The potato has landed!

I'm home! I left Gillette, WY on Wednesday and headed to Devil's Tower. It is a very cool sight and the sheer size is hard to describe. It's one heck of a monolith shoved up out of the earth, and to put it into perspective, I'm posting a pic of a climber to show just how big those vertical troughs really are. Of course I think the climbers are nuts, but that's beside the point.

I then drove to Rapid City, SD so I could check out Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument, and it was there I reached my saturation point for dealing with people. It seemed that everywhere I turned, somebody wanted my money and I was fed up with all the other A-holes on the road. The ones that really grind my butt are the ones driving foreign cars, all decorated up with patriotic themed bumper stickers...grrr! It was time to come home. I got up Thursday and hit the road, not stopping for anything but gas and food, etc. until I got past Chicago, almost 1,000 miles later. I grabbed a couple hours of sleep in the van in a truck stop parking lot and hit it again for home. Needless to say I was extremely happy to see our little town of Durand. Showering and sleeping in my own house was great!

I had a great vacation, but it is nice to come home too! Needless to say I don't think anyone will be particularly interested in reading about my day-to-day activities now that I'm home, so the blog is going on indefinite hiatus--maybe I'll restart it for my next vacation. Adios.

Starting the trip home

I didn't go very far on Monday--just to Great Falls, MT, where I got the van serviced in preparation for the trip home, and to the CM Russell Museum. The museum was very interesting, seeing the art and environment it was created in during the late 1800's and early 1900's. It was very obvious in some of his paintings that he did not like the "horseless carriages" that were just getting their start. He even had his hearse pulled by a pair of horses after he died. Everyone knows of Remington as a western artist, but Russell was very good and well known in his day too.
Drove to Gillette, WY on Tuesday. Had a little trouble finding a room because the National High School Rodeo Championships are in town. (A bit of a culture shock there) Lots of young rodeo wanna-be stars swaggering around, still wearing their bib numbers on their backs, trying to impress the girls I guess.
Anyway, if the weather cooperates, I plan on seeing Devils Tower and Mt Rushmore, but right now, it's looking like it's going to be a crapshoot, cloudy with showers and thunderstorms in the forecast. I guess the only way I'll know is to get a move on and see what it's doing when I get there.

Grand Finale at Glacier!

Well folks, today was my last day at Glacier National Park. I have been here for eleven days and it's been great. Today I took a 12 mile hike with Tom and Betsy, the local couple who befriended me on my hike to Apgar Lookout, and invited me to accompany them today to Huckleberry Lookout. It includes a nearly 3,000 ft. elevation change, but also included some of the most magnificent scenery I have encountered yet here at the park. At the top is the ranger fire lookout, and from there the mountains are visible for a range of 360 degrees--spectacular!

At about the one mile mark, we were walking and talking when I happened to look down the slope about 10 yards and noticed black fur. Then it moved and I realized I was seeing a small black bear from behind. I got Tom and Betsy's attention and as we looked back up the trail we had just covered we saw the Mama bear we had already passed contentedly feeding, seemingly paying no attention to us. They were close enough that my instinct was to grab the Bear Spray not the camera. The expedient move seemed to be to move on, so we did, our hearts beating a little bit faster than they were before. The rest of the hike was relatively uneventful, save for the spectacular scenery until we got to the same area on our return. Of course, we were especially vigilant, which was a good thing since there was a large black bear (male, we think) about 20 yards upslope from us. This time Tom had spotted him and was ahead of Betsy and me, and he motioned to let us know the bear was up there. I got out my camera and got 3 shots off, all of which he was partially obscured by the brush, but I am posting the best one here.

What a way to end my trip!

They have waterfalls in Montana

Go figure, huh? Today I took it kind of easy, going to see 2 waterfalls, neither of which were major hikes, but the new thing is that I used the park shuttle system. It's a system of large and small buses that run specified routes (only the small buses go up to Logan Pass from the west), so there were several transfers for me to get where I needed to go, but it allowed me to see more of the scenery than I have been able to up until now. I even saw a trail I think I would like to try Sunday if my hike with the local couple doesn't work out. I'm still waiting to hear back from them if the Huckleberry Lookout hike is still a go.

