The Native Iowan

Heavily clouded skies dominate. Temps a few degrees above freezing.  I sit outside. The night is still but well chilled. It will freeze before the morning comes. It rained a lot today. Sun came out in the afternoon. Radiant heat everywhere. Was glorious. Down right balmy. But in the rain? And on a still night?

On a still night, sounds carry. The chill has a hummm. If you have ever been in cold… people have divergent concepts of cold.  Have you ever been in, say, -45, that’s cold.  If you have you will remember a hummm that may be the absence of sound. Not even sound can service at -45.

There is a dampness in the air.  My wooly hat. Fingerless gloves. Wooly scarf tight around the neck. Maintain adequate body heat. I sweat when I climb hills here. And pant and wheeze.  I need to get to 6000 feet. Just to see how it feels. Hmmm…. Go for a ride. Have a look around.

I hear a dog. There are many dogs here. All well behaved. My dogs would not be acceptable. Not nearly socialized enough.  The kids here are good. All well socialized.  The environment is good for kids. And dogs.  I like it alot. Even the chill in the air. Maybe, especially the chill in the air?

Well, not really. Not yet…

But I am having a good time and feeling great. Current score is mountains 1/ Mike 0…

Got into Missoula last eve. Hung out at Chris and Cath’s place, went for  good walk, felt good with my wind and general adaptability. I remind myself that the last time I was here I “managed” but left, after only two days of humping, totally fatigued and wasted. I felt like a puss.

I committed then to a fitness level capable of even contemplating mountain activities. Last year I came and went immediately to 6000 feet. I simply could not breath. I was disappointed in myself. And today feel much better. but I am starting slow.

Followed Chris on a grouse shoot… Got out about noon. The weather was crisp and clear. Good walking weather. We may have been at 4000 ft. We took off straight up. Chris carrying a beautiful old Parker 12 gauge. I carried a pretty little Ithaca 20 gauge.

Chris is an animal and has amazing walking skills. Me, well, I guess for an apprentice geriatric I don’t do too bad. But within minutes I am shedding layers. Sweating on my glasses. Cursing my slick-soled work boots.

Gotta get geared up! I panted and sweated and followed Chris up and over a granite saddle in well logged land. Up and over and down into a little drainage. Or such was the theory.

Up was an issue for this geriatric in training… I panted and wheezed but kept a steady (SLOW) pace. I never saw reason to load the little 20 gauge so found it to be an inadequate at best walking stick. But it did help and I did carry it up, and over and under then through, to a neat little promontory with caves and crevices.

Chris let me recover my wind so I played lizard in the sun. Then we headed down. I slipped and racked my elbow at one point. Drew blood. Made me laugh… Mountains one/ Mike Zero…

The ancient landscape and the well used and abused terrain was evidence of a fantastically fertile land. A land of power and age.

We did not see any grouse. we collected some fire wood and went home to a BBQ. Its 1030pm my time and I think I am well ready for a sleep.

I must comment on the Filardi household I am privileged to be part of… I woke this morning before 8am to kids jumping hollering and making good kids sounds. It sounded like my home. I get kid-hugs from Leo and Wren on call. Wren and I went apple picking this morning. She showed me a big pile of bear “poo”. When I asked if it was griz or black bear she stated with authority, “Black bear of course”.

I went out today without my promised bear spray can strapped to my chest… Chris tells me to negotiate if/ when we/ I encounter a bear. I understand this but Grace is a bit psychzy about it so I did promise to carry a magnum of bear deterrent. I’ll go buy one tomorrow.

And go to bed now. I feel good and look forward to more of this Montana madness…