Summer in the Northern Rockies

I had already made plans to travel with my friend Amber to Banff to visit Keith, and while I was feeling pretty bummed out I decided to go ahead with my plans and head north.

 Saturday we intended to hike near Lake Louise but mudslides prevented our plans.  My newish Banff friends Stormy and her husband Phillip recommended an alternate hike, Bourgeau Lake (I think), and it was lovely (they came too which was super fun).  We had a nice hike though it was pretty cold and rainy.

 I had the opportunity to gear-test my new rain pullover, and I will write a review at some point.  Ultimately I was very pleased.

 Sunday the skies were bluer and the air was warmer and so we went on a 2.5 hour road bike ride around the area.  We did the Minnetonka (I think) Lake loop and around Tunnel Mountain and other places.  It was pretty and pleasant.

I've been on the road far too much and am looking forward to being home at least part of the weekend this weekend.  It's a good diversion I guess.

Eulogy for Zeke (by Ted)

Zeke died yesterday afternoon of an unknown illness. We got him within a year after we married and he accompanied us through several moves from our first apartment together in Chicago all the way to our home in Montana. He made us a family. It may sound strange, but it's fitting somehow that his end has some mystery about it since he was always a little mysterious - we never knew his age and knew very little about his background. He was often a little aloof, inscrutable and vaguely wild which made his obvious affection and gentleness towards us all the more meaningful.

Zeke was a leap of faith. We didn't intend to actually take him home when we set out to see this dog we'd heard needed a home. He rewarded that leap with deep memories of love, joy and amusement over the years that we were his pack. I only wish we had had more time together.

He was a beautiful, gentle and loving being who deserved all the good things that came to him and none of the bad.

We miss you sorely, Zekey.

The Devil's Backbone -- 2011

 I returned to Bozeman/Big Sky for the Devil's Backbone, a laid back and small 50 miler that features some of the most stunning scenery in the world.  Last year I initially planned to run the entire 50 but dropped to the 25 mile distance.  I vowed I'd return this year fit and awesomely ready for the full distance.  I managed to show up even more out-of-shape than last year.  The combination of time off due to my stupid toe and my related weight gain make for a bad combo.  Nonetheless it was all kinds of awesome.

 It took me 7:30 to cover approximately 22-24 miles... I overslept and showed up late to the start, which did nothing to move me along at a remotely respectable pace.  It was actually both relaxing and demoralizing to start the race late.  I managed to catch someone after a couple hours (maybe not that long?) but then she dropped.  After that I just fell further behind and thought it rude to set out for the second half when I'd shown up late AND undertrained.  I could have done the distance but would have been out there quite awhile.  Better to stop while "ahead" so to speak...

I also had a wonderful time in Bozeman.  I stayed with Nikki Kimball, who is a superstar ultrarunner and also one of the coolest chicks ever.  It was fun hanging out and getting to know her a little better.

I'm absolutely convinced that I live in the most beautiful place in the world.  Sure, there are no Ethiopian restaurants, even in Bozeman or Missoula, but Montana is tough to beat. 

On a different and sort of sad note, my puppy Zeke (who is 11-12 or so now...) is having health issues of some kind (possibly Addison's disease) so please send good healing positive vibes out for my buddy.  It's only sort of sad because it sounds like he can probably be treated.  But it's hard not to worry.

our favorite boy Zeke

Glacier Challenge and Missoula Marathon

Saturday my friend Corey and I competed as a duo in an adventurey race called the Glacier Challenge.  This involved me running 6.5 miles, her kayaking a few miles, me road biking 13ish, her mountain biking 8ish, me road biking another 9ish, us canoeing 4ish and me running a final 2.5.  We were "Beer and Bacon" and had so much fun. 

Corey and me holding our paddles backwards

 Dave Chenault was kind enough to crew for us as he leaves tomorrow for the Alaskan Wilderness Classic.  Just google it.  You think I do crazy things -- this guy does REALLY crazy things.   Like, there are no trails where he is going.  And he has to navigate.  That would spell disaster for me.

Team Beer and Bacon

These following photos were taken by our friend Russ who is a real photographer (with a huge camera):



Um, how do I get in?  I don't know how to canoe...

Mmmm beer at last!!!  This is what it's all about.

We wouldn't have been able to do this without Dave Chenault's help

Sunday I ran the Missoula Marathon as a training run and must say that Missoula is a fantastic marathon.  Flawless organization, beautiful and fast course, good aid stations, great finish line, free beer, no complaints.  I "Gallowalked" my way through and remarked that it has earned its title as "best marathon" given by Runners World magazine.  I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a smaller but world-class marathon.  Also, I was able to register on Thursday night and one can still register the day before at the expo.  Perfect for last-minute folks like me.

4th of July Weekend

This past weekend I went to Fernie for some mountain biking, and wish I had brought my camera.  The views were amazing and it was pretty awesome.  Oh well.  Ted and I then did a short overnight hiking trip in the Yaak.  First we had a couple beers at the Dirty Shame Saloon in Yaak.  That is always a good thing to do before embarking on a warm weathered hike without a map.  After 7 miles, we found our backcountry site at one of the Fish Lakes 4 miles from the trailhead.

 There is a neat waterfall en route.  The hike is at low elevation in a canyon, which means no snow which is why we chose this hike.  I don't think either of us had been in the Yaak and it's a beautiful area.  Super remote.  So remote I half expected we'd run into that weird anti-government fugitive guy who is somewhere around in the woods.

the view from our campsite

 I brought a Walgreens floatie, my provisional packraft, and floated around on the lake.  I found that to be extremely relaxing and rewarding.  I was able to paddle out to an area of the lake that was loud with bird action and quiet with people noises.  As I laid there on my floatie a bald eagle flew overhead.  (Chanting USA! USA!) (ok kidding about the chanting part).

my "packraft" and oar

the blue blob is me I think

All in all a great weekend and the dogs were sufficiently tired.  We were exhausted too.  Evidently there was something large and loud crashing around camp during the night but the two dogs and I slept right through it (all four of us were crammed in our little tent, which poor Ted up terrified of bears or monsters).