Every day is an adventure. Every day is an opportunity to learn something.
This post covers about two weeks……and what quality!…
Dad polished the truck (to help with the gas mileage) and then I posed for a few “sleeper” shots to help orient people to how I use the SAV (Summer Assault Vehicle)….it was 98 degrees and, yes, I would be comfortable serving on a sub.
Wax on. Wax off, Daddyson.
Alien Nest
On the road – this country is amazing……traveling in convoys…..making way for others to merge….amazing what happens without the spoken word – elevator etiquette!
The midwest is experiencing a drought and a flood at the same time……hard to grasp….and then you find yourself gazing at a McDonalds to figure out what is different……you should see the drive-thru!………this is near Sioux City.
I'll have the number five with sandbags, please.
I arrived in Montana the same day as my Mom (two and a half days)…..but she on the West and me on the East……Picked her up on Friday….and off we went to the Continental Divide……got in a nice 7 mile stroll that night and we called it a night burrowing in to our 20 degree bags……we “remembered” the heat.
The Continental Divide trail is a much younger sibling to the Appalachian Trail……some places it is a route with, or without trail markings……..I have become very good at route finding. A trail blaze, mark or sign is always something to celebrate!
At least ONE other person has been here
Always new stuff to see…..Fun guys….(fungis)…. flora and the biggest coyote I ever saw!….and then it was suggested to me by the local fire ranger that it was a grey wolf! Beautiful!
Beauty underfoot
In this region is the third largest known caverns in North America…Lewis and Clark Caverns….it is a very “involved” tour….requires an exposed hike…upward, at least 900 steps down and an otter like slide down a formation…..Mom is a trooper!
Chama Mama Llama enjoying the caverns
A regional culinary delight in this area (Butte) is the pasty (past-ee). My Mom keeps calling it a Paste-ee (I told her that’s something else….and I don’t want her ordering two of!)…….I ordered a frozen one for a long day hike…..and then tried to think of what it reminded me of……….TOURTIERE!……..yum……these have turnip….Pepere would have been impressed.
Necessity of miners
Days of hiking on the Divide, touring and relaxing…….yes, it is not all work……we make time for the “cultural events” of the area. Evel Days in Butte (Evel Knievel was born there), a visit to the M&M bar (24 hours….the door is never locked….the six egg omelette was recommended….we passed)……panning for gold in Virginia City (Eureka!)……and star gazing (we needed Peter!). With the celestial Great Bear above us to the NorthWest…..the Tobacco Roots to the SE…..the Bitter Roots to the SW……..and miles of BLM land to ourselves…….we reluctantly get up from our bed rolls to retire to the tent and……as is our custom…..thank each other for today.
Thank you for today.
Tobacco Root Range
July 27, 2011 at 11:46 am |
Great to hear about your adventure, wonderful to see the pics! It appears you are having a fabulous time…. that is exactly what art teachers should be doing in the summer! Good for you Suzanne and thanks for keeping us posted.
July 27, 2011 at 2:08 pm |
Thank you!……..There really is lots to learn every day!
July 27, 2011 at 2:44 pm |
Love living vicariously through you. Thanks for sharing!! See you in August?
August 12, 2011 at 7:17 pm |
You betcha!
August 18, 2011 at 9:15 pm |
Love the “SAV”…brilliant. Continental Divide trail looks pretty cool. By the way, elevator etiquette doesn’t really happen in California…as I learned trying to merge onto 6 lane highways in the old VW bus.
I have never met your mom, but if your anything like her…I can totally imagine both of you doing the thank you for today thing every night.
September 1, 2011 at 11:52 am |
Welcome HOME!……..I love the image you created of Sierra under the bus!