What do you do?
You are presented with a challenge….what do you do with it? I was presented with a challenge when I purchased a horse facility and a sassy little mustang was left with the barn because she was deemed dangerous and untrainable. She had “failed” two other trainers. Or did they fail her? Adventure comes in many forms and working through the barriers with this mare was one of them. I took my time gaining trust, showing her kindness and breaking things down into tiny little parts. It was a long period of work. This was not a 90 day project, rather this was a 12 month project. I had to make mistakes and then make up for them with her and slowly we gained ground. The entire experience was rewarding in the process. It will be lifelong with her, I am not ready to move her to a new owner yet, and when I do it will be the right one. She has stolen my heart and hoping she will steal anothers that can give her more time than I can. She has made a deep impression on my horsemanship approach.
The question here - what do you do? You find a way to tackle an issue. this one took time and tenderness mixed with a little firmness, but not a lot. What challenges do you have that you have to take a different approach to?
My time is limited to my hiking adventures now that I run a horse facility. That in itself is an adventure. Trying to work full-time and run a business full-time is quite a task. It is easy to get lost, frustrated and doubt your choices. I knew if I didnt go for this opportunity of purchasing this facility I would forever regret it. Its a lot of work but the blessings abound! I have an amazing family of boarders, lesson participants and trainers. I wouldnt have these people in my life and I cant imagine it now without them!! I have had horses come into my life that have taught me a lot. I was able to get away for a week for some horse clinics and it gave me time to reflect on the hiking trails I had missed! When you are in the midst of the busy, the stress the doubt you must slow down. That is when you see the blessings in life.
My time is limited to my hiking adventures now that I run a horse facility. That in itself is an adventure. Trying to work full-time and run a business full-time is quite a task. It is easy to get lost, frustrated and doubt your choices. I knew if I didnt go for this opportunity of purchasing this facility I would forever regret it. Its a lot of work but the blessings abound! I have an amazing family of boarders, lesson participants and trainers. I wouldnt have these people in my life and I cant imagine it now without them!! I have had horses come into my life that have taught me a lot. I was able to get away for a week for some horse clinics and it gave me time to reflect on the hiking trails I had missed! When you are in the midst of the busy, the stress the doubt you must slow down. That is when you see the blessings in life.
The adjacent photo is of Philips lake. There is a trail around the lake about 20 minutes out of Baker City. It is about 3.5 miles of quietness and beautiful views.
Where will your road take you?
Meet yourself
where you are
Many of you may recall a saying that God meets us where we are. This is good He is accepting of us unconditionally but do we love ourselves unconditionally where we are, or are we always dissatisfied with ourselves. Well God meets us where we are but also does not leave us there, He wants us to grow. This is spiritually speaking but it also applies to life in other areas. I want to get back to my highest fitness level I can, but after Covid I have to accept where I am and move forward. It has also taught me dependence on God and others, which is very hard for me to do. So am I growing and accpeting? Yes and no, I am trying to do it only on my terms - stubbornly independent - but God wants more than that. Don’t beat yourself up for not being where you want to be in life, health and spirituality, but don’t settle for less than God wants for you.
Here is Harry and I going on our first walk up a little higher in elevation and a little further than I have gone so far. Not much snow this year but we are expecting more.
Just a note: Most recent blog entries are the first you see, to see prior blogs scroll!!
