montanapalooza 2002

“I am proof positive that you can be lacking both....”

“Aaaaaw, thanks Aero. I feel really lucky to have the personality gene. Although, that math gene would come in handy right now. It might also help to have the interpretor gene. I can't understand the darned professor anyway.”

“I had a calculus prof from India once. I spent the whole quarter asking the guy next to me, "WTF did he say?"”

“My calculus II prof was a TA from Iran. His entire teaching method can be summed up in the sentence "The answer is there!"”

“He was right up there with my Chinese chemistry prof.”

“Dunadan will be hiking with Kleetn's squirrell during the montanapalooza. Sorry that I can't make it.”

“Just wanted to join the cult, temporarily. Carry on as normal.”

“Ng, ask Phil.
I bet he could help.”

“Soon we will all be going crazy!!!!

I can't wait!!!!


8)”

“I waaaannnnnnnaaaa go too!

WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!”

“Whats stopping you?????

8)”

“To the parents house I go!! Duty calls!!”

“OHHHH MAN!!!! Say it ain't so!!


I would ask to take it early or first thing that following Monday morning. If not that maybe a special 'take home' test that you could do on the trail and get to him some time Saturday, maybe. If you had a 'A' in the class I would ask for a exemption.
Plead your case and stand strong. Sell him on the idea. The importance of this adventure. What it means to you. The time apart from newergirl. How important his class is to your future. And most of all how you would like to see it all happen. Its summer time for C.S. Every summer school prof I had, were always prudy kewl and gave good grades to those that worked.


Are we all hike the same way? Klondike style. Maybe someone who is not pressed for time will sit a spell and hike in from the N and we could all meet for a evening or so.”

“That is a good reason!

8)”

“I'll see what I can work out. I'll know more after the first exam, which is next Thurs. If I flunk it w/ flying colors, I may need to rethink how long I go on Montanapalooza.”

“You go on Montanapalooza for the whole week.

It's time you took a break. You have been working too hard. Well at school and raising kids anyhow.”

“You mean if you flunk it you'll go? What have you got to lose?”

“You crack me up Aero! We have two exams only, so pretty much, if I flunk the first one, I am done. Unless I can somehow guarnatee myself an A on the second one. I wonder what older, Eastern European men are into? LOL! I'm kidding!”

“Old eastern European men. Ewwwwww! Yeah i see your point! Maybe you could make him a big crock pot of borcsh.”

“Sarabelle had her knee surgery last week - cranial cruciate ligament. She's looking very doubtful for MTpalooza. She >just might< be able to do the miles by then, but a pack would be outta the question.

She's having to lie down 24/7 at the moment. She's been a real trooper... I think she understands what's going on.

I'll bring her on the roadtrip, but I will prolly leave her at a kennel - or with a sitter. Do any of you locals have any suggestions?


I could prolly find someone in ID to keep her, but that would mean doubling back to (yellow) retrieve'er after the hike. That would cost precious time and miles, tho.


Hey?!
Did I mention that I will have a SUPER DOOPER gift for all the participants? I called yesterday - they said to watch for the UPS guy TODAY! WHOO-HOO! I bet there'll be a package on the porch tonight...
This is great, IMO. I hope y'all like them.

NG -
Say it ISN'T SO! An abbreviated hike? NO! NO! NOOOOOOOOO! Surely you can make exam arrangements. Besides, what's it, like 10% of yer final grade? What's the syllabus say? Think, too, of all the $$$ you'll be missing out on! (I was gonna offer you $.06 per mile to pack Belle's food, bowl, and "puncho" - that is if she goes.)

My roadtrip departure has been put back one week - I have a family thing the weekend of the 6th. I'll be on the road the 8th. I'll be in MT the 13th. That'll leave me only a couple days to visit my Idaho Bro and The Friendly Ranger. Mebbe I'll swing back thru ID after all...”

“The guy smokes like a chimney too. Before, half way through, and after class. He could survive off the nicotine on his fingers. The borsch idea might be the ticket though.”

“Six cents a mile?! I don't work for nothing buddy! LOL! The exam is 50% of my grade. That is a small issue.”

“A carton of Marlboros and some nylons, maybe?”

“Frickin' Hilarious! I'll bet that's the ticket. He seems to be completely w/out a sense of humor and also very on the A-sexual side.”

“No doubt. After a lifetime of those nasty Communist-era cigs, he's probably in smoker heaven getting American cigarettes.

