June 29, 2008

It’s been a rather quiet week. I feel that I’ve stopped being a tourist and have settled into what would be a normal week. But the “fun” thing is while I don’t have specific plans each day, I always find fun things to do. I love going on my hikes…..and I’ve never really hiked before, but when I start breathing hard and sweating…..I am energized. I would hike further each day, but my body seems to know when to stop. It has surprised me that what hurts the most seems to be around my ankles. I don’t know if there are muscles in the ankle or just tendons, but the uneven, rocky ground causes my foot to bend ways it has not done before. So sometimes I can hardly walk the next day. But as soon as the pain subsides a bit, I’m back climbing that mountain.

I spend 1-2 hours sitting at the Mountain Village reading my Clive Cussler novels and watching the people. I just love having the time to read, and such a beautiful, sunny environment in which to read and enjoy. I’ve gone through 3 books and have started on my 4^th.

Primal Quest Finish

As I say, there is always something to do. I’ve told you about the start of the Primal Quest Adventure Race in Big Sky, and of course, it ends here in Big Sky. And last night (Saturday, June 28) the first team arrived – Team Nike. From the volunteers, I understand that all of their racers are paid a nice salary to stay in shape and win these races. And Team Nike has won all 5 Primal Quest races and I think they do pretty good in the Eco Challenge. I went to the Mountain Village about 6:00 PM in case the team came in early, but as it turned out, they didn’t cross the finish line until around 9:30 PM. By around 9, it was cold, and the mosquitoes were swarming (they are the size of a small bird – or so it seemed). I could take the cold, but not being eaten by these bugs. So I left about 9:00. I decided there were still about 40 teams who would cross that finish, and I could watch some of them.

So today (Sunday), the 2^nd place team, Team Merrell, arrived a little after noon. It was very exciting as they biked across the finish line – still looking good, but you could tell they were very tired after 6 days and 2 hours of racing. They are pretty much a professional team, like Nike. Nike finished 9:30 PM on Saturday, and this team came in at 12:30 PM on Sunday – and the 3^rd and 4^th teams should arrive Sunday night – that’s how fast the first 2 teams were moving. And the other 40 some teams are probably more than a day away from finishing. NOTE: I did a little more exploring in my truck, and I drove down the back side of the mountain on a gravel road, which was also the road these teams were mountain biking UP to get to the finish. It was a long way up that mountain, and I’m absolutely certain I could never have done that – and this was at the end of 6 days in the wilderness.

After all of the congratulations and interviews, I was walking back to my truck and 2 of the team members (both from New Zealand) were making their way to their van. I could tell from their walk, each step was filled with pain – they could hardly bend their feet (I know the look from when I come down the mountain). The van was taking them to luxury accommodations at Moonlight Basin (one of the perks for coming in 1, 2, or 3), and the woman team member, Robin, (who had many bandages around her ankle when she crossed the finish line), had both feet on the dash and was sound asleep in the seat. I know in one interview I heard, the team had camped out all 6 nights (didn’t stop at the sleeping areas) and only got 2-3 hours of sleep each night. And with all of the hard, physical activity during that time, I’m sure they will all be sleeping for a good long time. As I say, I am in awe!!!

Beehive Basin

I mentioned above how much fun I’ve had hiking. I found a new trail today, which is right next to where I am staying. The trail map says it is 1.6 miles one way, and it is an “advanced hike”. Of course, I didn’t read that until I came back to the condo. Once again, I was totally out of breath but exhilarated. It is straight up the mountain, which means I was making stops with the excuse that I had to take pictures. Actually, I was trying to get my heart rate down so I didn’t have a heart attack and get eaten by a bear. But I didn’t have anywhere to be, so I could take my time. I just love exploring and seeing what is around the next bend. (The pictures above and to the side are of the same condo buildings -- one taken from the start of the trail, and the 2nd from the top)

In some of the muddy spots I saw these large hoof prints – kind of like a buffalo hoof print. But I doubted there were any buffalo on these mountains (they are “plains” animals). So I thought it must be an Elk hoof print. I was on my way down when I passed a mountain biker (walking his bike up the mountain – that’s how steep it was). He asked if I had seen the Moose and the calf – they were headed right where I was coming down. A MOOSE AND A CALF – AND I MISSED THEM. I was bummed all the way down that I didn’t see them – although it was probably a little dangerous just to run into them. I’ve got one last day in Big Sky left, and I’m climbing that mountain again and I’ll keep my eyes open in case they are still around.

You’ve got to be Rich (REALLY Rich) to Live in Big Sky

The other amazing thing about Big Sky is that you really have to be a multi-millionaire to live here. The newspaper real estate sections are amazing. There is very little for sale less than $1M (I have no idea where the “normal” people live around here – like the guys who work in the Blue Moon Bakery). Building lots less than an acre go for $900K+. And there are huge houses and condos for sale at the top of these mountains – fabulous places. Many, many of them for sale. Today I drove back on the road that goes to the top of Beehive Basin to get a closer look at some of the homes I saw while I was hiking. They are all empty and all for sale. It would seem that there is an abundance of homes/condos to buy here, but it also looks like they are not selling. Yet the prices remain extremely high – the starting prices on these homes and condos average $1.5M up to $5-6M. They don’t seem to have had the price drop yet, like Atlanta and Destin.

And let me tell you about the Yellowstone Club (has nothing to do with Yellowstone National Park). It’s a private club that owns about 13,000+ acres in these mountains. You have to be “invited” to join at a membership fee of $300,000. And you must buy property in the Club acreage, so there is another $2M (minimum). The annual dues are $18,000 a year. But members have “private” power skiing all winter. And they are limited to 860 members. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY? That’s how it is in Big Sky. Wonder if Ted Turner is a member? He has 113,000 acres outside of Gallatin Gateway (30 miles from Big Sky), and that is only 1 of his 4 ranches. Guess he could buy and sell these Yellowstone Club members.

Oh well….it’s a life style I’ll never have, but quite frankly, it’s not a life style I’ve ever wanted. I just want a little 1,000 sq. ft. home tucked away in the mountains of Montana. For me that is happiness.

(The 2 pictures above and to the side are the same home -- "strangest" one that I've seen here in Big Sky. Notice the "silo" in the middle -- but the view is to die for.)