Moonlighting in Glacier Park

Photo by Adam Grim

Late last night I checked off another one of the goals that I have wanted to accomplish for quite some time. I biked Going to the Sun Road after dark, at near midnight under the luminous glow of a full “big-sky” Montana moon.

Awesome!

[ left to right: Ryan, Justin, Garren, Bryan -Not pictured - (he went for a quick hike :) ]

I was joined by my three friends and fellow adventure seekers, Garren, Justin, and Bryan. I borrowed the above picture from Garren, because the batteries in my camera went dead shortly after our ride commenced. (You can see Garren’s blogging of the experience here).

We started from “The Loop” and rode approximately 8 miles up to the summit at Logan Pass gaining about 3,500 feet in elevation. Yeah… a bit intense. Especially considering that we had to share the roughly 12 foot wide road with two lanes of traffic and construction equipment (Glacier Park closed the road today for road maintenance and construction).



Several of the motorists and motor cyclists who passed us along the way cheered and gave us the “thumbs up” to say “good job… keep going… you got more stamina and guts than we do.” That helped us press on in several of the spots were the climb was steep and the legs were jello.

We started the ride at about 6:00pm and arrived at the summit shortly after 9:00pm but we stopped several times along the way to watch the sunset over the Glacier horizon and beautiful Heavens Peak.

A little over three quarters of the way up to the summit we passed a few of our friends who had picnicked on the east side of the park and were now driving back home. They were kind enough to bless us with some nourishment (a fatty submarine sandwich which was one of the tastiest sandwiches I think I have ever eaten in my life. ;-)

We got to the top just after the moon ascended the 10,000-plus Glacier peaks, and chilled at Logan Pass for a little while, resting, enjoying the moon-lit scenery and adding to our layers of cloths in preparation for the brisk ride back down the mountain.

The moon-glow on the face of the cliffs and mountain sides was breathtaking, a whole different experience than driving the road in the daylight. Truly an experience I will not soon forget.

As we started back down the mountain after night-fall under the quiet glow of the starlight and moon, you could see the twinkling lights of a few straggling motorists as they curved and winded their way down the Sun Road several miles ahead.

The muted flashing lights of the construction zones added to the midnight ambiance as they lit up the mountainside in colorful red, amber and green hues.


The trip back down the mountain was over much quicker than the laborious ride up, but it certainly made the previous strain and pain well worth the effort.

What a blessing to live at the feet of such an awe-inspiring natural paradise like Glacier park and have the ability to visit and enjoy its natural beauty in every season, every month and every hour of the day.

..:: fish on ::..

Today I had the awesome privilege of joining my friend Bryan on his boat to go fishing for lake trout on Lake McDonald in Glacier Park. What a great experience!

First of all, the weather was fantastic, the lake was glass and the backdrop... breathtaking!



We were fishing with lures and down riggers and a bag full of trade secrets that Bryan knows - of which I am sworn to secrecy for all eternity, so don't even ask ;-)

Any way we weren't even out there an hour before the fish started biting... it was epic.

Rischelle and I both caught some monsters. Bryan was just playing the part of charter guide today, so he let us do all the catching.

I caught this beauty which was about a 12 pounder. Isn't she pretty?



Rischelle also caught one that was approx. 12 pounds. We didn't have anything to actually weigh them, so we just had to give it our best guess, but you can see from the pictures how nice these babies were.



Of course we released most of what we caught after snapping a few "proof" photos. We did keep this "little guy" however as dinner for the night... yes... he was tasty.

We were out on the water like 8 hours or so, and it seemed like about 3 hours. Crazy how fast time flies by when you are out fishing on one of Montana's most beautiful lakes. Yet how incredibly slowly it creeps along when you are stuck behind your desk working all day. Why is that, and why do we get five of the slow, dull boring days, and only one of the fun ones each week. Doesn't seem fair.

Anyway thanks Bryan for an awesome day, and some awesome fish!

The Devistations of Hurricane Gustav

Thought you all might enjoy this inspiring story...

Hurricane Gustav that hit New Orleans left some serious devastation in its path as it tore through the Gulf Coast and slammed into Louisiana early last week.

While the nation was grateful that the levees held this time around and that the devastating flooding that occurred last year did not repeat again this year, there were still many families hurt by the tragedy.

Out of that tragedy however came this remarkable story of perseverance...

The Oneal family returned home Monday to find that Gustav had turned their house upside down, and repositioned it a few hundred feet from it's original foundation, but otherwise had left it pretty much intact.

