SHS1965

I think I coulda made it to the cache, but was glad to quit when we did and have some energy left for the dinner and more visiting. I liked the long program at the dinner... the little speeches by all the classmates were worthwhile. Also, it sounded as if the MC had had some practice doing her part!

I had tried to talk to as many classmates as possible, but missed quite a few. I did connect with the firefighters and smokejumpers and have some stuff to send to Dann Hall and Gary Johnson. I had already ID'd Dann as "Freefall Hall" after reading the Murry Taylor memoir Jumping Fire a couple of years ago. I was sorta surprised that Dann would admit to it in his reunion bio!

I talked at length with several classmates... even got into a fairly heavy discussion of economics with Paul Munson and was really interested in Bob Bandy's big operation and all the foreign markets, futures contracts, etc. It was great seeing some of the folks I hadn't seen in many years like Dennis Timoskevich and Greg McFarland.

I had a very relaxed trip and didn't have to push on my driving schedule. I stayed over an extra day on Sunday in Sandpoint to rest up and watch Don Hadley and his nephew Brian participate in the Lake to Forest triathlon down at Garfield Bay. The triathlon wasn't a good spectator sport, but it was a beautiful morning and I had fun "watching the watchers" and did see Don transition from the bike to the run and at the finish.

I especially got a kick out of some kids of about ages 6 to 8 cheering their mom as she transitioned from the swim to a mountain bike. We didn't wait around for the final standings, but it looked like Brian may have finished 2nd overall and Don thinks he placed near the top of the 55 to 59 age group.

On Monday I drove over to Bozeman stopping only at the Ninemile RS west of Missoula. I had lived there from 1953 to 1956 when my dad was the district ranger there. Saw a few mules and did the self-guided tour as well as talking at length to the volunteer in the visitors center and also to some USFS employees in the saddle shop who were trying to buy some more mules... turns out a lot of the worlds mules have been sent to Afghanistan!

I stayed over Tuesday and Wednesday night in Billings. Mom was released from the hospital on Wednesday, but was really exhausted and was readmitted back into the hospital on Saturday. Despite all this I was able to get in a good visit with my sister Betty and went to Zoo Montana with her and out to lunch.

I drove back to Bozeman on Thursday afternoon to break up the distance a bit... had a big day planned for Missoula on Friday. I had and easy drive to Missoula on Friday morning and visited the Smokejumper Center, the Museum of Mountain Flying, and the Historical Museum at Ft. Missoula. The afternoon was really hot... I think it got up to 98 in Missoula that day. Also, that was when I-90 was closed west of Missoula in the Alberton area due to the fires.

On Saturday morning, I got an early start and drove to Spokane via US12 and Lolo pass. A super scenic drive and a good highway despite the twists and turns. I got to the Lochsa RS an hour before the visitors center opened. There seemed to be only a couple of old buildings, but there was a small corral with a few mules so I didn't wait for it to open. I had extra time so I took a short side trip up the Selway River to the Fenn RS. A lot of USFS campgrounds and more mules at Fenn and at a ranch that was the HQ of a back-country outfitter.

I also took a short detour thru "downtown" Orofino and found the school where I had attended the 4th and 5th grades. I had planned to drive thru Pullman back to Spokane, but had extra time so I detoured thru the U of I campus. I hadn't been there since about 1971 or 1972... almost didn't recognize it!

I got back into Spokane at mid afternoon on Saturday and stayed over two more nights with Don and Denise Hadley. Don and I got in an early Sunday hike of about 4 miles in Riverside SP before it got too warm. I had a good visit with them and some good home cooking. Turned in my rental car on Sunday with about 1450 extra miles on the odometer... Don gave me a ride to the airport early on Monday morning.

I took a quick look at the additions to the SHS1965 blog, but needa go back for a more detailed study. The pictures are great! I wish I'd brought along a camera myself, but was trying to keep it simple and travel light.

Again, thanks to all for a wonderful time. I'm looking forward to the next reunion and hope to get back out to Sandpoint even sooner!

Best wishes,

George Massing