[Day 101] Anaconda

Before I get into the events, ramblings, and uninsightful insights of the mind of the wandering Freak on a Leash, I must acknowledge my last state — Montana! I’ve switchbacked in and out of the Treasure State for maybe a week and a half — as long as I was walking the borderline. However, I want to distinguish this part of Northern Montana from that of the Idaho-Montana border. My last few hundreds of miles will be in some of the most distinguished parts of the Rockies, featuring the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Glacier National Park.

Regarding my decision to take the Anaconda alternate, the Jarod of today is unbothered. If it pesters me when I finish, I’ll come back and grab the section. Otherwise, I’m happy to head through Anaconda and cut some Butte miles.

I walked the last mile of dirt road to Montana Highway 1. On my westward approach to town, I was occasionally on the shoulder-less highway, but mostly followed side dirt streets, notably Stumptown Road. Comparatively to some other road walks I’ve done, I don’t know what the southbound hikers were fussing about. But, maybe the town exit along Highway 1 is different.

I fixated this morning on Dairy Queen. It was the first thing open on the west side of town. I chugged the miles and rewarded myself to a cookie dough Blizzard. The fat was much needed.

I slummed around Dairy Queen for a few hours. The locals asked me about my journey. I had yet another old, rambling white guy talk my ear off. I didn’t get a name, but he told me of his first elk kill in 1966, the history of his family working the smelting operation in Anaconda, backpacking in the Pintler’s, and the toxic sulfur dioxide from the now closed smelter that killed all the vegetation surrounding Anaconda. Despite my clear lack of financial need, he insisted on giving me $60. My mom suggests I start an old white guy therapy practice.

Anaconda, known as the Smelter City, was founded in 1883 by one of the “copper kings” of Butte. Copper ore was extracted from mines in Butte and trained to Anaconda where ample water resources supported processing. At one point, Anaconda was in a bid to become the state capitol, but lost out to Helena.

I booked at bunk at the Pintler Portal Hostel. I am in much need of a shower, laundry, and some rest. My feet and ankles are brutalized. This is likely the nicest hostel I’ve been to, and I suspect I’ll have a room all to myself tonight all for $40. I see the allure of Anaconda for hikers, along with its fine dining and welcoming community.

I headed for first dinner (hoping to fit in a second). A cash-only pizza spot served up some crisp slices and browned garlic knots. This is up there with High Mountain Pies in Leadville.

After first dinner, I headed for Family Dollar for partial resupply and drinks. Of course, the downpour came along my walk. I took my grand old time in the store waiting out the rain. On the way back from the store, I came across a bizarrely named facility — Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH). What the hell. Is this a group of hibernating humans or something? It turns out it’s some old Irish Catholic group. Old Irish Catholic Group — OICG — is much clearer than AOH.

I did chores at the hostel as I hobbled around with bad sores on my feet. I had a real bad itch a couple nights ago and unconsciously scratched the skin off the top of my feet. I love when I cause my own issues. Before crawling into bed for the day, I attended Dairy Queen one last time for another large Blizzard.

I’m feeling the mileage. It’s been nearly 2,400 miles of on-trail work, not counting the miles that go into getting myself from place to place when I’m in town (probably adds another 100 miles). Nonetheless, I love my life.

Signing off,

Zeppelin / fReaK (ON a leash)