Having had our fair share of fun. It was time for at least one of us to get going with a real gig. Unfortunately I couldn’t accompany Shane back to Phoenix as Lauren was flying in to kick it for the weekend.
Tchau der bruder. It was was great seeing the nation with you.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Day 57
We started the day with a little amphibious action.
We rallied the Argo through the woods. But, once again we weren’t out 5 minutes before we were high-centered on the beaver-dam. Crimony!
The location was a little extreme for the Range Rover so we scowered the property for something with some muscle.
I was about to use a horse when I found the tractor neatly hidden in the wood-chip barn. We drove out to the dam & did our best to pull in out. Problem is the there was a hug log & a berm in the way.
That’s where the opposite of Captain Planet comes in: My main man. Shane.
He proceeded to move the berm and move/break the 20 foot log while I ate corn-nuts.
Now we need a climbing fix; after all we hadn’t climbed since the Black Hills. Debated on driving a few hours to do some outdoor climbs; but, settled on the rock gym in town.
Shane & I jumped into Luke's car & rolled over to the gym. Luke & Shane put on a climbing clinic while I drained mountain dew after mountain dew to stave off my mono-like fatigue.
Later Moms created an organic feast that ya’ll wouldn’t believe.
Fully fed, we once again have a hankering for digital entertainment, but all the DVD’s at the house were missing from their case’s.
So its off to red-box.
I’ve come to find this box is usually full of horrible film
Luke & Shane talked me into renting “The Box”.
Wow, worst movie I have ever seen.. I’m still (at the time of this writing) mad that this movie is actually in circulation.
We rallied the Argo through the woods. But, once again we weren’t out 5 minutes before we were high-centered on the beaver-dam. Crimony!
The location was a little extreme for the Range Rover so we scowered the property for something with some muscle.
I was about to use a horse when I found the tractor neatly hidden in the wood-chip barn. We drove out to the dam & did our best to pull in out. Problem is the there was a hug log & a berm in the way.
That’s where the opposite of Captain Planet comes in: My main man. Shane.
He proceeded to move the berm and move/break the 20 foot log while I ate corn-nuts.
Now we need a climbing fix; after all we hadn’t climbed since the Black Hills. Debated on driving a few hours to do some outdoor climbs; but, settled on the rock gym in town.
Shane & I jumped into Luke's car & rolled over to the gym. Luke & Shane put on a climbing clinic while I drained mountain dew after mountain dew to stave off my mono-like fatigue.
Later Moms created an organic feast that ya’ll wouldn’t believe.
Fully fed, we once again have a hankering for digital entertainment, but all the DVD’s at the house were missing from their case’s.
So its off to red-box.
I’ve come to find this box is usually full of horrible film
Luke & Shane talked me into renting “The Box”.
Wow, worst movie I have ever seen.. I’m still (at the time of this writing) mad that this movie is actually in circulation.
Day 56
We drove up my family’s driveway at a sloggy 3 am. Parked in the back behind one of Lukey’s dirt-bike jumps.
Lets crash & terrify my unsuspecting mom in the am.
We let ourselves in through the wide-open door - wow.
Can’t muster a 5 am wake-up to startle my dad - fail. We do manage to get a mini-scream out of my mom around 10 as she walks into the front door with an armload of groceries. “Oh my gosh Rory!”
Whatup Moms! We scrounged breakfast and then headed out into the woods to check the beaver trap.
Nothing going. We re-set the trap but not before it slammed shut on my hand. Niice going.
Excited to re-explore the property further, I talked Shane into 4 wheeling the Jeep a little bit. We get stuck in a ditch within 5 minutes. We try to pull it out with the Argo..no go.
What are we going to use?
Might as well us Mom’s Range Rover? Hahha..
Mom comes power-walking up to us, “RORY NICHOLAS !!!”
(I laugh & continue hooking up the chains) “What’s the problem??”
We are able to yank the jeep out & decide we should get some errands done.
We change the oil for the 1st time in 6,000 miles & attempt to fix the circuitry on the malfunctioning hot tub.
Now with our productive fix; we head inside for a one of my mom’s famous dinner concoctions. Totally diverse, totally delectable.
After Dad took us all to see the hyped-Inception.
The top definitely fell people.
It was nice to hang with the whole family again.
Lets crash & terrify my unsuspecting mom in the am.
We let ourselves in through the wide-open door - wow.
Can’t muster a 5 am wake-up to startle my dad - fail. We do manage to get a mini-scream out of my mom around 10 as she walks into the front door with an armload of groceries. “Oh my gosh Rory!”
Whatup Moms! We scrounged breakfast and then headed out into the woods to check the beaver trap.
Nothing going. We re-set the trap but not before it slammed shut on my hand. Niice going.
Excited to re-explore the property further, I talked Shane into 4 wheeling the Jeep a little bit. We get stuck in a ditch within 5 minutes. We try to pull it out with the Argo..no go.
What are we going to use?
Might as well us Mom’s Range Rover? Hahha..
Mom comes power-walking up to us, “RORY NICHOLAS !!!”
(I laugh & continue hooking up the chains) “What’s the problem??”
We are able to yank the jeep out & decide we should get some errands done.
We change the oil for the 1st time in 6,000 miles & attempt to fix the circuitry on the malfunctioning hot tub.
Now with our productive fix; we head inside for a one of my mom’s famous dinner concoctions. Totally diverse, totally delectable.
After Dad took us all to see the hyped-Inception.
The top definitely fell people.
It was nice to hang with the whole family again.
Day 55
A tall stack of Pancakes waited as Shane & I woke.
Once again, there is nothing like a home-cooked meal to equalize.
Got to catch up with Aunt Debbie, Uncle Kody, & my formerly little cousin Melinda.
The plan for the day was to to take a day hike up to an alpine lake just outside of the town.
Shane, Michael, Tori, Kody, Kyle, Joey, Denali & I piled into the surprisingly spacious Honda Pilot & hiked up into the ruggedly beautiful wilderness.