Carry On
I was finally able to attempt my hike to Emerald Lake via Edelman Pass in the Bighorns. The trek wasn’t without its challenges. I anticipated just over 12 miles, but was unable to complete the entire distance due to a major flare up of plantar fasciitis. I made the decision to turn around after 5.5 miles before it became a rocky scramble that would leave me unable to walk. I was still satisfied it was a great hike as I made it to a very scenic view that was amazing and peaceful. (see pic to the right). I had already made through a previous challenge during one of four stream crossings. Although it was already late August, the streams were flowing higher as the mountains were getting rain, even though the foothills were suffering a drought. At my first stream crossing my dog Harry happened to jump on a log that disrupted a nest of yellowjackets and soon they were assaulting both Harry and I with there vicious stings. I think I had a dozen or more stings and bites (yellowjackets are known to sting and bite!!) and they burned like hot irons. I am sure I would of been the star of a comical you-tube video as I was running back up the trail will dropping random layers of clothing and gear behind me screaming profanities. I was down to my sports bra and shorts as the nasty vipers had flown up the layers of my clothing. I was smacking at my belly arms and legs to remove them.. I collected and inspected my clothing and gear and ran through that stream crossing to the other side like a gazelle to prevent a repeat occurrence. Didn’t know at 55 years of age I could be so agile when needed. I guess I had some motivation. After I had gotten up the hill a ways I sat on a rock to inspect my wounds along with Harrys. We both were ok, nothing swollen just painful. I sat for a bit to make sure I wasn’t going to have a allergic reaction, but I seemed fine, and took benadryl just to be sure. I contemplated whether I should go back, but darn I didn’t want to give up yet. The rest of the trail was a challenge in elevation and terrain, but the trail improved as we went. It wasnt easy while you were hurting from stings, but the further I went the more the pain subsided.
Lesson learned - as long as you are safe, carry on and dont give up.
Looking Down from the Top
I have been wanting to hike Black Mountain Lookout for several years now. Not sure why I put it off, but the time was right. When I first attempted to hike this trail, I was not in the best shape for elevation hiking and remember finding it hard to breathe.
I am in the middle of what I call “crosspoints”. To me it looking at where I have been and where I want to go without taking steps backwards. I like this word because it also has a spiritual component where it reminds me to include God in my conversations, my thoughts and my decisions to put things in right perspective.
I chose to leave the dogs behind so I could just focus on myself, and my journey. It allowed me to be fully present and not have something else to worry about. I struggled a bit with the incline of the trail, slowing down a few times but not stopping. I wanted to conquer this uphill trail.
The view at the top was absolutely amazing. It was peaceful, quiet and a great place to linger. I tried to have some quiet time at the top but my mind wasn’t having it.
On the way down the thoughts zeroed in on how much downhill there was and how steep it was. I struggled but not too much. It made me think of how by looking down to past parts of our life and appreciating how far we have come. I had become (by the grace of God) a stronger, more confident person and along the way had improved my health and fitness by the changes made in life when I moved west.
We shouldn’t ruminate on the past but appreciate the growth that has happened along the way.
Trail Information (Bighorn Mountains Wyoming)
Black Mountain trail lookout is approximately a four mile out and back trail if you begin from Forest Service Road 222 (I wanted to increase mileage!). You can take a primitive road to decrease the trail by a mile but what fun is that!
I loved but did not use the porta potty that was at the top of the summit!
I personally wouldn’t trust my dogs off leash or to tug me off a precipice at the top of this trail as there is a lot of exposure at the top from a couple of directions. The fire looking tower is not walk worthy so take caution and do not step onto it! It is uphill for the first half, but coming down is the reward!!
Perspective
Have you ever thought about how you look at things? It’s easy to see the bad or what isn’t going as you want it to? Sometimes you have to put a spin on your thinking and look at things from a different perspective. Sometimes things don’t seem like they are working but they still have a purpose to lead you somewhere.
I was out trying to get pictures of birds and squirrels at the local park, but either they flew away, ran or weren’t where I wanted them to be. I had to look up instead of down. I had never noticed that Robins had black and white markings under their tails. I would of never noticed if I hadn’t changed my perspective.
Then it struck me, this is what we (and I especially) do with life, we look at the problems, yes we have to address them but don’t keep our focus there. We need to keep our eyes up on God. Maybe He is teaching us something through this and making us look at things differently.
Its all about the Moose, the Moose….
I have had an obsession with moose for years. I have many many photos of them and never ever tire of seeing them.
