DAY 28: TUESDAY, AUGUGT 27, 2002

Clark Canyon Reservoir to Middle Fork of the Little Sheep Creek

Today is Rob's 39th birthday and our last day on ATVs. We start out by paddling a 20-foot hand carved wooden canoe from the Reservoir dam wall around the island and over to a roadway normally under water. The paddle goes well and the canoe is stable although rocks with any movement.

Once ashore we change again to our riding gear, climb on our Honda Rubicons and head out for an 80-mile ride. Rob has a ball as our Forest Service guide, Brad out of the Dillon Ranger District, is an excellent rider and the two of them leave the rest of us in the dust. As usual we have several short hikes but the majority of the day is sent on high open ridges with spectacular views. Most of the routes that we are on are made by four-wheel drive vehicles and used primarily for hunting or grazing allotment access. It is frustrating to see the condition of routes and obvious lack of maintenance. With proper maintenance little if any of the impacts would be taking place and the access greatly enhanced.

After 2-1/2 days on an ATV I am getting somewhat more comfortable with the machine and handling off-camber routes. But my recreational vehicle of choice certainly remains a good off-highway or dual-sport motorcycle.

We arrive in camp covered in dust but Rob has a huge grin on his face. It?s now another good-by to Matt Krsul, the Butte Honda dealer, provider of the machines we have enjoyed and our riding companion for two days.

At camp we have special presents for Rob, a toy western pistol set complete with sheriffs badge so he won?t be jealous of Duane?s, a toy ATV so he can remember this birthday ride, and a toy tea set so that he would have "proper" eating utensils for the next backpack session. To complete the celebration the Support Team had picked up a large decorated sheet cake and had two LARGE (3 and 9) candles for him to blow out.

Charlotte keeps saying that we are going to forget HER birthday (September 1) since we will be out on a mule-assisted backpacking trip. But we?ve got plans!