Sorry for the un-announced absence, and thank you, Philip, for your offers of Nutella, etc.  :)

Not necessary though, as I've just been out wandering the high country after elk for the past few days--a very good place to be, right now!--going out again in the morning but thought I'd go ahead and post a short chapter for tonight.  Thank you all for your patience.

Here's some of the country I've been hiking...