July 5, 2003 DISAPPOINTMENT Our bike carried us up the hill, And through some beautiful sights. The broad, flat valley became hills, And the grassland became trees. The wildflowers were out in glory, And the brooks were running clear. The wildlife made a performance, And the smells of forest prevailed. We suddenly came to an area of weirdness, The trees were a purple-black. The hills were a series of lodgepoles, Where trees had been burned by fire. It is sad to see such mass devastation. But encouraging to see it repair. RIVER RUNS WITH US As we left the East on our trusty bike, The rivers were running against us. When we reached the Ohio, we had a friend, And she ran our way for sure. At the end of the Ohio was Old Man River, And he had his way with us - As did the Missouri, the Jefferson and Big Hole - They said we were going the wrong way. Today we reached Chief Joseph Pass, And crossed the Bitter Root River. We watched the water, and sure enough, It was flowing in the direction we were riding! Ron