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July 20, 2003
Mt Lincoln
/P>
Today I climbed Mt. Lincoln, the 267th highest peak in the world and 11th highest in the continental US. 14,286 feet (4354 m). Exactly three hours to the summit and 1:15 back to the car. It was good. Of course, we stumbled upon the hardest possible route and my legs feel like jello, but what the hell, that's what stories are made of.
On the way down I noticed a turn off that was familiar in Idaho Springs. I raked my memory to try to remember why. I almost wished I hadn't. I used that particular turnoff when I was hired by my late uncle Frank to gather large stones for "erosion control." Not much longer after that we passed the turnoff for St. Mary's Glacier. That's where Frank used to take me shooting as a kid when my "real" relatives couldn't or didn't.
As my good friend Jarrad pointed out, despite his last minute selfishness, Frank took better care of me in my youth than any blood relative and that is what I should remember him for. Slowly but surely, I am.
I heard more of what happened while I was visiting his family on Thursday. Some parts of the story don't jive and it's pretty clear that I'm not hearing the whole story (those damned critical thinking skills again) but I'm not sure that I want to. Whatever happened, it's over, and the details are, both legally and reasonably, none of my business.
The funeral is tomorrow, 1:00. I'm sure it'll be a hoot.
Posted by james at July 20, 2003 07:02 PM