Weekend of Moto and Rafting on the Tieton River

photo courtesy of Osprey Rafting Guides

This was a great weekend: Met up with Stephen and his coworkers in central-Washington for some rafting and camping along the gorgeous Tieton River. It was time spent with good company, lots of laughter, and in the great outdoors. The river was very exciting with lots of waves, big holes, rocks to bump, a diversion dam, and the opportunity to rescue people after they got thrown out of the raft.

Overall I put in over 900 miles of motorcycling to get out there and back, and Stephen and I finished up the weekend with a fun tour of the Yakima Canyon. Tight, twisty, and scenic - just how I like it... Otherwise I-90 is dreadfully boring except some stretches on the Idaho/Montana border.

The Waning Days of Summer

The temperature has gotten into the sweet zone, and this Saturday I had to get out even though I have a huge backlog of reading to do and I still feel a little sick. I rode my moto down to Kootenai Creek in the Bitterroot Mountains and hiked up to N Kootenai Lake, which ended up being over 20 miles round trip. Most of the hike was pretty but not that scenic. The lake made the trip well worth it though, as it was absolutely superb.

Otherwise the hike was time well spent pondering my feelings of being stuck away from the people and cultural stimulus that are important to me and my sense that my destiny is to work in podunk towns if I choose to stay where I'm at. Personal values are hanging in the balance, and I feel like I've made some bad moves to end up where I am now, despite its many heavenly aspects. I love the mountains, issues, coworkers, and the work itself (for the most part) but am dismayed at the bureaucracy and anachronism remaining in the agency.

Superior Summer

Went floating down the Bitterroot with Max on Friday, and spent the weekend taking care of business. Started working in Superior last Monday and now I have and hour commute each way. It's really smokey right now and outdoor activity is minimal, but hopefully fall will bring clear skies, cooler temps, and time for some backpacking.

Transitional

Days are flying by...

Stephen's Pictures Now Up

Make sure to check out Stephen's pictures of Kauai, he got some great shots, especially of that tall, dark, and handsome guy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/sbentsen/20070627To20070709KauaiHawaii

In other news, fires are burning and I'm keeping busy covering fire information for the Lolo. Fun stuff! Here's a picture of the Chippy Creek Fire. Wow!

I'm a father!

OK, sort of... It feels that way as right now I'm bottlefeeding a couple of adorable, tiny, noisy little babies. They are absolutely darling and I'm as happy as can be just hanging out and playing with Hoonah (the orange tabby boy) and Misha (the grey tabby girl).

Post Kauai

Kauai... I struggle for words to describe the scope of the experience. Beautiful beaches, 3000 foot tall waterfalls, quality time with best of friends, amazing birds, snorkeling with sea turtles, craggy deep canyons full of plants bursting with all shades of green, hovering among cliffs and waterfalls in a helicopter... the list is huge, and the visceral impact goes way beyond what I am capable of with language. Amazing.