Share a Pie. Make Friends

After arriving at the Zion Family Campground, between Bryce and Zion National Parks, we took the dogs for a walk. As we came around the small lake in the center of the park, we met Christie and Tim.

They were a lovely couple, about our age, from a small town in Utah, not far from our campground.. We stopped to chat. Whenever we meet fellow campers, there’s always plenty to discuss. Where are you from? What was your last stop? Where are you headed? What are your plans for the season? Favorite National Parks and campgrounds? Before you know it, you’ve made a new friend.

Christie and Tim said they were heading to Glacier National Park this summer. We visited Glacier last year and fell in love with the whole area. We told them to stop by the West Glacier Highland Cafe, our favorite restaurant. Everything was delicious but their lemon huckleberry cream pie was the best thing I’ve ever eaten. I still dream about it and swear that I will have another slice before I die. Christie promised to stop by the Cafe and have a slice of that pie for me.

Christie and Tim were going out for dinner and promised to stop by when they returned. A while later they showed up carrying an enormous pie. They ate at the Thunderbird Restaurant, which is famous for their pies. Christie and Tim bought a Thunderberry pie and brought it over to share. We invited Mick & Shirley in the site next to us to join our pie party.

We were quite the group. One couple from a small farming town in Iowa, the other from a remote community in Utah plus Jamie and me. We talked for hours about all kinds of things and had the best time. Thinking back, it was extraordinary that in this country- so divided by so much- 6 strangers can share a delicious pie and enjoy each other’s company. Maybe that’s what we all need- to engage with more strangers and eat more pie!