Home > Bob Marshall > Bob Journal Vol 1 Most Grammar mistakes are intentional, typed as written in my journal The Bob Journals 6/6/04 - 8/17/04 Volume One: First Found Freedom Written by Eric Kroeger 10/9/04 Check these out: Travel Log - Injury Log - Animal Log ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Journals of Eric Kroeger: Summer of 2004 as a United States Forest Service employee in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, working as a backcountry trail crew member on the Spotted Bear Ranger District in the South Fork Flathead River Valley. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day 1                6/6/04 I woke to my alarm for the last time for three months. At 8am, I got up and immediately finished packing, even though I had been packing all week. I went to the Sportsman in Kalispell to buy a few last minute things, but not too much to alter the weight of my pack. After waiting (and getting some sleep) at Wendy’s, I met up with Jessica Noble. We then took off for Spotted Bear Ranger Station. The forest road seemed never ending. It was very windy and long. Sixty miles is a long way traveling at 35mph. Between dodging other vehicles and numerous potholes, we made it safely to Spotted Bear. I am bunked with other people from all over the Northern US. There are a total of three guitars in our cabin which will make this week interesting. I met up with Jess and Amanda Shotzberger; they are on the Bear DNA Crew. I will know more about what I’ m doing tomorrow. Day 2                6/7/04 Wow! Everyone in my cabin sleeps like rocks! Me and the girl from MSU [Kendra Bull] (who went jogging) were the only ones up this morning. I went and checked out the footbridge before anyone woke. It is like our Swinging Bridge in Libby.  We had tons of classes today including: Wilderness Intro, Defensive driving, tools, etc. I learned how to chop and crosscut. [I almost hit one of our leaders with a huge piece of wood while chopping.] I tried some fishing, but it was unsuccessful. I also took a little class on botany. It was cool. Day 3                6/8/04 I stayed up to late last night. I’ll be sure to never do that again. Today we learned how to deal with stock (horses and mules). How to saddle, catch and load them. It was kinda windy and cold at the barn and I hope I brought enough warm stuff. The Spotted Bear Olympics were today. [Events included: saddling race, hobble race, mantie wrap race, light the match chopping, kaber toss, fire shelter relay, wheelbarrow relay, crosscutting competition.] We won the hobble race. Hobbles were made for horses so we galloped and won. I’m really starting to feel comfortable here. I’m having fun. Day 4                6/9/04 Pack test day! We all slept in late and almost missed breakfast. After that, I was in the first group to take the pack test. I did it in about 43 minutes, just short of the required 45. It was harder than I thought. We filled our packs with bags of barley. [I found pieces of barley in my pack for weeks] After that, we took a little map class (where I taught how to use a GPS). I then bought a personal map from the front desk. After lunch we had a little training on communications/radio. I knew basically everything they said. We then went and learned about different things like: Leave No Trace, Law Enforcement and bear information. Then I went fishing; I got 2 bites but no fish yet. Then the barn dance was going on. Lots of drinking. I said no to drinking. Let’s hope that’ll stay true. Day 5                6/10/04 Woke up around 6:30. Safety tip was about Hantavirus. I then went and helped do odd jobs with the crew leaders since I already had my CPR training. We moved about 7 palettes of [bottled] water then moved a bunch of logs and cleaned up after the barn dance. I then went to the 1st Aid session after lunch to refresh my memory. I then tried fishing. That river is cold. [My feet were numb within 5 minutes.]We had good lasagna tonight. Day 6                6/11/04 Not much happened today. It was the last day for the cooks at the cookhouse. From now on we’ll cook our own meals. We had guard school today, learned about fire behavior mostly. I'm heading home after work. I have to drop my bag off at the barn so it can be packed in first. Day 7                6/12/04 At Home Day 8                6/13/04 I just got back to my journal. Today I slept in at my house and then went to church. Church went slowly. I left Libby at 18:30 and arrived at Spotted Bear at 22:30. Ok, I sped a little. I did see 3 elk, 3 whitetail, 4 bunnies and 7 mulies. I’m glad to be back at the Ranger Station. Day 9                 6/14/04 Another day of Guard School. Nobie and I cooked hash today for breakfast. For some reason, I think it will be a staple food. We learned how to use fire shelters today. Day 10                6/15/04 We finished guard school today. The morning was all PowerPoints. In the afternoon, we hiked about 2 miles and dug fire line. It sucked. I feel I’m too tall for using a polaski. Jk. I sent off my pro-deal form for my Smartwool clothing. We have an early rise tomorrow. So I’m goin to bed. Day 11                6/16/04 We woke up early this morning and got all of our stuff to the barn. I taped my fly rod to my walking stick so it won’t break. I then dropped my keys off at the office. I hopped in the stock truck with Bob the packer and rode to Meadow Creek. We then got ready to leave down the trail. I walked with many different people. One lady [river ranger, Jess] had a few of us help her put up a take-out sign at Meadow Creek Take-Out. We hiked to Mid Creek where we stopped and had lunch (about 7 miles). [We waited for Big Dan because he was on the wrong side of the split trail.] I then took off with a few others. We crossed Black Bear and Hodag Creek. It felt good to put my feet in cold water after wearing boots all day. The balls of my feet kinda hurt. We arrived at Black Bear R.S. around 16:15. The deer are so [calm] here! There is a cool airstrip just up from the cabin. It hasn’t been used in a good 20 years. It was very peaceful up there. Day 12                6/17/04 I left Black Bear today on horseback and rode until me and the horse [Scooter] got separated from the mule trains. My horse freaked out so I had to get off. I hiked the rest of the way. We arrived at Salmon Forks R.S. We undertook a huge firewood gathering operation. It was pretty cool. I hit my finger with a polaski handle, so hopefully I won’t lose that fingernail. We had a huge chili Mac and morrell mushroom cookout. Morrell’s are really good. We have 14 more miles to go to Big Prairie. [I slept in the wall tent there, after a long time of sitting around the fire telling stories; a lot of good laughs] Day 13                6/18/04 Another long day of hiking, (15 miles about) but we have arrived at Big Prairie. That section of trail is pretty cool. I was actually detesting today’s walk in my mind last night. But once we got started it wasn’t bad. [After a solitary hike up the steep grade of Burnt creek I decided that] I can hike better when by myself. I can shut out hunger, tiredness, fatigue…it’s cool. I rode horse [Tango] for about a half mile. But I’m at my summer home now. My feet are sore. Day 14                6/19/04 We had today off. I woke up late around 9:00. I then went for a walk around the giant meadows. I found a boneyard where I almost completely reassembled an elk skeleton. It was fun. I revisited the skeleton to get a canon bone to make a flesh scrapper in case I find a hide to tan. I also caught one fish today. I decided to build a tripod for my camera so I could get a good panorama of Big Prairie. It was done in 20 minutes. After dinner, me, Nobie, and Kendra hiked to the top of Packrat Mountain. I didn’t think there was a trail so I bushwhacked up the side. But I later found out there is a trail. I finished my progressive letter so I will send that out tomorrow if the packers come. Day 15                6/20/04 We started orientation at Big Prairie today. We basically learned how the rules are around here and how things work [water system, barn, etc.]