Sunday Pic of the Day

The John Colter Run through the hills above the Headwaters State Park Is interesting in that it has negotiated a train schedule halt for the region in order for the limited number (about 300) of runners to cross the railroad tracks at Trident. After Trident the course turns abruptly upward, with only the elite runners able to run the steep slopes of two strenuous climbs ("Hell of a Hill"). Exhausted already, but elated runners enjoy magnificent views of the Gallatin Valley and surrounding mountain ranges, much as Lewis & Clark enjoyed and surveyed. The trail then crosses up and down through hilly terrain and finally down through rocky gullies ("Rattlesnake Slide") back under the tracks through a muddy slough ("Beaver Pond"), then winding back to the Gallatin River where runners cross the river back to the finish line in the park ... where finishers receive race bling including a nice soft hoodie shirt, socks, and a towel to dry off the mud and river water. For some like me, the grilled burgers and kegs of beer are the reward. The trophies awarded to overall and age group fastest times are ceramic plaques with etchings quite unique. Distinguishing the senior "runner", certainly not the fastest, but the one "hanging in there" foolishly for race after race ... there is also a nice trophy, as the one I took home shown below. I always wear my GFHS Bison 1963 tee shirt and Vietnam Vet hat to honor those who can't be there with me.

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Very badass. Well done!
 
Need to unwind from the drive so I may as well post. A little background first. Last year my daughter's boyfriend invited me to dinner for her birthday. Said that I was part of her surprise. Ok, cool. When I was there he started asking us a bunch of questions that ended up being a prelude for saying he had bought concert tickets for the two of us. Shocked pretty much covered it. Tonight was the show. Those who know my music history may be surprised that I've never seen the first band before. The headliner was one of my favorites!
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I did ask myself, "How would @Dsnow9 be doing this?"

Pink hat for sure, perhaps climbing much higher to drop big branches, and he'd have a crew to immediately chip the small stuff and load the bigger log pieces. I was quoted just a little under 2k to take it down and dispose of this once robust ash tree. I am my fathers son, so I said I'd do it myself.
Nice work!

On a tree like that getting rid of it is the hardest part. But equipment makes it all go a lot faster. 2k seems a little high but not outrageous. No pink hat on the job site but a pink helmet.

I haven’t been on in a long while. Have a montana antelope tag in a few weeks but that’s the only tag I drew this year so I’m gonna go hang out with ol @SwaggyD
 

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