Sharing the same genes; the lake was not enough of a challenge for Kyle, Kody & I. For a towering spire loomed in the distance.
We just had to look at each other & nod...Its on.
We picked our way through the forest, then boulder fields, & finally scrambled up the cliff face to the summit.
We managed to find a ridge to access the peak; but, just like the rest of Sand Point the other three directions were sheer vertical.
I'm talking 1,000 feet down....yikes.
Making our way back down took most, if not all of our mental & physical energy.
I felt bad for Kyle as he drove while the rest of us snored the whole way home.
Aunt Debbie had two stuffed pizzas waiting for us all as we arrived back at home base.
This is what summer is all about.
Remember the peaks & troughs theory? It has been completely non-applicable since Virginia.
With Monday on its way, I decided Shane & I should make our way to the coast.
Once again, there is nothing like a home-cooked meal to equalize.
Got to catch up with Aunt Debbie, Uncle Kody, & my formerly little cousin Melinda.
The plan for the day was to to take a day hike up to an alpine lake just outside of the town.
Shane, Michael, Tori, Kody, Kyle, Joey, Denali & I piled into the surprisingly spacious Honda Pilot & hiked up into the ruggedly beautiful wilderness.
Sharing the same genes; the lake was not enough of a challenge for Kyle, Kody & I. For a towering spire loomed in the distance.
We just had to look at each other & nod...Its on.
We picked our way through the forest, then boulder fields, & finally scrambled up the cliff face to the summit.
We managed to find a ridge to access the peak; but, just like the rest of Sand Point the other three directions were sheer vertical.
I'm talking 1,000 feet down....yikes.
Making our way back down took most, if not all of our mental & physical energy.
I felt bad for Kyle as he drove while the rest of us snored the whole way home.
Aunt Debbie had two stuffed pizzas waiting for us all as we arrived back at home base.
This is what summer is all about.
Remember the peaks & troughs theory? It has been completely non-applicable since Virginia.
With Monday on its way, I decided Shane & I should make our way to the coast.
Day 54
Had a light breakfast & caught up with Kyle & grilled his girlfriend Tori for a quick second.
She is such a catch, that she flipped it around & was grilling me.
Formalities exchanged, Kyle & Tori headed out to take care of some pressing errands.
Shane & I walked old town Sand Point biding our time.
About one o’clock we met up the a boat-ful of Kyle & Tori’s friends: Mike, Jackie, Sheldon, Tim, Tony, & Melanoma himself.
We laughed, drank 4 Locos, jumped off train bridges, and wake-boarded the rest of the perfect day away.
Following we re-grouped back at Micheal's to rehydrate with PBR's.
A local joint called The Dive was our final destination.
Dancing, bull-riding, and tequila were the final three ingredients to THE day.
She is such a catch, that she flipped it around & was grilling me.
Formalities exchanged, Kyle & Tori headed out to take care of some pressing errands.
Shane & I walked old town Sand Point biding our time.
About one o’clock we met up the a boat-ful of Kyle & Tori’s friends: Mike, Jackie, Sheldon, Tim, Tony, & Melanoma himself.
We laughed, drank 4 Locos, jumped off train bridges, and wake-boarded the rest of the perfect day away.
Following we re-grouped back at Micheal's to rehydrate with PBR's.
A local joint called The Dive was our final destination.
Dancing, bull-riding, and tequila were the final three ingredients to THE day.
Day 53 continued
We got as far as Coeur D'Alene, Idaho when the Droid rang. Land Developers INC wants Shane to report for duty in a little over a week.
I’m lightly depressed that Shane & I won’t triumphantly return to Phoenix together.
But happy that he’s got a real gig lined up!
Having caught his breath, Shane & I diligently map out the rest of our time.
Although we are both restless to make it to my parents; I exercise restraint & decide we need to make due on our promise to see my cousins. After all I vaguely remember it as an amazing alpine destination.
The drive from north is less than promising. There is nothing on the side of the highway except rotting barns & hay fields.
With a deadline looming I feel the pressure to come through.
The reliable old Cherokees delivers us just as my hope is about to run out.
My memory serves me well, as we find Sand Point to be just as I remember: Secluded & Pristine.
The city center in surrounded on all but one side by Lake Ponderay. The lake like old town is surrounded on all but one side by Idaho’s portion of the Rockies. Very..very epic.
My mom taught me to never show up empty-handed - so we stop at the grocery & pick up Kyle’s preferred liquid sustenance: Kokanee.
Kyle & his beautiful girlfriend can only stick around long enough to say hello & throw us the house keys. The have a dinner date with her parents.
Shane & I stay awake only long enough watch ¾ of Italian Job. This new-found thing called stress has eaten all our energy
I’m lightly depressed that Shane & I won’t triumphantly return to Phoenix together.
But happy that he’s got a real gig lined up!
Having caught his breath, Shane & I diligently map out the rest of our time.
Although we are both restless to make it to my parents; I exercise restraint & decide we need to make due on our promise to see my cousins. After all I vaguely remember it as an amazing alpine destination.
The drive from north is less than promising. There is nothing on the side of the highway except rotting barns & hay fields.
With a deadline looming I feel the pressure to come through.
The reliable old Cherokees delivers us just as my hope is about to run out.
My memory serves me well, as we find Sand Point to be just as I remember: Secluded & Pristine.
The city center in surrounded on all but one side by Lake Ponderay. The lake like old town is surrounded on all but one side by Idaho’s portion of the Rockies. Very..very epic.
My mom taught me to never show up empty-handed - so we stop at the grocery & pick up Kyle’s preferred liquid sustenance: Kokanee.
Kyle & his beautiful girlfriend can only stick around long enough to say hello & throw us the house keys. The have a dinner date with her parents.
Shane & I stay awake only long enough watch ¾ of Italian Job. This new-found thing called stress has eaten all our energy
Friday, July 23, 2010
Day 53
I awoke expecting to be football practice sore. Nope. Felt like I did nothing the day before.Wierd-but I'll take it.
