Skeeboggan Trail - 7/18

The Skeeboggan trail is coming along nicely.  The entire trail is dug out and we just need to remove the organic matter to prevent deterioration.  There were a couple of bikers that we ran into on the hike up today and they had tried using our trail.  One of them hit a rock pit and flew over his handlebar.  We felt sorry for them, but we did put a gigantic branch over the start of it to prevent this from happening.  Anyhow, after talking to them we decided to widen the trail around the turns just to be safe as a stretch of it is on a ridge and too quick of a turn would throw the rider over the edge.  In short, today was another physically taxing and very productive day.  We should easily be able to knock out the last bit of it tomorrow.

Skeeboggan Trail - 7/17

I believe the place we worked at yesterday was called Skeeboggan, an area of Thompson Park.  We returned there today and continued where we left off.  I took up the chainsaw and fell two hazardous trees, bucked up another four that were already on the ground, and moved all of the debris off the trail-to-be.  I opened up a path 6 feet wide through a jack straw so we will have to see if that is good enough for Jocelyn when she pays us a visit tomorrow.  Hopefully it is as I was making it rain wood chips!  Will be more than happy to alter the route if need be though.  Life is good.  I spent the last half hour just sitting on the porch watching the leaves dance in the wind.  For a time I was fearful that my time in AmeriCorps had ruined the outdoors for me, instilling fears of all manner of things and suffering a number of maladies from insect and plant alike, but this trip back to Montana is proof that I have not lost my fascination or my admiration of nature.  To think in just a month this grand adventure will be coming to a close… it boggles the mind—my mind anyways. 

Well I’m off—off to do what I cannot say, but I feel the need to move.  Good night all!

Skeeboggan Trail - 7/16

We went somewhere completely different and yet we were essentially working on the same project: completing the course for the 100k bike race.  One major change is that we were actually creating trail as opposed to simply performing maintenance.  To do this we need a couple of people to tear the plants out until we get to the bare mineral soil, some others to remove the excess debris from the side of the trail-to-be so the water doesn’t collect, and another few to tamp the path.  Then there is rock and tree removal/demolition, creating water logs, and trimming the vegetation in the area.  In other words, there is plenty to keep us all busy!  The two Butte teams started off performing different tasks (ours was making a couple bear boxes aesthetically pleasing) so we only got maybe 80 feet done, but never fear, it looks like we will be continuing this project for the remainder of the week—and it will definitely be done by then.

I forgot my camera today, which actually turned out to be quite nice.  I didn’t feel obligated to take photos and it was as if a burden had been lifted from my shoulders.  Not that I mind the burden, this year has been amazing and I would be deeply saddened if it were not documented in some fashion, but it was a nice day off!  Um, that’s all I think.  Off to go eat some dinner and enjoy another Montana sunset.  Catch you later!

Continental Divide Trail - 7/15

We began work on the Continental Divide Trail.  There is some 100k bike race going on soon so we have been charged with the task of readying a huge portion of it.  Jocelyn says that she uses our trails as examples to show others how it’s done.  That’s a huge compliment!  Good to know that our hard work is being recognized—it slips the mind sometimes that our efforts are appreciated when we are out in the wild for a spell.  Anyhow, the two groups stationed at Butte attacked a portion of the trail from both sides and met in the middle.  There were 8 miles in total and almost all of the drains needed maintenance.  Add a couple dozen fallen or hazardous trees and that summarizes our day of service.  Well… almost.  There also were a few thunderstorms that rolled through and we were too far in to be able to make it back to the trucks.  So, whenever we saw a bolt of lightning we all found a live tree some 20 to 50 yards apart and hunkered down and waited it out.  We did this twice and probably should have a third time, but we were up on a ridge we needed to make a quick getaway.  By the time we met up the Montana weather decided it was time to drop hail on us.  The hail only let up for rain to soak us to the bone on the hike out.

It was fun, don’t get me wrong, just exhausting.  Now to warm ourselves with taco delicacies.  Later all!  

Haystack Trail - 7/14

Haystack Trail was the task of the day.  This older trail winds up (quite steeply, I might add) to where an ancient fire tower once stood.  We made it to the top and all that remains of the tower is a decaying set of wooden stairs and a concrete block that may have once been a part of its foundation.  I am pretty happy about the hike up.  Although it was a tough climb, my previous week helped condition me for the challenge.  It was great! 

We just had a feast… my goodness.  Danielle made an Italian concoction and there were some left overs.  I tried to rid her of that problem and am now on the verge of a food coma.  Before I succumb to it, we had to put in water bars on the trail we did today in addition to clearing it of fallen debris.  With how steep this path was we had to dig miniature canyons to divert future rainfall.  We did a good job though!  Jocelyn, our main contact in the area, expected this project to take us a couple days and we wrapped it up in one.  Go us!  Mm, all right, it is time.  Good night friends.