. It’s pretty basic. It’s cool how everything is just there for us to use. We can go anywhere except the dynamite cache. Freedom is great. I started an injury log today to keep track of all the stuff that happens to me. After lunch we learned how to climb trees with spurs and such. I think I just need some practice. Then we went and got more firewood. I think that is what they have us do when they can’t think of anything else. I helped make fajitas tonight. Oh, and my guitar got shipped in. So I headed out into the airstrip and played songs by myself. I need to get my voice back in shape. Day 16                6/21/04 First day of summer! The pack string left BP today. It took with it two letters to Tania and one to both Scott and Joey.  After a brief history lesson on the Bob Marshall, we set off to learn how to fell trees. Its fun! We ended up felling trees for the rest of the day. I was covered in char by the end. So we all headed to the river to go swimming. [They hooked up the “surfboard” to the bridge.] I also rinsed out my pants down there. I’ll wash my shirts soon. I finished off the day playing guitar and planning my trip for my 4 day weekend. I think I’m gonna go up the White River and camp at the trail junction to white river pass. I’ll visit Needle Falls then the next day I’ll head to the pass/Continental Divide and take some pics. I gotta go find someone to go with me. I’m just a little worried about bears. I also went for a walk back to the bone yard. Day 17                6/22/04 We fixed cable phone line today. It was fun climbing trees. I’m still kinda cautious about it though. [The first tree was really skinny and I had to back down.] I finally took a shower today. My last one was over a week ago. Then John [Rowley] and I built blowguns. I spent the remainder of the day perfecting that and trying to hit gophers. Day 18                6/23/04 We hung more phone line today. Actually we first headed south to pull a rock out of the trail. So I had to carry a rock bar for about 4 -5 miles. Well we moved the rock by prying it. The break in the phone line was at the same spot [as the rock] but the phone equipment was just short of two miles back [because we stashed it on a tree by Wyres Ford the day before]. So me and Laura [Mills] went back to get it. I was thinking of writing a story, when I looked up and saw a small brown bear, almost orange in color. I stopped and at that moment it bolted away from us through the black. It was cool. I’m starting an Animal Log today to keep track of what game animals I see. Day 19                6/24/04 We went north of Big Prairie today to hang phone line. It was about an hour and a half of hiking before we got there. I prepared for my weekend out today. I’m ready to go for morning. Day 20                6/25/04 I’m up the White River today. I left Big Prairie around 9:00. I took a foot trail on the south side of the White. It sucked. [There was a sign that said “trail not recommended for stock”. I don’t think it is recommended for anybody.] There were downed trees everywhere. I had clanging pots on my bag to scare away animals, or at least let them know I’m coming. [And so the bears can start salivating early.] I’m camping at the spot where the South Fork of the White flows into the N. fork. [I camped on the west side of the South Fork of the White up in the trees at an old outfitters camp] I got hit by 2 storms today, but I already had my shelter up and a fire going, so I was good. [It was still a wet night; I had to hang up all my stuff to let it dry. I dried my socks over the fire and they turned yellow because of the smoke. They are still yellow to this day.] I’ve been freaking out about bears though. I hope they don’t crush my pathetic shelter. [When I first set up camp, I saw this brown animal slowly walking through the forest. I started freaking out, until I realized it was just a big mule deer. I felt pretty stupid] I’m sleeping in a 5 dollar tube tent. [Bright orange and made of the flimsiest plastic ever imaginable; a step higher than Saran wrap] I wouldn’t be surprised if a bear came into camp tonight. Well I’m heading up Haystack Mt. tomorrow so I gotta get some sleep. My low back is out. Day 21                6/26/04 My plan to hike to the divide didn’t go. It was too cloudy to take any pictures. The trails were muddy as hell because of a good sized T-storm last night. [It was like a stream had been running down the trail an hour before I got there] The rain made for a miserable night in the tube tent. I did make it to Needle Falls though. That was cool. [I was hiking, half-remembering Garth Brooks’ songs to make noise] I came back [ate some cheese and crackers] and fell asleep by the river waiting for my water purification tablets to work. It was a cloudy (and muddy) day. I started a letter to my family. I miss them all. Weather should be better tonight. Day 22                6/27/04 I left camp around 10:00 after I cooked my lunch (soup) and stored it in my Nalgene bottle. I never realized how well they hold heat. I was looking for a good place to cut up over the mountains, so I found an area that was burned hard and it went up most of the mountain. So, I aimed for that. Two hours and twenty minutes later I crested the top of Tillson Pk. It was a steep and hard hike [It seemed so endless, when I thought I would reach the peak but then it was still way up there] I felt like I accomplished so much more bushwhacking up to 7300 ft. I’m glad I did it now. I had so much energy when I headed down the other side. It felt great to be back at Big Prairie. I pretty much played guitar the rest of the day. We then had a fire until about 1:00 AM. It was fun. As of today I am leaving deer out of the animal log. Day 23                6/28/04 Last day before 2nd hitch. [Actually first hitch since the phone line hitch wasn’t a full hitch.] I spent most of the day creating masks out of elk pelvic bones. They turned out awesome. I guess I only finished one but the other will be cooler. I also made a necklace out of elk foot bones [Jess Shotzberger helped] It could use some work. I wrote all my letters tonight. I got wool socks and flip flops from the Shotzbergers [in the mail]. Day 24                6/29/04 Today was prep day for hitch. I thought we started hitch today so I was ready to go with my lunch and all. First we packed up our stuff and cleaned the bunkhouse. Then