MP 472 to the North Pole???

Don walked to Milepost 472 in Malta, Montana, through six miles of construction. Loretta could not easily drive back to bring him his lunch. She had to send water back via State Patrol. But someone had already given Don a PB&J sandwich and water. Santa Claus (a.k.a John Degel - http://www.montanasanta.com/) came and interviewed Don for a story for the Phillips County News. I found this article on John from the Great Falls Tribune:

With Santa John Degel

Summer letters keep Montana's Santa busy

'Tis the season when fireworks hiss and crackle, and the jangle of jingle bells is a distant memory. But do you think Santa is lounging on a hammock in the Bahamas during the off-season? No, ho, ho. As every kid on the Hi-Line knows, Santa summers in Malta, where he spends at least an hour a day responding to wish lists. In his spare time, Santa, a.k.a. John Degel, is a reporter at the Phillips County News. The white-bearded newspaperman gets several letters a day through his Web site: www.santa-claus-homepage.com. Degel is well-qualified for his role as "Montana's Santa." He is a much sought-after shopping mall St. Nick through New Jersey-based Cherry Hill Photos. Some of Degel's most touching letters come from the Make-A-Wish Foundation and other charity groups. But the letter that still makes his belly shake came from a little girl who wrote: "I want Grandpa to get new hearing aids because I'm tired of hearing his head whistle." -- K.O.

Santa John Degel

Santa John knew someone in Malta who could put Don and Loretta up for the night. We'll find out tomorrow if visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

Santa In Montana

The 'Pacing Parson' passes through on way to NY