montanapalooza 2002

“Hey Mather - you're just the ticket that new girl needs!! Maybe you could tutor her online??

I'll see Y'all on the 14th too, I fly in the 13th.

As Sarabelle says, this will be
Gooooooood Times!

Tex”

“Thanks Mather. I need all the help I can get.”

“If you need help sooner - my e-mail address is Macdvorak@alltel.net. I'm not sure how much we can do online, but we can try it. We will be leaving on the 4th, but I am available until then.”

“Hey Montanapaloozers - Sounds like things are crankin' up for a gooood time in the Beartooths!!

I just got home, from yet another trip, to check in on my Dad, and his health has improved quite a bit in the last few days.... Whew!!! I'm feeling a little more at ease, about the idea hittin' the road, for a couple of weeks.

Now all I need to do is dig myself out, from all the work and stuff, that's been stacking up, around here. With any luck, I might even get a few minutes to toss a couple of things into my backpack... He He

Can't wait to get going.....”

“JUST 2 MORE WEEKS!!!!!!!

8)”

“Man I can't wait . . . THIS TRIP IS GOING TO ROCK!!!!!! :):):):):)

ok, so Crazy Mike has said that a couple of times already, but its catch the fever time!!”

“You have CMD!!!!!

8)”

“* still crying *”

“Grizzly bear attacks, injures two Glacier hikers
Associated Press

WEST GLACIER (AP) - Two people hiking in Glacier National Park Saturday were attacked and injured when they surprised a grizzly bear along a backcountry trail east of Lake McDonald, park officials said.

The 15-second attack occurred as the hikers were returning from an overnight trip to the Snyder Lake backcountry campground.

Officials said the victims were Andrea Haver, 22, of Davis, Calif., and Theron Jourda, 19, of Portland, both summer employees in West Glacier.

Haver saw the bear about 10 feet away and dropped to a fetal position and later said she felt the bear on her but suffered only scratches on her shoulder, officials said. Jourda ran at the bear and hit it in the side, distracting it, and then dropped into a fetal position. He suffered deep puncture wounds on his shoulder and upper arm, officials said.

Officials said the hikers returned to the campground where two Whitefish men administered first-aid and then the four walked 41/2 miles back to Lake McDonald Lodge.

Rangers closed the trail as soon as the attack was reported but said no action was planned against the bear "as it appears the bear reacted in a natural defensive way to a surprise encounter with hikers on the trail," officials said.”

“Belle and I hiked 18 miles (mostly downhill) out of Weminuche, CO last year. Had dinner in Durango, and spent the night one hour east of Albaturkey, NM. One can make some miles in a single day - if need be...

Belle had her checkup last Friday. It's still looking pretty iffy for her.

Tx -
Don't sweat the AS... you'll do fine.

NG -
We'll make a plan at the cabin Sunday night - hopefully someone will remember it Monday morning.

...speaking of "brown acid".
Don't let me catch you beeyastads snooping around my pack! Hehehee!

Yo bare!
Griz in the Teets?
Whoo-hoo! Was it a rush, or what?!

It's beginning to look as if I'll drive straight to MT. I plan to depart GA on the 8th, but it might be the 9th. SO MANY things to do! Belle and I might be able to squeeze in an overniter somewhere betwixt here and there - Black Hills? Colorado? Uintas? Laramies?

We'll hit ID after 'plooza, I suppose. This is going to be my SHORTEST "Westward, Ho!" ever...

I haven't even decided on a route. I was thinking Southerly, but it would prolly be hot. Middle would bring us into CO, Northerly would put us close to the Blax...
(I am SO wishy-washy!)

I would like to get some elevation prior to MT'plooza. Colorado it is, then! ...mebbe. We could car camp at 10k ft...

Then again, I know a campground near Pinedale, WY that's at 9k ft. Pinedale would be on the direct route.

I'll consult the atlas... it shows most NF campgrounds.”

“I've definitely been spending way too much time at sea level. My home is all of 50 ft above. I got a feeling I'm gonna pay, on this trip, too”

“I talked to the owner of the Cooke City Sinclair station this weekend and they're expecting us. He said he'll post a picture of us on his http://users.iglide.net/sschluter/news.htm"target="_blank">web site when we show up Sunday the 14th. The Cooke City Store had a pretty good supply of topo maps and between them and the Bike Shack, you can pick up any other last minute stuff.”

“Jeez, Aero, was that road going through snowpack?!”

“Yeah, there's still a little bit up there. It's going fast though.”

“Just talked to the liquor store to order the Moose Drool keg. The beer distributor (whom I know personally) was also there when I called.

The bad word is they are having a shortage of Moose Drool and may NOT be able to get it in time for Montanapalooza.

I did put in a back-up order of Amber Bock (distributors recommendation). If this is not what you want let me know and I'll see what else I can come up with.”

“Chief, if it's good enough for you, it's good enough for me!

