April 6 is the unofficial Montana Day. The entire state has the single 406 area code (April 6, get it?) 8 years ago today I ceased being a productive member of society and entered retirement. The mythical leisure time escapes me, as I continue to be extraordinarily busy. In the last 12 months I have driven to Alaska twice (once on the AlCan and the other on the Alaska Marine Highway), taken VIA Rail’s Canadian train from Toronto to Vancouver (4 nights!), “worked” a high end Photography booth at the very immense Barrett Jackson Auto Auction show in Scottsdale, finished a sub 2 hour half marathon in Fairbanks Alaska, attended a dear friend’s wedding in Anchorage on the same day as our anniversary, continued my streak to 3 in a row of unsuccessful backpacking trips (will try again this summer!), brought back 65 lbs of Meyer lemons from a friend in CA this winter thus ensuring the West Glacier community would be scurvy free this winter, acted as general contractor overseeing a substantial remodel of one of the house’s entrance, and also presently overseeing the remodel of the basement bathroom (from a 2.5 week project to 3.5 months!). In the spare time managed to host a number of guests and show off the park. For the next 12 months, the plan is to quit being such a slacker and complete some more house related projects and more travel. Easter Sunday was a short hike to Rocky Point. From Mt. Cannon and the Little Matterhorn on the left to Gunsight on the right, the view did not disappoint. Today was merely the standard 4 mile run to the old bridge and back. 62 degrees this early in April is a bit unusual, and the total lack of any snow highly atypical. Ski season at Whitefish Mtn closed yesterday, the first full weekend in April, as the Forest Service requires it since the grizzlies are coming out of hibernation. Trapped in paradise with no means of escape.