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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------