They were even still able to enter house through the upstairs doorway that led from the loft to an upstairs balcony. Most of the furniture was still inside and all of the fixtures were still in place and unharmed.

The Oneal family plans to continue living in the home for as long as they can or until authorities force them to leave.

No... that is not true... I'm lying.

Actually this is a full sized house that was built upside down over in Germany... why? Just because it hadn't been done before I guess. Pretty crazy though.

Everything inside this home is upside down too... fixtures... furniture... appliances... lights... everything.

Take a look at these additional pictures pretty ridiculous.

Anyway, thought I'd have a little fun with it.



Here is the link to the original story.

..::GREAT Northern::..

Yesterday I had the opportunity to fulfill a goal that I have had for several years now. I was able to summit “Great Northern” – one of the more impressive peaks (in my opinion) of the Flathead Valley/Glacier Park region.

The magnificent monolith resides near the eastern shoreline of Hungry Horse Reservoir in the buffer zone that separates the massive reservoir and the rest of the Flathead Valley from the rugged and seemingly endless peaks of Glacier National Park.

The trail that leads to the summit is pretty strenuous at times and offers a wide array of varied terrain, but it is also EPIC beyond compare!

Here are a few photos of some friends we met along the way...

The first half of the trail slices its way through fairly dense forest and it feels like you are walking straight up the mountain. There are hardly any switchbacks and the path is steep. But around midpoint along the journey you break out above the tree line and immediately you get your second wind. At this point the peak of Great Northern comes into view and her stunning profile fills you with the motivation to press on.

The majority of the second half of the journey is a tight rope walk along the mountain ridgeline. This hike gives new definition to the word “views”. My jaw was dangling for most of the trip and the only words I was able to mutter was … WOW! God… this is Awesome! Incredible! Magnificent! … there weren’t really enough words in my vocabulary to accurately describe my emotions, so I just muttered those over and over again.

The views to the north and north east looking into Glacier Park are mind-blowing. The images will stay with me forever. Although I am hoping to make another trip to the summit again very soon as a little “refresher” course (it’s like a drug… once you have experienced it you want more and more).

The final stretch of the journey is certainly not for the faint of heart. You are basically tiptoeing across a two foot wide ridge that separates a massive shale slide on one side and a 3,000 foot drop off a cliff on the other side. Add to that 30 – 40 mile-per-hour winds that are trying their best to toss you off the mountain and it makes things pretty interesting. One false step and the results could be disastrous… but what a rush! It is quite addicting.

There is a snow field on the northeast side of the mountain that is enormous. It made me wish that I had my snowboard with me, of course if I had, I would probably be dead right now.

From the summit you can see across the border of two states, two countries and too many unforgettable views stretching over hundreds of miles in every direction.

The icing on the cake was that I was able to make the journey with four of my closest friends, all amazing guys and all brothers in faith. What a privilege!

Oh yeah, and one more thing before I close. My buddy Seth and his lovely wife Jill were kind enough to have me over for a delicious BBQ chicken dinner following the hike which was VERY MUCH enjoyed and appreciated! THANKS guys!

..:therapy:..

Oh yeah... This is my therapy... Blue sky above... Open road ahead... 650 CCs below... Problems all behind!

I finally got my bike back up and running, and I decided to go for a "therapy cruise" today after work... it is good to be back in freedom's saddle.

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..::whitefish river::..

I spent the day kayaking the whitefish river today. Good times. Sure beats a day in the office.


I had some relatives in town from Canada. My Dad's cousin and his wife. They loved the kayak trip down the river. They are from the Vancouver area in BC Canada, which I have always thought is a beautiful area of the world, but they have gone on and on about how beautiful they think it is here in the Flathead Valley and Glacier park area. They say that their surroundings don't come close to matching the beauty that we have here. Just a little reminder of how incredibly blessed we are to be living here.

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..::summers day::..

Ahh... Finally a real summer day! First an awesome message delivered by pastor Levi. Then a tasty lunch @ the Knead cafe w/some friends. Then an afternoon @ the water park. 97 degrees felt so good after our snowy month of June. Unfortunately I didn't get a pic @ the water park cause my camera doest like to get wet. But we finished the day out w/ a bon fire and burgers which was a blast. I did manage 2 snap a photo of the campfire 4 this post. Viva la summer!

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..:: The Wilderness ::..

Ryan Becker, June '08

There is a wilderness
where I find myself. Lost.
Unaware of where I go.

