We are walking on the Sam Braxton trail in the Lolo National Forest, our two dogs Flynn (Australian Shepherd, scored higher on the SAT than me) and Blue (Akita/Shepherd mix who will lick you to death) lead the way.

Suddenly “small case” (my son Wesley who we refer to as “w” thus “small case”) stops mid-stride. “Shhhhhh,” he whispers. “This is where the bear lives,” he says to me in a very concerned and hushed tone. We are looking into a grove of trees and Wesley is using his imagination to conjure up a story to tell his mom when we get back home.

“Hmmm, yes, I think I see it…” I whisper back. “No, Daddy, he’s over there.” Wesley is pointing 180 degrees from where I am looking.

This is why I love going on walks in the woods with Wesley. He points out things both imaginary and real that I may not take the time to notice. Since he is a little under three-years-old, the pace is slower and definitely not in a straight line while walking.

We look at bugs, squirrels and birds. He calls a crow, “caw-caw” since that is the noise he associates with the bird. We talk about how big the trees are and where the animals live, eat and sleep.

When I came to this trail before Wesley was born, my wife and I would either be running or mountain biking connecting one trail to another working on our speed and form. I never took the time to ponder the holes in the trees and what is going on in the homes behind the holes. Wesley has helped me stop and smell the pine needles.

We watch the dogs and Wesley decides to chase them. Flynn decides that Wesley needs to be herded and starts “working” Wesley so he will slow down. Wesley knows the game and starts to zig zag and laugh. Flynn and Blue take off ahead and Wesley makes a high pitched scream that substitute for his whistle.

“Flynn, Blue come on boys…” Wesley yells. The dogs are beginning to heed Wesley’s commands due to the understanding they have worked out at the dinner table (which also explains why the dogs are a little overweight for this time of year).

As we all head back to the trailhead Wesley looks up at me and says “Good job Daddy, good hike!!”

Yes it was and I look forward to more with small case.

JedZilla is a realtor, outdoorsman, father based in Missoula, Montana.

After Work Mountain Bike from Jed Zilla on Vimeo

In the book, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, author Robert D. Putnam documents and laments the fact that Americans are getting together less in social and civic settings.

Well, here in western Montana we’re happily bucking that trend!

My “dirty” example is the After Work Mountain Bike Series that I put on each summer.

Each week, a hearty band of cross country and downhill mountain bikers converge to see who has “mid-season form” and who has been spending more time enjoying Missoula’s many rivers instead of pushing the pedals.

Cross country folks get together and race on Wednesday nights on a four-mile, 850 vertical feet loop. The entire spectrum of talent shows up from Sam Schultz of Subaru/Gary Fisher (smoked the course with sub 20 minute laps) and Zephanie Blasi of Kenda/Titus who are both pro racers racing all over the world to junior racers who are doing their first mountain bike race with their parents

Jed trying to figure out downhill timing.

Downhillers get their shot on Thursday nights on a 1,500 vertical foot run that has hip jumps, gap jumps and technical single track. All types show up to go up against the clock and one another. Last week saw full face helmets and 8 inch travel rigs to hardtails with front suspension that was state of the art back in 1998.

During these weekly get togethers, folks in the Missoula area mountain bike community visit and talk about their times in the events, biking in general and life updates. A local brewer, Kettlehouse, provides “barley pops” for the adults which helps lubricate the conversations after each event is done.

The set up for these events takes a lot of work. Trevor the head hand at the ranch has been to BC and spent a week with the folks from Gravity Logic who map out and make trails for mountain biking all over the world. Trevor is always polling the racers after the event to see what worked and what needs to be tweaked. Trevor and I spend a lot of quality time together on the trail rolling out tape and putting up directional arrows along each course. Thanks, Trevor!

Rider named Sam going fast.

The casual nature of this three week event helps introduce folks into racing letting them learn that not everyone needs to wear lycra to race and have fun. By going faster than you usually ride, your trail riding skill set improves.

So at the end of each event, mountain bikers leave the ranch with a smile on their face, some dirt on their clothes and knowledge that there are other folks in the community who have the same passion as them.

Jed is known around Missoula as “Jedzilla,” a nickname given him by campers when we was a camp counselor. Jedzilla has guided on the White Cliffs section of the Missouri River and on the Lolo Trail. He has also run fly fishing camps for guides and their clients throughout western Montana. He is a snowboard instructor and former assistant director (The Yes Man) of Snowbowl Ski School. In his free time, Jedzilla enjoys chili dogs and sunsets with Mrs. ‘Zilla and their two sons.

Pretty picture of the crosscountry course.