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| Heaven. |
HikerJer, the resident Beartooth's expert on the backpacker.com message boards has always been the areas biggest cheerleader saying there is no better backpacking than in the Beartooths. All I can say is he might be right.
Every day we saw something new. One day it was snow and ice, the next it might be string of waterfalls that defy description, and on it went for a week. So beautiful was our hike that the three of us were ready to come back next summer before we were even back to the trusty Santa Fe.
Lost but not forgotten was the hike Brad and I did in the Bighorns as a "warm up." Brad was blown away by the Bighorns but I wasn't surprised. In my opinion, the Cloud Peak Wilderness is grossly under appreciated. Once you get off the trail, solitude is yours and the scenery is as good as anywhere in the Rockies.
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| Mom/Grandma Judy |
Time for the "thank you's"
I couldn't ask for better hiking partners than Brad and Ward. We all got along great and there was never any sign of personality conflicts. Hopefully, our get together's in mountainous regions will be an annual event.
Then there's Reed. Reed had to bail out at the last minute but made, as his wife said, a surprisgly mature decision not to attempt the trip with an ailing foot. So to Reed: Next year, man.
Hiker Jer and Blue Sage. Jerry was an invaluable resource/sounding board for potential routes in the Beartooths while Rob helped me out a few years ago when I hiked the CPW. I'm glad I got to repay Rob albeit a few years later. Jerry, we'll hook up one of these times---I still owe you beers.
The boys at Satori's Auto. Yeah, I put down a bunch of cash to make sure they had the trusty Santa Fe running like a top, but they delivered. I won't hold them accountable for the drained battery at Island Lake. If you're ever in Manitowoc and in need of auto repairs, these are the guys to go see
I can't recall the name of the good samaritan who gave us a jump start but he's my hero. Actually, I'm not surprised it was a Wyomingian who came to our rescue as the folks of that state are probably the best-mannered per capita in the nation.
Then there's Vi from the Exxon station. What a gem she was from info on the bus stop, to awesome breakfast recommendations.
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| Mom at a pullout off the Beartooth Highway during our 2003 RV trip. |
Yumi, my lovely wife, gets the biggest thanks of all. When I was originally planning this thing, I was thinking maybe 10 days away from home. Yumi didn't think that was enough time and suggested I take two weeks so that we could really see the area. Without the extra time, the Bighorn hike would not have happened. What a sport! is itt any wonder I lover her like I do?
Finally to my mom. Mother died in late March but was always happy to see me get to do what i love to---hike in the mountains. After every trip she'd insist that I upload all of my pictures to her computer so she could "tag along" and maybe send a dozen or so to her friends via E-Mail. I truly felt her presence during the trip and would often stray from camp to think about her. I miss her terribly
It was a tremendous journey but now it's time to start thinking about next year and trying to top this one. I've got a few ideas in the works but it will take some to top what we just experienced.
Until next year,
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