While I was waiting for my bus transfer on the way back today, a wedding party showed up at Logan Pass. It seems thay were going to hike up to the Hidden Lake overlook to get married, then ski down afterwards. From what I hear, it's a fairly common occurrence here, but it sure struck me as bizarre to see the bride in her white gown pulling on ski boots and carrying her skis! Check out the picture!

Kintla Lake

When I first conceived of the idea of this trip and began researching, one of the places that I thought looked most beautiful, and that I needed to make a point of seeing was Kintla Lake. Today I managed to get there, although it took a long time, driving over washboard roads at 10-15 mph and sometimes having to crowd off the road to pass oncoming traffic. It was a very primitive roadway, but the lake and the area around was well worth the drive. I didn't hike too long, maybe only 2 or 2 1/2 miles, because I wanted to see Bowman Lake too, since I was in the area, and the 12 mile detour would take another hour for sure. Unfortunately, there was a huge tree down near Bowman and there was no way I could get to the lake without parking the van and hiking in. Then the van would have been in the way of the tree crew that was trying to clear the way for the people on the other side, so it was a no-go for me.

I did manage to find the answer to an age-old question: "Does a wild bear shit in the woods?" I have photographic evidence which I am posting here that yes, indeed, they do shit in the woods (or on the trail, or the road, or wherever they want to--I mean, who's gonna stop them?). Have a good day, folks!

2 Day Post

Since I was lazy yesterday and didn't post anything, I guess I'll update for both days. Yesterday, Wednesday, I took it pretty easy, not even leaving camp until noon. I went to a place called Trail of the Cedars, which is just a short nature walk through an old-growth forest of cedars, hemlocks, black cottonwoods, and western larch. The signs said that there hadn't been a fire there since the 1500's, and I can believe that--there were cedar trees that were 5-6 feet in diameter at the bases. Very interesting and informative walk...easy too! On the way back to my van, I spotted a small doe having a snack not far from the road. She was obliging enough to stay put while I took a couple of pics, and even changed lenses. By then she had gone over a little ridge, so I followed and snapped probably 20 more shots of her and even talked to her a bit--she is obviously accustomed to humans!
Today I did a more strenuous hike, going to Apgar Lookout. This was 3.7 miles one-way (7.4 total), and had an 1800 ft. elevation gain. I met a couple at the trailhead and later caught up with them on the trail, and they let me tag along with them, especially after I told them my tale about surprising the bear on Tuesday. They are locals, and pretty amazing people--she is "almost 68" and he is 72, and they are still out here hiking 2 or 3 times a week! Granted, they are not setting any speed records, but they aren't trying to, either. I'm going to post a shot that I took from the top of Apgar.
It's warmer today than it has been, probably in the mid 80's. Nice, except now all the damn flies are out and active. They're driving me nuts as I sit here trying to type this. Arrrgghh!!!

Another 12 mile hike

Tuesday I decided to hike along the west shore of Lake MacDonald, a long narrow lake. The area where the trail runs is through a forest that burned in 2003, and is now starting over toward growing the next generation of forest. There are still a lot of dead trees standing--probably more than have fallen--and the new growth is pretty much all low level as the new trees compete for sunshine to fuel their growth. Some of the trees look very bizarre. Since height is the name of the game for trees here, most of the branches and vegetation is near the top. This makes for a skeletal appearance to the forest, especially when the undergrowth is sparse. In some places, there are a bunch of fallen trees, all in different directions, giving the appearance of a gigantic game of Pick-up-Sticks. Others are still standing, but with the trees dead, there is nothing to hold the bark on and consequently there are slabs of bark lying around the base of the trees like skin from a molting snake. Still others are twisted and broken in such a strange fashion that it makes you wonder what forces would make it break that way.
I was contemplating all those things as I was on the last leg of my hike, strolling quietly along, when I heard a nearby crashing sound. Looking that way, about 25 yards away, I saw the wide furry brown butt of a bear that I had surprised making tracks to get away from me. I am certainly glad that it wasn't a Mama with cubs thinking I was some kind of a threat, and I am equally glad I left my picnic basket costume at home, too!
Needless to say, after giving that bear a few minutes to vacate the area, I continued on my way back to the van, making lots of noise in the process. I was talking to myself and the bear (who I nicknamed Gentle Ben--wishful thinking, maybe?), and singing (don't ask--it's not something you want to hear!), and doing anything to make noise so I didn't startle any more bears.
Consequently, today I think I am going to stay a little closer to civilization and rest up a bit. I was plenty tired before seeing the bear, and the adrenaline rush burned a lot of energy too. By the way, no pics of the Gentle Ben--he was out of sight in about 3 seconds flat, long before I had my first cohesive thought!

