The Race at Lost Creek

This weekend, Kevin and I were one of ten participating teams in the first annual Race at Lost Creek hosted by Catherine and John Geisecke of Grey Cliff, Montana. Catherine and John have a beautiful home on 3,000 acres with stunning views of the Crazy Mountains. Their property has a pond, trees, hills, creeks, Indian burial sites an old homestead, the graves of two little girls, wagon parts, and horses...It's truly beautiful and amazing.

The Geisecke's along with their friends Bryan and Sarah Zales planned the big event as a charity fundraiser for the local Big Timber grade school and a way to show case their ranch to all their friends. They devised 10 challenges testing your mental and physical abilities, as well as team work and communication. There must have been some extreme preparation. All the challenges were well put together and planned.

Before we could even begin the actual race, the teams were tied together at the wrist and had to toss pine cones into a bucket. Once 3 pine cones had made it to the target the teams were then allowed to scavenge for their maps and score cards. The "Rangers" - judges- had hidden each team’s items in a corresponding bandana (for instance, Kevin and I were the red team so we had to look for a red bandana bundle) and tied it to the brush in front of the house. This was no easy feat. Kev and I saw yellow, blue, purple, turquoise but no red. Finally we struck up an agreement with team purple: "We'll tell you where yours is if you show us ours." Team Purple - Sam and Robin- were true to their word and we found our stuff and were off. Teams blue, Kathy and Terrence, and silver, Brian and Dana, were not so lucky; they were the last to find their packages. Team silver's goodies were tied to a silver sage bush, camouflage for sure.

After finding our map and score card, we were off to challenge #1 "Trust Me" I guessed that one of us would have to be blindfolded and the other giving directions. Sure enough that's what it was. We decided I would be the blind contestant and Kev would be the caller. There were several stakes with colored flags tied to them and the caller had to direct the blind one to the appropriate stakes. Three flags were to be found and delivered back to the caller. Sounds marginally hard right? Add in the fact that 5 or 6 other people were there as well. It was so loud and all the voices were blending together. But Team Red had the edge. I couldn't distinguish Kevin's voice from the others until he started directing me in Spanish. Brainiac! It was great, I only ran into two people and retrieved all flags in a flash. Once back to the Ranger, we were given our clue to the second challenge, jumped on our atv and were off. The next challenge may sound easy but it was more difficult than the 1st.

Challenge #2 "Count It Up" the clue read: "Are you smarter than a fifth grader? Find the dead tree and count the branches. Count it wrong your here all night long." Sounds simple find the tree count the branches. There's a kicker you can't touch the tree, and everyone else is there counting to and it seems as if the branches move around. It took us 2 times to get it right. Good thing Kevin is a better branch counter than me.

The 3rd challenge was a detour meaning only one team member could participate, but on the next detour would have to be completed by the remaining teammate. The challenge moniker: "Bon Appetite". I knew it was going to be bug eating, so Kevin was our designated player. Sure enough, they had squid, not so bad, dried chili covered worms, and a dung beetle. GR-ROSS.

"Pioneer Ways" I think was the title of #4. I initially thought we would have to chop wood until I read the clue which said "Push and you are on your tush, Pull and you will be success-ful." so I'm thinking "oh, great we have to hike up this steep hill and then pull a cartload of rocks or something." My first instinct was correct. When we got to the top of this hill and there was a two person saw and a log. The orange team,Kendra and Shiell, passed us on the footpath up, and were already sawing when we got there. My teammate and I pulled together and cut that log in no time. We were even awarded a prize later in the day for our accomplishment. When I first saw the challenge I didn't know if I was strong enough to do it. My pits were sweaty and my legs were rubbery. This chubby girl was winded from the hike and all the running around previously. After sawing through that log, I felt like I was on top of the world. Literally. The view from where we were standing was amazing. You could see the snow capped Crazies the Yellowstone river and miles and miles of beautiful land and not a single house.

We had no time to relish the view Team Orange, despite starting before us, finished a breath after us and we had to race back down to the atvs.

#5 "Hook, Line, and Sinker" this was the second detour, since Kevin had done the previous, I was up to bat. I had to build a fishing pole out of sticks and twine, go to the dock and fish out weighted bobbers. The pole making was swift and sturdy. Kevin was able to direct me, but he could not touch or go out on the dock. He kept telling me, "lay on your belly, get on your stomach." but I didn't listen. "Why would I do that, I'm not going to fall in." Finally, I realized why he wanted me to do that, to get closer, duh. Team Pink fished out their bobber first, followed by Team Orange and then us.

There was tension in the air. The first elimination pit stop followed #5. We had no idea what teams, other than Pink and Orange, had been there. The first seven teams could continue while the last three were eliminated. John, the Grand Pubah, did a very good t.v. personality impression when he presented us with our race standing. I thought by his air and demeanor we were ousted, but that trickster was good. We were in 3rd place at the half way point.

With a cheer and exploding knuckle bump Team Red, headed off in search of victory and an Indian Grave. Hot on the heels of Pink and Orange we find our way to Challenge #6 "He who lies here" grab our clue for #7 and are off. 6 was easy, find the grave grab your stuff and get out. Little did we know our precious 3rd place standing would be threatened soon after.

"Come on Baby Light My Fire" #7. You can guess right? Yes, we had to start a fire using a steel and flint. I've never done this. Heck I can barely start a charcoal fire using a lighter and fluid. Kevin and I are bent to the task sparks flying everywhere, but no flame whilst all around us more teams are arriving and fires are blazing. 45 minutes and three unsuccessful flame ups and Kevin and I finally are able to sustain our flames and build a fire to burn through our rope. Sadly we knew this meant elimination, but determined to push on we race to challenge 8 "No Whining" all the other teams are finishing 8 and heading to their vehicles when we show up. Team blue is in the rear with us. We decide that the imminent elimination can not be reversed so instead of hurrying through the challenge we take our time. Who wants to rush a wine tasting anyway? It was great. We were given 4 wines. 1 white 3 red and had to decide what varietals we were enjoying. Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet, and Merlot were the wines.

To temper the agony of defeat Kevin and I ride off into the approaching sunset to have a real gander at the beauty surrounding us before we head back to the house to cheer on the winning teams.

In the end, Kevin and I were almost glad to have lost out in the fire challenge. We never would have gotten the final challenge. There were two questions to answer: 1. What three rivers empty into...what i don't remember, but the answers: Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson. 2. What river did Lewis and Clark traverse? Answer: The Columbia. Never in a million would we have gotten those answers. Team Orange -Kendra and Sheill, were the winners followed by Green -Tim and Jone-, Pink -Philip and Cindy.

The race was the most fun I have had in a while. I feel lucky to have been a part of it and was thankful to meet so many new people who share a love of fun. Catherine and John were wonderful hosts providing us with an excellent after party.