Gorge Lake Trail - 7/12

So last night wasn’t exactly over.  Here in Montana it doesn’t get dark until 10pm, so when we finished our quota of trail and found ourselves with hours of daylight left we broke out the game Risk (which we had just discovered under a seat in our vehicle).  I played the game as a Stark would, honoring allegiances and being a man of my word… and I won.  At the start of the game my sole intent was to play spoiler as my troops were divided, but wildcard Chelsea mad e a couple of crippling attacks on our other players, which kept me in the game.  Normally the Iron Throne (or world domination) cannot be achieved without backstabbing and deceit, but yeah, it just happened.

No sooner had I won the game then thunder boomed outside.  We packed all of our gear in a record breaking time and drove out of our hazardous camp.  The road was in rough shape and we were near a roaring stream—with rain we easily could have gotten trapped up there where radios and cell phones were useless.  As it were, we made it back onto the pavement and called HQ.  Bruce said he was looking at the radar and there was no severe weather in our area…as lightning was touching down all around us.  Still, he is our boss and is experienced in disaster situations so we took his word for it and ended up sleeping in the truck.

Fast forward to today: we cleared the Gorge Lake Trail with some serious effort.  Liana and I had trouble with our saw so we manually moved or broke what trees we could that blocked the path. My shining moment was when I moved a 30 foot tree with a width of about 18 inches on my own.  I felt like a boss.  Again, the elevation from our starting point to finish has a 2000 foot difference.  Man, Montana is hilly!  That or we are just the lucky ones this week.  Regardless we got the job done and returned to Fleecer where the other teams graciously let us use the newly fixed shower first.  Not to go and relax.  Tomorrow is the Folk Festival so we need to recharge while we can.  Later all!

Rock Creek Trails - 7/11

Last night I dreamt that I had just completed a program that was very selective about its members (I’m not sure if it was meant to be AmeriCorps).  One moment I was being welcomed back to East Lansing by Abby Rudnicki under a shower of confetti and then the next I was given a series of challenges to complete.  It felt like a scavenger hunt.  The only part I remember is flying around town in a tactical fighter jet battling an aircraft of unknown origin. 

It was quite the pick-me-up along with the continued support of my team.  They suggested I add Gatorade to my daily intake and I’ve been feeling a lot better since.  In fact, we completed the Rocky Mountain Trail today!  Our adventurous crew has now been assigned another trail out in the middle of nowhere.  I am a little envious of the other groups stationed in Butte as our food supply is all but exhausted, but you can’t beat the view out here. 

Anyhow, we’re about ready to hike in.  Talk to you all later!

Rock Creek Trails - 7/10

My hands are stained red with blood, much of which is my own courtesy of these damned mosquitoes.  True to what we’ve been told there is no poison ivy or ticks, but Montana makes up for it with mosquitoes and horse flies.  The spray worked for a day but now I fear they have become immune.  Still, we trudge on.

Today we made it a third of the way to the truck when both of our chainsaws went down.  We suspect that this is due to the altering elevations.  Regardless, this left us with the impossible task of clearing the trail with a set of loppers and a Pulaski.  We did what we could, but tomorrow we’re going to have to hike back in 3 miles to take care of the remaining fallen trees.

My body aches, I feel nauseous, I’m drinking as much water as I can stand but it doesn’t seem to be enough.  Hopefully it is just the shock of hay fever, extra weight, and altitude change.  Chelsea Catalano took us to the Taco Bus in Dillon to treat us for all of our hard work.  She even bought us popsicles!  That made things a lot better.

Off to rest before the bugs come out in force.  Good night friends.

Rock Creek Trails - 7/9

Now I know how the Fellowship felt trailblazing miles on end.  Just to give you an idea about our recent endeavors, our base camp at Fleecer is around 6000 feet above sea level.  Out here we’ve climbed as high as 9800 and we are fluctuating a good 1500-2000 while hiking the trails.  I don’t know about my teammates, but the difference in elevation is doing a number on me.  Thankfully they have been more than accommodating to my sudden bout with hay fever and altitude.  As tough as the hiking was, I’m glad we stuck with it.  At one point our trail was blocked by a wall of snow 20 feet tall.  Instead of calling it quits we climbed the rock face before it and maneuvered our way around.  The going was slow due to the unpredictability of our foot and handholds, but by helping each other transport our gear we did it!

That was the only real obstacle, but we found plenty of signs that reminded us that bears are present.  We have to keep making noise to make sure they don’t bother us—that is easier said than done, however, when you keep going up and down these hills and switchbacks!  Anyways, we made it to our destination and just beat the rain on our way back.  We were hauling like crazy!  On our return journey we were battling some severe winds with occasional sprinkles when we made it back to the snow wall.  It was a little scary, but Mother Nature gave us a reprieve once we made it to the other side.  It has been a good day. 

