Thermopolis Wyoming was pretty cool. The airport is ten miles from town, so the FBO owner loaned me a Cadillac. I started at the hot springs, and then went on to the dinosaur museum. Between, I saw buffalo grazing in the green open space.

Next up, Spearfish South Dakota. I really loved this place. It was friendly and packed with activities! This is the heart of the Black Hills and is just a few minutes from Sturgis. The scenery is stunning. I took a side trip and flew over Devils Tower, which is sure a lot greener than I expected! My bike ride up the Spearfish Canyon was delightful!

Now I am in Minnetonka, MN with two of my burner airport team! Taking off tomorrow morning to see Cha Cha and Linda at her family lake house. Happy to get back up in the air.

After landing in West Yellowstone, I jumped on my bike and rode to the backcountry ranger station. I wanted to hike more and drive less, so I chose a trail near Old Faithful. I love doing loops, so this was perfect. I got my permit and watched the education video, that actually, helped me a lot!

Next, I rode back to the airport and rented a car to get to the trail head. I packed my pack and was ready to go early. I wanted to be a tourist on my way to the trail.

That last photo…..yup. That was me. I’m the hiker. I saw a grizzly that same morning at the lake. It was running away from me and was far across the lake. Just the way you want to see a bear in the backcountry.

I was singing, and making noise on the trail…..and then came face to face with a juvenile. I thought about the training they gave me…..don’t run, back away. I did. The bear kept coming. I got out my spray, I kept backing away…..the bear kept coming. It was within 30-40 feet of me when I sprayed, and then the bear went by.

My next thought was where’s the mom????? I skirted the trail for awhile, holding my spray in front. I hooted and called. After awhile, I stopped shaking and put my spray away. The rest of the hike was without excitement.

This is my 40th year anniversary of working in the Park. I was probably on a backpacking trip on the very same day in July 1982.

Never have I encountered a bear on the trail. In fact, I hiked 250 miles that summer, and never encountered a bear at all.

I LOVE Yellowstone. It’s a grounding place for me. Bear or no bear, I’ll be back again, for sure.

After landing in West Yellowstone, I jumped on my bike and rode to the backcountry ranger station. I wanted to hike more and drive less, so I chose a trail near Old Faithful. I love doing loops, so this was perfect. I got my permit and watched the education video, that actually, helped me a lot!

Next, I rode back to the airport and rented a car to get to the trail head. I packed my pack and was ready to go early. I wanted to be a tourist on my way to the trail.

That last photo…..yup. That was me. I’m the hiker. I saw a grizzly that same morning at the lake. It was running away from me and was far across the lake. Just the way you want to see a bear in the backcountry.

I was singing, and making noise on the trail…..and then came face to face with a juvenile. I thought about the training they gave me…..don’t run, back away. I did. The bear kept coming. I got out my spray, I kept backing away…..the bear kept coming. I sprayed, and then the bear went by.

My next thought was where’s the mom????? I skirted the trail for awhile, holding my spray in front. I hooted and called. After awhile, I stopped shaking and put my spray away. The rest of the hike was without excitement.

This is my 40th year anniversary of working in the Park. I was probably on a backpacking trip on the very same day in July 1982.

Never have I encountered a bear on the trail. In fact, I hiked 250 miles that summer, and never encountered a bear at all.

I LOVE Yellowstone. It’s a grounding place for me. Bear or no bear, I’ll be back again, for sure.

It was a short hop from McCall to Johnson Creek. I left early in the cool morning air. Charlie Mike had to climb hard to get up over the peaks separating McCall from the creek. Once over the ridge, it was just following one river valley to the next.

Over Yellow Pine (pop 32), I could see down the valley that holds Johnson Creek airport. The instructions say to fly south on the west side of the valley, past the house (people live there full time), then circle back to downwind on the east side of the valley, base and land.

After my first call that I was on downwind, I heard a pilot call they were back-taxiing on the runway. What????, Ok, so I did another loop around the valley, letting him go.

Landing on grass is always a pleasure in 3CM. This was the best ever! I was in the Idaho Backcountry! What a thrill!

The campground is AMAZING! There are tie-downs for more than 50 planes. There are picnic tables, toilets, and a covered area with wifi, power for charging, a freezer for your ice, coffee in the morning, picnic tables, and hot showers…….ALL FREE.

From there, it’s 5 miles to Yellow Pine, a few miles to the hot spring, and just down the road is a salmon rescue. I went and watched the DNR agent handle 10 salmon, two of which he relocated. I rode my bike to town, I hiked up to the hot spring, and I barely scratched the surface.

I was only there for two nights, not nearly long enough. It was a delicious taste of what’s to come next summer!

After leaving Lynn and Eric, I did stop a night at electric city Wa. My favorite taxi in campsite!

Early off, I ventured on toward McCall, Idaho, the jumping off point for backcountry pilots.

The route from Electric City to McCall was jaw dropping! I flew over the Snake River canyon, and through valleys that were green and looked like velvet.

McCall is so lovely. Bike trails, a big lake, a beautiful state park and of course, great skiing the winter.

McCall is great, but the real adventure starts from here.

The weather went wet in Winthrop, and Lynn, Eric and I had a great 4th weekend!

We biked, ran, swam, and paddle boarded. We are great food with amazing people.

While Eric built my new bike, Lynn and I planned our bike trip to Laos.

Now I’m camped at my favorite fly-in campsite in the world. Electric City. Ahhhh!

Time to head east, toward OshKosh Air Venture. I’m so thrilled to be up in the air in 243CM.

