hitch summary

The D-Swing went nomadic this past week. During their eight day hitch they camped in three different places. First along the Clark Fork River not too far from Thompson Falls. Then at River Fairy Falls near their trail head. Finally, with the help of two horse friends, Smoky and Bridger and one mule friend, Farmer, they moved up the way of Cube Iron to a nice wild spot near their work, say thankya. Their work being two re-routes of a mostly recreational hiking trail leading to the Four Lakes Region and Cube Iron Mountain. The slope of the terrain was a less severe, but still formidable version of a nearby avalanche slide of fallen trees and rock. Layers of Cube Iron's age stood between the D-Swing and thier trail, but not for long.
Good work and satisfaction was in the brushing stage thanks to Kevin's fixing of the brand new saw's trigger spring. After, it screamed two full days true, that chainsaw, and when it was done, a path of destruction and chaos stretched 850 feet laying out the second re-route. It was four dead logs deep in places and always wrapped around a stump, which was anchored around a rock which has been sleeping in the bear grass since the Flintstones. Making an estimate on how long it was gonna take to finish was the game they played on Wednesday night. Saying two more days for 700 something feet was Tom Branger. That gotta laugh from some, and a look from others. Either we're loosing touch, Crew Leader Ashley thought, or becoming a true trail crew. She also thought M&M's...like... a lot. Not even just craving 'em too. She thought about them like they were the popular kids at school, asking her to sit with them and be cool. Asking her what she thought about stuff. Asking her to "be an M," whatever that means. She talks when she swings folks, she says it eases her mind, and I listen, cause that woman’s got troubles that‘ll make the Mad Hatter shut up and stare. Not to mention mess with your idea of what dessert is, or isn’t. Yeah, we’re half way through the season folks, and the lines are blurred. The luggage has been lost and so has any inhibition.
Anyway, a true trail crew they were becoming. In the next two days they pooched out the trail rough, and by the end of the third it was done nice. What a sight it was seeing that trail pooch clean? What was once a river of mayhem was now a stock worthy walk. The D-Swing got their licks and their kicks and all that was left to do was a bit of brushing further down the trail and a hike to the next site to wet our tongues. It’s a beautiful site of lakes and meadows. It’s a nice spot for some digging.
Long Days and Dirty Nights,
D-Swing