They are the largest of the deer species, and can be quite formidable. They have a “bell” under their throat and love aquatic plants in the summer and are quite good swimmers. Their winter diet consists of bark, pine cones, and moss and other lichens they can dig up from under the snow. Female moose have one to two calves a year. Mommas with babies are the most dangerous of the bunch, as they will have no qualms taking you out! Males in rut are also a danger. Any moose that feels threatened or trapped at any time of year can charge and though they don’t really use their mouths for defense, their front legs can strike and the rear legs can kick much like a horse with much more vigor and power.
As a hiker I give them wide berth and keep my dogs on leash as they are not fond of dogs at all! Please enjoy the images!! Again all images are copyrighted and are not to be copied or shared. Just invite others to visit this page!!
This older looking moose looks like it could loose its collar. Would love to know the story on this girl.
Discipline Required.
I have several significant goals that I am working on. It often becomes overwhelming. My advice to most people is work on one goal at a time. In my case it requires multi-faceted goals at this time, and that in itself is a new challenge that requires much discipline. I won’t go intso detail about all my goals but one of them is getting to hike a particular trail so that I can create more photo opportunities. The catch…is I have to increase my fitness level. I have the responsibilities of being the main breadwinner, taking care of a parent, and taking some online classes. So discipline is required, as well as the ability to take things one at a time, one day at a time. I know it will all be worth it in the end, but there will certainly be some character building in the mean time. If you break things into bits and pieces and take each of those bits one by one, pretty soon you are closer to your goal.
The rewards are great in the end when discipline and commitment are employed. I added some pictures of a trail that used to be my nemesis. It still is at times, but I am trying to hit three steep trails a week to build my endurance. This one is Penrose trail out of Story.
Suce Creek Trail - Revisited!
I had the awesome opportunity to again visit the Absaroka Mountains! I had company this time on my hikes so decided to explore other links to the Suce Creek Trail. We hit the trail early evening. Thank God for daylight savings to extend the day! We needed to stretch are legs and we found some good steep hills along the way and headed down into a valley portion of the trail. This is a very worthy trail! We met others along the way but there were some dark sections of thick forest that made us still want to announce our presence to the bruins in the woods….Yo bear! We were alert but not paranoid. This long trip to Montana was amazing and we definitely increased our fitness levels, especially my flatlander friends that were along! Please enjoy the pictures! We even had spectacular views right outside our cabin that evening even seeing a pair of elk. God creates such spectacular gifts for our eyes our senses and our ability to use our bodies to move. Get out there and enjoy. Challenge yourselves- the great outdoors what a great gym!
The local elk across the road from the cabin just North of LIvingston
Another view from the cabin!
Holland Lake Trail
I had the privilege of getting to visit northwestern Montana. I was again tackling new trails that tested my limits. This trail, however, was a nice pleasant and beautiful trail to a small waterfall as its end and turnaround point. The waterfall was nice, but the trail and the lake itself was the highlight. The lake had it share of a few inlands and inlets that are great places to camp, and picnic. In my opinion the way this area of Montana rates their trails is a little different than Wyoming. This trail is rated as easy but as you climb toward the waterfall it becomes steep rocky and a bit more moderate in my opinion. There is a small area that has some exposure, so if small children are along make sure they are tethered to you. I also had some flatlander friends with me that agreed this was not an easy trail, but I also was a flatlander once and understood the assessment. The trail is 3.3 miles out and back. We took this trail after undertaking a previous 2 mile moderately rated out and back trail so it was a great day for a good workout. Again bear spray in tow as this is serious Grizzly country but this is a very populated trail near a campground, so pretty safe.
Holland Lake is in the Mission Mountains about an hour and a half southeast of Kalispell Montana. The forests in this part of the state are more lush, and I suspect they get more snow and rain in this part of the state, as here they are considered part of the Northwest portion of the country. It seems like it is one mountain range after another in these parts!!
My go to trail
This is a popular climbing area along South Piney Creek Trail in Story, Wyoming
Do you have a go to favorite training trail? It's South piney creek for me. Just a few miles down the road from my home. I still enjoy it EVERY SINGLE TIME because I am present in the moment!