Off to rest these weary bones.  Hope you all are doing well!

Rock Creek Trails - 7/8

We’re over 9000!!... feet above sea level.  Snow is still on the ground in places even though it feels like it is in the 80s.  Lots of pine, mountains, and streams.  The streams are fueled by the melting snow so the one we’ve been following is flowing like a series of rapids.  Just know that we are traversing beautiful scenery.  I’m trying to take it all but this 70-80 pound pack I’m carrying can be a buzzkill.  Now we’re setting up camp next to a lake with a Native American name.  Gotta run as I’m being devoured.  Later all!

Fleecer Cabin - 7/7

It is hot!  We no longer have Missouri’s humidity but we are a few thousand feet closer to the sun.  I’m pretty sure I got a burn just setting up my tent!  Anyhow, we’ve reached our final destination: Fleecer station.  It is just as pretty as we left it—more so with all of the flowers.  With all this beauty around us it is important that we keep up our guard as bears and mountain lions are not uncommon in these parts of Montana.  That may be why half of us subconsciously decided to set up camp within a fenced perimeter.  Regardless, my group is being sent out into the wild for a week to perform trail maintenance so we’ll see what safety precautions the 2^nd years have us put in place.  I’m excited.  Now to go take an arctic plunge as the water pressure and heat isn’t working in the cabin.  Night all!

Bear Creek Cabins - 7/6

Our project site for the day was very similar to the rolling hills seen in the opening of the Sound of Music.  Tall grass, wild flowers, mountains—Austin even burst in to song for a short while.  There were a couple of trees on the outskirts of the meadow that had fallen onto the fence so we were sent to remedy the situation.  It was quick work and we even got to break in a couple of new chainsaws in the process!  With an easy day of service we went into town (Ennis) and enjoyed a quick dip in the nearby creek.  Now, well, it seems like this Hellraiser has a way with the horses.  They strolled into our camp area and a couple came up to me for attention.  One was a little jealous and nudged me from behind while I was distracted with another.

A nice relaxing day for the most part!  Haley helped me send in a resume for an awesome job involving disaster response…but I goofed and had her send the wrong cover letter.  Well, hopefully they will get back to me and ask for the right one!  I’m going to head up the hill to watch the sun set on our final day here in Bear Creek.  Good night all!

Trip to Montana - 7/5

Hey all, just wanted you to know that we’ve embarked on a lovely detour to Montana!  Our first stop was the Badlands of South Dakota where we spotted wild mountain goats and treacherous hills for anyone who had to navigate them way back when (fortunately we just had to follow a road).  Next, we passed Mt. Rushmore… which we would have gone up to if it weren’t Independence Day weekend… tourist traffic and all.  We also stopped by Wall Drug (a tourist trap in South Dakota) and Devil’s Tower where we climbed around the lower boulders for a while.  The Tower’s stone formation was incredible—it was like the petrified trunk of an ancient tree.  I don’t know about the height, but it is said that the top is about the size of a football field.  Supposedly it is an amazing picnic area for those who can brave the climb as it has a fine layer of grass, but as free climbing is the only way to make it to the top I am going to have to put that expedition on hold.

After our detour we made a dash for Sheridan, Wyoming.  While we didn’t get to stop to watch a firework show on our trip, the folks living in these parts made sure that we got to watch a lil something;  rockets of varying sizes and colors polka-dotted the night sky on both sides of our vehicle.  It was an entertaining way to conclude the biggest step of our journey.

Just this morning we bolted over to the Bear Creek Cabins where we will be starting our service tomorrow.  The place is nestled right up by the mountains and the scenery is similar to what one would expect to find in Rohan—it even has horses!  We’re sharing our campground with some horses and mules that are helping the forest service out in the.  They are well behaved, but according to a rancher they steal people’s stuff from time to time.

St. Louis - 7/2

Tomorrow, tomorrow is the day half of us deploy to the land where our journey began: Montana.  You haven't heard from me recently in part because I have been putting my Tetris-honed organizational skills to use packing for our concluding adventure, but also because of what comes after.  It's hard to imagine a life beyond AmeriCorps as I've grown accustomed to waking up with this fine group of individuals and conquering whatever challenges are thrown our way (many of which coming at the last moment)... but alas, that is what this trip signifies.

Many resumes and cover letters have been sent out with more to follow, but for now I am going to refocus on the here and now.  There are some pages of this epic tale that need to be enjoyed and to overlook them would take away from the incredible experience.  Thank you one and all for following me on this quest.  I will bring to you the final entries when I return from the land of the Big Sky.  Until then!