we gathered our food for the trip. Then after lunch Aaron [Malone] and I set out to find Shotzbergers’ lost horses. Well, the stock we were riding were being pains in the ass. [Aaron was riding Coke and I was riding Tango. Coke is higher in the pecking order than Tango, and Coke wouldn’t get moving so neither would Tango] So it took us a half an hour to get away from the gate. It rained hard. We didn’t find the horses, somebody else did. [ Andy Nelson and a few others] then we did firewood to finish off the work day. Right after work, I began to build a bone dragon/sprite. It’s cool. It’s hanging in the bunkhouse right now. But Aaron Klug wants it for Construction Camp as a centerpiece for the camp. Today was a really busy day. Day 25                6/30/04 First day of hitch. We finally left BP around 9:30. We headed (Aaron, Gina, and I) [My crew was made of Aaron Malone, Gina Edge, and myself] across the South Fork at the Wyres Ford. Gina fell in and the rest of us made it ok. It was my first river crossing. It was pretty cool. I led our two animals (Coke [black horse] and Eagle [Black Mule]) for a while after lunch. The trail seemed long. It was only 12 miles. We did some retread work in two spots on Youngs Creek. I was surprised how nicely it turned out. Gordon complimented us over the radio [about the tread work on his way from Hahn back to BP] Tomorrow we head up Hahn pass to see if the trail is clear. The mosquitoes are ruthless out here. Day 26                7/1/04 Second day of hitch. We left for Hahn Pass this morning. The hike was a little on the tough side granted that I lost a few hours of sleep swatting blindly at mosquitoes in the dark. It was uphill the whole way there. My feet are really starting to hurt when I hike in the later part of the day. The trail was already cleared by some outfitters so there was little work to be done. Except there was a big run of mud holes that we mucked out. So I was covered in mud. So I went for an all out bath in the river. It took a bit of convincing myself to jump into the cold water. But once I did the initial dunk, all the others felt good. I thought about how I miss driving. I’m slowly starting to miss the outside world. I lost my cross today. Set a new summer record on the pedometer, 37700 steps. Day 27                7/2/04 Third day of hitch. We got another late start this morning. We put the stock down in the corral by an outfitters camp, and then we headed up Youngs Creek. The creek is the size of a river. My sandals were starting to rub so the stream crossings were kinda painful, but the cold water up to my thighs felt good. Our farthest point was a set of falls. We then turned around and arrived back at Hahn around 1:30. We cleared out the small barn/outhouse. Then I helped set up a temporary electric fence that ran off of battery. I’ m starting to realize how lucky I am to be born in an area like this. I take it for granted too much. I’m really liking the idea of having a small cabin. It’s so simplistic. Day 28                7/3/04 Fourth day of hitch. Right now I’m sitting in the trail keeping the hobbled animals from running off. And this cute little mule deer is curious and is getting within 15 feet of me. We left Hahn cabin this morning around 8:45. We retraced our tracks from yesterday and pushed on to Jenny Creek Camp (about 9 miles). We arrived at camp around 13:00. Aaron then decided that we would make it a long day and hike to Youngs Pass (another 8 miles) So we arrived at camp around 7:00 PM. Last night, I came up with a new beverage. A mix of hot chocolate, vanilla and cinnamon. It’s really good. I know dub my drink  Sancho?[I suck at making up names] It tastes a lot like chi-tea but I felt it needed its own name. Day 29                7/4/04 Fifth day of hitch. Happy Independence Day! We cleared up to Pyramid Pass today. All of the trails in this drainage have pretty much been cleared by outfitters so we are mostly just hiking this hitch. We ate lunch at Pyramid Lake. We finally found a log to crosscut after we had stashed the saw a ways back. So I ran back to get it. We reached Pyramid Pass then immediately turned around. We got into a really heavy hailstorm on the skinny trail. Just in time to meet two other pack strings. So as FS employees we had to give the right-of-way to them. [Coke was freaking out once we got him up on the steep grade above the hill. The hail came down even harder. I backed off to the bottom of the trail down a steep hill with the crosscut across my shoulders. There was a tree kind of in front of me. And when the lead horse of the packstring got to me, it freaked out and spun a 180. So the rider was looking back on his string. It was really scary, it would have been a horrible wreck, but the rider got his horse around and they moved on. It was quite exciting.] It sucked. I carried the crosscut for 12 miles today. We felled two big hazard trees on the way out today. That was cool but we got back to camp around 5:30. The weather flat out sucked today. I said some prayers this morning since it was Sunday. I prayed a lot about friends. My feet really hurt this morning. I’m starting to worry about metatarsal stress fracture. We went to bed early tonight. The deer tried to eat our cheesecake. Day 30                7/5/04 Sixth day of hitch. We cleared Marshall Creek trail today. All of the hikes this hitch have been hardly any work at all. The valley was beautiful up there. I led the stock the whole day. 11 miles today. Fair weather, still a little cold. There was still hail on the ground from yesterday. Today went quick. I thought I might try to contact Scott and Joey and see if they want to hike in over Holland Lake to meet me at Shaw in a month. We’ll see how well the communication will work. Had a fire tonight, the first one all hitch. Day 31                7/6/04 Seventh day of hitch. We hiked back to Hahn. We did drainage along the way. Nothing eventful today, just retracing our tracks. Played guitar [Gina had a small backpacker guitar] a lot tonight and ate too much chocolate. 3 cups of hot chocolate [actually it was my new drink, now dubbed “Hahn Sauce”] and chips ahoy dipped in chocolate frosting. Yup, I’ll be diabetic before long. Mosquitoes are just as bad as we left them. I told Gina my story of Sophomore Year [high school] and all that. Drew and Lee are at Hahn tonight also. [Drew Reed and Lee] Day 32                7/7/04 We woke to a heavy soaking rain this morning. Drew made pancakes for us. [Aaron wanted some but Drew made the Krusteaz kind and that kind doesn’t sit well with Aaron] We left the horses at the outfitters corral again. We cleared Babcock Creek today. The weather was off and on. I thought a lot about what would happen if the U.S. went to war [on the homefront, since the US was already at war with terrorist groups in Iraq at the time] while I was in the Bob. It wouldn’t be fun. We arrived to meet five billion mosquitoes waiting for us at Hahn cabin. So if there are any weird splatter marks on this page that is why. [In the original journal, there were a few splatter marks.] 