Get up and get going!!
Stay in Pray, Montana!
I had an opportunity to visit the coolest little place in Montana in an awesome and beautiful location! Pray, Montana is a little town that is between Livingston and Gardiner Montana within the Paradise Valley. Pray sits on 5 acres and houses a boutique a couple of rentable cabins, a post office and future plans of a bakery and more cabins for vacation rentals and more. The minute I realized how cool this place was I contacted the property owner and Pray Montana advocate and developer and wanted to write about this place!
My lodging was in an adorable very clean and organized cabin owned by Colin Burke of Vacayinpray.com You can tell Colin has put a lot of thought and purpose in his guest cabins. He certainly has put his heart into it and believes in what he is doing to make it a great place!
I was impressed at the start from the very quaint and well thought out details of the property both inside and out. It was impeccably clean and very welcoming! There was this cool little book Colin provided details about Pray, such as cabin information, about art work hanging on the walls to where to go, to where to hike and just neat information. The cabin is stocked with everything you would ever need and the quality of the cabin and its décor is amazing! Apparently the cabins were built by an Amish crew and that says a lot about the quality. Colin lives on the property and you may be welcomed by his black lab mix named Pace.
The view out the door looks right out at Majestic Emigrant peak. You can’t beat the location and its ambiance as it is in close proximity to Yellowstone, not to mention your will be right in the middle of the Paradise valley which is full of numerous outdoor activities. Besides Yellowstone, nearby hikes and Chico Hot Springs you can fill up a whole week in the area.
Check out the images below of the cabins and the area and go directly to Colin’s website to book and look at more detail about the area and his lodging! I was very impressed and will be staying there again!!
Vacayinpray.com
Entrance to Cabin
With this kind of beauty inside and out how could you not find adventure here!
The opinions of others is none of YOUR business
I even heard the juiciest gossip about my choices. Wow can people talk and inflate the stories as they are passed down the line. Again not my issues, not my gossip!
Opinions of others are none of your business
When we embark on some sort of life change we get lots of input or lack of positive input from others. Sometimes “the others” can be acquaintances but many times it is those close to us who do mean well. People don’t often understand the what’s and the why’s and often act out of concern but often for selfish or uninformed reasons.
What we have to remember is that the opinions of others are just that, opinions. Opinions that are not based on fact, not opinions that weighed risk and benefits, and honestly none of these people have been in your shoes.
Should you get feedback? Yes, but when asked for and when it is fair balanced unselfish and constructive. You would most likely ask for feedback from someone you have a close relationship with.
It was somewhat like this for me when I chose to make the move from Nebraska to Wyoming. The choices I made were in the best interest for myself and my spouse. I had to venture out on my own before my husband could join me and this left a lot of questions. I was questioned by friends and family. I did not feel support from some of those closest to me. Now in retrospect I think some of them finally understand. Even so, their opinions are none of my business and should not influence how I make choices or even change my feelings about them. They were acting like concerned individuals though they were misguided. I still care about them but have a boundary when it comes to taking their opinions personally. It is clear now who supported me unconditionally even with feedback and those that did not.
I took the lack of support or lack of encouragement as a personal attack at first, but people do not always act in a way YOU EXPECT them to. You can’t impose your expectations on others. Listen to their concerns or opinions but they do not know the whole situation and their input doesn’t need to be acted upon even though that is what they would prefer.
I made a decision that was good for my physical mental emotional and spiritual health and I can’t imagine where I would be in those areas if I hadn’t. I am almost 100% sure that I would have had a physical event at the pace I was keeping in a terrible environment. Did I know that it would be better here? Probably, but not fully. There are trade-offs in every fork in the road or decision to be made. What is right for you? Again this was a calculated risk. If I wouldn’t of taken the risk, I wouldn’t know the joy of following the God given path I was meant to take.