What a small world

It's been quite a day today. I have met a whole bunch of people from Michigan today in the course of my travels. First was a couple from Flint who were right behind me at a road construction site on the Going To the Sun road (the only road that goes across the park east-to-west). At the next road construction stop when everybody was once again out of their cars taking pictures and shooting the breeze, a woman from a few cars back walked up wanting to know where we were from--she was from Fenton.
This evening after getting settled in my new campsite, I had a craving for a cheeseburger, so I went to the Glacier Grille to take care of it. Sitting next to me at the bar were a couple of young guys who work out here seasonally running rafts on the river and doing guided fishing excursions. One guy is from the Traverse City area and I think the other said he was from the Grand Rapids area, and they were both very helpful and informative in pointing me toward some day hikes I might want to consider.
As we were talking, a couple from the Irish Hills area spotted my Porkupine Mountains hat and introduced themselves. Finally, as I was getting up to leave a guy at the adjacent table called me by name--he had overheard me introducing myself to the two guys at the bar, as well as seeing my van outside with a sticker from the dealer in Hillsdale where I bought it. There were a half dozen at that table all from the Coldwater area!
So I just have one question: how many people are still in Michigan?

I've moved

Okay folks, it's Monday the 12th and I've moved my campsite to a KOA in West Glacier. It's a pretty nice place--even has trees! I've never been a big fan of KOA because they are usually just carved out of some farmer's field, but this one was built in a woods.
I did a 12 mile hike to Medicine Grizzley Lake yesterday that taxed me a bit. I was huffin' and puffin' more than once on the hills and plenty tired by the time I made it back to my van at the trailhead. The lake itself probably wasn't worth the hike, but it was more about the journey than the destination. It was a nice little lake, surrounded on three sides by mountains that all had streams and waterfalls feeding the lake, which in turn fed a stream that I parallelled most of the way in. On the way out, I got rained on for about 3 miles, but guess what--I didn't melt!

Kickin' my butt!

The mountains that is! I hiked about 8 1/2 miles yesterday, of which 2 1/2 was fairly level and the rest was either uphill or back downhill. When you combine 1000 foot of climb with the altitudes it's definately a real workout. You feel really insignificant out there in the mountains--I know that my pics and video won't do them justice when I get back home. At the same time, I don't think I would want to live here, either, because I think it would be too easy to take these majestic mountains for granted, but they sure are nice to visit! I've resized some pics, hoping to have more success in posting them here. I saw mountain goats on Thursday and a bighorn sheep Friday, but so far no bears, moose, or elk.

First hike in Glacier

Planned on spending the day mostly driving around the park and acclimating myself--which I did--but when I got to the Logan Pass visitor center at the top of the Continental Divide I saw a hike listed to Hidden Lake overlook. It was only a 1 1/2 mile one way hike over mostly snow. The climb was about 450 feet, so I decided to tackle it. Only thing was, the starting point was over 6600 feet. I was huffing and puffing all the way up! Saw a few mountain goats who weren't camera shy at all, as well as a marmot along the way. Haven't seen any critters that can eat me yet, though!

Made it!

I rolled into St. Mary MT about 6:00 pm local time, got myself a campsite and had my basic camp set up by 7:30. I'm at the very back of the campground with some birch trees covering the drop-off my tent is backed up to. Within the first hour of being there, I spotted a fox trotting across the road about 30 yards away. He stopped like he saw some food and gave me the opportunity to grab the camera for a couple of shots (not very good shots because it was almost directly below the setting sun). I am posting one.

