The Man-Plan

Planning is important to every expedition if for no other reason than to be completely ignored.   They are also useful to look back on when disaster strikes so you can say "we should have stuck to the plan."   So here is our plan.  

• Sunday, July 5:  evening   Bring over equipment and spread out in Jeff's living room.
  
• Tuesday, July 7:  Pack your bags.
  
• Wednesday, July 8:  Come to Jeff's, Drink Beer,  Pack Van.
  
• Thursday, July 9:  Hit the Road! right after work about (6p), drive through the night
  
• Friday, July 10:  ARRIVE at Bennett Campground at Maah Daah Hey trailhead (about 6p)
  
• Saturday, July 11:  RIDE from Bennett to Magpie 
  
• Sunday, July 12:  RIDE from Magpie to Elkhorn
  
• Monday, July 13:  RIDE Elkhorn to Wannagan , DRIVE Wannagan to Spearfish
  
• Tuesday, July 14: Sylvan Lake Campground
  
• Wednesday, July 15:  Pan for Gold , Sylvan Lake Campground
  
• Thursday, July 16:  Backcountry camping near Harney Peak.
  
• Friday, July 17: Breakfast on Harney Peak ?  Back to Sylvan Lake Campground
  
• Saturday, July 18:  DRIVE from Custer to BadLands, Wall Drug, St. Joseph's museum in Chamberlain, or maybe Wounded Knee?   Stop on other side of South Dakota
  
• Sunday,  July 19: go native, call Columbus to quit job, move clan out west
  

Brownie the Wonder Dog, Profile in Bravery

Brownie is both the oldest and the youngest on the trip.   10 years old in human years, but 70 in dog years.

Brownie doesn't have much time for all the excitement.   His primary focus will be protecting the camp site from the dangerous animals that prowl the wilds.

I pity the mountain lion that gets on Brownie's bad side.

Gordon, Profile in Experience

As a Boy Scout,  Gordon has become an expert in camping, hiking and mountain lion taming.   Gordon killed a bear with his bare hands when he was only 3 (although this is often incorrectly attributed to Davy Crockett in the Disney Song).  Gordon leaves no trace behind and packs in no more than he needs and the team will look to Gordon's experience to survive.

While Jeff will make sure they make it home.  Gordon will make sure they come home in one piece.

Jeff, Profile in Endurance

Every story requires the brave and the good looking.   So that leaves Jeff as the quirky sidekick.   Jeff is a cross somewhere between Gabby Hayes and The Dude.

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Jeff will be Cookie on this trip.   Spending long hours behind the wheel and tirelessly bending over the fire stirring the beans.   

Paul and Matt may be crazy enough to attempt the Badlands on bicycles but Jeff will make sure they get home.  Or at least he'll pick up the pieces.

 

Paul, Profile in Determination

Paul, as Face in the show A-Team.

Don't let Paul's boyish grin fool you.   Underneath lies the the unstoppable heart of a lion.   "Been there, Done That" was Paul's motto by the age of 10.   When Matt threw down the challenge,  no one was quicker to join in than Paul.  Mountain lions, thirst, sand, and heat are no problem for Paul.   He will conquer them like Chuck Norris beating on Steven Segal. When the going gets tough, the tough call Paul.

Matt, Profile in Motivation

Matt is the chief instigator  of this incredible undertaking.   Matt has roused his fellow travelers to unshackle themselves from everyday life and set forth into the Badlands.

But they are not bad enough to stop Matt and Paul from attempting the unthinkable.  They will attempt to ride through the Badlands on 2 wheels.  Using only their wits and the trail markers to guide them.

The team will rely on Matt's guile, endurance, and rugged good looks to survive the ordeal.  

A New Challenge, Barefoot Hiking.

Not to be out done by 2 sisters,  maybe the intrepid crew should try some barefoot hiking ?

The Countdown Begins...

As long as the machines don't start their uprising, July 10, 2009 begins the greatest adventure EVER!

Jeff, Gordon, Matt, and Paul along with Brownie the Wonder Dog head into the great unknown. Challenging themselves and the world to push beyond the limits of vacation, to reach deep within themselves to create a MANCATION.