Anyway, I grabbed a coffee, soaked in the hot tub for a quick second & jumped online to see what was going on.
An un-crankified Shane & I made plans to head all the way to Sand Point Idaho to see my maternal cousins.
Before we had to get some food/drinks. Stopped by Albertsons and got all the things we'd be dreaming of. I didn't get the iced Chai that I wanted cause I already had my caffeine so I went with couple Sobes; a Strawberry-Banana & Mango-melon. The former was peptobismalish & the latter was watered-downed Koolade. Plus the the scraped the glass bottle for platic. No class.
Anyway, I grabbed a coffee, soaked in the hot tub for a quick second & jumped online to see what was going on.
An un-crankified Shane & I made plans to head all the way to Sand Point Idaho to see my maternal cousins.
Before we had to get some food/drinks. Stopped by Albertsons and got all the things we'd be dreaming of. I didn't get the iced Chai that I wanted cause I already had my caffeine so I went with couple Sobes; a Strawberry-Banana & Mango-melon. The former was peptobismalish & the latter was watered-downed Koolade. Plus the the scraped the glass bottle for platic. No class.
Day 52
First light found us on the trail. let us conquer this mountain.
The trail was just how I like it straight up, no need for time-wasting switch backs.
Our legs burned, our chests heaved & we couldn't figure out if we were hot or cold. I was either frozen by the mountainous wind or burned alive by my own heat.
By noon we had made it to what we thought was the summit...nope. Still had another 1,500 feet and three mountains over..maybe this wasn't my type of trail.
However, in retrospect I will agree the trail took us through nature as I have never seen her.
7/8 up to the recently spotted lookout tower (the real summit) Shane I heard some screeching down the slope. Sounded like a baby being... well attacked. Now fully alert we scanned the hillside. Ahh hah, It was bear cubs playing! There is the mom too! We zoomed in with our cameras, too grainy.
Well, do we say that was cool or do we go check these elusive creatures out?
Shane was cool watching from where we were. You want to climb all the way down there & climb all the way back? All to mess with a protective Momma bear.
"Uhh yes!"
I rationalized that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity & what was a little more exercise. I had my whole life to sit down.
Made my way down. checked the wind & adjusted my route so I stayed well down it. I crawled to a rocky outcrop about a 100 yards away & was instantly terrified. She was soo big! The little guys were my size.
Satisfied with the pictures I was able to finagle, I sprinted back around & up the slope. Well at least most of the way.
The elevation prolonged my expected exit strategy by about 5 minutes. She didn't notice me though, swooo.
Reunited with Shane I regained my composure. We resumed our uphill battle.
But the trail got the second to last laugh though. We had once more ridge to go...ahhhh!
However, the grade had tamed.
With a little more heaving & hawing we were at the lookout. It was packed.
We ate what food we had left (one slice of salami) & snapped a few pictures.
Now when we planned this adventure we were instructed that we would end here at Washburn; where we would have to climb down (the opposite flank) where we would find the inner-Yellowstone highway.
While up high we scouted the quickest way....it didn't look quick at all.
Three bloody miles. We debated doing the downhill trot to expedite the process, Shane had a headache though so that was a no go.
Somehow we made it there. Now to hitch a ride back to the car. Yes thats right Hitch-Hike. We were just doing what the lady in the back country office told us to do.
It was fun for like 10 minutes...Shane would do a little hulu dance & I would sing "Ride to the Canyon area,,,PuuuLeasSE!" We stood out on the road for an hour looking like idiots.
Finally, a young woman named Laura stopped for us. Saweet!
She dropped us off as close as she could which was about 3 miles from our car. We rubber tramped it about 3/4 of the way, the last bit we rode cush in the back of of an RV driven by some people whose names I already forgot.
It was now 4, but we were at the car. All the food to be found was demolished in 3 minutes flat.
Nutritionally equalized we decided we had to go see the infomous paint pots & finally Old Faithful.
Mostly a good idea. except there was mad construction & Shane was cranky.
We checked out the aforementioned attractions silently.
There was no laughter to be heard.That is unless you count incessant giggling form annoying French family that sat behind us as we waited for old faithful to do its thing.
Leaving the Old Faithful area was a nightmare, all 50,000 of us left on the same one-lane road. It took us two hours to go 40 miles.
Made it as far a Bozeman, Montana. Found a KOA campground. paid our fees, pitched the tents & took a long awaited shower.
The trail was just how I like it straight up, no need for time-wasting switch backs.
Our legs burned, our chests heaved & we couldn't figure out if we were hot or cold. I was either frozen by the mountainous wind or burned alive by my own heat.
By noon we had made it to what we thought was the summit...nope. Still had another 1,500 feet and three mountains over..maybe this wasn't my type of trail.
However, in retrospect I will agree the trail took us through nature as I have never seen her.
7/8 up to the recently spotted lookout tower (the real summit) Shane I heard some screeching down the slope. Sounded like a baby being... well attacked. Now fully alert we scanned the hillside. Ahh hah, It was bear cubs playing! There is the mom too! We zoomed in with our cameras, too grainy.
Well, do we say that was cool or do we go check these elusive creatures out?
Shane was cool watching from where we were. You want to climb all the way down there & climb all the way back? All to mess with a protective Momma bear.
"Uhh yes!"
I rationalized that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity & what was a little more exercise. I had my whole life to sit down.
Made my way down. checked the wind & adjusted my route so I stayed well down it. I crawled to a rocky outcrop about a 100 yards away & was instantly terrified. She was soo big! The little guys were my size.
Satisfied with the pictures I was able to finagle, I sprinted back around & up the slope. Well at least most of the way.
The elevation prolonged my expected exit strategy by about 5 minutes. She didn't notice me though, swooo.
Reunited with Shane I regained my composure. We resumed our uphill battle.
