, and thanks for the kind words. Ice fishing would be fun, I think lol.
I’m not into all of that cold stuff, but I bet it’s gonna be beautiful. Post some pics for us, and try not to freeze to death.

Enjoy It!

Best of luck to you and your wife!

All the best to you and yours up there. You're a perceptive man that's an excellent judge of character.

We will always be here, keep living life. Send pics of your place so I can move next to you!

Yep congrats Paul! We have a similar plan in motion and looked at Montana but wife said it was too cold for her so we settled on southern CO. You guys are going to love it!

Awesome stuff man! My wife and I have been talking about doing something very similar once our daughter hits college - in fact Lefty was just telling me your story a couple of weeks ago.

Huge kudos to y’all for setting a goal and making it happen. That part of Montana is spectacular. You’re going to love it up there!!

I would give you crap for letting your son go to Michigan, but it’s at least not Ohio State, so I’ll bite my tongue.

Always great when a plan works out. Congrats on the beginning of a new adventure.

Enjoy your new home and don't forget the snow shovel.

Congrats man, sounds like a dream came to fruition and good on you guys to set it into motion!

I will have to get up to the area sometime and post a bunch of Ohio State flags put for ya…i know you will miss that UM OSU ribbing the most on here….

Good luck on your next adventure