"E"ppreciate the "E"ffort”

“I'm going to need a head count here. I keep seeing more people showing up I hadn't planned on. I was expecting about 17-18 for the barbeque. are there more? Please let me know!! I' m not sure I can feed the masses!”

“Here's my latest list:
newgirl
chief
aero
geezr
LDhiker
gojo
pepperdog
TXwoodswoman
OM
SB
Hodgeman
jgiles
jerbear
snownymph
snowdude
Crazy mike
prowler
Naviguesser
Briar rabbit
-19-”

“MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Aero, as soon as you get a firm figure e-mail me and we'll get this figured out.”

“I can't offer to cook anything but I would expect to contribute financially to this bash!! I am so thankful for all that you Montana folks are doing to make this happen. This is going to be the trip of a lifetime.”

“Let me know if I can bring anything, Aero.

I'd bring a salmon, for the bar-b, but I don't think it would enjoy the two day drive very much”

“Like PD said, I really appreciate all the time and effort you "Montana tt'ers" have put into this trip!

Aero/Chief/Geezer: Count me in for the q and brew, but most of all count me in for contributing some $.”

“Well we will be heading for Seattle in the morning. I'll know more about staying for the entire trip when we get back. Looking forward to those 70 degree temps after these 95's down here.”

“I would be pleased if you would allow me to contribute time and or money to this fine effort.

No, really I mean it!!!”

“I think we'll be all set for the barbeque/social hour at Cooke City. I wasn't really looking for a handout, just wanted to make sure we had enough burgers and brats on hand! You guys are all spending enough to get here in the first place! If we need anything more we can pick up a few groceries at the Red Lodge IGA on the way back through after we shuttle the vehicles at E. Rosebud. I hope you're up for a little sightseeing on the way to Cooke City over the Beartooth Highway. The snow is going fast and the wildflowers are about ready to explode up there. We ought to hit it at prime time!”

“Sightseeing? Way coool!


Didn't think you were asking for a handout. We would still like to help (Can I speak for all you fine people?). For myself, I'm paying $350 for a week long vacation (lodgeing and tours included). That's one heck of a deal! So, please allow us to help out.”

“Aero, let me know if you want me to bring some burger along too. Since I didn't get an elk last year, we bought a 1/2 beef. I've a ton of burger in the freezer.

Everyone else, I'm with Aero, don't worry about the $. The keg I'm bringing is free to me too. Just get here safe and in one piece. Then go and enjoy the Beartooths.

Just don't tell anybody about it. We want to keep it to ourselves.”

“But, still.....”

“What kind of saladas do you people enjoy? I got together w/ Aero yesterday and we agreed that I would bring some salads for the BBQ. Soooo, what'll it be?”

“Tossed. With honey-mustard or vinegarette.”

“K. That helped. Do we have no opinions on salad (other than Navi)!?!”

“I'm the only one that counts! 8^)”

“Newgirl, surprise me!”

“I'm not one to spread rumors :), but I saw this on another thread:

"Buddha, hellloooo, Aero and Chief are married. Which further proves my point that relationships (of course) suck. All the good ones are taken."
newgirl
01:02:22 PM
07/02/02

Aero and Chief married . . . oh my god!!!!!!”

“How about pasta? or, better yet...




LIME GREEN JELLO!”

“No lime green jello Aero. I'm afraid of what might transpire. A pasta salad is on the list already.

SB, not to each other! Duh!”

“Aero: lime green jello has sugar in it, we don't need anything to wind up crazy mike more than he already is!!!!!!!”

“Aero/Chief, who woulda thunk it?”

“That's right. I've got to remember to hide the coffee and Mtn Dew!

SB, are you guys riding out together? Do you know if you're stopping in Billings or Red Lodge Saturday?”

“newgirl: just kidding, I couldn't resist! Any salad is fine, I'm not picky.”

“I'm not sure it's legal in this state! LOL! Again, I didn't mean to each other.”

“aero: my vote would be to go on to red lodge, and knowing crazy mike, we might not stop the entire way until we get there!”

“I've never even met Chief! But he does like beer and backpacking....”

“You know that newgirl.

I may be married, just not to Aero.”

“Honk when ya pass Billings! You'll find some nice campgrounds up the highway about 12 miles past Red Lodge as you head into the mountains. There's Parkside and Greenough campgrounds right on Rock Creek.”

“aero: I'm sure we'll discuss final travel plans this weekend, so any suggestions would be helpful . . . thanks!”

“It's a little less than an hour to Red Lodge from Billings, but if you're really beat, or Crazy Mike flames out, you're welcome here...”

“kewl!”

“I never flame out!

8)”

“Just when you think the spark is gone..WHOOSH..a huge roaring fire breaks out !!!!

You are all in for the trip of your life with Crazy Mike along..Be prepared for ANYTHING.

Watch your backs..watch your packs and sleep with one eye open..

I so cant wait for the trip report..LMAO”