Crossing the Continental Divide in Montana Friday was a milestone. Though more than half way to my goal of the Pacific it does signal that everything in front of me is flowing toward the Pacific.
The day started out much less ceremoniously, however. Having stopped the previous night in Cody,Wyoming, I woke there, too. I checked the Yellowstone website for any special announcements since Thursday several of the entrances were closed due to snow. The website said nothing special. I loaded the car anticipating a memorable day in the park. Just after pulling out on the park approach road a large sign faced me...East Entrance...closed, Jackson...closed, Yellowstone was completely closed. What to do? I pulled off to consider my options. I could wait but there was no guarantee it would open Friday...and Katy Gibson (Vanderswaag) invited me to her place near Missoula, Montana. I decided to head for Montana. After all it was only six hours away. It wasn't the most scenic of the drives of the Quest, but it went quickly. Getting off I-90 in Huson, I was quickly led to dirt roads. The roads went way back into a valley. Then they turned uphill...up, up, down, up. Just before the down I was able to make a call to Katy..."am I on the right road" "sure, just keep coming, we will be able to see your car soon," came the answer.
I had been seeing Katy's photos of Dan's and her house for a few years now; it looked spectacular. High on a hill on Mt Stark, it overlooked a majestic valley of fir covered mountains. Dan built it. Through blasting rock they were able to build their drive in. Dan felled and milled the posts and beams that comprise the frame of the house...brought the rock in for retaining walls...he built the everything... the two story window frames, the door frames, the floors...all milled by Dan. And what makes him my hero is that this is the first house he has built.
Their kids are two dogs...one (Riley) is a big softy, the other (Starky) is 90% wolf and terribly shy. But both dogs are beautiful and fit their surroundings. We sat up late talking after a delicious chili dinner prepared by Dan's mom. Dan's parents had just gotten there and were living in their vacation camper home.
Katy had been one of my first students when I went to Cape Cod Academy in 1988. Her and my time at the Academy were identical in length. I got there her 7th grade year and left with her graduation. Today she is high above the ocean in this gorgeous mountain enclave with her dogs and delightful and talented husband.
Riley
and Starky
The day started out much less ceremoniously, however. Having stopped the previous night in Cody,Wyoming, I woke there, too. I checked the Yellowstone website for any special announcements since Thursday several of the entrances were closed due to snow. The website said nothing special. I loaded the car anticipating a memorable day in the park. Just after pulling out on the park approach road a large sign faced me...East Entrance...closed, Jackson...closed, Yellowstone was completely closed. What to do? I pulled off to consider my options. I could wait but there was no guarantee it would open Friday...and Katy Gibson (Vanderswaag) invited me to her place near Missoula, Montana. I decided to head for Montana. After all it was only six hours away. It wasn't the most scenic of the drives of the Quest, but it went quickly. Getting off I-90 in Huson, I was quickly led to dirt roads. The roads went way back into a valley. Then they turned uphill...up, up, down, up. Just before the down I was able to make a call to Katy..."am I on the right road" "sure, just keep coming, we will be able to see your car soon," came the answer.
I had been seeing Katy's photos of Dan's and her house for a few years now; it looked spectacular. High on a hill on Mt Stark, it overlooked a majestic valley of fir covered mountains. Dan built it. Through blasting rock they were able to build their drive in. Dan felled and milled the posts and beams that comprise the frame of the house...brought the rock in for retaining walls...he built the everything... the two story window frames, the door frames, the floors...all milled by Dan. And what makes him my hero is that this is the first house he has built.
Their kids are two dogs...one (Riley) is a big softy, the other (Starky) is 90% wolf and terribly shy. But both dogs are beautiful and fit their surroundings. We sat up late talking after a delicious chili dinner prepared by Dan's mom. Dan's parents had just gotten there and were living in their vacation camper home.
Katy had been one of my first students when I went to Cape Cod Academy in 1988. Her and my time at the Academy were identical in length. I got there her 7th grade year and left with her graduation. Today she is high above the ocean in this gorgeous mountain enclave with her dogs and delightful and talented husband.Riley
and Starky
Just saw this in my history on gmail. I usually use Yahoo so I never experienced this story. It is phenomenal because Katy is my daughter and Dan is my son-in-law.
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