Hey pals, ever doubted your daring side while freezing in bed? That’s me in Missoula, just back from a fancy Washington Coast trip, feeling “less than rugged” in -32 degrees. Can’t sleep, thinking about Island Park adventures, but here, I’m rethinking life choices.
So, as an outdoorsy person in a mid-winter crisis, I hop on my bike. Sure, I love comfort (who doesn’t after a plush trip?), but braving the cold? It’s exhilarating.
Day three in the freeze, I’m on my fat bike, hitting the Kim Williams Trail to East Missoula, goggles on (they froze, it’s that cold!).
Then, deep thoughts hit – am I too old for this? Do I prefer luxury now? – and boom, a plot twist. A lone dog on the trail. No owner in sight.
This is why I love the outdoors. It’s wild, tough, and yeah, makes you question your sanity. But that’s its charm.
So, what’s next in this icy saga? Finding the dog’s owner or discovering something new about me, who knows? It’s all about the adventure. Stay warm and daring!
On this day in history…
2023: Holiday Video – Hello world. Watching a video we made to remember our 2022 holiday gift giving exercise. Most notably, how Snuggles, aka Cuddles, pulled off the perfect gift. Giving me something from the J. Peterman Catalog. You heard that right.
2018: Yellowstone Park and Back – We are still hoping that we get to live in the park this summer. Things are looking bleak since they tore down our transit hut from last year. Now we just hope something becomes available with WiFi so I can work from home.
2012: Insomnia – Cozied up in bed, I was ready for sleep after a busy day. But my brain wouldn’t stop spinning with thoughts of the day’s hustle. From Missoula to Bozeman, work, unloading a car, to an hour of core workouts and foam rolling.
2011: Welcome Creek – Norman suggested it and I immediately thought it was a good idea. When recreating by myself I rarely have great idea. But when I get together with friends we always come up one. The expedition included plans to hike up Welcome Creek Drainage.
2010: Pirating the Treasure: A Night Ride to Remember – Night rides scream adventure, and last night was no exception. I geared up my “screw bike” (yep, it’s as tough as it sounds) for a 3-hour mock race in Patte Canyon.
2008: Below Zero At Pattee Canyon – It’s been freezing for three days straight, making me second guess my upcoming ‘spring break’. This break’s all about skiing and eating with my friend Paul from NY.
2006: Out of Control – Time for a blog update. My Lolo Peak trip didn’t happen, but my car sure took a trip to the bottom of South Fork Lolo Creek Gulch. Thankfully, with a friend’s help, we hiked in, chained it up, and drove it out.
2005: Full Moon – Had a productive Sunday – cleaned the car and house, and even squeezed in a hike at Blue Mountain. Tonight, I’m posting pics from Saturday’s unexpected mountain climb in the Bitterroots.
2004: Mount Greylock Sunrise Hike – Mount Greylock Sunrise Hike, Jan 24, 2004 – a memorable day in my adventure diary. All set to see the day’s first rays from Massachusetts’ highest peak, but I missed the sunrise by 20 minutes.
Resources
- Fat Biking in Cold Weather: Check out this guide on “Fat Biking in the Winter” from REI. It offers tips on gear, staying warm, and navigating trails in cold weather, perfect for your excursions on the Kim Williams Trail. REI – Fat Biking in the Winter
- Outdoor Adventure Inspiration: The “Adventure Journal” is a great source for stories, articles, and advice about outdoor adventures. It might provide you with some inspiration for your next outdoor endeavor, or at least some interesting reading during those cold nights. Adventure Journal
- Balancing Comfort and Adventure: This article from Outside Magazine, “Finding the Balance Between Comfort and Adventure,” discusses how to blend luxurious comforts with the rawness of outdoor adventures, a theme you seem to be contemplating. Outside Online – Balance Between Comfort and Adventure
- Dealing with Cold Weather: For some practical advice, “How to Stay Warm in Cold Weather” by GearJunkie offers useful tips on how to manage extreme cold while being outdoors, which seems very relevant to your current situation in Missoula. GearJunkie – Staying Warm in Cold Weather
- Lost and Found Pets: Since you’ve encountered a lone dog, you might be interested in this resource from The Humane Society on what to do if you find a lost pet. It provides helpful steps to ensure the dog’s safety and assist in finding its owner. Humane Society – What to do if you find a lost pet
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