9 days since my last shower. I collected about 2 lbs. of sage. And I found some good pitch for pine powder. I finished off the vanilla here at Hahn in my last cup of “Hahn sauce” until I get to Big Prairie. Then I sat and played guitar for a bit. Day 33                7/8/04 Nothing eventful today. Last day of hitch. Muddy trails had me frustrated on the trip back to BP from Hahn. I finished some letters. We cut two trees. One being over 115 years old. Very tired tonight. Day 34                7/9/04 I froze last night in the bunkhouse, so I woke up early on my day off. I spent the majority of the morning doing laundry. [Laundry at BP is as follows: fill up the tin bucket with water, plunge clothes with plunger until you can’t see through the water. Dump out water. Repeat 5 times. On the 6th time add some soap, plunge, dump out water, then rinse about 10 more times. Very fun.] The smell comes out but the dirt stays in. [It was impossible to get that water to turn out clear] I might try to get out to Libby on my next weekend. I then went to the bridge and fell asleep for 1½ hours [Again with cheese and crackers] Then I came back to check on my laundry and grease my boots. Everybody left for Mt. Jumbo so BP is kinda empty. Jamie [Robertson] and I went to find a cave on Packrat. We found the cave but one must rock climb to get up to it, so we headed back. I began making Pine Pitch Powder today. [Heat the pine pitch until it becomes liquid, strain it through a window screen, let it cool then smash it into powder. Save the stuff on the screen for good fire starter.] It just needs to be crushed up now. So it was a lazy day. Day 35                7/10/14 I woke at 6:30 this morning. I was the first one up which surprised me. So I made a fire in the Ranger Station and made some breakfast. [I burned my wool pants on the stove] I finished packing for my trip. I got out of BP at 8:01. I was pretty proud. I reached the summit of Pilot Pk. at 12:45 and ate lunch at 8300 ft. [It was a kinda a strenuous hike. I left my sunglasses right next to this Indian paint brush I was taking a picture of. I’ll try to find them in the future] I also learned how to do manual focus on my camera and took some cool close-ups of flowers. I finally changed my batteries out of my camera and my Mag-lite. I also climbed Gordon Mountain, and then decided to make camp just south of its peak [on this other mound. I fell asleep as soon as I found a spot in the only grove of sub-alpine fir I could find.] I thought it was a good idea until 3 big storms with hail hit. I had a good place in a small block of trees to hide from the wind, but everything got soaked. My sleeping bag is wet. I duct taped the end of my survival tent shut for the night, so I’ll see how that works. [The first two storms I held out in the tent, reading Conan the Barbarian and trying to keep the hail from bouncing into the tent. Everything was wet after the first storm. After the second storm, there was a little break. It was 20: 30 and I decided that I should try to build a fire to cook dinner with. I thought ahead and put a bunch of wood in my tent and it stayed dry. So, I got the fire started, and the third storm came in. I watched it come rolling in at high speed. Since the clouds were at my level, I watched the wind bring the clouds right to me, and suddenly the mountain was engulfed in a thick fog. I quickly ran to my fire and crouched over it to keep it from going out with the rain. Then the hail hit. It pelted me in the back so hard, but it would have been detrimental to let my fire go out, cuz I would not have gotten it going again. So I waited out the third storm hunched over my fire getting pelted by hail. The lightning was dangerously close.] My tent is done for this trip. The nickel sized hail ripped it apart. Day 36                7/11/04 Well the storms held off over night. [I slept in my rain gear cuz my sleeping bag was still soaked and cold. The snowfield that I had gotten water from the day before wasn’t melting so I was extremely low on water.] I spent until noon trying to find my way over to Kid Mountain. The cliffs on the back side of Gordon were treacherous. One bad move could have had me sliding for about 300 feet, then a tremendous fall to my death. But I prayed and made it all right. I spotted a huge buck on the saddle going to Kid Mt. [had to have been a 6 point.] The saddle was easy hiking, but the climb up to Kid was more treacherous than the first. The trail was vaguely apparent [if not apparent at all]. It was rough going, but I remained calm. I bushwhacked all the way down the burnt [north] side of Kid. It sucked and took me forever. [I was really thirsty, but I finally came to a tiny, tiny stream that was kinda running under broken ground. I barely got any water from it because I couldn’t get my bottle in the right position to fill it up. But the water was good. I finally reached the bottom and found a beautiful waterfall shooting out of a hole in the mountain. I filled up on water there. [The water fall was amazing because everything around it was burnt to a crisp and the waterfall was like an oasis of green moss in the middle of a dead landscape. Truly beautiful] Once I reached the Gordon Creek trail [after wading through a bog and crossing Gordon Creek] I met a man with llamas. He said he was 80 years old. I talked to him for almost 20 minutes. [I saw some Sand-hill Cranes]I arrived back at BP at 18:00. I was tired but happy to show off my mangled tent. Mail day tomorrow. Day 37                7/12/04 I woke up late this morning. I basically lounged around all day. I ground up the pine powder and tested it out. It works good. I remembered the cool song I was writing before I left and started working on that again. Mail came in today. I was pretty upset to only get a card from Sarah Hogan [Tania’s step mom] telling me Tania’s new address. I was upset that I didn't get any of the stuff that I asked for. [By this time I had been waiting for a few weeks for a package from my parents filled with some stuff I needed from home.] Day 38                7/14/04 Today was prep day. We got ready then left for Burnt Creek Parks. We decided to get an early start so we can get through the brushing up Burnt Creek. [Brushing is clearing the brush and branches that overhang the trail] Today was really hot. I had to switch out my double-front Carhartts for my single fronts. The hike today was 5½ miles so it wasn’ t that difficult, just hot. After dinner I explored the Burnt Creek streambed and found nothing but an elk pelvis and some vertebrae. We then played a game of cribbage, and then went to bed. Last night, however, sucked. This bat was flying around the bunkhouse and then shit on my arm. And the horses were banging around the laundry buckets. [I went downstairs, since I was staying in the upper floor up the bunkhouse, and accidently woke up Nobie. I wasn’t sure if it was a bear or what. So I peered through the window in the door and saw Harley the horse. I opened the door and scared them off.] It was annoying, but I couldn’t sleep anyway because I took a late nap. Day 39                7/15/04 We woke early and left Burnt Creek Parks at 7:00 AM. The climb out of Burnt Creek sucked just like I thought it would. We began brushing at Burnt Creek Trail. It sucked. It took us forever. We only made it 3 miles today. Near the end of the day we ran out of water and its hot out. So we walked