There is an obstacle.
Obtrusive. Dejecting. Malign.
Which pollutes the world I know.

It is a fallacious world.
Foreign. Misleading. Abstruse.
Mirage upon mirage.

I fight and climb
to reach higher ground.
But I’m scourged by deceits barrage.

Many battles fought.
Many scars I carry.
Many times I’ve fallen down.

Many answers sought.
Many aspirations - contrary.
Many crosses in the ground.

Alone I walk
battle scarred and bloody
but the blood is not all my own

Cut by the blade,
healed by the sword
and through it all I’ve grown

Still I search for one
whom I know not.
But the promise is to give.

Wearied I progress
down a path of faith.
Towards the point I wish to live.

And the way is narrow.
And the verdancy dense.
And I’m cut by thorn and limb.

And the night is dark.
And the fog is thick.
And the source of light is dim.

But though the path is slick
and the obstacles many.
I have not given up.

I clutch to my staff
and push through the labyrinth.
To drink devotions cup.

And I focus on the day
and I search for the beauty.
That ancient words have prophesied.

And I pray for the one
who will some day free me
from the many tears I’ve cried.

..::fresh air::..

Sunday afternoon. The open road... The wind in your hair. Gotta love it. - why does she love this but hates the blow dryer? I dont get it.

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..:: absence of the sun ::..

My sun, where are you, where have you gone?

I miss your friendly face.

I long to see your beaming smile

and feel your warm embrace.

Today the sky is void of color.

With grey darkness, damp and cold.

The birds won’t sing, the leaves won’t glisten

and the flowers won’t unfold.

An opaque brume has come between,

to you and I divide.

And Mother Nature in her reverence

has bowed her sorrowed head and cried.

I cry too as I sit alone inside

and stare through rain-washed pane.

I recount all the days since you’ve been gone

and question how long apart you will remain.

I miss the splendor of your scintillating, selfless shine

and the glow of golden rays

I miss the joyful energy you provide

and your watchful, cheerful gaze.

I miss the way you share your life and light

with grass and rock and trees.

I miss your reflection on the surface of the lake

and the way your radiance warms the breeze.

I’ll look for you my salient friend,

and watch for your return.

When the rain subsides, and the clouds depart

for your summertime sojurn.

..:: Creative Cliche ::..

In a world of synonymity – my creative cliché
finds hope in the midst of the darkness of day.

Though night falls upon me and the future seems bleak
only the words of Christ will I speak.

I look not on circumstances nor dwell on defeat
for by faith in I AM I am complete.

My words can kill, my words produce life
I’ll choose the latter and walk in the light.

I’ll live by the letters that are written in red.
And overcome by the power in the blood that He bled.

To be blessed, to be cursed is only a choice
for the power of life starts with a voice.

I’ll choose my words wisely to build up and create.
Create life, create love, create a way that is straight.

In a world that is dying from spiritual decay
I’ll make my way victorious through creative cliché.

...

..:: Omni ::..

by Ryan Becker

My God is great and He is powerful
he reigns forever supreme and over all.

He laughs at oppression and with one breath
he defeated sin, condemnation and even death.

Omnipresent. God is. Everywhere I look
and all my days are written in his book.

Omniscient. All knowing. All mighty God.
In whose gospel of peace my feet are shod.

What shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid?
When through His death and resurrection all my debts are paid.

Omnipotent. All thing are under his thumb.
And through faith in Christ I will overcome.

..:: i'm back but not for long ::..

Greetings all. Sorry for the long absence in getting a new post up on Cre8iveCliche. Go ahead yell at me, I know I said several weeks ago that it was terrible to let your blog go stale, and here I am committing the cardinal sin myself, but you gotta give me a break on this one.

Listen... here is my excuse. I live in Montana where it is winter like 9 months out of the year so when the clouds finally do part and the Fahrenheit finally climbs above 50, I'm sorry but I am going to spend every spare moment I got out enjoying it, and the moments that I am not outside enjoying it, I am focusing on getting accomplished the work requirements that I need to get done before I can get back out side to enjoy Montana's fleeting summer.


This picture was taken today in my front yard. I was playing Frisbee with a few friends. One look at the above picture and surely you can find it in your heart to forgive me for not being as diligent on my blogging efforts recently... right?

Common... where would you rather be, outside soaking in Gods immaculate Montana summer beauty, or sitting at your desk inside your stuffy room updating your blog? Yeah...nuff said.

