A long spring

Weeks of 40 degree temps and rain, mixed with a bit of snow accumulation, challenged my dedication to stay at the cabin until the middle of June. Somehow I managed. My last few weeks on The Hood consisted of long range packing and storing, cleaning, and chasing dry trails and sun. In between I was able to spend one last day surfing the OR coast with my buddy Seth, and visit Andy and Beth in Seattle, where we took in the International Film Festival and kayaked Lake Union.

Given the amount of time I dedicated to sorting and packing, I feel pretty prepared for the next 5 months. Some time will be spent living out of the truck, but mostly Tischer and I will be on trail or water. I have learned from the last few summers how to efficiently live out of the Red Ranger with Tischer, thus the fine tuning only gets more crisp.

Departure day came, and I eagerly turned east into the sunrise. If it were not for the price of gas, all that would have been left on Highway 26 after the smoke cleared would have been my tire marks. However, in an effort to save funds I held a steady pace of 60-65 mph's all the way across Oregon, Washington and Idaho. I'll admit, once Montana skies greeted my windshield, adrenaline (and speed) took over.

The past season was a long one, and I have been ready to be gone for some time now. Finally, it is game time.