Some decisions we make can be painful even if they are the right decisions, and doesn’t come without out personal pain. That wasn’t the case in this decision, but this can occur as well.
The two most important people to make a decision is you (you may include spouse) and your Higher Power, GOD for me. Gods plans for us are not always smooth soft paths, but the journey and the outcome are amazing.
Do not be a wilting willow to the opinions of others do not let others control your feelings about your choices. You hand over control when your feelings are caused by what you perceive as others guilting you. Those are your feelings that YOU are responsible for.
Bud Love Wildlife Management Area Hikes
The most popular hike and horseback riding trail in Bud Love is Firebox Park trail. It climbs up a steep canyon before it levels gradually and to an open field of wildflowers and then on to a forest service cabin called Gingers Cabin. It is a well maintained cabin and people are really good about keeping it up. It also has adjacent horse corrals and outhouses. The cabin needs to be rented in advance but if vacant you are allowed to stop and use it to have lunch etc. Elk can often be seen early and late in the season, though hunters are most likely to hit the late season.
There are a lot of unexpected canyons and diverse landscapes in the area, and as long as you can navigate off trail hiking and riding it is amazing here. There is lots of open exposure in the un-forested areas so sunscreen is a must. It can be popular with the rattlesnakes so be aware. I have ridden horseback with a group of girls and we ended up scaring up a cougar so the hazards exist just be prepared. I kept my dog on leash for both of these reasons this last hike.
This wildlife area is just short of 7900 acres and contains wildlife from songbirds to black bears. The elevation is just under 6000 feet.
My off trail hike was only 3 miles but had elevation changes of anywhere from 300 to 900 feet as I was making it through a couple canyons, so the terrain is rough! There were times I was wishing it was a horseback ride not a foot hike!
One of my favorite areas to hike on trail and off
I steep outer canyon wall I had to practically slide down!! See the diagonal red path in the middle with the three at the top?
More trails in Paradise Valley Montana
Suce Creek Trailhead. You can pick the trail 44 and go almost 6 miles or the two other shorter ones combined for less than a mile. Weather and creek depth may dictate distance in early May.
More on Suce Creek
The beginning of the trail begins past a picnic bench in the aspens and then works its way up here between the willows. It gradually climbs upward to nice mountain views to along a creek and back down if you off-shoot on a loop as I did to keep it short as this was my second hike of the day. Being prudent I didn’t venture too far being solo and unfamiliar with the area.
This is a nice moderate distance trail that I recommend it was beautiful
Paradise Valley Montana
Wow! Paradise Valley sure lives up to its name! I had never visited this part of the surrounding Yellowstone eco-system. The paradise valley used to be the northern entrance into Yellowstone but that entrance now starts at Gardiner Montana. This valley that contains the Yellowstone River is surrounded by the Absaroka Range on one side and the Gallatin Range on the other and its terminal end before heading into Gardiner is the Yankee Jim Canyon where rafting and kayaking is common. I was in the area for a very very short time so the ability to really get a good feel for the area would take much longer. I did my best to soak in what I could. Speaking of soaking there are a few hot-springs in the area, and I stopped for a visit at Chico Hot Springs which is a great place to relax in the naturally heated spring followed by a great dinner and a cocktail.
So as usual my agenda with my wee bit of free time was to find a couple hiking trails! Scroll down into the next section to check out one of my hikes.
FIRST SOLO HIKE IN GRIZZLY TERRITORY
PINE CREEK WATERFALL TRAIL
I had the opportunity to visit the Paradise Valley due to taking my mother to some medical appointments in Livingston Montana. I was going to make the best of the time and squeeze in a hike, knowing that larger more grumpy bears aka grizzlies lived in the area. We had rented a cabin in a prime location so once mom was content and cozy off I went into the woods. I had heard that a great trail to hike was the Pine Creek Falls trail was a popular and relatively short trail to the falls, though hiking beyond was an option as well. The mileage out and back to the falls is approximately 2.5 miles.