But the trail got the second to last laugh though. We had once more ridge to go...ahhhh!
However, the grade had tamed.
With a little more heaving & hawing we were at the lookout. It was packed.
We ate what food we had left (one slice of salami) & snapped a few pictures.
Now when we planned this adventure we were instructed that we would end here at Washburn; where we would have to climb down (the opposite flank) where we would find the inner-Yellowstone highway.
While up high we scouted the quickest way....it didn't look quick at all.
Three bloody miles. We debated doing the downhill trot to expedite the process, Shane had a headache though so that was a no go.
Somehow we made it there. Now to hitch a ride back to the car. Yes thats right Hitch-Hike. We were just doing what the lady in the back country office told us to do.
It was fun for like 10 minutes...Shane would do a little hulu dance & I would sing "Ride to the Canyon area,,,PuuuLeasSE!" We stood out on the road for an hour looking like idiots.
Finally, a young woman named Laura stopped for us. Saweet!
She dropped us off as close as she could which was about 3 miles from our car. We rubber tramped it about 3/4 of the way, the last bit we rode cush in the back of of an RV driven by some people whose names I already forgot.
It was now 4, but we were at the car. All the food to be found was demolished in 3 minutes flat.
Nutritionally equalized we decided we had to go see the infomous paint pots & finally Old Faithful.
Mostly a good idea. except there was mad construction & Shane was cranky.
We checked out the aforementioned attractions silently.
There was no laughter to be heard.That is unless you count incessant giggling form annoying French family that sat behind us as we waited for old faithful to do its thing.
Leaving the Old Faithful area was a nightmare, all 50,000 of us left on the same one-lane road. It took us two hours to go 40 miles.
Made it as far a Bozeman, Montana. Found a KOA campground. paid our fees, pitched the tents & took a long awaited shower.
Day 51
Nissin's finest fills us with the right chemicals for the impending death march.
We claw our way up.
Backtracking is way too fun! God was looking out though. Instead of the forecasted mid 90's we got breezy, overcast skies.
Atop the rim we make our way north towards Mt. Washburn. As predicted, the scenery is other-worldly.
Which is necessary, cause we've been aggressively climbing the entire day.
We make it to the base of the mountain & find our campsite inhabited. Didn't we reserve this for tonight? Before we go compare permits we take a second look at ours.
We have no reservation for the night. Apparently the old lady at the permit office had a moment. Always double-check
Luckily the people in camp are a family I had pored over a map with a few days prior. Shane & I reintroduced ourselves. The dad has no issues. The daughter about our age did though. She was looking at Shane & it wasn't a mean mug if you feel me. ahahah. The dad said we just needed to find the next load of firewood. Sounds like a plan.
We explored the area & found a semi-legitimate place to stake the tents. We were to tired to think through the variables- we set up. Soon thereafter we fell fast asleep.
Woke up a few hours later, which by our sun calculations made it about 6pm. Still too tired to explore, & too embarrassed that we couldn't hold up our one end of the bargain, we just stayed in our tents and read the afternoon/evening away. I love reading but for 5 hours?
The moon finally showed its face. Sleep wouldn't though. Mostly because a 30 foot pine tree creakily threatened to end us.
We claw our way up.
Backtracking is way too fun! God was looking out though. Instead of the forecasted mid 90's we got breezy, overcast skies.
Atop the rim we make our way north towards Mt. Washburn. As predicted, the scenery is other-worldly.
Which is necessary, cause we've been aggressively climbing the entire day.
We make it to the base of the mountain & find our campsite inhabited. Didn't we reserve this for tonight? Before we go compare permits we take a second look at ours.
We have no reservation for the night. Apparently the old lady at the permit office had a moment. Always double-check
Luckily the people in camp are a family I had pored over a map with a few days prior. Shane & I reintroduced ourselves. The dad has no issues. The daughter about our age did though. She was looking at Shane & it wasn't a mean mug if you feel me. ahahah. The dad said we just needed to find the next load of firewood. Sounds like a plan.
We explored the area & found a semi-legitimate place to stake the tents. We were to tired to think through the variables- we set up. Soon thereafter we fell fast asleep.
Woke up a few hours later, which by our sun calculations made it about 6pm. Still too tired to explore, & too embarrassed that we couldn't hold up our one end of the bargain, we just stayed in our tents and read the afternoon/evening away. I love reading but for 5 hours?
The moon finally showed its face. Sleep wouldn't though. Mostly because a 30 foot pine tree creakily threatened to end us.
Day 50
Despite my 5 year hiatus, Shane recruited me back into the Monosodium Glutamate game.
Its doesn't weigh anything (for backpacking), makes you feel full, & costs 15 cents..soo whats the problem?
This morning I am glad I caved. Its warm zingyness is exactly what we needed after an unexpectedly frigid night.
The hike back from ice lake is more enjoyable, the noonday sun had temporarily suppressed the mosquitoes. We now take our time to inspect some thermal formations.
These thing are all over. Noxious gas & irritated water/mud exploding out of the ground just about everywhere.
The whole park is happily perched upon a huge volcano. So let me get this straight. We have curious grizzlies, angry bison, droves of mosquitoes, all on top of a boiling cauldron of magma. Oddly enough I couldn't be more a home.
Shane (now wearing actual hiking attire) sets the pace for the return trip & we're back with more than enough time to prep for our big back-country experience. We organize & despite our attempts to go lean, our packs easily are 70lb each. Spectacular!
Day one is supposed to break us in. To begin we're all whistles & nervous laughter. The trail follows the rim in westwardly direction for about 3 miles.This extended tour of the gorge leads me to assuredly announce that Arizona's canyon ain't got nothing on Wyoming's.
You know that saying that beauty is always followed by pain? Well we are firm believers in that. If you have read the blog in its entirety you are picking up what I'm throwing down.
Well, this proposition's truthfulness found us again. You should have seen our faces when we saw how far we had to descend. Atleast 2,000 feet. Straight vertical.