The total mileage was almost 2000 miles in getting here and the van did very well, getting me 16+ mpg. A long ride but I think it will be well worth it.

Montana!

After 2 days of steady driving, I entered Montana yesterday. The first day was rain from the time I crossed the Macinac Bridge until I parked for the night in western Wisconsin. Yesterday consisted of passing through Minnesota (very pretty state--rolling hills and lots of lakes) and North Dakota (very flat, but with a 75 mph speed limit). I did make a detour in ND though, to see what they called the "Enchanted Highway". A local artist has done some huge metal sculptures (30-50 feet tall--I'm posting a pic of the one visible from I-94) and they are stationed along a 30 mile stretch of desolate road to bring tourist dollars into their town. I thought it was a pretty novel idea, as they really attract a lot of attention.

I also stopped at Painted Canyon Visitor's Center at Theodore Roosevelt National Park and snapped a few pics.

I plan to get to Glacier today and get a base camp set up.

The clock is ticking

Well, I've actually finalized my date of departure. Monday July 5th is the day I've picked to leave, and boy is there a lot to do in the meantime. Nothing too major, just lots of little loose ends to tie up and small things to buy, etc. I hadn't realized all the little stuff I needed to do until I actually started to make a list and add it all up. I'm a list kind of guy, don't ya know, so I've got several of them going, broken down by category, etc! Am beginning to realize just how short the days really are.

On the run!

Wow! It's been a busy couple of weeks. Last week I spent three days in the Porkupine Mountains, located in Michigan's Upper Penninsula, with my buddy Dan doing a trial run for the big trip west. Everything went pretty well overall, and we hiked about 22 or 23 miles in three days over some fairly rough terrain. We both held up fairly well, although I had a slight hyper extension of the left knee that became quite bothersome as I got more tired. It seems to be ok now though.

The highlight of the trip was probably when we saw a wolf on our way to the trailhead on the second morning there. He was as black as the Ace of Spades and was crossing the road when we spotted him and as he trotted into the woods, Dan whistled and the wolf stopped to look at us. that gave me time to get the camera out and snap a couple of quick shots as he peered at us from behind a tree before turning and trotting offf into the deep woods. What a thrill!

We also found a couple of fresh bear tracks while hiking--one big track and one little track--so we quickly decided that discretion was the better part of valor in that situation and high-tailed it out of there. The last thing we wanted to do was get a Mama bear mad thinking we were some sort of threat to her cub!

Caught a quick glimpse of an eagle too, but no pictures of that. Anyway that's all for now.

Drat! Foiled again!

So I was just getting things finalized in my own little mind...just about to choose a date of departure, and then I got another variable thrown at me. I was approached about building a machine of my own design, and the idea is totally intruiging and I am getting excited about going forward with it, but it throws an element of uncertainty into my trip planning. I may bump my original date forward by a week or so in order to get back and start building. I'm sure after going on this trip and traveling for several weeks my bank account will be ready for the replenishment that will take place after building this machine, too!
On another score, using my trip as motivation to get some of the chores completed that need to be done before I go has been working out well. I've been making better progress, although my physical training has suffered--I don't think I've hiked in about 2 weeks, and haven't spent much time on the bike either. Life is all about compromises, right?

The excitement is returning

As time is winding down I'm finding my level of excitement is slowly ratcheting up. Unfortunately I am finding myself in the position of needing to concentrate my efforts on activities other than my physical training. There are a number of chores I need to complete before I can take off on my grand adventure, so I am trying to use my excitement as motivation for tackling the jobs I have been putting off. It sucks having to lie to oneself, but we do what we have to, right?
I did go shopping at Bass Pro Shop last week and picked up a few more things to stuff in my backpack, the most significant being a water filter. Sure don't need to drink untreated water from a stream and wind up with the dribblin' doodies! The $60 I spent on the filter could be the best money I've spent (or will spend) for this entire trip. Of course it's possible the same could be said when I plunk down money for a GPS, or for the cold weather gear I will be carrying, hoping to not have to use, etc. etc. etc.!

What are friends for?

