![[Image Description: Two MCC members taking a brief break; one is sitting on a rock, the other is standing nearby. They are both in their uniforms, looking out at the expansive, mountain view surrounding them.]](https://cdn.firespring.com/images/c3f85e97-43a9-4810-8081-e8e6338173d0.jpeg)
Absolute Luxury for a first real hitch experience. There was a town nearby called Paradise and by golly, they couldn't've picked a better name for that town cause this is the most beautiful spot I've seen in Montana so far (not that I've seen all that much of Montana or that I've seen any of Montana in the nice warm summertime).
A camp upon a highlander-like hill, a worksite on a rocky ridgeline weaving through a dense forest and big open talus fields, and weather so nice I'd write it a kindly worded Thank You letter if I could. A good bit tough and tired gettin' back in the habit of tread work, rebuildin' them trail-eyes, remembering proper form, goin' a hundred and ten percent even on the seventh day when everyone is dying of heat exhaustion and limb failure. Not that it wasn't extremely fun, for it was. Filthy, but fun, and that's what ya want for a first real 9-day hitch. A tough time to rebuild the muscle memories, to remind ya how good tread can look, how to build that crew culture of safety and fun, but mostly to remind ya how heckin' Rad it all is. Couldn't've asked for a better time with more better people. All I can hope for is that I can take what I've learned and use it to help everyone else have a good of a time as we had.
If y'all get the chance I cant' enough recommend Falls Flat Trail in Plains Montana. Its got beautiful views, a daily train whistle, just up the hill from the Clark Fork River, and a really kind mountain lion named "Cheeto." Until next time, this is Truck Buck signing off.
