Editorial delayed ... by rain

We were going to write an editorial today about the opening of Going to the Sun Road... We were hoping to write an editorial about the opening of the Sun Road. We really wish we could write an editorial saying Sun Road was going to open across the top today.

Unfortunately, our wishes got ahead of the plows — and the weather.

So instead of writing about how pretty Logan Pass is in June with the deep remnants of snow drifts at the side of the road and the sun glinting off puddles of snowmelt on the hillside, we are instead lamenting another week of cold, rainy springtime in the Rockies.

Montanans are hearty souls, of course, so no one is complaining about the nearly incessant unseasonable weather. No one is threatening to move to Alaska for the warmer clime. No one is betting on whether this will be known as “the year without a summer.”

But we would like a solid week or two of sunshine so that we can: a) mow the lawn, b) get the boat in the water — once, c) golf a full 18 holes in shirtsleeves; and d) cheer up.

Of course, anyone who loves nature is still encouraged to visit Glacier Park this week. The Sun Road IS open, just not all the way to the pass. If there isn’t too much fresh snow, you may even be able to travel as far as Big Bend. Remember, the park is a scenic wonder 12 months of the year, whatever the weather.

The story of the teenage girl who was rescued from the Indian Ocean is apparently turning out to be another case of parental irresponsibility at the least and demented child exploitation at worst.

The mother of 16-year-old Abby Sunderland told the Associated Press earlier this week that her family had abandoned plans to build a reality show out of her daughter’s attempted circumnavigation of the world. But the girl’s father later admitted signing a contract for a show called “Adventures in Sunderland” that is already being promoted on an entertainment company’s website.

Regardless of the father’s claims that his daughter was pursuing her dream, it turned out to be an adventure that endangered her life and required a rescue that is estimated to cost more than $1 million. There comes a point when parents should be held accountable for what they allow, and in this case the line was obviously crossed.

WHEN IT comes to pursuing dreams, it’s people like Justin Sands of Kalispell who should be lauded and celebrated.

Nineteen years after he was paralyzed in a four-wheeler accident, the tenacious Sands completed his check ride, enabling him to earn his long-sought private pilot’s license. He was just six days away from getting his pilot’s license when he was injured in the accident so many years ago.

Sands, now 37, has pursued his love of aviation throughout his life and hasn’t let a wheelchair set boundaries for him. His next quest is earning his commercial and instrument rating. We wish him well.