to this other camp, set down our stuff, got some water, then went back to work. After work, I worked on this cool walking stick I found. And I worked on my RPG game plan. [Back in the Bob, it takes two weeks to get mail in. So if you send out a letter it would take two weeks for it to get out, and then another two weeks for a letter to come back in. So there were times, where a month without contact was normal] Day 40                7/15/04 We started work at 7:00 and finished the brushing that was still between BP and camp. We got back to the camp around 9:30. It was slow going in the hot sun. Energy was zapped instantly. We brushed and brushed endlessly. We finally reached this completely overgrown section of what you could call trail. [We were told of a really bad part of the trail, but we didn’t know where are how bad it was, so we “nickel and dimed” ourselves to death up to this point.] It was crazy how the trail was almost covered. [It was seriously like a jungle, but it gave good shade form the sun while working] Well we hacked through that and were done with work around 4:00. [Aaron and I were so thirsty we decided to just lean over and drink straight from Burnt Creek. I laugh in the face of Giardia! Well at least until I get it.] But we still had seven miles to hike [which included going up and over Bartlett Pass. We passed some hikers and dogs with packs near Big Knife Lakes.] We finally pulled into Pendant Cabin around 20:30. My feet are very sore, but I soaked my feet in the stream and they feel better. Sarah [Walburg] and Kate Kendall (Bear DNA) had dinner ready for us when we arrived. I’m very tired. It was a long day. Day 41                7/16/04 We woke at 7:00 and began work at 8:30. Our goal for today was to tear down a makeshift corral at a camp a couple miles up trail [Feline Creek]. When we arrived we found two horses, so we thought someone was camping there. We didn’t find anybody. We borrowed some P-cord from some hikers we passed the day before and caught up the horses. We brought them back to Pendant just in time to meet the outfitter who lost them. He was happy. So we hiked back to the camp and finished tearing it down around 2:00. We hiked back and I went and cleaned off in the river. We used some of our credit hours from yesterday to avoid the heat of the afternoon. I pretty much worked on my game the rest of the day. Aaron gave me the idea of using the South Fork as the game. It was brilliant. So my ideas are running wild. We had to burn garbage today so the cabin was like a sweathouse. Day 42                7/17/04 Well I’ve passed the test of 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness. The cabin blew up. The food is gone. We have been digging up dandelions and attempting to cook them in the bucket we found at the outfitters camp yesterday. After a propane explosion inside the cabin, I have suffered only minor burns, yet the camp deer are charred beyond recognition. We have already tried to scavenge any remaining venison that remains on these carcasses, but it is hopeless. Being at Pendant, we have no communications. The sat phone was destroyed in the wreckage of the cabin. The only thing standing is the outhouse which remains non-functional. We will stay here for another day as we try to recuperate from the blast. Then we will head to Salmon Forks in search of help. In reality, we woke at 6:00 but did not start work until 8:00 because of cooking bacon and pancakes. We went up to Pendant Pass to clear trail. We moved a few trees off, but we came across a HUGE spruce that had fallen across the trail. We decided to leave it for the trip down. Pendant lakes were cool. Mosquitoes were ruthless at the pass [because the snow had just melted up there]. Saw 2 bull elk. It took two cuts to clear the 150 year old tree. We were afraid we would crush the saw while under bucking the first cut,[but halfway though, the bottom part of the shattered log broke into pieces and was easily moved off the trail.] The second cut was smooth, but trying to position the 15 ft piece of 2¼ ft diameter log took some work. [Did I mention the log was green? So it was really heavy.] It was a lot of placing pivot points and fulcrums and stuff. Straight off of John’s Tao of Moving Big Things {see page 52}.  We ate lunch at the cabin then went to clean up a nasty root wad a few miles from Pendant. The hike through the heat was gruesome and I was fading quick. On the way back we picked up the rest of the junk from the camp we tore down yesterday [feed pans, twine….toilet seat] Aaron called Spotted Bear on the Sat phone to check in. He also arranged for my truck to be waiting at Meadow Creek for me when I hike out on Friday. Beau [Bracken] and Andrew [St. Pierre] are staying here tonight. Andrew’s a Staind fan! Thank God! I thought I was alone out here! Um…what else…the broccoli went bad, and the flies left the cabin. Day 43         7/18/04 It was suddenly rainy today. Aaron woke up sick. He might have the big G (giardia). We cleared Smoky Creek trail today. The trail sucked because it was steep and rocky all the way. The trail really needed to be brushed and the wet bushes soaked you instantly. There was a lot of heavy down so that was fun to cut those big trees and try to move the pieces. We did about 20 trees. It was fun. Once we reached the pass, it was already 4:00 so we ridge-ran over to Pendant Pass (the one we cleared yesterday). I found a griz claw up there. It’s about 3 in. long. The mosquitoes flew in hordes today. We wouldn’t take our rain gear off because it was the only thing keeping them from biting. We seriously had about 50 mosquitoes on us, a piece. It was crazy. I survived with only one or two bites. My feet are really starting to hurt. I’m happy to be going to the outside world. I’m already looking forward to mail day when I return from my trip. We did not get back until 7:00. Day 44                7/19/04 We tried to sleep in to burn some credit hours. Carlos [Florey] came in last night so we started cabin work today. We began tearing off the roof on the eastern side of the cabin. It was blazing hot again today. After we got the shingles and tar paper off [and Carlos and I began re-roofing] a T-storm moved in. So [here we are up on the roof of the cabin]. Carlos and I were frantically trying to tarpaper the roof while lightning was flashing around our heads. [The tarpaper had been sitting under the cabin for two years and was kinda melted together. So, big ‘ole holes were ripping in the paper and it made it really frustrating, but kinda funny. After we got the tar paper on, we hung out inside until the storm quit]. The cabin still leaked a little bit. Day 45                7/20/04 I worked all day with Carlos finishing the east side roof of Pendant. I did break for a while and met up with Gina and Aaron to fix a puncheon (small bridge) north of the cabin. It was easy. A simple day. Gina and Aaron dug a new hole for the outhouse and got that up and running. Excellent dinner tonight: pork, potatoes, steamed cauliflower. Day 46                7/21/04 I slept in the cabin last night. I woke at 6:00 and started a fire and some hot water. Some how, I got stuck swamping out the whole cabin. So Aaron, Gina and Carlos left around 8: 45 and I did