Road Trip w/ The True Story

“June 27, I headed out the door for Quasta, NM around 6am. Driving 21 hrs. straight thru. Arriving late to suprise my wife and kids early the next day.

I stayed with the family(brother n law, her mom, etc.) for about three days when deciding that I needed to get going on the road to make it to Montanapalooza intime.

I drove up the scenic route on the west side of Colorado. Stopping first at "Sand Dune NP"!

Unbelievable to see such huge sand forms. Some topping 8k ft. White dusty sand very hot to the touch. My dog and I took a stroll to the top to get the view and feeling of the whole thing. It felt like I was some arab sitting in the desert not knowing where to go.

The veiws all the way up along the drive are definetly the most increadible site ever with mountains toppling every where. Left Right it didnt matter which way you looked it was great. Driving for some time we decided to stop 30 miles from the Wyoming border. We crashed at Freeman Campground in the NF. This forest had all aspens packed together so tightly. Trees bigger than my hug, I couldnt even fit my arms around them.

They next morning I headed up to the GRAND TETONS!!! Driving with even more breath taking Mnts. Snapping pic after pic.

I had arrived, mouth down to my knees (no you 4 not sucking cock) just amaized with the magnitude of the Tetons. I couldnt believe my eyes. Mountains so detailed that I knew I needed to be in there. I drove up the NF road and stayed on a huge bald Mnt. with the Tetons in veiw the entire night. The next morning I packed my dog and myself up and headed out for a day hike. (map is outside so I dont have the excact trail description, or name) this trail was only 7miles round trip but did top 9,700ft. With a great view of Grand Teton. The hike turned out great just freaked me out alittle due to all the bear sh1t.

The next day we hiked up with our packs on into the Teton range. I was desperate to have a hiking partner that I kept giving the Bear a call. He was there the same time and I couldnt find him.
I ended up picking a hike that was 14 miles round trip. Just a overnighter since dogs are not allowed on the trails. It was great, basically circled through the valley's. Everthing there went great. 7 miles up and out with hundreds of stream crossings and pines.

Anyway(as you can tell Im not much on righting reports, owell).

I stayed a few more days and doing some more day hikes after deciding to head up to YellowStone NP.

I must say YellowStone is nothing after seeing the Tetons!! I did a bunch of animal shots, Bison, Cayote, Elk, Moose, even got a picture of a Bald Eagle sitting in her nest. I headed up to Old Faithful and watched the commercial geyser. For you that havnt been there its a board walk all the way around the geyser for every one can see. After the gesyer showing off I decided to call Chief to possibly meet up with him and then go to Montana. But shoot he says Im a week early!!??? Dam I was so cought up in the beauty that I forgot I had a whole week to go still. He was talking about another trip some one planned that I could head on to so I was supposed to give him a ring later the next day. Which never happened!! I spoke to the wify and decide I need to go get the family. This part of the country was so beautiful that I couldnt let them miss out.

So off I go driving straight thru to NM again. Only took 12 hrs. I ended up staying there again for almost a week doing some hikes up thru the back yard to Carson National Forest. We vistited two springs which have been dried up by the drout. I found some land that we are interested in purchasing and we are going to break ground next spring. After speaking with realter after realter we set for the road the path that Ive done crossed to the North.

Deciding to take the family to the Aspen Forest which I have stayed previously , I knew they would love the beauty as well. But wait on the way up there was smoke coming from the N. The closer we got to Steamboat Springs I noticed a huge thick smoke coming from the direction we are going. It so happens that there was a fire 15 miles NW of the Springs. I didnt think it would bother us so we continued to drive to Freeman. As we got closer and closer we noticed another cloud of smoke. I just said F1ck its on fire. Sjure as sh1t the Freeman area was in blaze. The Aspens that I loved were burning.......8(

We had to push on, nothing past that could acommidate campers for some time. So we were forced into a comfortable Hotel.

The next few days are definetly going to stay with me. Seeing my little ones pointing at the Mountains, and then the geysers they saw. They loved it, the happiness was definetly worth missing the begginning of Montanapalooza I thought. We camped out from NF camps to Tetons then Yellowstone camps. Picking the most untravelled camps which can be hard but we found some. Some people dont know that Yellowstone has 350 camp sites that are not advertised. So plenty of camps are left. We just did the family thing doing day hikes and site seeing the geyser basins.

After fulfilling our dreams of Yellowstone we decided it was time to head to Montana. We have been contiplating since NM, which roote we would take once we arrived. Once arriving in Red Lodge I gave Chief a call and told him we are heading up the Rosebud trail for a night. He said well they will be at Rainbow Lake on Thursday night. I puled out the map, noticed it was only 7 miles at 1700 ft elivation gain. Not bad I said to my self. Nowing I could do it since I hike quit a bit, and in the Smoky Mountains once amonth. I headed to the local gear store asking them about fires, snow conditions, and bears. All the concerns a father would take with kids in the backcountry. OFF we go.

