Fall is for roadtrips

What a fall it has been. It has felt like we have been on one mega road trip for the last month. Sacha was so excited because just a few days before we had to move out of Gardiner her friend Becky called to say she needed a roommate. Woo-hoo we both thought. We had been facing moving to Big Sky with out a place to live. Well as it turns out that is what happened anyways. The place was not ready to move into until mid November. So we overstayed our welcome at just about everyplace that it was offered. That got a little frustrating

so we decided we should go somewhere and do something with ourselves and so the road trips began.

The first one we took that was spur of the moment was to Western Montana. We went to Missoula and stopped at Kettle House Brewery. Then on to Lolo hot springs. It would have been more fun with friends. Instead it was just me and Sach in a sad little cabin with a sub-par space heater. Sacha went to soak that night, turns out you had to sit inside this little box of green corrugated plastic. Then the next day we were on to Hamilton, MT where we stopped at the Bitterroot Brewing Company before continuing on to Dillon, MT where our friends Lauren and Eli live with their dog Lilly. We stayed for two nights of hot springs, home cooking and relaxing movie watching before heading back to Big Sky. Upon returning to our little town Sacha convinced the land lord to let her crash at the house a few nights until her next road trip.

Our next trip was planned in advance. A ramble around Utah and Arizona with the entire Charny clan. We started off in Salt Lake where Sacha stopped in for beers with her friend Tom. Then we picked up the family. The next day we headed to Goblin Valley State Park and Moab. We went to Arches and went to one of the few we haven't visited yet. Then it was off to the Grand Canyon. Everyone felt squished in the car after 8 hours. We made it though. I decided to sleep in the car while all five Charnys crammed into a little hotel room built for four. It was worth it. We were parked right on the rim by the Kolb studio and I got a spectacular sunrise viewing. Then after all the people hiked a bit we were off to Page, AZ for the night.

The next day we drove to Bryce Canyon National Park, a new one for all of us.

We were pleasantly surprised, in fact Sacha and I want to go back and backpack there later this year. The last full day we did a hike to a waterfall and stumbled upon the Big Rock Candy mountain from the song! Then it was on to Provo for the night. The last day we drove everyone else to the airport. Picked up some skis from Tom for our friend Corri and just Sacha and I drove back to Big Sky.

We had just one night there because the next day we had to return to Yellowstone so Sacha could take a Wilderness First Responder Course in the Lamar Valley. We tried to look for wolves, instead we say Big Horn Sheep, Bison, Elk, Coyotes and Bald Eagles.

After all these travels we returned to Big Sky and finally moved into our new house!

Moving (sort of)

Today Sacha and I went in on a storage unit, OK, Sacha paid for it, I don't really have much to store. We are thinking about our move back to Big Sky and want to take it slow. We loaded up a Sue Bea full into the unit today. We are one step closer to returning home!

Take your bird to work day

Wow! Sacha has been ridiculously busy lately and I found out why last month. Sacha was scheduled to lead a women's hiking group from West Yellowstone. She thought that they might have wanted to hike in the area that Bruce was last seen, so she asked if I might want to join. At first I hesitated. Then after much thought I decided I should jump on the opportunity to get out and have an adventure, even if it might stir up sad thoughts. Sacha has just been working so much, we hardly get out on her few days off.
So here's how it went; We showed up at the Madison Junction Bathrooms and met this gaggle of crazy second home owners. First Sacha had to explain that the trail they had requested was not to be found in her research, it would also be illegal to hike it since it was not an official trail and it was in a thermal area. Then as Sacha tried to suggest trails all the Ladies said they had done each one already. Finally they settled on the Terrace Mountain Loop, most of the women had not hiked this before. Sacha explained the location, showed the elevation profile and discussed the mileage. We loaded them up and started driving to the trail head. About half way there one of the women piped up and said

"How far away are we going? I have dinner reservations!"

I could tell Sacha was flabbergasted and really had to bite her tongue. She had explained all of this before we left and asked them all if this would work for them. As the day continued she got bombarded again and again with questions of this nature..."there is an uphill!?!" "How long is this hike?" "what trail are we on?" Not to mention one of the women who usually acts as the group's guide insisted on ordering Sacha around.
At the end of the day we had driven over 100 miles in the park, hiked 6+ miles and were both mentaly exhausted. I was glad to at least have have seen a new trail in the park. I asked Sacha if all her tours were like this. She said that this was a good overview, except usually they are also angry that she doesn't know any secret roads in the park (they don't exist) and that she doesn't know the exact location of all the (wild) animals. She did promise after this crazy experience and summer in general that she would make it up to both of us with a real adventure as soon as she had some days off.

Finally last week we went to Cody, WY for some much needed escape.

We visited the new Old Faithful Visitor Center on the way. Ate (sort of) Mexican food and cruised main street. Slept in Sue Bea again. Went shopping at Sierra Trading Post (not much there of interest to birds) where Sacha bought a new snowboard (now she has skis and a board both without bindings!?!?) and a new climbing harness (finally). Then we perused the Buffalo Bill Historic Center and traveled home along the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway. Now Sacha is back to work. She only has 6 days off in between now and when she is done in mid October, We are going to have to bide our time and wait for more adventure until then. Not to mention keep our fingers (talons?) crossed that we will have a place to live in Big Sky by then.

Higher Than You

We finally did it! We drove the Bear Tooth Highway. It was as amazing if not more so than everyone said. We drove up slow, took about two pictures before the camera battery died, gave directions to a construction worker and then headed into Red Lodge. We were surprised by Red Lodge, it is a ski town and a "real town" all at the same time. After strolling around for a bit (and Sacha buying and eating an entire pound of candy) we headed slowly back enjoying the scenery. In Cooke City we took note of all the folks carrying bear spray in town. Turns out a photographer had been feeding a bear who in turn decided to eat a woman. Not such a good situation. The mama bear unfortunately had to get killed and her cubs went to a zoo. After a few bison jams in the park we eventually made it home. What a day!

Almost August

Wow! I can't believe August starts next week. This just about sent Sacha into a frenzy trying to plan all the summer stuff we still need to do.
Last week we hiked up Bunsen Peak. Yes, it's named after the same guy who invented the Bunsen Burner. We had some good views. The real highlight for me though was when Sacha gave herself a bloody nose on the summit. She had this notion to re-apply sunscreen as she is walking along the scree on top of the mountain. Of course she hit a wobbly rock and jabbed herself, lucky for her no one but me saw and lets just say I laughed so hard it is a good thing birds don't wear pants. (if you want more on the subject there is a charming french children's book with diagrammed reasoning.)
Sacha has the next two days off and we are trying to decide what to do. We may finally conquer the Beartooth Highway. Or we might hide in the shade all "weekend".

Back Together Again

Well, Sacha and I have taken a long hiatus from adventuring together. Sacha is working in Yellowstone this summer and it has stirred up many old memories for me. I have been trying my best to deal with the loss of Bruce for good. We decided to set a date and go for a hike together into 7 Mile Hole. We developed a good way for me to ride in Sacha's backpack where I could still get good views without worrying about us being separated. It felt good to be out again. Sacha got eaten alive by mosquitoes, I luckily put on real bug repellent before we went out, none of that chemical free stuff she uses. Sacha said that sometimes on her tour she drives right past Bruce's last known whereabouts. We are even talking about going back there. I don't think we will find him, if he is alive I am sure he has moved. I will at least feel at peace though having a better understanding of what happened. We still have some logistics to work out, such as finding others to come with us and convincing Sacha to get better bug spray. Until that time we plan on doing more hikes in other areas of the park.