Not too big of a deal when you have a car at the bottom waiting for you.
Well when you have a 70 lb pack, no left LCL, & an itinerary that takes you right back up it in the am..life does not resemble a peach.
The campsite was nearly worth the effort. Raging river, soaring canyon walls, thermal springs. I read a little out of Matthew, a little out Tracy Kidder's latest & before the shadows overwhelmed
Shane had slapped together a delicious meal of ranch beans, mashed potatoes, salami & Coors tall boys. His trick works. I forget about what the am will bring..
Night peacefully falls, that is until I'm woken by something big rustling in the woods nearby. I grab the Taurus & investigate.
I can't see anything & I'm too tired to care, night Shane.
Its doesn't weigh anything (for backpacking), makes you feel full, & costs 15 cents..soo whats the problem?
This morning I am glad I caved. Its warm zingyness is exactly what we needed after an unexpectedly frigid night.
The hike back from ice lake is more enjoyable, the noonday sun had temporarily suppressed the mosquitoes. We now take our time to inspect some thermal formations.
These thing are all over. Noxious gas & irritated water/mud exploding out of the ground just about everywhere.
The whole park is happily perched upon a huge volcano. So let me get this straight. We have curious grizzlies, angry bison, droves of mosquitoes, all on top of a boiling cauldron of magma. Oddly enough I couldn't be more a home.
Shane (now wearing actual hiking attire) sets the pace for the return trip & we're back with more than enough time to prep for our big back-country experience. We organize & despite our attempts to go lean, our packs easily are 70lb each. Spectacular!
Day one is supposed to break us in. To begin we're all whistles & nervous laughter. The trail follows the rim in westwardly direction for about 3 miles.This extended tour of the gorge leads me to assuredly announce that Arizona's canyon ain't got nothing on Wyoming's.
You know that saying that beauty is always followed by pain? Well we are firm believers in that. If you have read the blog in its entirety you are picking up what I'm throwing down.
Well, this proposition's truthfulness found us again. You should have seen our faces when we saw how far we had to descend. Atleast 2,000 feet. Straight vertical.
Not too big of a deal when you have a car at the bottom waiting for you.
Well when you have a 70 lb pack, no left LCL, & an itinerary that takes you right back up it in the am..life does not resemble a peach.
The campsite was nearly worth the effort. Raging river, soaring canyon walls, thermal springs. I read a little out of Matthew, a little out Tracy Kidder's latest & before the shadows overwhelmed
Shane had slapped together a delicious meal of ranch beans, mashed potatoes, salami & Coors tall boys. His trick works. I forget about what the am will bring..
Night peacefully falls, that is until I'm woken by something big rustling in the woods nearby. I grab the Taurus & investigate.
I can't see anything & I'm too tired to care, night Shane.
Day 49
Breakdown camp, the sun is up! We are way to excited for any rendition of a legitimate breakfast. We want to get inside the park. Our park pass that we bought at the Carlsbad Caverns, NM (if you can remember that far back) works flawlessly, no entrance/parking/vehicle fee. We’re in.
About an hour or so drive to the Canyon area visitor center. We were told the back country office is located here and we have a fair amount of research to do. It happens immediately upon entering the park. We are struck by it’s beauty and immensity. Over 2 million acres of preserved natural wonder. How can we possibly do this place justice.
We make it a quarter of the way to the visitor center and spot some bison on the side of the road. Keep going and spot some closer, and even a small herd. We pull over and follow them into the trees. If this thing decided to charge at us we would be instantly disintegrated. This beast definitely weighs more than the car but we still got very close.
Back to the task at hand, the backcountry office is very informative in terms of suggesting routes and possible destinations. It is getting a bit late to gear up and head out on a multi-day, several mile trek. We decide to camp in established campgrounds for the night and head out first thing the next day. That was the plan until we found out the cost of the backcountry permits. Free!
Change of plans, is there somewhere we can get to tonight? Ribbon Lake is a 2.5 mile hike from the Artist Point parking lot. Perfect. We have successfully evaded another fee. We pick up a fishing license and plan on using that to kill some daylight before we hike out to camp.
Destination: Ice Lake. We hike out to it and all the way around it and the fishing potential looks grim, especially given the time of day. Back to the car, where we unknowingly locked the keys inside of it. So perfect. The girl hanging out in her car next to us provides us with a wire hanger and we get to scratching. Of course we have no idea what we are doing but about 45 minutes of desperately twisting and pulling and we get it popped open. No words to be said, let’s go.
Our hike out to Ribbon Lake is much less flat than we anticipated but it is still free camping. We make it out and promptly build a bonfire to smoke out the mosquitoes. The lake is beautiful and there is not a soul around us. Even the camp we passed just under a mile back looked deserted. Rory took his pole to the lake while I gathered fire wood. I walk out to check progress and the fish are jumping all over the place. Some trout will make the usual beans a little bit more interesting, nice work Rory.
Our bear fears have only increased as we are now isolated in the wilderness. I climb a tree and hang the food bag up as high as I can get it. We set up the tents upwind. Just try not to think about it. Good night.
About an hour or so drive to the Canyon area visitor center. We were told the back country office is located here and we have a fair amount of research to do. It happens immediately upon entering the park. We are struck by it’s beauty and immensity. Over 2 million acres of preserved natural wonder. How can we possibly do this place justice.
We make it a quarter of the way to the visitor center and spot some bison on the side of the road. Keep going and spot some closer, and even a small herd. We pull over and follow them into the trees. If this thing decided to charge at us we would be instantly disintegrated. This beast definitely weighs more than the car but we still got very close.
Back to the task at hand, the backcountry office is very informative in terms of suggesting routes and possible destinations. It is getting a bit late to gear up and head out on a multi-day, several mile trek. We decide to camp in established campgrounds for the night and head out first thing the next day. That was the plan until we found out the cost of the backcountry permits. Free!