Again, growing up in a household where risk was not acceptable and fear ruled, I continued to fight this inner battle of should I or should I not? I DO NOT CONDONE HIKING ALONE in grizzly territory, but I was not going to miss the opportunity. I PREPARED for the risk. I made sure I picked a trail that was busy and well traveled and made sure I made noise and had my bear spray ready and quickly accessible. I made sure someone knew which trail I was traveling and when.
The first picture here to the right is what is seen as you enter the pine creek campground that is adjacent to the trailhead. It is a beautiful area, but I could still easily sense the wildness of the area even though well frequented. It is early May on a weekday so it could be empty but as I passed through the campground into the trailhead parking lot I breathed a sigh of relief that other hikers were on the trail evidenced by three or four vehicles.
I started up the trail and there was not a soul in sight and I was pretty hyper-vigilant which I guess is good, but a little silly. My senses were heightened. Soon enough a hiker was on the way down and we chatted a bit about the trail, whether there was bear sign and the conversation left me a little bit more confident. I had read trail reviews that noted this as a family friendly trail, so again I was confident but cautious.
Being May when I got to the waterfall it was frozen, but still a nice sight. (see image below)
Trekking back down I felt a bit of accomplishment that I could actually get myself out for this hike! It was a beautiful day in a beautiful area.
Keep checking back as I did another hike that I will highlight in the next few days in this same area!!
What purpose are you being led to?
I can still inspire
Sometimes. I wish I could say never, but we all have regrets. I wish that I would of done this or that, or wish I had someone who could….the list goes on. With my very constricted and limited exposure to life in my growing years, I occasionally have a twinge of feelings of things that could be a certain way if my childhood were different. I know now that I have a purpose and life is new in life in Christ. Though have these passing regrets and feelings I can still live my purpose at my robust age.
I was watching a documentary about reining cow horses and the steps horse trainers go through to gain credibility in their chosen profession. They do it because they love it or it is all they have ever known. The documentary highlighted the lives of several trainers, one a female I really identified with for her drive, her choice to excel in a male dominated industry. She failed and then finally excelled and dominated the show circuit. When she shed tears over a final success that came with trials and tribulations, I cried too. I cried happy tears with and for her, but part of the tears were, wow that could have been me. I have loved horses from very early in life, but I did not have the development years with horses needed to excel in a career. I came to own horses as a young adult in my early 30’s, but not a time I could run off and lead a horse life as I was newly married and was working to support our new home and acreage. More on horses later, but I knew early on in my riding adventures I was a natural talent, but had no mentor or chance to excel. I regretted and I blamed. I had fear that was all my responsibility to overcome.
I regretted my fear to not choose paths that were meant for me. I took the path of least resistance all of my life and didn’t recognize it until recently when choices made were past history and could not be reversed.
Life has taken a turn. I am at a point in my life I can create, share, inspire as I take the leap into a long lived dream to do something on my own, a business, a way to share with others. I have had tremendous growth in my life, and my adventures I have undertaken have shaped me. I would like to share this journey with you. Not just about horses, but physical, emotional and spiritual growth with lots of outdoor adventure and exploring along the way!
Take time in solitude to reflect on what your purpose is. We all have a purpose and a plan that is in progress no matter what stage of life you are in.
Picture above and left is a horse that not many people could of connected with. It was with this horse (Reign Man) that I learned of my ability to connect with horses.
Mosier Gulch Trail
When I hit this trail it means the start of my season. Its time to try again. I may start my hiking goals and then they can fall apart. You can always stand up and try again!! Winning only happens after repeated attempts or failure.
