Naomi and Arnold Morrison of Columbia Falls always had a keen interest in pioneer experiences and ghost towns.

Arnold's time working in construction around the North Dakota oil fields gave them a firsthand taste.

She recalls when Arnold put his experience in that perspective.

"He said, ‘Naomi, this is a real live ghost town happening with me involved because 10 to 20 years from now this place - once busted - there's not going to be anything left."

Working to help develop oil fields was the last thing the couple expected to experience. Their dream was to live an independent and sustainable lifestyle.

Their dream bumped up against the reality of the housing bust and years of lingering economic malaise. Arnold, 32, who had his own roofing business in the Flathead Valley, began working less all the time.

"He was pretty much on and off temporary jobs for the last almost three years," Naomi, 37, said.

With a 6-year-old boy and 2-year-old girl, the Morrisons needed more rather than less income to support their expanded family. Naomi, a full-time public relations professional, said they were grateful when they got connected with a construction-related company that needed help in North Dakota.

"He contacted the cement company over there and they were happy to do it on a temporary basis because we were hoping he would get a job up at the resort this winter," Naomi said. "It was the beginning or middle of September."

Arnold borrowed a truck camper from a friend and drove the more than 550 miles to the Williston area of North Dakota. He was lucky to have a parking provided with free electricity.

He got a taste of pioneer lifestyle with few amenities.

"Even having electricity and running a heater, the little truck camper wasn't staying warm," she said.

Arnold worked on huge slabs, helping with pours and the rebar. The slabs were for giant metal buildings to house heavy equipment and other oil-field necessities.

Naomi, although she stayed home, found her life uprooted. She said she went into survival mode, taking care of the two young children and working full time.

"I almost felt like, how people feel when they come down with a major illness," she said. "You just call on all your friends and say this is what I need because I can't do this alone."

She got organized, charting out all the night events when she needed sitters and finding ways to get the children to and from school. Naomi was relieved to find out how many people were willing to help.

"I tell you, the support system that came out of the woodwork - you know you have good friends but you really know how wonderful of a family of friends you have when something like this happens." she said.

Arnold and Naomi spoke each night on the phone, which helped. But their 6-year-old missed his dad and the 2-year-old looked for him a lot but didn't really understand what was happening.

Arnold returned to the Flathead Valley on the Friday before Thanksgiving and recently started a maintenance job at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Naomi called those months apart a good learning experience.

"It taught me to run a tight ship and prioritize my family first," she said.

She said the experience brought them closer together as a couple and made them appreciate each other more. Naomi agreed that absence does make the heart grow fonder.

"That support system that a husband and wife provide each other in addition to the love that you share," she said. "You definitely realize it's gone during something like this."

Arnold and Naomi have not ruled out another separation if Arnold has the right opportunity to go back next spring after fulfilling his commitment to the resort's winter season. She would only agree if he finds work where he returns home on a regular schedule, such as two weeks on and one week off.

She said some families go two to three months before reuniting.

"I told him that's just not possible. I couldn't do that," she said. "I need to see him. The kids need to see him."

Naomi said she thought a lot about the pioneers and what those women went through moving out West 100 or 150 years ago.

"I really didn't think my situation was difficult when I would think about what they did," she said. "That's kind of how I made it through. I moved out here to be challenged and it was challenging. That's what I chose and that's OK."

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.