I got a call from my friend Don yesterday. He brought up something I had thought of last fall but had basically forgotten about since. He said that I should go to Michigan's Porcupine Mountains in the Upper Penninsula to do a dry run for my trip. When I visited the Lake of the Clouds last fall I thought the same thing, but really hadn't given any thought to it since. It doesn't have the elevations of the Rockies, but the hills are there and could provide a great workout and an awesome shakedown hike to expose any flaws in my thinking and preparation before I get out west. Suddenly I find myself getting excited again! This could be what I needed...thanks Don!

Time and Ambition...

It seems like the two are never both present at the same time. When I have time to train, it seems the ambition is lacking, and vice versa. After tax season ended, I've been kind of busy trying to catch up an lawn work and jobs around the house, as well as fulfilling my volunteer obligations with the various organizations I am involved with. As a result I haven't been doing a lot of walking or even biking, unless you want to count mowing lawns as training. Hopefully I can turn over a new leaf soon.

I happened across a link for a satellite tracking/messsaging device on a backpacking website I frequent. Pretty cool. It's kinda expensive (for the time I would be using it) but it might be a pretty handy device to have just in case. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it! I will definately be checking into this further.

Whew!

Tax season is finally over! Now maybe I can get back to some serious training for my trip. Going back into the office in late March after thinking I was done for the year really threw me a curve ball, from a training standpoint. Even the days I was only working 5 or 6 hours I found it really difficult to find the time to get good workouts in. I don't know how full-time workers can make the time to train seriously for whatever endeavors they pursue. I guess you just have to make it a priority, and something else has to give.
So now it's time to catch up on yard work...my lawn is beginning to resemble a hayfield, so I imagine I will be mowing every 2 or 3 days for the next couple of weeks until I can get the length of the grass where I want it and the clippings mulched in. Also, the typical homeowner's to-do list is always there too, so I will remain busy, but without the pressure of a deadline looming over me like April 15 was.

Our National Bird

No, not that one! It slipped my mind Sunday night when I blogged, but Sunday morning, as I was driving, I saw a Bald Eagle! What a spectacular raptor! It was about 10:00 am as I drove along M-71 past Vernon, MI...he was just floating along, riding the breezes, barely even having to flap his wings, and probably only 60-70 feet off the ground. I have only seen a few of these majestic birds in the wild, so it was really a thrill for me even though I was only able to watch hin for a few seconds. I can hardly imagine that they were nearly extinct just a couple of decades ago and have now rebounded so heartily. I'm sure glad we humans got it together on this score and quit polluting their environment (and ours) so that the resiliance of nature could take over and preserve the species.

Good news for me!

The latest developments are good for me on two fronts...my feet are finally healed up from all the blistering problems I was having. Now if I can just keep them healthy as I resume a more rigorous walking program. Hopefully the advice I got from the doctor regarding powder in my boots and doubling up on socks will take care of the issue for me.
Also, I was talking to my friend Dan on Friday and he expressed a renewed interest/possible availability in acccompanying me on this trip! It's still very early and he has to figure out his timetable but since we talked about it in the spring and he thought he had other obligations, I had pretty much ruled him out in my own mind. It's still early, but who knows?

AAARGH! Blisters!

I hate this! My training is getting delayed by the most common and despised enemy of hikers...blisters. I thought the boots I have were suffcently broken in and properly fitting so that I wouldn't have any foot problems, but it seems that I'm mistaken in that belief. As my body's fitness has improved, I've been trying to add distance to my workouts to increase stamina, but my feet are betraying me. One pair of boots seems to be too loose, resulting in blisters and hot spots on my toes and balls of my feet, and the other pair rubs a spot on my left heel, leaving a raw hole in my foot. This does not bode well for me if 6 mile walks on basically flat level ground is tearing up my feet. The idea of switching to running shoes is not real attractive either...the last thing I need to happen is turn an ankle out in the wilderness miles from my camp.
While I've been waiting for my feet to heal, I've been cross training on my bike. Boy, is that a change! All new groups of muscles protesting the unaccustomed work, but I think it's a good way to get a cardio workout. I know I sure wind up out of breath, especially after riding into a headwind for a mile or two.

