From Helena to Whitehall

By Mary Anderson

What I’ll remember:

The smoky views.

Feeling like I am walking in an eclipse due to the smoke.

Having to keep changing my route because of fires.

Setting out for maybe 200 miles cross-county by myself.

Feeling strong and satisfied with my walking pace.

Feeling accomplished and okay going over a mile of really bad blowdowns.

Focusing on the small stuff.

Noticing how many types of grass seeds there are.

Noticing the elegant beauty in the grass seeds.

Seeing tons of grasshoppers and butterflies.

Long water carries.

Drinking out of cow troughs and being thankful.

Talking to cowboys.

Seeing the one place where water from one side of the Divide flows to the other.

Bear.

Hiking long miles—a number of more than 20-mile days.

Meeting up with old trail friends.

Saying goodbye again.

Meeting more great trail friends.

Being showered with immense kindnesses by people in towns, including free housing, meals and rides.

The sun and moon made an intense orange color from the smoke. Intense heat.

Scanning the horizon after a lightning storm to see if fires started near me.