Ah, the passage of time. Remember that scene in Interstellar where Matthew McConaughey ages 23 years while chilling on another planet? Yeah, feels about right. Has it really been six years since I last strapped on skate skis, looking like a baby deer learning to walk on ice skates? Denial is strong, folks, because I swear it was just… two years ago? Yeah, right. My last vivid memory isn’t even in our beloved Missoula, but Mammoth WY in Yellowstone Park, a different world, a different lifetime.
Fast forward to a couple days ago, where Mo and I decided to tackle Pattee Canyon, practically our Missoula backyard. Stepping into those familiar bindings felt like slipping into a comfy pair of jeans… that shrunk in the dryer. Sure, they fit, but you ain’t doing any high kicks without risking wardrobe malfunction. 2.2 miles later, and let me tell you, I was done-zo. Wasted. Kaput. Felt like I went through the car wash on high pressure, inside out.
Funny how time and distance play tricks on you in the great outdoors. What used to be a warmup felt like a trek through Mordor. But hey, even with the huffing, puffing, and realization that my fitness peaked somewhere in the early 2000s, the pure joy of gliding with Mo was magical. The scenery, the crisp air, the shared laughter – it was like a perfect storm of “why don’t we do this more often?” mixed with “oh yeah, because my lungs are staging a coup.”
So, here’s to reclaiming old passions, accepting that time is a sneaky thief, and remembering that while the spirit is willing, the body sometimes needs a pep talk (and maybe a donut break). Let’s not wait another six years, eh? Because as Beyoncé wisely sang, “if you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it” – in this case, the ring being regular trips to the mountains, not diamonds (although diamonds are nice too). Remember, friends, getting older is inevitable, but staying young at heart? Totally optional. Let’s choose the latter, with slightly more breaks and maybe a slightly smaller mountain next time.
Feb 24 in History:
2023: Law – Pondering the power to change a law, symbolized by a branch’s stability on the beach amidst crashing waves.
2017: Team MoBill Part 4 – Encounters – The beginning of the Team MoBill Story, tracing its origins back to 2010 and an Adventure Cycling holiday party.
2012: Taking the long way – Reflecting on a preference for the scenic route, even if it means arriving after dark.
2010: Spirit – Part of a series on favorite 2009 photos, featuring Zepahnie Blasi taking in the Pipestone Valley’s vastness.
2008: Great Riding in Seeley – Chronicles a training ride to Seeley Lake and supporting friends at the Snow Joke Half Marathon.
2007: Home Safely – A brief update on a safe return home and a casual mention of enjoying “Double Haul” at the “Board Room.”
2007: Product Review – Sharing insights from a 50-mile ride, including the aftermath of cleaning up and a hearty pasta meal.
2002: Sleeping Giant Hike – A recount of a challenging hike that could tire even Paul Bunyan, exploring the Sleeping Giant.
2002: Cool – COOL: Discovering a website dedicated to the frequently hiked mountain range.
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