lessons from my little brother

It’s been two months...

I’m trying not to be angry with the people who have not been here with me. I know that you would tell me that life is too short to hold on to things. The moon was amazing last night. I thought of you during my evening walk...and it’s totally cliche, but not a day passes without a thought of you.

Thank you for teaching me...to take the day off when the weather is nice...to drive a few more miles for a good milkshake(and to not feel guilty about having it)...to live life unfiltered.

Lately I have been feeling a little bit sorry for myself because there are so many things that I want to do, but don’t have anyone to share those experiences with...and I wish you were here to offer me some advice, even though I am pretty sure I know what you would say.

We are having an Indian Summer. Luckily, I haven’t put the top back on the Jeep. I went for a ride today to check out a local brewery and ended up at the beach. This summer was so hectic, I didn’t make it down there. It’s one of those places I’ve been meaning to go. Thanks for taking the drive with me.

I would walk 100 miles...

Glacier National Park is on fire. Two weeks prior to my arrival, the Reynolds Creek Fire closed a good portion of the Going to the Sun Road. 

Thankfully, my plan was to stay in a lesser visited section of the park first (Two Medicine) and the Sun Road opened on the day I needed to access it.

The first two days were long, 15 mile hikes with amazing views. 

The third day was the longest, 19 miles in epic conditions (rain, hail, thunder, lightning and 50 MPH winds). My reward was a break in the weather and 360 degree views at Swiftcurrent Fire Lookout, the highest maintained trail in the park. 

From there, it was all familiar territory...Avalanche Lake, Hidden Lake, Piegan and Siyeh Passes, Ptarmigan Tunnel, Iceberg Lake, Grinnell Glacier and Grinnell Lake.

When all was said and done I had hiked a little over 105 miles.

Luck was on my side...three new fires began during the course of my stay, closing several of the trails I had hiked earlier in my visit and creating hazy conditions throughout the park. 

I am grateful to have experienced so much beauty and hope the fires are contained soon.