Part 1/3
Today marks my 65th trip around the sun -- better another orbit
than an obit!
In reviewing the past year, I find I have a backlog of way too
many photos and stories to share, so for now just a recap from
late May onward. Even that brief period must be split into three
emails. This excludes details of the three week trip to Australia
with two incredible weeks in Tasmania in March/April.
It's my birthday!!! I'm the one! It's all about me!!!
The highlight and proudest moment of the year is successfully
running the Glacier Half Marathon in June. The challenging course
starts at 5000 feet elevation, has a gain of 1000 feet in the
first 5 miles where it crests going over Looking Glass Pass,
descending with the stunning views of Two Medicine Valley inside
the park.
The beaming smile on the face is the look you have when you finish
2nd place in the 60-64 year old age group!! I've run the race 6
times, with three 2nd place and three 3rd place age group
finishes.
This is the look you give when you discover that if you were a
mere 4.5 months older you would have finally achieved a first
place finish in the 65-69 age group.
In late May, we finally did an international Scamp trip to
Waterton Lake National Park in Alberta. One of the motivations
for purchasing the Scamp was to be able to camp there. The
location, while incredibly beautiful, is notorious for the winds
off the lake thru the campground. This is not the place for tent
camping!! While there we finally hiked to Bertha Falls. We made
full use of Scamp's heater at night, as the wind did kick up and
it was only 41 degrees. Quite cozy inside a heated camper with a
mattress and a bathroom.
One of the highlights while up there was on the road to Red Rock
Canyon, where we were entertained by Momma and two cub black bears
putting on a lengthy show for us.
We had three major house projects this summer. The first one was
the installation of frost free hydrants in the yard to make
watering the yard much easier -- no longer need to drag hoses
great distances -- and to alleviate the issue of watering the yard
using water filtered by our sediment filter. This required an
excavator digging a trench about 5 feet down, below the frost
level, which not only made a mess of the yard, but also cut a
swath in our driveway. I'm still working on recovery of the yard
from the excavator, which will continue next summer.
Our second house project was the reconstruction of the house north
side wall, which had rot that was uncovered during last year's
cement patio installation. We were extremely fortunate to locate
an excellent carpenter, which I might add was the hardest part of
the project!! As the layers of rot were pealed away, it was
discovered that the sill of the wall had rot damage and needed
replacing. Fortunately this was caught before any sagging had
occurred, which really would have been major project.
In order to gain access to the sill, about a foot of the new patio
cement had to be cut away to allow access.
It was about a two week project, which included replacing all the
siding in addition to the sill, and pouring new concrete. We are
very pleased with the work, and already have future projects
planned with the carpenter.
Sam and Tiegan from "down under" came for a visit. An early
season hike up to Scenic Point was attempted, but the ferocious
winds at the "saddle" prevented us from going to the point. The
views are stunning as always.
On June 23, Sandy and I went up to Logan Pass when
Going-To-The-Sun road first opened. She hiked up to Hidden Lake
Overlook, while I cross country skied. There is nothing like
skiing in 70 degree weather in June.
Sandy with Mt. Clements beyond. The trail, which is buried under
the snow, goes thru the gap directly beyond Sandy.
At the overlook, with Hidden Lake still frozen and Bear Hat
Mountain behind it.
This summer for the first time Freda's Bar in West Glacier had
weekly live music. Additionally this summer they sold beer mugs
that gave $4 draft refills, including Cold Smoke Scotch Ale, all
summer. Music and beer, the good life!
One of the first bands to play was Way Down North, which we always
make an effort to see as Cory in the band is the carpenter who
built our fireplace.
A great venue to meet up with neighbors.