not leave until 9:30. I left a fake story in the cabin log book [much like day 42], and then headed off to Black Bear. I scouted out some large trees down by Tango Creek. [I ate lunch at Brownie Creek. I sat by a tree wondering which fork of the trail to take, while eating my meal. Suddenly this doe comes running down the trail and stops suddenly. She was really curious and basically begging for food. She hung out with me for about 30 minutes. I snapped tons of pictures. The hike along the lake was very long and boring. The trip was going alright until I got to salmon forks and began hiking on   previously hiked trail. Then my hike got really drawn out.] After what seemed like forever I finally arrived at Black Bear around 18:45. It was 26 miles. I met up with Guy (the packer) and a few of his family and the Weed Crew at Black Bear. Dan Van Swearingen came in later with Andrew St. Pierre’s dad and friends. The River Rangers also came in. We dropped a hazard tree by the corral with ropes. It was interesting, but it worked. [Guy’s mom made wild strawberry shortcake.] I’m burned out so…to bed at 9: 15. Day 47                7/22/04 Headed out to Meadow Creek with Dan Van Swearingen. Left Black Bear at 6:30 AM. Found a mini Leather-man tool laying on the trail. Ankle hurts. I think its tendonitis. Got to Meadow Creek at 10:45. [Hung out with Laird (camp host) until a ride showed up. My truck wasn’t there yet because I got out a day early with credit hours] Got to Spotted Bear at noon. Got home at 4:30. [Went to Scott Schnackenberg’s first. Then, I] surprised my parents. Day 48-49        7/23-24/04 At Home Day 50         7/25/04 I wanted to leave home at 7:30 did not get out until 8:00. Got to Kalispell and bought some insoles and some cord for tanning the deer hide [I packed in. I also bought a new $5 dollar tube tent.] Then off to Spotted Bear. I checked in there, and then I drove to Meadow Creek. Laird was nice enough to make me a lunch. I left the trail head around 13:00. I saw two bears ½ mile from the trailhead. I had to wait for them to move off the trail. So I passed them. This one was like 40 ft off the trail, so I didn’t make eye contact. But I was talking loud with bear spray in my hand. So the hike was long. It was only 12 miles, but it was around 95 -100 degrees outside. I got to the Black Bear ford and attempted a crossing. I was successful, but I was almost taken out by the swift, waist deep water. I arrived at Black Bear at 18:00. There are a bunch of people here. Day 51                7/26/04 I left BB at 7:30 and arrived at BP at 2:30. The hike sucked. It was so long and boring. I opened my big package from home. Restrung my guitar. Dan Roper got struck by lightning last night. That was crazy. It struck him through a tree. He had second degree burns. He was on the side of Bulletnose [mountain]. I’m soaking the deer hide that I brought in. And I gathered up the plants I was drying. I have music to listen to now! Day 52                7/27/04 Slow start this morning. Smoke alarm went off in the night cuz of low batteries. It was hard to keep busy today. There wasn’t much to do. I packed for hitch, sharpened the axe, cleaned shelves in the kitchen, and felled a tree for a fence post. Guy (the packer) came in today. I started on my hide after I helped Noble [Jessica Noble] get ready to float down to Bartlett. My hide is already tanned it just needs to be worked. Played some guitar and wrote Tania a letter. Day 53                7/28/04 The stock went out today to get shod at Spotted Bear. So there was a bunch of loading to be done. Once that was done, a bunch of us gathered to raise the newly refinished flagpole. They painted it white to look like the original historic pole. Aaron and I went and adjusted the gate on the eastside trail going north because the pin was not hitting the circle right. We put some washers on the big bolt to raise it up a little. After lunch, my crew and I headed off to Hahn.  My back was out so my extra heavy pack was killing me, almost literally. So I had Gina attempt to pop my back. Gina got it good enough. Aaron needs a little work. We arrived at Hahn around 17:00. I washed off in the river. To bed at 22:20. Day 54                7/29/04 “Don’t want to be caught on the radio with bare feet. That would be embarrassing.” Aaron is funny. We cleared a little section of trail today. It doesn’t have a number, but it’ s the one that bypasses Hahn cabin on the Youngs trail. There wasn’t much to clear, but we did do some pretty good drainage projects. We got back to the cabin around 13:30, so we headed to Hahn Creek to try to get more water diverted to the stream that runs by the cabin. We cut firewood after that. The day was fun. I saw the packrat in the barn, it was big. To bed at 21:56. Day 55                7/30/04 We left Hahn this morning with 50 lb packs. We climbed up the Cabin Creek Trail. Gravity is not my friend. Heavy pack + steep hill = no fun. We cut a ton of trees today. Its kinda cool cuz each one is a different challenge. We camped on the ridge next to Cardinal Peak so we are pretty high up. We made a dipper out of Gina’s mug and got water out of a stagnant pool without disturbing the sludge at the bottom. (Yes. The mug was my idea.) This camp is cool. Day 56                7/31/04 We woke at 4:30 and packed up camp to see if we couldn’t catch the sunrise on Cardinal Peak. [We had a Clif Bar breakfast and then headed off] Some downed trees hindered us; we did not reach the top in time. But we were on a side slope which allowed us to see it rise over Gordon Mountain. [It was still REALLY cool. We climbed to the peak and ate breakfast up there. The view was phenomenal!] We then headed downhill cutting endless trees. We worked until 14:00, almost losing a saw handle. At 14:00 we found a monster tree across the trail. It had to be 4 ft in diameter. Which is too big for our 5 ft saw. So we began hiking out and made it to Shaw cabin around 17:00 (3 extra credit hours) I redid the record page in my journal. It’s way better. Day 57                8/1/04 We woke at 7:00 and got to work by 8:30. We had tons of dishes this morning. We headed towards Pendant to tackle another root wad. It was fun. The wad was propped up and had trees across it, so it was a good task. It was fun too. We hacked out the entire thing. The best part was using the come-along to try to move it once it was loose. Aaron almost fell in the stream. On our way back we were picking huckleberries and we saw a little black bear, maybe 3 ft long. So that was cool. We took some credit hours this afternoon. Tad came in, and I learned that I start my fourth hitch on Sunday, so it screws up my weekend plans pretty bad. So I’ll hike down to Holland Lake on Thursday and hopefully meet Joey down there. If not I’ll be screwed and have to be a FS bum down at the Holland Lake Lodge. So we’ll see how that goes. I washed off today in Shaw Creek (COLD!) My boxers are completely destroyed. I’m planning a gigantic trip through the Bob Complex for sometime in the future. To bed at 21:30. Day 58                8/2/04 Woke at 6:00. Headed up Cardinal again to finish clearing. Tackled the big tree up there with 2 crosscuts and 4 wedges. It was fun because we had Tad along. Hiked back