Thanks to Ephraim and all of his effort, work, and patience in getting the engine installed, tested, broken in, and running strong!

We changed the oil, fixed the grounding problem in the comm antennae, did a couple of test flights around the pattern in Arlington, and then, off I went!

What a relief to finally launch! I had so much anxiety, worry, and stress about this trip really happening. Sleep was impossible the week prior to leaving. My feeling was that I was not going to pull it off and that I would need to make a different plan.

And then, takeoff. Charlie Mike was ready to go.

Flying through the mountains was a great confidence builder. Once reaching Stehekin, all tension, stress, and worry, faded away. The adventure to OshKosh begins!

My destination: Winthrop (Methow Valley Airport). The weather closed in immediately after landing and is staying for a couple of days. A treat for me to hang out with my friends Lynn and Eric on the edge of the Methow River.

Great friends, good food, and more adventure ahead.

Life is great.

From Reno to Seattle was as smooth as one could wish!

I soaked in the Hot Springs at Summer Lake. It’s funky, fun and the pools are the perfect temperature.

Onward in a northerly direction, it felt like a full circle to stop at Maryhill State Park for my last night of this trip. I stayed there my first night on my way south, so the circle was complete.

I wanted to ride my bike after driving for most of the day, so just took off from the park. Soon, I saw Stonehenge up on the hill. LOL. Scott and I had explored there many years ago. I rode up (and up, and up) from the river to the structure.

My last stop on this leg was the Yakima River Canyon. What a GREAT time of year to visit! Everything is green and flowers are bursting out everywhere. I couldn’t help stopping to shoot photos of flowers while I was running the trails at Umtanum.

Lupines and little yellow flowers

I would have been disappointed if the rain didn’t start to fall on my way over Snoqualmie pass. It was rain mixed with snow. I drove out of the rain as I rolled toward Puget Sound.

Westie went 14,000 miles without any problems! I do LOVE my Westie!

It’s great to be home!!

Now, what’s next?

At least that’s how it feels. I’m just about to arrive in Reno for a burning man operations summit. Will be so helpful to meet many of the folks I will be, and have been, working with.

SO many miles! Since buying the car, I have added 13,000!!! Holy cow! Westie is rolling strong. I am in love!

In Truth or Consequences, NM I soaked in hot springs, had a massage, and camped in Elephant Butte State Park. It was packed (as all of the parks are these days), and the water level is about a mile from its high point. Drought is becoming a way of life.

Debby arrived in Albuquerque and after picking her up, we went to Santa Fe, then on to Cha Cha’s. Dru and Wendy (Debby’s brother and wife) met us there. What a blast! We hiked at Ghost Ranch, visited Taos, took in Meow Wolf (yawn) and before we knew it, the weekend was over.

Onward toward Reno for me! After dropping Debby back in Albuquerque, I stopped in Winslow Arizona for a few hour paddle with Thomas Kelly. Beautiful!!

From there, I drove to Death Valley. Whew! It was hot! 92 the first day and 99 the second. I went for a bike ride and the coolest hike near Furnace Creek. Again, tons of people, yet so little traffic. I really need to spend more time there next trip.

From Death Valley, I drove West toward the Sierra’s. I have never been to Lone Pine, Bishop or anywhere in that area. Wow! Just Wow! I loved it! For me, it became a hot springs tour, which was simply icing on the cake.

I’ll spend the weekend in Reno, then head north toward home. I hope to get to Alvord Hot Springs, then a stop in Pendleton, and finally Seattle. I’m excited to reach home, get some hugs, and check on Charlie Mike. Flying will be the next focus for me.

Funny that Reno feels close to home, but given how far I’ve traveled so far, I guess it makes sense!

It’s surprising how startling it is to be back in the USA. Someone asked me how it feels. I answered, “like everyone is in a hurry”.

Of course, there are more differences than that. Everyone here drives a new car. Houses are bigger, roads are smoother. Yet, I miss a lot about Mexico with its shitty cars and rough roads. I’ll be back, for sure. La Paz has my heart.

I’m picking Debby up at the Albuquerque airport on the 16th, so I have been cruising through California, Arizona, and New Mexico, trying to take in some sights.

I visited Saguaro NP, and went for a long run. I remember (maybe I remember the photos) visiting there when I was about 5 or 6 years old. I sure spent a lot of time with cactus in Mexico – mi amigos!

Next, on to the caverns below Kartchner Caverns State Park. Wow, those caves are trippy!! I was lucky to get to go on the tour because someone canceled. Side note: The campground was totally full, so I camped in a parking lot, which they allowed.

Since I was so close to Bisbee, AZ I cruised through there too. Humm…..maybe if I had stayed longer I would “get” Bisbee. The town has done a great job keeping itself alive.

Onward into New Mexico! White Sands NP is such a joy!! WOW! I biked the loop that most people drive, and then I went for the 5-mile Alkali Flat Trail which was NOT flat. The dunes go up and down and most visitors (from Texas, mainly) were sledding.

Last night I stayed in the Organ Mountains, outside of Las Cruces, NM; mainly so I could watch the sunset and in the morning do a nice trail run to a saddle.

Today, I’m in Truth or Consequences NM enjoying the hot springs, beautiful Elephant Butte Campground, and a massage tomorrow! This place needs visitors to drop some money. I’m trying to do my part.

Two days until I pick up Debby. We will then descend upon Cha Cha and Linda for a few days. Dru and Wendy (Debby’s brother and wife) will be joining us there. I can’t wait to see a group of people I know and love! The very best part of being back stateside.