Our usual Thursday Night Ride in Missoula got switched from a bike ride at Blue Mountain to a hike up Mount Jumbo. I tried to carpool with Mr. Cymbals but got no response. It seemed like everyone was avoiding the outdoors, hiding from the relentless, freezing rain.
I grabbed a Vanilla Black Tea and a blueberry scone from City Brew, then waited at Mount Jumbo for my TNR friends. Curled up with NPR and my warm drink, I watched as everyone eventually emerged.
As we hiked, many were glued to their cell phones, longing for the warmth of indoors. But the trail had other plans. Wet grass soaked us through, making every step sound like ‘squish, squash’.
Then, sheep! A diverse flock, some goats, each with its own sound. The ‘baaas’ and ‘ugggs’, and then ‘woof’? Yes, flock guardians. One sniffed my hand, as if checking I wasn’t a threat (or carrying bacon).
After summiting Jumbo and taking a group photo, many looked forward to food and ale at Alden’s. I headed home. Though conditions weren’t great, it turned out to be a good time – the worst and best of times, really.
Boneshakerbike 
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