to the cabin and looked at future projects. [Met up with Brandom Jones and Jess Guiliani] I burned the green tortillas and moldy Swiss cheese in a fire. To bed at 20:52 Day 59                8/3/04 We did trail projects today. First we mucked out this nasty mud hole. It was pretty fun. I got pretty muddy. Then we tackled another root wad. It was my first go at crib-logging. Then we did another project with water-bars. This hitch has been great! My crew is really bonding well. I’m looking forward to my Holland Lake trip. To bed at 21:52. Day 60                8/4/04 Last day of work with my normal crew. It kinda sucks knowing that I’m done working with Aaron and Gina. They head off to BP tomorrow and I go down to Lower Holland Lake. We finished up the muck projects on Gordon trail. We replaced a waterbar which ended up sucking because the hillside was seeping. But we got it to work all right. We finished mucking out the Big Muck Hole. It was my idea to put some crib logs in to keep the stock on the trail and out of the mud. It was a good day. Came back covered in mud. Spent some time on the Trail Crew game. To bed at 21:33. Day 61                8/5/04 Woke at 6:00. Helped clean up the cabin. My crew left at 8:45. It was probably the last time I would see them. I left Shaw at 9:30. Arrived at Gordon Pass at 11:30. Upper Holland at 12:15. Holland Lake at 15:00. The camp host took me around on his 4 wheeler to see if Joey was at any of the camps. He wasn’t so I jumped in the lake which was very warm and nice. I cleaned off then I sat for a while by the road until I was dry. I then hiked to the Highway to see if there was someone with a phone [since I had no money for the payphone at the lodge]. I tried Gordon Ranch but no one was there except for three dogs [one had bitten me on the hand]. So I hiked back to Holland Lake and cooked Rice-a-Roni at the day use site. $12 per night? Crazy! This nice guy let me try to call Joey on his cell phone, but he couldn’t get any service. So I hiked to Owl Creek Packers Camp to sleep [which is free]. It is built for gigantic horse trailers. So me and my sleeping bag is a little weird.  I hope it doesn’t rain tonight. I’m sleeping in my bag on top of the slanting picnic table. No bear hang so I threw my stuff in a horse feeder. So, no sign of Joey. To bed at 22:00. Day 62                8/6/04 The owls and coyotes were crazy loud last night. It didn’t rain so I woke up dry. The picnic table wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I forgot to pack enough food, so I cracked into my emergency reserves and had Ramen noodles for breakfast. It warmed me up though. Still no sign of Joey. I arrived at Gordon Pass at 12:00 just in time to eat my lunch: 4 jolly ranchers and a 2 in. piece of summer sausage. It was hardly anything but it got me back to Shaw (along with some huckleberries) Once I got there, I saw a mouse so I set a trap and caught it. It wasn’t quite dead so I had to kill it with a rock. Poor guy.  I then decided to swamp out the cabin. It was on the to-do list, but the mouse was a motivator. So everything in the cabin was out on the porch. It made the cabin look like crap. And then this guy wanted to camp by Shaw out in the grass by the creek. He probably thought I was a slob. The floor dried, so I put everything back in. I saw another mouse, so I reset the trap. Then I had milkman and Oreos (good, but don’t chug the milk afterwards) For dinner, (20:00) I cooked up two potatoes to help deplete the fresh food at the cabin. Fry 2 sliced potatoes in real butter. Add Basil, Oregano, black pepper, red pepper, garlic salt, and Lawry’s seasoned salt. Excellent dish! Well, I did up my dishes and I’m ready for bed. To bed at 21:15. Day 63                8/7/04 Straightened up cabin. Then had a long hike through the wind and rain back to BP. I was sweating more inside the rain gear than the rain was getting me wet on the outside. I hope Joey didn’t come in today instead of yesterday. Played a lot of guitar. Killed another mouse last night. To bed at 22:30. Day 64                8/8/04 I hung out at BP today. I packed up most of my stuff. I read the Farmer’s Almanac a little. I made some kick ass grilled cheese with summer sausage for lunch. Basically just hung out today. I got next to nothing accomplished. It was great.  Tomorrow, I work to make up the day I’ll miss at the end of hitch. Just enjoying my last few days at Big Prairie. I got all my letters written today as well. To bed at 23:00. Day 65                8/9/04 I was the only one working today. I started at 8:00 and burned rotting vegetables, moldy bread and cardboard until 12:30. After lunch, Tad helped me go improve the dam for the water system. It was cool relearning how the system works.  After I did that, I began to limb trees that fell a couple nights ago.  I guess there was a big wind event that blew down a wall tent and 5 large trees. One almost fell on Gordon’s house and another almost crushed some other wall tents. But anyway I was limbing one big one up, but I was dehydrated and felt nauseous after every series of chopping. I got some decent work done though. Two pack strings came in today. I got a letter from my family and one from Tania. Everyone is drinking excessively tonight. Probably trying to finish off the whiskey so they don’t have to pack it out. Cigars are also going around. Of course, I don’ t participate. I pretty much finished packing. I ended up with a hell of a lot more stuff than I started with. But I think it’s alright. Anyway to bed at 22:17. Day 66                8/10/04 Prep Day. [My crew for this hitch consisted of Halle Safier, Pat Bouman, Jessica Noble and myself] Halle started work early so all I had to do is get my gear ready. I hauled my gear down before breakfast. Bob Starling [the guy that drove me to Meadow Creek on the first day] packed up my one bag and my guitar. My other bag will go out with Guy hopefully. So we had our safety talk (aircraft safety??). I packed up my bag, and Halle and I set out for Black Bear at 9:30. We got there at 18:00 after cutting some logs around Mud Lake.  MY BOOTS SHRUNK! Or maybe it’s my different socks. Anyway, I think this hitch will kick ass. We got some good work ethic and just a good group of people. It’ ll be fun, especially adjusting Pat and Nobie to the trail crew life instead of the Bartlett Crew life. We sat around the fire tonight chatting and telling stories (like always) with some Botany guys that are surveying trails for “sensitive plants” or nearly endangered ones. So it was cool talking to them. Anyway, to bed at 22:23. Day 67                8/11/04 I woke at 6:30 and left with my new crew for Hodag Ridge trail. That trail is steep! We kinda “nickel and dimed” ourselves to death so when we actually hit the jackpot, we were at the end of the day.  