Heading in at around 8 am, we stopped to talk with some local road workers that are working on the road to East Rose Bud. They were a friendly two that just wanted to talk abit. They said how funny our voices are and that we should move there. That was pretty cool to speak to some old fellers with hick acsents!!

East Rose Bud we are here. Taking our time to strap up the packs,(with all packing done carefully at the hotel) we headed off. The 7 mile climb took about 5 hours with about 15 stops with packs off for us. We pushed on talking with people coming off the trail saying how great it was up there. We met the ranger on the way up and a few other bunches that gave us more details of the trail.

Upon arriving at Rainbow Lake we are greeted by Crazy Mike yelling "is that Prowler". I felt a little uncomfertable with the glares from some instead of a friendly invitation that is normally the case. It looked rainy so I pitched our tent and went over to the group were CM was cooking, so I felt it was a good time to eat since it was getting late.

The food was good, my spehgetti didnt turn out so well! But the dogs were fed. Sitting around scrambling with things and hanging out for a few with the group. But before I took off to play with the family in the meadows I was asked if I want to stay another day?? I said let me speak to my wife and see what she wants to do. (we had planned to hike in and hike out) Before I could turn every one offered food to stay another day, throwing it all out on the ground in piles saying that they need to lighten there loads, I turned to talk with Kym. We contiplated some more and decided just to stick w/ the itineray and tell them we would hike out. I had plenty of food, diapers and two water filters. The excuse was that we didnt have enough diapers(which we did) we just didnt want to stay.

That night I hung out with a few and explained the motor boat to crazy mike which ofcourse he new that. A little herb was smoked far away from the kids with a group of others. (the herb wasnt near as bad as some of the liqour that was being put down, plus the cigerrates could kill on a hike like that how irresponsible, hehe) Most of the time at the lake I played with the kiddies trying to avoid the group because I had the immpression that some didnt like kids and of course I DIDNT want to ruin there last night.(thats the vibe I felt) After turning down the food and stuff every one put it away in there where ever?? That night I went to bed fairly early hearing that they would awake at 6am I said screw that Im sleeping in and taking my time getting out. Its just a overnighter for me so Im going to enjoy it.

So the next morning I was awakend by people getting up and gojo, singing which made me geek!!!! I heard them all shuffle off in the distance. While then my stomache was feeling nauseated. I sat up drank tons of water a layed down. Acouple minutes later I was awakend again by geezr saying dude theres a fire its going to spread 3/4 mile up trail by the lake, there just trying holding it off as best they can. O Sh1t!!!, I said, I jumped up and started packing, we had everything strapped and on our backs with in 6 minutes of geezr waking us. While we packed he scared the bejesus out of some other campers that came up the night before. (ended up ruining there week up in the mountains, I heard they packed and left as well) Telling them they better hury to get out. One guy didnt understand so geezr kind of got an attitude with the guy. We took off 3/4 a mile up the trail to where he said the fire was. When getting there it was just a little smoke,(fire out) I took off the pack ran to a log and started yakking yellow stuff, then the dry heaving began and the shakes. I laid down there and began the sickness. Everyone left except TX, and the snow people. I had stomache cramps so bad I couldnt breath, and the feeling of constant nausea. I dont remember much for about two hours except when they made me take my paxil with some of Snow's electrolight beverage. (they must of seen 4 pills in the film canister 1-paxil, taken daily, 1-vicodin-taken upon pain when needed for my hip, 1-gluecosimine/chondroiten, and 1-msm, these are to help rebuild the joints in my body) these last two pills are 100% ALL NATURAL. But hey I geuss these mean you are over medicated yet they are still in the film canister!! Who figures?? Awhile after I started feeling better. The ranger came up and called on her phone trying to get help. The cramps came and went as they pleased. I started drinking some more gatorade and snows drink. The more of that stuff I drank the better I felt. The ranger had said it would take 4 hrs. to come and get me. I begged to hike out. They finally agreed and we started off. (for who ever has hiked with me knows that Im tall IN SHAPE and not slow) I trekked about 2 miles then getting another cramp that put me on my ars. We sat for about ten minutes before getting on the trail again. I kept my pace trying to get out incase I went wakky again. They said they are in need of water. So as I trekked on snow nymph cought up with me by running saying they need water, so we stopped. Tx says I need to pace myself, (she really doesnt know my pace! I was pacing, any slower I would of fell) 2 miles from the trail head the ranger cought up with me she said the hoarses are on there way, I was releaved!! I didnt want to move another step but I pushed on 1.5 miles from the trail head I was greeted with hoarses! I was so thankful, once I was mounted up I realized how week my body was still. They put me in the ambulance and off I went.