Ever seen a Russian cigarette? Imagine a tube made out of thin cardboard that you have to flatten so the tobacco doesn't spill out.
It's that nasty makhorka, too. Foul, rough-cut black tobacco, yuck!”

“There's a good kennel here in Cody. My wife leaves her Westy there on occasion. I think it's about $6.00/night.

Chadwick Veterinary Hospital 307-527-7213 or there's a couple others too, if you're interested.”

“LOL @ Bit! I bet that has alot to do w/ it.”

“I can't believe Sarabelle won't be on this hike. She was what I was looking forward to most! I hope I can meet her anyway.

Newgirl - you are the biggest tease on earth!!. I can't believe you are even considering not going on the whole bloody hike after all the build-up!”

“Pepperdog, I promise I am not trying to "tease" anyone. I had no way to know ahead of time what this summer session math course was going to be like. I'm going to be working my arse off in it as it is. Also, I thought I would be really excited to take a Newergirl break, but the closer it gets the more upset I feel about leaving her for that long. I am no less grateful for the gear, advice, or encouragement. I'm not feeling like I might need to duck out early for physical reasons. Other stuff has just come up and I'm trying to figure out the best option.”

“Martyb, If I give you cordinates and a bearing can you plot a course with TOPO? Not only can I not find my protractor, but I can't find my topo either. I had it yesterday when I hiked up Maurice Creek to Line Creek Plateau, but can't locate it now.

Off to search the truck!”

“You people rock!

8)”

“Mike, are you OK?
You seem to have mellowed.”

“Hello Mikey! How many more days until 'palooza? Are you ready?”

“So, Crazy Mike, you're still leaving friday the 12th? Who's coming out with you?”

“Howdy Aero!

Is it true what I read, Newgirl has a math exam? Tell me it ain't so.

What's up Navi?”

“I've got a plan, though. First we have to find out where her math prof lives...”

“...a roll of duct tape and a few things that maybe you could pick up at the hospital...”

“Aero to the rescue. You the man!”

“Don't worry newgirl, he'll only be a out for a week or so, maybe a little groggy when he gets back. Shouldn't do any permanent damage.”

“It won't take much. I'm sure the man won't be able to run or put up a fight. He smokes far, far too much. Do you guys realize how much of my own gear I could have if I didn't have to buy that ridiculous $160 calculator? Damn, that sucks. I hate math.”

“OF COURSE I CAN - I CAN DO ANYTHING WITH TOPO!!!!!!


'CUZ I ROCK!!!!!!!!!


Uh oh, looks like I have CMD (Crazy Mike Disorder)....”

“CMD . . . yes it is indeed going around!

I found the topo and Malinda had the protractor in her sewing room. Why, I don't know.

NG, I sure hope this works out for you because Aero and myself could do some serious jail time for what he has planned. ;-)”

“I don't need some big dude with tatoos from head to toe calling me sweetheart!”

“22 more days untill the kick @ss time for all TT'ers and also I am driveing up with 2 other people and we are leaveing Friday at 3pm CST and will get there late Saturday night.

This is going to kick all form of backpacking @ss!!!!!

....And did I also include that it is going to ROCK!!!!!!

8)”

“Aero -

I've just double checked the flights for the last time - there's one around 12:30PM and one around 4 pm. Which one would work better for a Saturday arrival? Looks like my flight back will be mid day Saturday at this point. Just trying to wind up a few loose ends.

Gojo - I will carry some of (all) 'belle's stuff if she can walk the distance by then. They'll be lots of cool water for her to soak in at the end of the day, too. Just let me know, cowboy. Safe travels!
Tex”

“What about your slide rule and abacus, dude?!!! Come on, Geezr, this is the 21st century - or are you still in the 18th or 19th up there in MT?????

Hahahahahahah... I crack myself up, and...

I ROCK!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, though, one additional cool feature with my favorite software is that you can have it plot lat/long or UTM grid lines on the map at any interval. Just another fun feature that ROCKS!!!!!!!!

(How long does CMD last?)”

“CMD . . . I believe we're just in the beginning stages. Fortunately it's not fatal but I fear we might wish it was!

I'm hoping Santa might bring me TOPO if I continue to be nice for the remaining days leading up to X-mas. The odds of me getting it sooner are slim, and none. So, fo now it's Stone Age tools.

Did get a Petzl Tikka for Dad's Day. I got to try it when I threw my bike chain over the power lines like you suggested.”

“Here's To Ya

Martyb, have you ever tried this? I'm going to try and find some for your trip.”

“That beer looks good!

8)”

“Mikey, I think you're right! And we all thought you were crazy.”