Halle, Jess and Pat started on the jackpot. I was sent ahead to scout for water. I found out that we weren’t where we thought we were. I did find the spring and the camp spot. I counted 61 saw logs between where we were last working and the camp. So we’ll go back up there. The hike back sucked, but it was quick. Long day, we got back at 18:45. We saw a big ‘ole black bear just 40 yards from the cabin. I taught Pat some orienteering stuff. Then we told ghost stories around the fire. We figured the freakiest thing to hear in the woods would be children laughing and singing “Laa la laa la laa laa”. Anyway, a tiring day, to bed at 21:51. Day 68                8/12/04 I woke at 2:00 this morning to see if I could see the meteor shower. Pat and I saw a couple and decided it wasn’t cool enough, so we went back to bed. I woke at 6:15, Guy was getting ready to leave as well as Bear DNA. They left by 7:00. We cleaned up the porch and front area of Black Bear. It was kinda fun. We then did firewood until lunch. I hit myself in the shin with wood (like day 11) while splitting, twice in the same spot. We had an all day fire just burning scrap wood and stuff. We cleaned up by the barn, too.   We built a gate/door to the corral and moved some large planks for the pack bridge. I then found a 12” packrat in the hay barn, So we moved some bails and pursued the rat. [We were wondering whether we should just try to chase it out or kill it. So Pat had the pitch fork.] After a few stabs with the pitchfork we decided we had to kill it because it was injured. Pat had it pinned to the floor with the fork, and I finished it off with an old broken oar. It took quite a few hits before it finally died. I began to feel bad, but they make a mess of the barn. So we took a picture with the packrat impaled by the fork (being held by Pat) then me with the oar and Nobie (cuz she was our spotter). So Black Bear Cabin is improved. After a few hours of browsing the BB library, I went for a walk on the airstrip to take some pictures. To bed at 21:27. Day 69                8/13/04 Halle left early to get a head start [since the other three of us were fast hikers]. We left for Hodag again at 7:30.  The hike up to where we stopped before was brutal until we reached the ridge. We then cleared a lot of Hodag. There were logs everywhere. We got back to the second switchback and quit for the day there [and stashed the tools].  The hike back to the camp I found the other day was pretty brutal too, but it was good to have a break at the huckleberry patch. So we made it to camp, filled up on water at the spring, and ate Mac and cheese. Noble has huckleberry stains all over her pants [haha]. Oh yeah, I cut my thumb while cutting a tree with the bowsaw. We didn’t have a first aid kit so I wrapped it up with a strip of my bandana and put duct tape over that. I kept hitting my thumb on things all day, and it sucked. I switched out my first bandage after dinner. Good hard work day. To bed at 21:44. Day 70                8/14/04 I woke at 6:30 again. Not much sleep last night. A damn squirrel would not shutup in the tree by my tent, so I was forced to crawl out of the tube tent to throw things at it. It worked good enough. We tackled the trail from where we left off yesterday. I took bowsaw and sawed the rest of the main hill to the top where we had lunch. I was so happy when my 10:00 break ended up right at the huckleberry patch! So we ate lunch on the knob before camp. We then cleared to camp (Halle and I on crosscut) and filled up with water there.  Then we made our way up Hodag Ridge towards Black Bear Creek Junction. We were going good. We thought we were getting close to Nate’s cuts (Nate being the leader of the crew who cleared in from the other side over Trail in the Mist) but we weren’t close. We figured we had a half mile to Black Bear Creek Junction where we will stop, but there is a lot of heavy down. And they are all old snags [not fun or easy to cut].So we quickly went back to camp and arrived at 18:00. I drank 1.25 gallons today roughly. Well, gotta work at 6:00 tomorrow, so to bed at 21:03. Day 71                8/15/04 I woke at 4:45 into the dark this morning. I was designated to start the fire. We started work at 6:30 (after I had to force Noble out of bed). We hiked up to where we left off yesterday and tried to get as far as we could. We ended up being about 100 yards short of Nate’s cuts, but what was left would take another day or two, [time that we didn’t have]. So we almost finished Hodag Ridge. [I guess it hadn’t been cleared since it burned in ‘88] The hike back was long. The ridge has a lot of extreme ups and downs. We got halfway back and Pat remembered that he left his Chocos [expensive sandals] back up at camp, so he went back for them. I had a boring hike down the rest of the trail. I got back at 18:30. So I have enough credit hours to hike out Tuesday morning. I fixed up my thumb (which is doing good). Some biting flies hatched. There is a horse here at Black Bear that was kicked and has something severely wrong with its shoulder. If it is not better by the end of the week, the people who left it will probably shoot it. Then we (except I’ll be gone) will have to move it off into the woods and blow it up. [The horses are blown up with dynamite to get rid of any bear attractant risk near trails] FS gets the dirty work again. Anyway, I’m looking forward to being home. To bed at 21:52. Day 72                8/16/04 I woke at 6:45 and listened to music until 7:00. We started work at 8:00, tending the wounded horse. Then we were off toward the ford to bring down a leaner. After that we had a 10:00 break at Black Bear, and then we walked to Helen Creek to fix some filter paper that was showing through the trail. That was a quick fix, but we did waterbars for the rest of the day. It sucked doing drainage on such a well used trail. The ground was so hard and the day was humid and dusty. I was glad to get that over with. We got back to BB at 3:45, Jess and I ate some food, packed up and were on the trail to Meadow Creek by 5:00. The hike seemed shorter cuz we talked the whole way. We arrived at meadow creek by 21:00 and at SB by 9:30. I thought I could drive home tonight but we had some paperwork to do and no one was at the office. So I called my parents and Scott. I found out why Joey wasn’t at Holland Lake. His drunken sister threw a glass at him and cut up his face, and his parents got in a car wreck. So that’s understandable. I had REAL MILK! Anyway, summer is coming to an end. This job is so cool, it has such a sense of community back at BP. I’m gonna miss everyone. But it is time to move on to new and better things…college! To bed at 23:09. Day 73                8/17/04 I woke at 7:00 and went and changed into cleaner clothes. I found that I already signed that paper when I was at BP, so no paper work. I left SB at 8:00. I stopped for some food at the gas station in Kalispell, and then headed to Libby. I was by the MK Steak House when a huge 4 pt. Buck ran out in front of me. I was probably going about 73 mph. [Correction due to speedometer error – 81 mph]. The airbags went off and the front of my truck was messed up bad. The cab filled with the airbag gas and I was choking on it. My driver door was jammed shut so I had to crawl over all my stuff in the passenger seat and tumble into the ditch to get to fresh air. My horn buzzed constantly for 5 minutes until it finally died. Somebody heard me hit the deer and came to my aid. I used their phone to call the Hwy Patrol. My truck was still drivable, so after I talked to the officer, he escorted me home. Welcome back to the real world, Eric! Home > Bob Marshall > Bob Journal Vol 1