The costs are mounting

When I conceived the idea of this trip last fall, I knew there would be some fairly substatial costs involved, in terms of getting together all the gear I will need, but already I'm finding out how quickly all this stuff can add up.

I've tried to be very careful when choosing what to purchase, doing a lot of research online to make informed choices, but sometimes you just have to be lucky too. My first purchase was an Osprey backpack, and so far I am feeling pretty good about that choice. It wears comfortably and I am figuring out how I'm going to attach and carry everything. I also bought a 3 season coat from The North Face, just to be prepared for the mountains, but am wondering if I overspent on that item. At the time, having vents in the outer shell seemed like a very important feature, but after shelling out over $200, it remains to be seen. I guess if I get caught in weather where I need to use it, I will know whether or not it was money well spent.

And then there's the subject of boots. I bought a pair of Red Wings last summer for outdoor wear, and thought they would be great for this trip, but after this week, I don't think they are going to be sufficent after all. Monday of this week I did a 6 mile walk, and when I got home, the soles of my feet were tender...felt like I had been walking on sandpaper. I attributed that to the cotton socks I wore, and the next day I switched to wool hiking socks. By the time those 6 miles were completed, I had several blisters on my little toe and the soles of my feet. I guess I bought that pair of boots too loose, and I don't know if a second pair of socks will remedy the situation.

I also spent some serious dough on some optics for my camera--$600 for a new image stabilized lens! I'll let you be the judge on that...I'm posting a couple of shots here of a red-tailed hawk that I took last week.

The Aftermath of Winter

Lately it's beginning to look like spring has sprung. I know it hasn't, and we will still have some crappy weather before it's all done, but I'm enjoying the warm temps and sunshine while they are here. I've been doing 6 mile walks the last couple of days, carrying my backpack loaded at 22 pounds, and been feeling strong and fit, but I'm seeing the ugly aftermath of the winter season.
It's amazing how much trash and litter finds its way into the ditches and fields. Some of it is understandable...garbage cans get knocked over or papers and stuff blow out of them, then the winds move them around or maybe they get scattered when the snowplows clear the roads. But I am appalled by how much stuff is there willfully, by people who just don't have respect for the environment or for their fellow man. The number of fast food wrappers and containers as well as drink bottles just disgusts me, because most of that stuff is there because people are too lazy and/or disrespectful to give a damn. I mean, c'mon, how difficult is it to dispose of you McDonald's wrappers in a trash can? Do you really have to have it out of your car right this minute? Can't you wait until there's a proper trash receptacle handy? I can only imagine how much worse it would be if Michigan didn't have the deposit on soda and beer bottles and cans...at least there's a little bit of incentive not to throw those out, which was the reasoning behind the deposit law to begin with.
I've been seeing more wildlife, too. More birds out and about, and the small critters are more active as well. Something startled a couple of deer yesterday...I saw them cross the road a few hundred yards ahead of me and go racing across a field with their tails high, wasting no time getting back into cover. Always a joy to see.

Gotta love Michigan weather

Went out yesterday for a hike. While I was inside stretching and warming up, it was dry as a bone...by the time I left the house it was starting to sprinkle a little bit. I thought "No big deal if it's a little damp out", and by the time I was a couple miles away from home and town, it had turned into a steady drizzle and the wind had picked up too. Needless to say, by the time I finished my 6 mile walk, I was pretty well soaked through and chilled a bit too. Oh well, I guess if it was easy, anybody could do it!

Introduction

Hi friends-
My old joke used to be that when I got the urge to exercise I would take a nap and the urge would go away. It was only said half in jest--exercise for the sake of exercise just didn't hold any appeal for me. I've had a change of heart since I set a goal for myself to go to Montana and hike in Glacier National Park with my camera and a camcorder and see and capture the kinds of images that people want to hang on their walls. The photo I'm posting today is not one I've taken, but it is one that inspires me to get out and get my lazy old butt in shape to make the trek, hopefully without undue incident.
This is also my first attempt at blogging, so I'm really not proficent at this forum, but the intent is to get proficent and be prepared to post daily when I'm in Glacier so friends and family can follow along if they choose to.