Mosier gulch trail
This is one of my go to trails, especially at the beginning of the season. Most of the outset of this trail is exposed to sunlight so the snow melts away more easily, at least leaving a bit of non slick trail. The road down to the trail head can be steep and slick as well so beware. The first 1.2 miles of this combined trail (Mosier gulch + grouse mountain trail) is a relatively flat gravel road, great for hikers and bicyclists alike. No horses are allowed though. Great quick dog jaunt as it isn’t too far up the mountain and has a picnic area just before the trail head gate. Grab a doggie waste bag at the trail head. The path for that first 1.2 miles is adjacent to the clear creek where fishing is allowed and at the end of that first portion is a small damn and off to the right you will see the marker for trail 205 this is where the grouse mountain trail begins which is 4.4 miles out and back. Alternately you can follow a trail in the trees along clear creek for a more wooded experience that comes out just before the small dam back to the gravel path. At the 205 marker the switchbacks begin that are relatively wide but toward the top the trail becomes narrow and often is hard to find, so keep your eyes open. This is a great training hike to get ready for more later in the season. Be bear aware as they like this creek!
I would rate this as beginner to some parts moderate. See more trail images below!!
Where the trail becomes the Grouse Mountain Trail 205
This particular day the bottom of the Grouse Mountain portion of the trail was dry, but as I climbed higher it became icy, and it being a 70 degree day I wasn’t prepared by packing my clamps for my hiking boots. Mistake number one! Remember that saying always be prepared?
Decent Views along the way!!
That is what is great about hiking, there is always something to keep your interest
Harry was bummed about the ice. He wanted more!!
Next time Harry!
Trail ended here today every week as we hit this trail there will be less and less!!
The Great Herons
The Great Herons are back! More and more birds are arriving as spring arrives.
Every year I have a family of Herons down the road where I take my daily dog walk. They are loud and messy, but I love seeing them. I often find a part of a fish that has fallen out of the nest that rests on top of a tall ponderosa pine. With Herons both parents take turns feeding the young. These Herons are both adaptable and common in many states. They are often mistaken for cranes. Their diet consists of other small birds, small reptiles and rodents, but of course fish are the favorite meal. Their staple of fish in their diet correlates with their nesting near waterways, though they can nest in many areas.
Tongue River Canyon Trail
See Text/Blog below image
Worry, Fret, Worry ENOUGH!!! TONGUE RIVER CANYON
I was preparing for my hike up tongue river canyon last night. Silly notions and anxious questions erupted from my mouth to my husband…..will there be rattlesnakes, do I need my pistol or my bear spray for the lions and bears? Should I take a dog since there might be snakes. I was already ruining the next days hike in advance.
I should of known better, had I not learned this lesson before? Heck the first year I lived here I solo hike 700 miles in a 3 or 4 month period. WHERE is this coming from? Sometimes we have to rope in the creeping negative behaviors of the past. I was over this!!! You have to smash those thoughts and replace them with…I am going to have a great time, and I did and I am so glad I didn’t back out on myself. It was an amazing hike in March with minimal patches of snow, and limited mud. Who can ask for better than that in March!!! Yes this is Wyoming, so yes be prepared for slithering critters ( a bit early for them) and yes there are bears and lions, but they flee at the sight and smell of you! Be prudent, but not fearful.
TRAIL INFORMATION
The trail books and apps list this trail as 4.7 miles out and back. Well, it could be, but it goes on into the forest once you leave the canyon. It heads into the bighorn national forest so you could put in quite a few more miles and the views are worth it!! It climbs upward so I would rate this as moderate. I had a nice pleasant day of 60 degrees with initial sunshine with a strong breeze, then overcast and some threatening clouds, and then sun again….no rain but the good thing is it was NOT hot! This trail would be a sun scorcher and brutal in July as much of the hike is not in tree cover until you leave the canyon. Very worthwhile trail. Use good footwear as it is rocky in places and can be an ankle turner early on in the hike.
See my image gallery under Tongue River Canyon to get a visual of the hike!!
If life does not change neither will you.
What changes do you need to consider?
