"Many people will walk in and out of your Life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart."

Bear’s Tooth Pass, Chief Joseph Highway, spaces we will return very soon I know again and again even so if the threat of Bears is great as the ride throughout these past few days was just too fast for my snail pace speed as also the scales of such beauty indescribable with words was tipped while staying at some Friend’s Campground. Sometimes I use the word “Friend” too loosely. I have been angry these past couple of days, torn quite a bit as when I look around me seeing such stage and come back replaying the past as we have left such human element, it leaves me dumbfounded. There is no understanding, there is only lessons after lessons as sometimes my grades are not of the best.

I had written pages and pages, they are stored as I myself read them and none of it makes any sense. The result of this incident is in my mind the predominant chapter of greed encompassing the balance between Friendship and Business. I lean always toward the Human Friendship, that “gold badge” we acquire with time through mutual respect, a respect this time around slipping away replaced by an indescribable attitude as yet, considering the players, not surprising.

It pained me to witness another dog with their owner present trying to take a chunk out of Spirit’s neck. More than that. Yes, owner present, let go ahead of us for the purpose of proper handling, but must have been deviated by trying to reach for his beer instead of his dog off his leash in this environment I found out a bit too late where “Cocktail Hour” starts at noon. Spirit’s golden heart surfaced as he only escaped by turning away, I saw that glimpse of kindness in his eyes, and myself grabbing his collar while he was still on his leash and putting up my foot. What are people thinking? Or maybe not? I had to hear "but he warms up slowly to other dogs…". Really? Spirit’s patience only runs so long, I took on the responsibility to get him away. What does one incident has to do with the sudden mood of our stay? A lot. Over and over the absence of rules needed when in such environment. All not for us. The reel has not stopped playing the same scene over and over.

I then felt where the importance of the situation had moved into. I realized this was beyond the vicious attack but the factor to not say anything as to not loose an employee even if so is a difficult commodity to obtain in this area. A “couple”, two who are labeled as “working alcoholics” by their own employer, and I mean as in constant drunk “stupor”, not working. I could almost title this entry "PR invitation at a Campground employing working alcoholics with biting Dogs". A bit rude I must say. How about turning the vet bill expenditures as they have had previously toward other dogs into some positive training versus all days before this incident hearing a dozen times "I just don’t know what to do". Spirit or myself was never of concern but the “business” was, the only focus, the only care as this would not propagate. Of course without say…. what are we ourselves doing here? An error, I am only Human I keep telling myself.

We are long gone by now, we are lounging in Bozeman for the night. I like Bozeman, I like it’s Main Street, the dog friendly sidewalks, the smiles and good humor. We are regrouping to head further North, maybe a bit East then, who knows. The ride up to Chief Joseph Highway and Bear’s Tooth Pass where of excellence with much camping space. So immense and breathtaking. The colors for ever changing, from the red rocks of the lower elevations mixed in with the most vivid greens to the snow banks and iced ponds of an 11,000 feet elevation.

Crisp cold air, euphoria moments never truly wanting to leave. That is where we belong. This has been a detour yet expanding. What can be Mother Nature’s formula to soothe my senses as she does? as she leaves within me this “footprint” of a true Friend. What an incredible power she has as we came back riding, pulled over and a few steps away we both laid down in the knee high green grass under a pine tree, the wind was playing it’s tunes on and off, it was cool, it was comfort, it was my "nothing" regained for the day amongst while looking up the giant puzzle of the cotton clouds trying to maybe initiate the common afternoon storm. When will I learn who to trust?

Such I feel beautiful space, and yet the underlying human exchange is so much at times too muddy for us. Moving on and taking with us the good memories. The photo contents and my Love for my Buddy.

"I have had a great deal of interest in my photography over the years, for which I am grateful. Their sales are of much importance funding this Journal. Yes, please feel free to purchase one or two… or a few. I have been adding some photos lately, there will be more as I sift through about 100,000 of them.

Take a look. “Smugmug” stands for quality. Thank you”

Be well, always.

Ara & Spirit