a trekking post.. sockie went a trekkin' and she did ride mmhmm

we're into August already, and I think most everyone seems to be finished or finishing their projects. Then there's me. The first time sock knitter, with the toe-up thigh highs (did y'all forget that I'm 6'2"?) correction. thigh high. two weeks left in the knit-a-long and I'm working on the ribbing of sock one. Forget the dreaded second sock curse I've heard so much about. I feel like I've been ribbing forever. I'll definitely finish the pair, eventually, but I'm trying to get through the one, so that I can maybe touch one of the other projects I've been holding off on.

But here's an update, long overdue. I took my sock with me to Montana. My trekking sock has now officially been worked on in seven states: Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota, Montana and Idaho. No, really. Unfortunately, I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I should have- mostly because it got to where I was feeling like there would have been no noticeable progress *shrug* but alas! Here is some yarny goodness from my trip...

On our way across I90, we had to make an obligatory stop in Reed Point. Let me guess, you've never heard of it. Well you should. I mean, its only home of the Great Montana Sheep Drive.... a Running of the Sheep. Yes, you read correctly. The Running of the Sheep. Its like the 'running of the bulls' only with sheep.

The 'Great Montana Sheep Drive' features hundreds of sturdy Montana bred woolies charging down the six blocks of the main street. Now, we were not there for the event mind you- that is still some three weeks away, but.. they have signs that must be photographed:




Our cabin was located approximately 27 miles up the Gallatin Canyon, a place where I spent a signifigant portion of my childhood. (the canyon, not the cabin). This is from where hwy 191 goes into the canyon-


OUr cabin had three decks, each facing east. This is where I spent my late-july wee morning hours drinking coffee and knitting, while able to see my breath.


And then, onto my sock! The day I took photos, was on a picnic drive. I took my daughter, sister, brother in law and nephew out to explore the Gallatin Canyon and find a decent enough trail access to get my daughter over to the river in her wheelchair.

Our cabin was directly beneath Storm Castle Peak-

from the north, taken from the bridge to Storm Castle turn off, which leads to the ranger station helipad and the road the founders into a glorified deer path to Spire Rock campground, Rat Lake and Garnet Mountain.


from highway 191 in front of the Montana Whitewater, Gallatin office.

We actually found "the spot" by going over the Storm Castle turn off, and heading towards the campground Near an old baptist church camp, we were able to park and make our way to the point where Storm Castle Creek meets the Gallatin River. You can see a sliver of the creek behind Cait, as she models a river rock



while we were hanging out on the shore, about ten white water rafts came by, but these two managed to get spun around by the current, and it was pretty amusing to watch them try and get turned back around



so, I let them see my sock in progress...


after hanging out at the river, we continued up the drive until it got so shoddy there was no way in heck we could do it in the present vehicle, or hike it with the present company.


storm castle creek, about four miles in, rat lake and garnet mountain are up the logging road on the horizon, the photo was taken from behind storm castle peak.


so that..
is my sock, trekking.