Change of plans, is there somewhere we can get to tonight? Ribbon Lake is a 2.5 mile hike from the Artist Point parking lot. Perfect. We have successfully evaded another fee. We pick up a fishing license and plan on using that to kill some daylight before we hike out to camp.
Destination: Ice Lake. We hike out to it and all the way around it and the fishing potential looks grim, especially given the time of day. Back to the car, where we unknowingly locked the keys inside of it. So perfect. The girl hanging out in her car next to us provides us with a wire hanger and we get to scratching. Of course we have no idea what we are doing but about 45 minutes of desperately twisting and pulling and we get it popped open. No words to be said, let’s go.
Our hike out to Ribbon Lake is much less flat than we anticipated but it is still free camping. We make it out and promptly build a bonfire to smoke out the mosquitoes. The lake is beautiful and there is not a soul around us. Even the camp we passed just under a mile back looked deserted. Rory took his pole to the lake while I gathered fire wood. I walk out to check progress and the fish are jumping all over the place. Some trout will make the usual beans a little bit more interesting, nice work Rory.
Our bear fears have only increased as we are now isolated in the wilderness. I climb a tree and hang the food bag up as high as I can get it. We set up the tents upwind. Just try not to think about it. Good night.
Day 48 Continued
We make it to the Yellowstone east entrance just in time. The sun is going down and we have to find a campground in the park last minute. That was the plan anyway until we were promptly rejected by the thoroughbred Wyomingite at the guard house. The entire park is full, perfect.
Provided with a few helpful tips we go back the way we came in search of temporary residence. We were informed that the first few campsites along the highway are strictly hard side camping only. This means that RV’s and camper trailers are ok but tent camping is not allowed. Why? Grizzly territory.
After backtracking 13 miles we find Newton Creek national forest camp. They allow tents. We were a bit skeptical as to what changes a bear’s mind in that 13 mile stretch but we cannot stand backtracking. This is home for the night.
Rory rummages for firewood nearby while I throw a quick meal together. We make haste with the food, throw the supplies in the bear box, and set up camp. Bed time…
It is like 8:30. No way we can fall asleep yet, so now what? We set up the laptop next to the jeep and watch a movie. Bears don’t like movies right? We feel medium safe as long as we can convince each other that a fight with a bear is no issue because we out number it 2 to 1. Yeah right…
Provided with a few helpful tips we go back the way we came in search of temporary residence. We were informed that the first few campsites along the highway are strictly hard side camping only. This means that RV’s and camper trailers are ok but tent camping is not allowed. Why? Grizzly territory.
After backtracking 13 miles we find Newton Creek national forest camp. They allow tents. We were a bit skeptical as to what changes a bear’s mind in that 13 mile stretch but we cannot stand backtracking. This is home for the night.
Rory rummages for firewood nearby while I throw a quick meal together. We make haste with the food, throw the supplies in the bear box, and set up camp. Bed time…
It is like 8:30. No way we can fall asleep yet, so now what? We set up the laptop next to the jeep and watch a movie. Bears don’t like movies right? We feel medium safe as long as we can convince each other that a fight with a bear is no issue because we out number it 2 to 1. Yeah right…
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Day 48
Rained hard for awhile last night. Lightning got pretty close too. Good thing we put the rain flys on the tents.
Granola bars and water for breakfast. Followed by sickness.
Hit the 90 west. Lets get yellar!
Stopped at McDonald's to post these updates.
We'll be in Yellowstone for the next week or so. Back country trekking in Grizzly territory. Prayers for safety please...laters
Granola bars and water for breakfast. Followed by sickness.
Hit the 90 west. Lets get yellar!
Stopped at McDonald's to post these updates.
We'll be in Yellowstone for the next week or so. Back country trekking in Grizzly territory. Prayers for safety please...laters
Day 47
So much to explore! We don't know where to start. We head to the campground's general store to find someone to talk to. Nobody knows anything.
Time to get creative. I find a local climbing guide on the shelf. Rather than pay $35 for it. We page through & take pictures of interesting spots...plagiary, I know.
Now with a general idea, we head further up into the hills. The formations are world-class, & often right next to the road. The exhibitionist in me screams. I exercise restraint & head up into the woods away from the festivities, to our recently planned destination. Although granite climbing is a whole different world we manage valiant efforts on a bunch of huuuuge climbs. It feels good to push the envelop.
Rushmore is crazy commercialized. You cannot even get within a mile without going through metal detectors & what not. What happened to the outdoors?
We take a few pictures and coast back down the mountains to rustle up some grub.
Shane and I share a pitcher of Moosedrool over some sandwiches. Ah mountain life is good. Who would have known Minnesota and South Dakota would be entertaining?
We talk plans..lets get as close to Yellowstone as we can. We expect this place to eat time. Our drive through the plains is memorable. We talk & jam till dark. We pitch the tents in the Deer park campground which advertises itself as "exceptional camping". hahahahah
We find this place another peaceful experience.
Time to get creative. I find a local climbing guide on the shelf. Rather than pay $35 for it. We page through & take pictures of interesting spots...plagiary, I know.
Now with a general idea, we head further up into the hills. The formations are world-class, & often right next to the road. The exhibitionist in me screams. I exercise restraint & head up into the woods away from the festivities, to our recently planned destination. Although granite climbing is a whole different world we manage valiant efforts on a bunch of huuuuge climbs. It feels good to push the envelop.
Rushmore is crazy commercialized. You cannot even get within a mile without going through metal detectors & what not. What happened to the outdoors?
We take a few pictures and coast back down the mountains to rustle up some grub.
Shane and I share a pitcher of Moosedrool over some sandwiches. Ah mountain life is good. Who would have known Minnesota and South Dakota would be entertaining?
We talk plans..lets get as close to Yellowstone as we can. We expect this place to eat time. Our drive through the plains is memorable. We talk & jam till dark. We pitch the tents in the Deer park campground which advertises itself as "exceptional camping". hahahahah
We find this place another peaceful experience.
