2 Weeks Later

I find myself in Portland at MC's house, in front of his computer on a misty day. Almost 2 weeks ago I left White Bear Lake with Greggy P. headed toward Missoula in his silver mini-van. With the rear seats removed, he built a platform spanning nearly the length of the vehicle, on which he laid his crash pad. The trip back west was awesome, mostly because it wasn't just me.

We watched the sunset from the side of I-94 in North Dakota while eating Cup'n'Cone subs that I had picked up the day before. We witnessed a small brawl between men outside a casino in Miles City while filling up on gas. And we alternated sleeping and driving through the night making the drive feel really easy.

In Bozemen, we headed south to West Yellowstone to see our friend Wado with whom I worked with one summer a few years back. He was relaxing after a summer of work in a luxurious pad just off of Hebgen Lake, and we swung in with an early morning wake-up call consisting of our last two beers, a container of my mom's homemade stuffed peppers, and a carton of eggs. We feasted and took in the sights from the front deck. A real quick stop to see Josh and Jamie and Greggy and I were back at it.

We rolled into Missoula and I caught up with Ryan for a round of Frisbee golf up at Pattie Canyon. Then joined a large group outside at Bayern Brewery, and on to Kewanis Park outside of Pablo's house. Finally, we made our way to Sean Kelley's for an evening with Tom Catmull. After Tom finished his last lyric, we couldn't resist the enticing flavor of The Oxford and JJ's Special.

I ran a 5k with Scotty the next morning. And as early as it was I still managed a personal best. It felt good. Some of us gathered up in the Grant Creek area where Scott and Jen just moved for Early Morning Risers on the grill and bloodies in old canning jars. Ultimate Bocce Ball around the yard, tunes on the radio, napping in the shade on an awfully hot day, back to town.

Another night in town and we loaded the van to head south through the Bitterroot to Goldbug Hot springs. Now we were a group of 4, adding Greg's girlfriend Erin and her sister Cara. The van blew a radiator literally on top of Lost Trail Pass. Limping to a gas station in North Fork, Idaho, we first discovered this and spent the night in the gravel parking lot up against a wood fence. We had Jameson, beer, dinner, and good attitudes after the reality settled in. Staying up late, we carved lanterns out of PBR cans and lit them. Greg slack lined between gas pumps under the station lights of the General Store we enjoyed the moments for what they were. It was what we were handed and we knew it. We could only accept it and so we did. It really was a great night and I would do it all over again if I could.

Two days later, after shacking up with friends in Salmon, Idaho while the van got fixed, we skipped the hot springs altogether because I needed to be at Reed for work. And that's why I find myself here in Portland now. I just wrapped up a freshmen trip that lasted over the last 5 days. A few prep and I had the group of 10 new students at the cabin from Saturday to Tuesday, doing something different each day. Canoeing on Timothy Lake, rafting the Deschutes River out of Maupin, climbing at Smith Rock State Park, and finally a half day of hiking near the cabin.

Last night, after all the gear was returned and details wrapped up, Matt and I headed up to his house to grill and play corn hole. A fish dinner around a bonfire in his backyard, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson in the background, we rambled on and drank. A fine evening we all should have often.

I fly back to Minnesota tomorrow afternoon. The Northshore Inline Marathon is only a couple of weeks away. I plan on departing the day after that for my 3 week hike of the Superior Hiking Trail. Send good energy my way. I'll be back on The Mountain by the middle of October. Be sure to keep checking in!