Sometimes to work toward the life you want you have to take a leap of faith. I made that leap when I left a stress filled corporate job and moved to my dream location. It didn’t happen overnight, its a process. Personal growth requires doing things differently and exiting your comfort zone. I have zero regrets. I pushed myself physically and mentally and professionally to become someone I am more comfortable with. Follow my stories as I document my adventures that helped to shape me, including outdoor adventures and personal changes along the way. View my gallery of pictures to get a feel of the natural landscape that inspires me. Weekly posts (sometimes more) will be added.
*Images are copyrighted and are available for sale if desired - drop a note on my contact page until my storefront is up and live (work in progress - more change!)
Are you listening?
Year after year I set my sights on one part of my year…..vacation in Wyoming. I worked like a dog knowing I could get through anything knowing I had three months, then one month and then only a week until vacation. That is how I functioned. I would say that version of functioning was pathetic, but it was reality.
The last year we still lived in Nebraska we came out to the bighorns, a location in Wyoming we had not been to in awhile but a location that always tugged at our hearts but especially mine. I was about to get a very big tug on that heart. It had been a particularly stressful year, and I was at my unhealthiest, and not at my best mental fitness due to stress. About the time we hit I-90 just south of Buffalo Wyoming we glanced over at the peaks and the bighorns and both myself and my husband had tears in our eyes and somehow had a simple joy, an emotional connection that made us hold hands and know we experienced something special, serene and almost spiritual. Later I knew that was the beginning of a tug on my heart by my higher power.
We got to our bighorn national forest campground and while my husband was setting up the camper I took my two labs up the hill behind the campsite and saw the view pictured here to the right (see image). It became my ritual morning and evening spot to reflect on the peace of the forest.
As my husband went fly-fishing in the coming days I relaxed at the campsite with the dogs and a glass of wine and a novel. I am not sure if it was the opportunity to rest and actually have the time to process life, but I wept often during my solitary time at the campground about my stressful work-life and more. I prayed and prayed that God would help me find a way to balance life…I was spent.
The rest of the week continued like our typical camping weeks. I hiked, my husband fished, we napped in the sun at the campsite and we enjoyed campfire cooked meals. I almost didn’t know how to sit still, but I was trying.
Long story short….it was time to wrap up the trip and we left early in the morning and I chose to take the first driving shift. I became emotional as we were pulling away from the campsite, but I held it in so I didn’t upset my husband. As I pulled onto the interstate my husband had already nodded off into sleepy-land. I exploded in tears and could barely contain myself. I was so distraught and blinded by tears that I ended up taking I-90 east to Gillette instead of heading south on I-25 where I was supposed to go. When my husband woke up I had to admit my tears and that we were unfortunately taking a bit of a detour.
Looking back at this scenario I know it was God speaking to me, He was setting me up for more action I had to take. I also believe my husband needed to see how we were both living in a situation that needed to change. God was planting the seeds.
Are you listening? Is your heart telling you that you need to change something in your life? It may not be a move to another state, or even a change of job. It could be something as simple as starting an exercise routine or stepping out of your comfort zone and joining a club. Most importantly…..LISTEN.
Snow Shoe Adventure
Snow Adventures
Do you want an amazingly insane workout? Try breaking trail in new snow in cheap snowshoes!!!! Thank God for dogs breaking trail!! Even with two four footed beasts breaking trail, it was a tough go. I chose to leave the ski poles at home and strengthen those abdominals! The dogs made a fairly narrow trail, so……it was like walking with one shoe high and the other low. Do I admit that I fell down once or twice? It is no joke trying to get up out of the snow pit without poles while the whole time holding my camera above my head to save it from getting doused in the snow. I am sure if there was a spy watching me in the woods they would of had a good laugh. This was a short 45 minute jaunt but the intensity made up for the lack of miles. It would of been easy to keep in simple and go to the same dog walking trail, but hey…the snow will soon be gone and my snow shoes would of been lonely. The old adage is true, no pain no gain….and those abs will be sore!! Its easy to take the path of least resistance. Resistance prevents us from moving forward to what we want in many realms of life! Get it done! The dogs were clearly tired from the trail blazing. Todays trail? Red Trail Story Wyoming.