Day 46
We Bison gaze until our eyes get shot with blood.
I figure the misquitoes ain't awake, so let the climbing be resumed!!!!
We set up a few routes (traditional style) in an abandoned quarry. Meaning there are no bolts in the wall. we make our own...sketchyyyyy.
We run real hard till the Minnesotan sun & westward gravity become too much.
We make it to the South Dakota's black hills by night-fall. Sylvan lake area to be specific.
Place is packed. So are the campsites. All the spots have reserved signs posted.
We debate the consequences & decide we don't care. It is 10 pm. Who is showing up to camp this late?
The question was answered moments later as a caravan of Dodge super-vans drove round the corner. Oh great we're going to be kicked out again. Giggly tween-agers pour out. This is going to be akward. Shane ditches me to shower. Great. Akwardness is fully mine.
Fortunately there is no confrontation. Sleep ensues.
I figure the misquitoes ain't awake, so let the climbing be resumed!!!!
We set up a few routes (traditional style) in an abandoned quarry. Meaning there are no bolts in the wall. we make our own...sketchyyyyy.
We run real hard till the Minnesotan sun & westward gravity become too much.
We make it to the South Dakota's black hills by night-fall. Sylvan lake area to be specific.
Place is packed. So are the campsites. All the spots have reserved signs posted.
We debate the consequences & decide we don't care. It is 10 pm. Who is showing up to camp this late?
The question was answered moments later as a caravan of Dodge super-vans drove round the corner. Oh great we're going to be kicked out again. Giggly tween-agers pour out. This is going to be akward. Shane ditches me to shower. Great. Akwardness is fully mine.
Fortunately there is no confrontation. Sleep ensues.
Day 45
Wake up abruptly to Nate banging about the kitchen.
By the time my eyes adjust he has waffles & OJ ready
Make our way up to Wisconsin where we stop to get some water, fuel & sunglasses. They have imitation Ray Ban's for $3. I buy 3. I guarantee all three sets will be gone by Seattle.
Hit the 90, time to jam west. Goal is the badlands.
Drive allllll day.
Our climbing book leads us to a state park on the western end of minnesota. We call ahead they want $12 to camp. Uh, yes!
Show up around 730. The guy in the check-in shack looks exactly like Garrison Keeler. I wait for him to break in comedic song.
Blue Mounds State Park is too perfect. Prairie's really don't need an oasis, but if they did this would be perfect. Dense forest, lake chalked full of fish, climbing within a 1/2 mile, warm showers. A breezy 75 degrees. This could be a destination.
We decide to climb while we still have light. The path leads us through fields where bison and deer roam. This is too perfect. Problem is the mosquitoes are angry & the sun is going down fast.
A shower relieves some of the itching. Time to try our luck at fishing again. I try a little worm fishing, the a little jig & spinner fishing, nothing doing...still!
I switch up the baits, location, everything, once while moving i fall into a mud sink hole, wrench the knee. Spectacular.
While I fail at fishing Shane catches up with home on the phone & wanders about the lakeside playground.
He attempts to gracefully launch off the swingset...his belt gets caught on the seat & his pants are ripped off....hahahhah. Down to a single pair.
Roll back to camp, which by the way is nestled right in a little alcove, big rocks shielding us from the trail. Dinner is summer sausage, rice & ranch beans. Cowboy food.
Sleep cannot find me as I am too distracted by what I find up in the sky. Boy in the country sky something to behold.
By the time my eyes adjust he has waffles & OJ ready
Make our way up to Wisconsin where we stop to get some water, fuel & sunglasses. They have imitation Ray Ban's for $3. I buy 3. I guarantee all three sets will be gone by Seattle.
Hit the 90, time to jam west. Goal is the badlands.
Drive allllll day.
Our climbing book leads us to a state park on the western end of minnesota. We call ahead they want $12 to camp. Uh, yes!
Show up around 730. The guy in the check-in shack looks exactly like Garrison Keeler. I wait for him to break in comedic song.
Blue Mounds State Park is too perfect. Prairie's really don't need an oasis, but if they did this would be perfect. Dense forest, lake chalked full of fish, climbing within a 1/2 mile, warm showers. A breezy 75 degrees. This could be a destination.
We decide to climb while we still have light. The path leads us through fields where bison and deer roam. This is too perfect. Problem is the mosquitoes are angry & the sun is going down fast.
A shower relieves some of the itching. Time to try our luck at fishing again. I try a little worm fishing, the a little jig & spinner fishing, nothing doing...still!
I switch up the baits, location, everything, once while moving i fall into a mud sink hole, wrench the knee. Spectacular.
While I fail at fishing Shane catches up with home on the phone & wanders about the lakeside playground.
He attempts to gracefully launch off the swingset...his belt gets caught on the seat & his pants are ripped off....hahahhah. Down to a single pair.
Roll back to camp, which by the way is nestled right in a little alcove, big rocks shielding us from the trail. Dinner is summer sausage, rice & ranch beans. Cowboy food.
Sleep cannot find me as I am too distracted by what I find up in the sky. Boy in the country sky something to behold.
Day 44
We're up at 730. Jeff & Nate have school. We're out the door by 830 or so.
Find our way to the train station. Hop on the old Amtrak & downtown Chicago here we be. Can I just say that the entire downtown resembles New York's wall street: clean & orderly. Attractive people walking about. Even the old guys saunter.
We don't let our utter incompetence slow us down..on to Berghoffs. A German stube that has been around since the late 19th century. We walk in & find it to be more of a mafia den. I never knew these two cultures mixed. We were both creeped out, plus they wanted $19 an entree.
We'll starve thank you.
Millennium park was expensively modern. You can tell this is Obama's stomping ground. Everything is brand new: We stand around taking pictures of ourselves until the blatant narcissism makes me nauseous.
Checked out Navy Pier. If you've been to Santa Monica you've been here. We have a drink for lunch then hoof it to Chipotle.ahhh. Money can't buy you happiness. But, $7 at Chipotle gets you darn close.
