Brydn's 2003 Travel Journal - Montana: Time Off to Rain Camp

Brydn's 2003 Travel Journal - Montana: Time Off to Rain Camp

Page 79

It starts raining while camping at the Lolo Camp Grounds. I run to town to look for dad's old house and deliver racing equipment. I camp at Jonsrud overnight in the rain. I return to Missoula and boss shows up.


08/03/2003 Rainy, 68', 8:58 AM, Lewis and Clark's Lolo Pass Camp Ground, Site 10.
I wake up this morning with a brown spider in my tent. I shoe it. My head is all plugged up, maybe from the heat yesterday. Two little girls and a beagle politely knock on the pit toilet while I am thinking. They and their parents are camping across the way. Smoking withdrawals.... I'm going into town. I forgot to let anyone know where I'd be. I eat chilly and crackers. The weather is not as hot as it has been out. The heat clouds have started cooling things. I brake camp. I pitch a couple crackers to the chipmunks to keep them out of my engine. I load down with a blue tarp and throw a pallet over everything.

8:15 AM, #715, Brooks Motor Inn, Missoula, Montana.
I stop at Jonsrud to fill up the water buck and dump off trash. The park is packed. Cars are lining up both sides of the streets and parking lot. I drive to the Fairgrounds. I carry up the equipment to roof. I sort out the master tapes and dub off orders. I go past the house where dad used to live. I take a few pictures. I call Verizon to clear up a bill going to collections for a second line I'm supposed to have. I wait for 30 minutes on hold on my cellphone until Lucas helps with what is obviously a mistake. I buy groceries at the Orange Street Market. I stand in line next to an army clad punk rocker with an East Coast Bostonian accent.

I drive to back to Lolo Pass Camp Ground. All but one of campsites are taken. There's a slight sprinkle. I pay the $10 to camp over night. I set up the tent with a blue tarp for rain. I cook hot dogs wrapped with cheese and rolled in Bisquick dough. I'm cooking them in a pan with lid. I stow these away in Glad bags for later. It gets dark out. I try to write but I'm too tired. It rains all night. It's some kind of nice. I'm used to camping in the rain since I'm from from Oregon. I camp by a babbling creek. It rains in the morning. I wait until 11:00 AM to leave so I can check into the hotel when I arrive in Missoula. By the time I leave, there is only one camper left. The Ranger comes by and picks up the white tab on the camping site number post. I leave in the rain. It's the first time I use the wipers on my truck.

The Hotel doesn't check in until 2PM. I go to the Fairgrounds. I set up the video switcher and check for email. I'm unable to get Megan on the phone. At exactly 2:00 PM, I check into room. I shop around at Goodwill and find a book about money. I postalize a couple post cards. I'm board, stiff and antsy. I start to worry about Megan. I go back to my hotel room and read my new book a little. I bring back my computer to my hotel room. There is no word from Megan. I try watching TV to stop thinking. I watch "Pay It Forward." I walk to the store next door. I buy root beer and a cigar. Steve gets in at 9:30 PM. We go to Pizza Hut for dinner. Megan calls. She left her phone in her purse and couldn't hear it. Things are OK. I buy a Jack Bourbon at the bar. I flip through the TV until 2:00 AM.

8:13 PM, 08/04/2003, Brooks Motor Inn, Missoula, Montana.
End of work day.

7:01 AM, 08/05/2003, Room 715, Brooks Motor Inn.
I start off with coffee and (?) a muffin. I change my black polo shirt into one of my five black polo shirts. Steve also goes for the hotel's continental breakfast. He steps off a step by the room and falls, spilling his coffee and muffins. We both meet up at the track. We get the keys to the tower, jockey room and photo finish. We unload 14 TVs and start setting up.