jeverich
Luddite
Some of the best experiences start after a completely spontaneous initial idea. Or, at least that's been a reflection of my experience thus far..
A short background summation of who I am; what I do..
I'm a commercial fisherman. Yes, quite a frank statement - although, it means that I spend a lot of time away from home, on boats that are oft rocking up and down, in less-than ideal weather. In other words, there is a surplus of time to fantasize about places to go and things to experience.. Bozeman, for whatever reason, was and still is one of those places. It's odd - how it's so easy to determine a final destination for a trip, yet - so challenging to actually pin down an exact date and time when you'll actually be on your way. At the risk of sounding utterly cliche, it really is incredibly easy to say that you are going to do something; although - drastically more challenging to actually force your words to come into fruition. Personally, at least - I have been guilty of this affliction.
Now that I've gotten that somewhat awkward background dossier out of the way, onward with the story:
This guy: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/travel/298522-wandering-wondering-my-little-road-trip.html
Contacted me, announced that he'd be in Washington State around the 28th of October. Me, being commitment free and bored, figured - "I've got a few local trails we can go on, nothing too challenging, but it'll provide some beautiful views."
Rendezvoused at my house around 12:00, bound for Deming, WA shortly there after. Funny, because the first time I found myself on that trail was three days prior - now I'm responsible for guiding someone else up it. Luckily, it's largely a plethora of right hand turns - which, makes it easy for my brain to remember. Reached the summit (~5000 Feet) around 14:30. Terrific weather, clear skies and a light wind. Views extending all the way to Vancouver Island and beyond are slightly hard to beat. Oh, and Mount Baker directly in front - serving as a true testament to the rugged beauty that is the Pacific Northwest. Especially when it peaks out at over 10,000 Feet.
Short lunch at the top - followed by a discussion of what the plans were to be for the rest of the day. Decided after much hesitation that I'd join on the next leg out to Bozeman. Why not? Again, at the risk of sounding completely cliche - "There can be a million reasons why not to do something, and one reason to do something."..
Went back to the house, finished up a few odds and ends on the rig. Namely, mounting the roof top tent to the rack - which, ARB so conveniently designed the mounting feet to only accept 1" tube. A few passes with a grinder, and at the cost of sacrificing the pretty powder coating, and the clamps were fitting. Perfectly would be a slight over-embellishment of the truth, although - they do work. Packed a dry bag with clothes, last minute food inventory, stove/mess kit and I was ready to go. Well, almost. Made one turn around to get a coffee mug.
Reached Ellensburg, WA at approximately 0200. Popped the tent; was setup in about ten minutes.. I won't go into much detail about this night. It was not fun. Between the temperature hovering around 10 degrees, and me using a sleeping bag that's been abused on fishing boats for the last 6 years, I probably got about 2 hours of sleep. If that. Thinking about how boneheaded I was about not having a heater/better bag still bothers me. Suppose the saying live and learn applies to the utmost extent here...
Woke up (not even sure if that is the correct word to use in this application). Let me re-phrase this. Drug myself out of the tent at 0700. One of those mornings when you are pissed from the get go. Not at anything in particular, mostly just at the world for not letting you sleep, or more appropriately - yourself. Yes, I know that you've all had mornings like that. Don't lie. Especially when your travel partner is deluging you with stories of how well he slept in the back of his rig.. Only adding to the self-loathing.
Gave up on properly packing the tent in 10 degree weather; we just did the
straps and deemed it adequate until the temperature climbed above freezing. Note: Roof Top Tents are great; although, the rubberized canvas covers quite readily become cardboard in incredibly cold weather.
Quick cup of AeroPress coffee (amazing invention, Google it), and we were on the road by 0930 - heading to Missoula, Montana.
I'll continue on tomorrow.. Hang tight.
A short background summation of who I am; what I do..
I'm a commercial fisherman. Yes, quite a frank statement - although, it means that I spend a lot of time away from home, on boats that are oft rocking up and down, in less-than ideal weather. In other words, there is a surplus of time to fantasize about places to go and things to experience.. Bozeman, for whatever reason, was and still is one of those places. It's odd - how it's so easy to determine a final destination for a trip, yet - so challenging to actually pin down an exact date and time when you'll actually be on your way. At the risk of sounding utterly cliche, it really is incredibly easy to say that you are going to do something; although - drastically more challenging to actually force your words to come into fruition. Personally, at least - I have been guilty of this affliction.
Now that I've gotten that somewhat awkward background dossier out of the way, onward with the story:
This guy: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/travel/298522-wandering-wondering-my-little-road-trip.html
Contacted me, announced that he'd be in Washington State around the 28th of October. Me, being commitment free and bored, figured - "I've got a few local trails we can go on, nothing too challenging, but it'll provide some beautiful views."
Rendezvoused at my house around 12:00, bound for Deming, WA shortly there after. Funny, because the first time I found myself on that trail was three days prior - now I'm responsible for guiding someone else up it. Luckily, it's largely a plethora of right hand turns - which, makes it easy for my brain to remember. Reached the summit (~5000 Feet) around 14:30. Terrific weather, clear skies and a light wind. Views extending all the way to Vancouver Island and beyond are slightly hard to beat. Oh, and Mount Baker directly in front - serving as a true testament to the rugged beauty that is the Pacific Northwest. Especially when it peaks out at over 10,000 Feet.
Short lunch at the top - followed by a discussion of what the plans were to be for the rest of the day. Decided after much hesitation that I'd join on the next leg out to Bozeman. Why not? Again, at the risk of sounding completely cliche - "There can be a million reasons why not to do something, and one reason to do something."..
Went back to the house, finished up a few odds and ends on the rig. Namely, mounting the roof top tent to the rack - which, ARB so conveniently designed the mounting feet to only accept 1" tube. A few passes with a grinder, and at the cost of sacrificing the pretty powder coating, and the clamps were fitting. Perfectly would be a slight over-embellishment of the truth, although - they do work. Packed a dry bag with clothes, last minute food inventory, stove/mess kit and I was ready to go. Well, almost. Made one turn around to get a coffee mug.
Reached Ellensburg, WA at approximately 0200. Popped the tent; was setup in about ten minutes.. I won't go into much detail about this night. It was not fun. Between the temperature hovering around 10 degrees, and me using a sleeping bag that's been abused on fishing boats for the last 6 years, I probably got about 2 hours of sleep. If that. Thinking about how boneheaded I was about not having a heater/better bag still bothers me. Suppose the saying live and learn applies to the utmost extent here...
Woke up (not even sure if that is the correct word to use in this application). Let me re-phrase this. Drug myself out of the tent at 0700. One of those mornings when you are pissed from the get go. Not at anything in particular, mostly just at the world for not letting you sleep, or more appropriately - yourself. Yes, I know that you've all had mornings like that. Don't lie. Especially when your travel partner is deluging you with stories of how well he slept in the back of his rig.. Only adding to the self-loathing.
Gave up on properly packing the tent in 10 degree weather; we just did the
straps and deemed it adequate until the temperature climbed above freezing. Note: Roof Top Tents are great; although, the rubberized canvas covers quite readily become cardboard in incredibly cold weather.
Quick cup of AeroPress coffee (amazing invention, Google it), and we were on the road by 0930 - heading to Missoula, Montana.
I'll continue on tomorrow.. Hang tight.
