Awesome song by a kick ass band called Blind Pilot. Some of the poets out there might like to give it a read. I've read three more books and started a 4th now. The Tiger's Wife was wonderful and reminded me so much of 100 Years of Solitude. Which is exceptionally high praise if you ask me. I have started Ambrose's history of Lewis and Clark now, Undaunted Courage. It's kind of amazing head back east, I've been on their trail pretty much the whole way. Ambrose makes a suggestion to pick up an abridged copy of their writings and read it at night by the campfire. Think I may do that to get into the spirit of the thing.
So let's see, Montana and Wyoming are both pretty much down now. I'm writing from a Days Inn in south/central Wyoming about to head toward South Dakota. From Glacier National Park to Yellowstone and the Tetons. I have to say, they were all too crowded to be really enjoyable. Hiking shouldn't feel like waiting in line for a Disney ride. Glacier especially is stunning, I'm glad I spent two nights there despite the crowds. Yellowstone was a different experience. It's fascinating and alien, and totally unexpected. You can actually see the water boiling in many places. BUT SO MANY PEOPLE. I got there early enough to see some on my own but by 10 or 11 I was dancing through people pretty much everywhere. Tetons were gorgeous also, but similar problem. Most of the hiking is back country, and with no familiarity with the terrain, going alone seemed foolish. That's how you end up stuck under a boulder trying to figure out how to saw your arm off (remember that guy??)
This part of the trip has sure been different - realizing more and more about myself, where I came from and where I'm going. I recognize my own ambitions and desires in a deeper way than I have. I'm as anxious as ever to get started on the future. Right now the future means the Dakotas, though!
