a story about tuffy berg

"as you hear some stories about Tuffy...you'll begin to formulate a

picture in your mind about the humor this man possessed. Couple that

with the titles he used on his sculptured pieces, you'll soon realize

his humor was very unique.....very outdoors....very western.

Several years ago, on one of my photo-junkets, I was packing about 70lbs

of camera gear on my back. Heading into the Bob Marshall Wilderness to

make some Black and White negatives of the landscape. The trail was

narrow and winding through a mix of brush and timber. I heard some

horses coming against me, so I walked off the trail about 25 feet....set

down my gear....but the dark cloth was still in my hand. As this string

came into view, I saw the lead horse wince a bit at my black dark cloth.

This horses' rider was a young lad of about 10 or 12 years. I slowly

let the cloth to the ground to ease a little tension that his horse had

mustered. The rest of the party was quickly in sight. I could see it

was a family returning to civilization from a trip into the "Bob". Then

I heard a familiar voice ..... "hey Mick, looks like you could use a

couple a horses"......and then that very distinctive laugh. There was

Tuffy and his family----returning from a camping trip in the wilderness.

In just a few seconds, they were down the trail and out of sight.

Thinking back at this moment, I wish I'd had stopped them and their

pack string for a quick family portrait....but I didn't....this great

image lives on in my mind only.....oh...but what an image."

Mick McMillan