A weekend to remember: beauty in life and death.

I went to Wallace, Idaho for two key reasons:

1. I love historical towns
2. It was a convenient pace to stay as a base to ride the Hiawatha trail, rated as one of the best Rail Tails (railway lines converted to walking/cycling trails) in the US, it had been highly recommended by numerous people.

I didn't, however, expect to be deeply touched by such beauty in life, in death, and in friendship & openness.

I rejoiced in the magnificent setting of the town (it's in a small valley).  Whether I looked North, South, East or West, all I saw was mountains and hills within a mile (the highway is above the northern part of town because there's no room for it else where - the valley is that small)

I delighted in the beauty of the preserved historical town

I was taken by the sights and smells of the Hiawatta Trail - when I was riding through tunnels or over wooden bridges I could smell the soot and charcoal embedded in the wood in the tunnels.

I marvelled at the endurance and toil of all who surveyed, and then built the railways through terrain such as the Hiawatha's (~10 bridges and tunnels within 15 miles…and all of it a 2 percent grade - remarkable). 

I shook my head at the toughness of the miners that worked in such regions as this, "the silver capital of the world"

I was inspired by the attitude and energy of Dave, who makes & sells t-shirts in town.   He's a cancer survivor, and had one of the bones in his lower leg removed so that his jaw could be reconstructed.  He was formerly the head of Ski Patrol in the area.   Dave's shop was closed on late Friday afternoon when I wandered by, but he noticed that I liked the look of a few t-shirts, showed me in, then offered to print some for me on Saturday so I could buy some Huckleberry related t's for Chad, Tracy and Randall. 

I was taken by the friendship and openness shown by Dave and Margie.  Margie is a friend of Dave's, she lost her husband to cancer a scant 3 months ago.  Dave led both of us on the walk/hike to the Pulaski, and gave the type of running commentary that only an outdoor-focussed local can.

I was deeply saddened to hear that Connie, Randall's wife, passed away on Saturday night after a mighty 15 year battle with cancer.  Rest in Peace Connie.

Upon my return to Hamilton, Montana I was happy to again meet Randall's son, Doug, and his wife Amy.  Like Tracy and her family, Doug and his family are a tribute to the wonderful person that Connie was and that Randall is.  It's a privilege to be able to spend time here with all of them.

I'll post separately about Wallace, and the Hiawatha trail, and I'll squeeze the Pulaski walk in somewhere.