While waiting at the trailhead like a loving wife would, the four that put me down so harshly were telling her we are all in this together! (that seems like a backstabbing liar to me) Some offered to get food (that I didnt know about),and my wife offered money but it wasnt taken. As they returned with the food she offered money and they said dont worry about it, she repeatadly said thank you (i know my wife and thats her). Getting to the hospital was a long haul but we made it. The doctor came in took my hands sqeezed them and said I think you have a gastronal intestine flu! What the hell!!!! (that was my first impression, with out any testing, OK) They released me found us a hotel and said rest for 4-5 days drinking lots. They also explained that I would need to go to Billings and get my prescription filled, they have no facilities here to do so.

I went to the hotel showed , shaved, and sh1t!! I was feeling naseated and went down the street to smoke a little herb, why, because you that dont know one of the medical use for marijuana is an anti-nasea. I returned and headed for the KOA that I heard jerbear was staying at. Once arriving w/ wife in drivers seat, I was waived a hello by Briar. I got out said a thanks to TX and the snows, talked with Jerbear and he asked me if it was the vicodins I had. Hell no, if I did take some they only last 4 hours!! Well before I went to bed. Anyway I made a comment about not taking my prescription, whuch geezr over heard and blows it way out of proprtion. I offered a house that I rented out with five beds but no takers. As emmbarrased as I was we took off for our room. All hotels were booked so we got the house at the same cost as a hotel room.


Well thats the entire tru story lets see who can find something I did wrong.

I dont think any of this has a darn thing to do about kids on the trail. That was just an excuse of many they began on a long betrayal of TT'ers. Im doing better and have learned one lesson on this trip-----dont forget the nalgene bottle to mix your electrolights-----. No nothing has ever happened to me like this before that was described by ?? All that happened is that I got sick, what the hell could I do about it!!

So fo rall you that put me down so harshly Ill let the others fend for me.

And or the kids, Shade-3, and Lainey1 1/2, they had the BEST TIME OF THERE LIVES and ill do it again, and again. We all take sacrifices when we go into the backcountry, kids or no kids!!!!!!!

(sorry for grammer and spelling but hey its all good)”

“Prowler:
IMO you needn't spend so much energy defending yourself. Your detractors are unlikely to be swayed and your supporters don't need it.
I've gotten real sick on a trip and had to bail. The dissapointment was bad enough. I'm glad I didn't have people around judging me actions.
Hope you're feeling better.”

“this is my trip report!!!!!!”

“ditto what le subtil said.

sounds like you had some fun out west. glad to hear you enjoyed yourself.”

“Good trip report prowler!

Sorry you went through hell and then caught more of the same, but over all it sounds like you learned a lot, saw a lot and came away with a better understanding of a great many things.

You`re welcome to come hike with me anytime it pleases you and if you get sick on me, or pull anything funky I`ll just plant your sorry ass off of trail in a cat pile and tell the good Lord you died,...never mind I had to knock you in the head, but there`s no need drawing things out!

Oh,...and when I post my report, there won`t be any mention of you either,...heck I don`t have a clue what happened to prowler, that`s gonna be my take on it!LOL

Glad you and your bunch are alright, get well!”

“Ok, first we heard from the "prosecution", now we have heard from the "defense".

If the prosecution has any rebuttal, let's hear it so we can send this matter to the jury and get a final disposition.”

“prowler and famly,
if you ever think about comming to the northeast area i would be honored to backpack with you and your family!!!

and id let you write up the trip report because i loved reading yours!!”

“I'd welcome you, Kym and the ankle-biters to hike with me anytime. Hope everyone can put everything about this where it belongs--in the past.”

“Prowler- you got it right. that's the truth. Really. But, there's a few things you might not have known in your condition:

1) you didn't see the scared looks on eveyone's faces (mine included) when we came up from fighting the fire.
2) I was sent down the trail (by TX) to alert the ranger of a medical emergency- Jerbear had already taken off to alert her of the fire.
3) Your gear and kids didn't magically walk down the trail by themselves- Gojo, Hodgeman and others carried it/them out.
4) I alerted the ranger, half-way out) and told her it could be a serious problem and she alerted the SAR to get ready.
5) OM had to make an extra shuttle in the dark over the 2 11K passes to get the Snow family back to their rig.
6) the group that was trying to make airline connections on Sat. finally got to eat and shower here by 11:00pm-
7) i was concerned and scared until I found out about all the meds/dope, etc.

But hey it's your trip report right?

Better living through Chemistry man!”

“I'd like to cross examine Prowler Chili...

