So Let the Good Times Roll
©Bert Gildart: Two weeks ago Susan Maffei photographed Janie and me at The Slabs. Her photographs remind us of that great (much repeated) trip to this funky area of California.
But they also remind us of the active times that Janie and I will soon be enjoying again. Immediately after our trip with Adam and Susan to this funky area, Janie had surgery to correct a painful tear to her rotator cuff. The operation, performed by a leading orthopedic surgeon, was a success and, soon now, following a bit more PT, we’ll be completely functional again.
Keep out? Not us.
In the meantime, Janie and I have become local socialites, taking advantage of the kind treats provided by friends. Several nights ago Eleanor Luhr handed me a plate of food she’d prepared while boondocking at Dry Clark Lake. Two nights ago Brian and Leigh drove in from their camp in Blaire Valley and served us a dinner that Leigh had prepared. Both Eleanor and Leigh are FAMOUS for their cuisine, but I’m not sure what they’re saying about my ability to cook?
While Brian and Leigh were with us we caught up on all the gossip of their trip to the Slabs. Because our travels are temporarily limited, we missed out on Prom Night, an annual event held every year at the Slabs. Leigh’s pictures of the event capture the night perfectly making Janie and me declare that next spring we will be attending!
While there Brian and Leigh visited Radio Mike and learned yet more about Love Life – Slab style. Next morning, they joined Mike for a dip in the hot springs. Clothing there is optional but they said they enjoyed the 100-plus degree waters in a very modest manner. They also toured East of Jesus, an annex of The Slabs which features the highly creative graffiti of local but very talented artists.
L to R: All images made at the Slabs, suggesting we have secular values.
So now, “Let the Good Times Roll,” which we soon will again.
Because we’re a bit confined we’ve had a chance to meet other folks here at Springs of Borrego, particularly a few other Airstream enthusiasts, and we’re always amazed by some of their accomplishments. Of particular interest to me was the work of Gregory Zeigler who has recently duplicated John Steinbeck’s insightful journey described in his Travels with Charley. Zeigler, a retired English teacher at a private school just published his book Travels with Max, and it is described on Amazon. The introduction so intrigued me that I ordered the book — so I can read the rest of the story.
Last night I enjoyed a glass of wine with Zeigler and learned during the course of our conversation that he was intrigued by my descriptions of the Slabs. Obviously Zeigler’s interests are somewhat secular, but then so were those of John Steinbeck.
I think Susan’s images suggest that Janie and I may also have secular values, but at any rate, they remind us that the good times will soon roll again.
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THIS TIME FOUR YEARS AGO:
*Reflections from my years at Cut Bank Ranger Station
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BOOKS FOR SALE:
4th ed. Autographed by the Authors
Hiking Shenandoah National Park
Hiking Shenandoah National Park is the 4th edition of a favorite guide book, created by Bert & Janie, a professional husband-wife journalism team. Lots of updates including more waterfall trails, updated descriptions of confusing trail junctions, and new color photographs. New text describes more of the park’s compelling natural history. Often the descriptions are personal as the Gildarts have hiked virtually every single park trail, sometimes repeatedly.
Big Sky Country is beautiful
Montana Icons: 50 Classic Symbols of the Treasure State
Montana Icons is a book for lovers of the western vista. Features photographs of fifty famous landmarks from what many call the “Last Best Place.” The book will make you feel homesick for Montana even if you already live here. Bert Gildart’s varied careers in Montana (Bus driver on an Indian reservation, a teacher, backcountry ranger, as well as a newspaper reporter, and photographer) have given him a special view of Montana, which he shares in this book. Share the view; click here.
$16.95 + Autographed Copy
What makes Glacier, Glacier?
Glacier Icons: 50 Classic Views of the Crown of the Continent
Glacier Icons: What makes Glacier Park so special? In this book you can discover the story behind fifty of this park’s most amazing features. With this entertaining collection of photos, anecdotes and little known facts, Bert Gildart will be your backcountry guide. A former Glacier backcountry ranger turned writer/photographer, his hundreds of stories and images have appeared in literally dozens of periodicals including Time/Life, Smithsonian, and Field & Stream. Take a look at Glacier Icons
$16.95 + Autographed Copy
April 5th, 2013 at 12:31 pm
Oh thank the good heavens that people have been providing food. I was concerned that, with Bert in charge of cooking, we might find both of your skeletal remains in the camper.