The Spaghetti Western
The small sign said, “Visitor Friendly” as I rode into town. It was high noon in the dusty little town of Big Timber, Mont.
The bank sign said it was 91 degrees. The air was hot, the town was small, and I was tired. Sounds like a combination that can only lead to trouble.
Oh yes, the town is small. I could describe it as a one horse town but I saw three grazing. The girl working at the visitor center (Kelly) described Big Timber as “Itty bitty”. I had heard they filmed a lot of the movie “A River Runs Through It” here so hoped for something special. This town is old with buildings that date back to the late 1800s. The Yellowstone River runs through the edge of town and the Crazy Mountains are in the near distance.
So what should my workout be? I asked if there were any trails around town or close by and I was steered towards the Natural Bridge, 24 miles south of town. I also asked if it was long enough to get a good run in. Kelly said, “Well, I’m too lazy to walk all of it.” It must be good sized, then, right?
I wanted to make sure that I was headed in the right direction so I stopped by a campground to ask. I was told, “No, you don’t want to run there.” “Is it too rough?” “No, it’s too small. It’s only about a half mile long!” So, Kelly is too lazy to hike a half mile – that’s a shame.
After much thought and since there are few trails, I decided to just hit a gravel road. I picked the Big Timber Canyon Road – a 10 mile stretch that leads up to the base of Crazy Peak (11,000 feet).
It was a 10 mile paved road and a 2 mile gravel (large rock) road that got me to where I wanted. A sign said winding road and I said, “That figures.”
I parked my car on the side of the road thinking that it would be safe. It is a “visitor friendly” town, after all. I strapped on my Adidas Supernova Cushions, and I was off. I decided to just get in about 30 minutes of running time so I planned to go out in 16 minutes and come back in around 14.
Going out, I hit hill after hill, with one being at least a half mile if not three-quarters of a mile long. I got to the top of that monster and my watch said 16 minutes. I turned around.
I start to think about my car. Worry set in. What if some gringo spots it and decides to stage the Great ’97 Rodeo Robbery?! I started hauling rear and, with the aid of downhills and a strong tailwind, I came back in 11 minutes. Car was safe. I was done. Time to leave.
On the way to Big Timber, I passed the highway that would take me a few miles south to Yellowstone National Park. I thought about changing plans but stuck to my guns – too bad. You can call this one a run and dash. I’m outta here with a quick 4.5 mile run and my belongings. I can now tell my kids (if I ever have any) that I have been to Big Timber, Mont.– quite impressive.
Tomorrow is a new day and one that will be spent at my home away from home – the Black Hills. I’m on the home stretch! Just a few more miles to go!
Notes from the road:
1) Coming into Big Timber, I saw a smoothie stand that looked really good. Decided to stop by on my way out. I drove by about 10 minutes later and the OPEN sign was changed to a FOR SALE BY OWNER sign. That was fast!!!
2) On my way to Big Timber Canyon Road, I came to a hill. At the base of the hill, a sign was placed that said “HILL”.
Road song of the day: “Running on Empty” by Jackson Browne