Anyway, I will try and be a little bit better and update once or twice a week, but as long as the weather is anything like this outside, don't expect to be hearing from me quite as often... sorry, I love ya, but a Montanan's gotta do what a Montanan's gotta do.

No stop surfing the net and go outside an do something fun.

I'm out ---

..: beautiful breakfast ::..

Ahhhh! Finally! That's is what I'm talking about... it has been a while in coming, but finally the warm sunny weather is starting to return to Montana's frozen tundra.

Today I was able to enjoy my breakfast out on the back deck of my home, soaking in the warm sun and enjoying this beautiful view of the Columbia Mountain range.

You gotta love Montana in the summer time! I'm glad that it is just beginning, I am going to enjoy every second of it. Tomorrow I am planning another hike and bike ride up in Glacier. It is supposed to be pretty nice, like today was.

This is what MT livin' is all about!

..:: workplace?... zoo?... pre-school? ::..

Do you ever get the feeling that your co-workers are a bunch of preschoolers? I often do.

I feel sort of like the actor in the old Career Builder commercials, except I feel like I have it even worse, at least the "monkeys" that he had to work with were humorous...



Those monkeys I could deal with... I on the other hand have to deal with whiny little "pre-school mentality" co-workers who seem to have nothing better to do then complain about each other... cry about not getting their way... whine about how someone else in the office is not being fair to them... gossip about how they think so-and-so is not pulling his/her weight and needs to be fired.

And they all have to come spill their guts to me, as if I care. NEWS FLASH people...

... I AM NOT INTERESTED IN YOUR INFANTILE OFFICE POLITICS!!! ...

Sometimes I want to jump up on my desk and yell that to the top of my lungs.

They just don't seem to get it... life isn't always perfect... life isn't always fair... deal with it... mind your own business and leave me alone, oh yeah... and read Luke chapter 6 verse 41 while you are at it.

Anyway, I don't want to rant too much about the matter. That would make me no better than those I am ranting about, so I will end this post here, but thanks for allowing me to vent a little bit... I'm feeling much better now.

Does anybody else have to deal with "pre-school mentality" co-workers, or is it just my crucible? If you have any similar experiences, comment and let me hear about them. Together we can make it through ;-)

..:: entertained ::..

I am a couple days late in getting this post up on my blog, but I still wanted to make sure I got it added.

The other night I had the privilege of attending a concert with some friends and family.

The concert featured two of my favorite Christian bands, the ‘Newsboys’ and ‘Rush of Fools.’ Both bands were performing at the Adams Center which is part of the University of Montana in Missoula.

This is my second opportunity to see the Newsboys in concert and I have just got to say... the “boys” put on one incredible show! They never cease to impress! Not only was the music outstanding, the message that Peter Furler (lead singer for the Newsboys) and the rest of the crew brought was awesome. The “boys” also incorporate an amazing light show into the performance which is fantastic.

These pictures do not give justice to how amazing the stage and the light show looked during the performance, it is kind of like trying to catch a photo of the setting sun with a cell phone camera… it is just not going to convey even 1/10 of the true beauty, but at least you can get a glimpse of what the night was like. Pretty cool…

Is that Jake Bramante singing into the mic just to the right of the guitarist? ;-)

Towards the end of the show, Peter Furler and the Newsboys drummer Duncan Philips got into a “drum war” where they both try to “one-up” the other on their own set of drums. Peter gave it a good shot… a noble effort… but Duncan holds the trophy.

I left the bleachers, scaled the wall and climbed up onto the rafters in the ceiling of the Adams Center building to get an aerial shot looking down on Duncan’s drum set… pretty cool huh? Then security came and arrested me so I missed the last part of the show.

Kidding… actually Duncan’s entire drum platform lifts off the stage and turns completely perpendicular to the floor and then starts spinning like a top… yeah… pretty crazy, and Duncan just keeps playing through the entire thing without missing a beat. Poor Peter how the heck is he supposed to compete with that?

Here are a few pics of Rush of Fools also… they don’t put on quite as extravagant of a show as the “boys” but I love their music. This was my second opportunity to see them live in concert too. I have thoroughly enjoyed them both times.