All major objectives now completed we head back up to Lake Bluff. Nate & Jeff have their noses buried in thier textbooks so Shane & I attempt to go to the local Xfitness to work out/hot-tub. They wanted $20 a person. What the H!
Backup plan is to loiter in Barnes & Nobles. I peruse rock climbing & motocross magazines while Shane cheered somebody that apparently needed cheering. All the while a group of tween-ager awkwardly linger. We get creeped out & move..they follow. Pretending to look at books, while glancing over every 3 seconds.
Nate, Jeff, Shane & I watch Layer Cake over a Bertoli's pasta and fruit punch.
Find our way to the train station. Hop on the old Amtrak & downtown Chicago here we be. Can I just say that the entire downtown resembles New York's wall street: clean & orderly. Attractive people walking about. Even the old guys saunter.
We don't let our utter incompetence slow us down..on to Berghoffs. A German stube that has been around since the late 19th century. We walk in & find it to be more of a mafia den. I never knew these two cultures mixed. We were both creeped out, plus they wanted $19 an entree.
We'll starve thank you.
Millennium park was expensively modern. You can tell this is Obama's stomping ground. Everything is brand new: We stand around taking pictures of ourselves until the blatant narcissism makes me nauseous.
Checked out Navy Pier. If you've been to Santa Monica you've been here. We have a drink for lunch then hoof it to Chipotle.ahhh. Money can't buy you happiness. But, $7 at Chipotle gets you darn close.
All major objectives now completed we head back up to Lake Bluff. Nate & Jeff have their noses buried in thier textbooks so Shane & I attempt to go to the local Xfitness to work out/hot-tub. They wanted $20 a person. What the H!
Backup plan is to loiter in Barnes & Nobles. I peruse rock climbing & motocross magazines while Shane cheered somebody that apparently needed cheering. All the while a group of tween-ager awkwardly linger. We get creeped out & move..they follow. Pretending to look at books, while glancing over every 3 seconds.
Nate, Jeff, Shane & I watch Layer Cake over a Bertoli's pasta and fruit punch.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Day 43
Cleveland? Shane does have distant kin there. No thanks. On to Chicago.
Shane resumes his driving position & I plug in my office (see Picture). I find this is the only time either of us have to write. So I crack caffeinated beverage & get down to business.
Writing is so much work though because there is usually much to see.
That or I have my head out the window trying to un-sickify myself (Shane has a tendency to drive insane).
This drive is a haul. 530 miles or so. We break up the monotony by talking about what we are going to with our lives, the point of life. You know light stuff like that.
The sun was setting as we made our way northward through Chicago. What a beautiful skyline.
Made it up to my old friends/roommates apartment in Northern Chicago.
Him & his roommate Jeff are both PA students with a similar sense of humor.
We catch up, trade war stories, & laugh over the rest of our Quenling.
Its good to see old friends.
Shane resumes his driving position & I plug in my office (see Picture). I find this is the only time either of us have to write. So I crack caffeinated beverage & get down to business.
Writing is so much work though because there is usually much to see.
That or I have my head out the window trying to un-sickify myself (Shane has a tendency to drive insane).
This drive is a haul. 530 miles or so. We break up the monotony by talking about what we are going to with our lives, the point of life. You know light stuff like that.
The sun was setting as we made our way northward through Chicago. What a beautiful skyline.
Made it up to my old friends/roommates apartment in Northern Chicago.
Him & his roommate Jeff are both PA students with a similar sense of humor.
We catch up, trade war stories, & laugh over the rest of our Quenling.
Its good to see old friends.
Day 42
Woke-up first thing? more like 10am.
Got some different fishing lures/bait because the fish weren't feeling the spinners we were throwing at them yesterday.
We went down to the Allegheny river to fish this "guaranteed" spot. Not a bite all day. We do some exploring though.
Came home for a break/
Lunch/nap. blogged. Found out our friends Mija, Bobby-Sue, & Chad donated $50 (through our blog) Good looking out ya'll !
Home-cooked dinner with John & Shannon as well as their witty little kids J.D, & Jolie.
Shannon wouldn't let us leave without taking a huge box full of food. Whatta sweetheart.
Fished all night. Not a bite in the infamous fishful Allegheny river. Had dun playing around with the kids though
Got some different fishing lures/bait because the fish weren't feeling the spinners we were throwing at them yesterday.
We went down to the Allegheny river to fish this "guaranteed" spot. Not a bite all day. We do some exploring though.
Came home for a break/
Lunch/nap. blogged. Found out our friends Mija, Bobby-Sue, & Chad donated $50 (through our blog) Good looking out ya'll !
Home-cooked dinner with John & Shannon as well as their witty little kids J.D, & Jolie.
Shannon wouldn't let us leave without taking a huge box full of food. Whatta sweetheart.
Fished all night. Not a bite in the infamous fishful Allegheny river. Had dun playing around with the kids though
Day 41
Drove around downtown Pittsburgh, Matt took us to Primanti's in little Italy. Best Sandwich I've ever had. Really cool open air, warehouseish restaurant on the banks of the Allegheny.
He drove us around. Saw the Steeler's home field, so on and so forth.
Later we fished, tried to catch, but just fished. We brought some Quenling though so it was whatever. Stayed till dark.
Showered to de-slime myself. (I went in to get a snagged lure more than once).
For dinner Matt took us to this Mafia joint called Mineos. Cash only. Place was packed. I'm not kidding. But I didn't see any action so its was whatever.
He drove us around. Saw the Steeler's home field, so on and so forth.
Later we fished, tried to catch, but just fished. We brought some Quenling though so it was whatever. Stayed till dark.
Showered to de-slime myself. (I went in to get a snagged lure more than once).
For dinner Matt took us to this Mafia joint called Mineos. Cash only. Place was packed. I'm not kidding. But I didn't see any action so its was whatever.
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