Who was ragging on you?”

“I home your upset with everyone else that had meds/dope, etc.!!!!

Im just glad they didnt get sick, if I seen you acting so selfish I would of told you to go to HELL and kicked your sorry a1s back where you came from!!!!!!!!”

“home-hope”

“I'd like to stick around for this one but i'm off to the mtns again ---bye!”

“he said, she said, they said


man im so lost and confused..


did anyone one have a good trip??”

“I had a blast!!!!

Off to Isle Royal in a couple days!! WaHOOO!”

“I see that you both list an email address in your profiles. I would like to respectfully request that you continue this difference of opinion via that venue instead of this one. I would truly appreciate it.

Thank you,
Skullcap”

“I instruct Prowler to answer BB's question directly and then I say we put this to the jury.”

“Oh skully, there you go taking all the fun out of posting on this board again...sheez...”

“1,2,3,4 I was out of it ! I am great full for the help!!

5, no one told me or I kym would have drove them!!

6, Sorry!!

7, Your just perfect!! Prescribed meds, are legal!!”

“WF I haven't heard anyone say they had a bad trip... sounds like it was a trip... good stuff/bad stuff (that's a trip to me)

Basically sounds like Aero and others put a lot of time and energy (and money) into planning Montanapalooza wanting to show TT'ers how great Monatana can be (and did it by all accounts).

Prowler got the stomach flu (or something like it... could it have been a nasty microbe? who can tell). EVERYONE jumped to the rescue and should be commended.

Aero heard/saw some herbage and some other prescribed/OTC meds and took exception, attributed Prowlers sickness to it (sounds like the Dr. doesn't agree)...

I wasn't there but I've been there. Everyone will be ok... Prowler and Aero will prolly not be hanging out anytime soon but no biggie”

“aw ya we will!!!!!”

“Cool trip report, Prowler... and sorry bad blood developed at the end of it. Hope you guys can eventually make up. Nevertheless, sounds like it was a great trip for you, the wife, and the wierd little wonders!”

“Prosecution rests. Any more witnesses Chili?”

“I have 20 rolls of film, so Ill post the trip pics as soon as I get time! They are sweet!!!!!

Prob. the greatest trip Ive ever had!!!!”

“i cant wait to see pics of your little ones. i love that kinda stuff”

“No, BB. I say we submit it to the jury.”

“hay if i plead nuts do i get to go home and not have to be a juror today??

it worked for arlo guthrie”

“No, wf, you are a defense lawyers dream. Just sit tight.”

“ok but do i atleas still get paid??”

“ill give you some meds!!!lol”

“im not touching that one with a ten foot poll

but it was funny!”

“**chili36 sighs*

And just when things looked good for ole' Prowler, he gets nabbed for jury tampering.”

“It seems that Judge matt has stricken the prosecution's entire case!

Congratulations on winning your case prowler.”

“So once again aero has nothing to say but how everyone was put out at having to help an unfortunate family. Can it get any more lame than that? Poor babies! Perhaps their next big hike should be called self-centered b@sturdspaluza?”

“Yes, Judge matt struck the prosecution's case, but he waited until the prosecutor was out of sight and off to the mtns.”

“Prowler,
Similar situations have happened to friends of mine twice when I've been on a trip with them. Although the trip had to be redefined, it was no big deal. It could of happened to me. Backcountry emergency first aid is something everyone should know. I am glad you are well.”

“hey prowler, you have to tell me more about your plans for NM. Buying land? Moving? Wife with ties to Questa?”

“Yup, her brother lives there and we are buying land there!

Penebeta neighborhood, or woods!”

“Im heading out in April to break ground. Building a Earth ship and adobe !”

“where is it, Taos? Must be if its an earth ship. :D”

“here is where Im moving.

www.earthship.com

this is the style house Im building. Trying to get JOSh to move out for a full time job!!”

“North of Toas, I have a bunch of friends there as well.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/fire/swainfo/firerestrictions/nm_quad3.html


I was at the Toas Solar Music Fest While I was there to!

great Music!!”

“yep, most of the living quarters in the ground. solar heat/collectors on top?”

“ya it will be but the first level- will be a log cabin, second level-a earthship(all earthships will have a greenhouse on the front)
third-earthship, fourth-earthship with a second quarters up above that.

The cabin will be for visitors, family, etc.

The land we are buying has a slight grade down, so each level will be higher than each other with stairs conecting them.

Also our backyard is the Crason National Forest with two nice springs.”

“K toas is done saved thanks thow!! They have some great jams!!!”

“In Questa? When I had more time and less family used to pass through Questa all the time.”

“You moving there Prowler or just building a second home?”

“moving and keeping my home here!”

“Gonna rent the ole' homestead or will it become the second house?”