Honorable mention…

The opening band was a group that I had not heard of before called “Article One.” Having never heard of them prior to this concert I didn’t quite know what to expect, but they were really good. They have a violinist in the band who absolutely ROCKS OUT on the violin! In fact I enjoyed them so much, that I had to purchase two of their CD’s after the show. If you are looking for some new music to listen to check them out at www.articleonemusic.com

The fourth band that played was called NewWorldSon. Though I didn’t care for their style as much as the other three bands, they weren’t bad. There was one song where the lead singer played the harmonica and made it sound just like a train whistle… that was pretty cool.

..:: avalanche hunter ::..

I guess you could call this the weekend of fire and ice. Yesterday's post told you all about my "burn session" -- setting my front yard on fire. That was fun in a devious, anarchist kind of way.

Actually it really is a good thing to do. A good controlled burn keeps the heavy under-growth to a minimum, minimizes future fire hazards and adds nitrogen to the soil, plus it make things look a lot better and saves me from having to do a lot of hard labor. :-)

Now, as fun as it was spending all of Saturday hanging around the house burning stuff, today I was ready to venture out and enjoy a little bit of Montana's stunning back-country.

This weekend was absolutely phenomenal! After eight long months of winter cold and clouds - (okay maybe we had a few sunny days in between there but not enough) - I had some serious cabin fever that I had to work off this weekend and what better place to do that then in stunning Glacier National Park!

My mission for the day is to hike as far into the park as my time will permit, with my ideal destination being Avalanche Lake. Avalanche Lake for those that do not know, is a beautiful little tarn tucked away in a monolithic corner of Glacier's breathtaking mountainous terrain. One of those magical little spots which makes you feel like a more fulfilled, enlightened and more complete human being, just for witnessing its beauty and magnitude.

I have made the hike back into Avalanche Lake many times in previous years, in fact it is one of my favorite hikes in Glacier Park, but I have never been back their this early in the season.

You see, today I am "Avalanche Hunting." I am on a mission to see some live-action avalanches up close, (well relatively close), and in person. I could not think of a better place to accomplish this feat, then the place called "Avalanche Lake".

Unfortunately after entering the park I discover that the road is still closed at the Lake McDonald Lodge gate. That means about a six to seven mile hike lies ahead just to reach the Avalanche Lake trail head. I only have a handful of hours available to me today, so Avalanche Lake is unfortunately not an option, but I am still excited to get out and do some hiking, even if it is just an afternoon stroll down Going to the Sun Road.



The sun is warm, the sky is blue, the surrounding mountains are like whipped cream and chocolate chips. The birds are singing and the conditions are perfect for avalanche viewing. Even if I cannot make it all the way back into the Avalanche Lake, the mountains at the Avalanche Lake trail-head should serve up some beautiful avalanche displays, so that is my new desired destination.

The hike down Going-to-the-Sun road to the Avalanche Lake trail-head is an easy one, but it does take a while. But who cares really, it is so beautiful today, where else would you ever want to be?

I didn't see too much wild life along the way, but I did pause to snap a few pictures of this beautiful little bright-colored moth.



Finally after about two hours of walking, gawking and taking pictures, me and my crew reach the trail head to Avalanche Lake.

Just as I had expected, the conditions are perfect for avalanches today, and Clements Peak is serving up a display.




If you have never had the pleasure of seeing or hearing the spectacle of a live avalanche, let me just say it is incredible. It sounds like a cross between a crack of thunder and the roar of a 747 racing down the mountain, amplified by a continuing ricochet effect as the sound waves echo off all of the surrounding mountains in the vicinity. It really is quite spectacular.



While kicking back and watching the avalanche action, I met an old dude who had trained his optical scope onto what appeared to be a petrified mountain goat standing high up on the side of one cliff. He was almost invisible to the naked eye, unless you looked really carefully. But the kind gentleman allowed me to take a peak through his scope and even take a picture through it with my camera.



The poor little mountain goat appeared to be scared stiff with all the avalanche activity hapening all around him. I wonder if he had a bad experience earlier in life. Perhaps he got blindsided by a
wall of falling snow once before and barely lived to tell about it, and now he figures, "during avalanche season, one can never be too careful."

I don't know what his story is, but he definitely didn't seem to want to move from his secluded little crevice in the rocks.

This post has grown into a much longer blog entry then I had anticipated, and I don't personally like REALLY long posts, so I better cut this off now, before it gets outta control.

But let me leave you with this... if you have never experienced the excitement of "avalanche hunting" up close and in person, I highly recommend it. The sound alone is something that will echo in your memories for a life time, and if you can manage to do your 'avalanche hunting' on a beautiful blue-bird day in Glacier Park Montana... well consider yourself blessed.