Wilsons Sandbox

I was heading toward the border yesterday for a short trip to Montana. The plan was to head to Whitefish, then to West Glacier and up over "Going to the Sun road" and back home. I did complete the trip, but halfway to the border I was getting ready to pass a big semi and was traveling at approximately 130 kph (77 miles) when something hit me in the shoulder was a terrific force. Boy, did it hurt! When I stopped in Cranbrook and got off the bike, there, laying on the seat was a rock about the size of a big cherry or a small plum, complete with black rubber marks on the side where it had been lodged in the tire of the truck. It was a very hot day, so I was just wearing a Joe Rocket mesh jacket and the rock hit where there was no protection to speak of. I can just imagine if it had been a little higher and to the right and had hit me in the face. I don't know if the visor on my full face helmet would have been able to take the hit. I am sure though, that I would have had a better chance of not being injured than all the riders I saw riding without helmets in Montana. Apparently you do not have to wear a helmet and it seemed like only half of the riders I saw there were wearing them. So instead of waving to them, maybe one should make the sign of the cross when meeting them since they will need the blessing more than a friendly wave.