07/30/2018 – Washington State: Rattlesnake Lake

Bowie and I are both waiting. Waiting for Darwin. Waiting for him to call. Waiting for him to finish hiking. While we wait we try to enjoy our time together and explore. 

Today we went looking for a tunnel but we found a lake instead. While following directions I found online for the mystery tunnel, I came to a dead end with no tunnel. It was only when I was about to express to Bowie my frustrations that I noticed a family vacating their van with floaties in tow. Curious, Bowie and I followed down the same path as the family and was then introduced to Rattlesnake Lake. 

Neither of us having bathed in some time, we backtracked to the van to collect a few supplies as a cool body of water seemed just the ticket to boost our morale. We found a small section of beach cut off from the other families already enjoying the lake. The sun was shining but not too hot, the sky was blue, and the water was glittering beckoning us to enter. 

Quite and undisturbed, Bowie and I doggy-paddled out both of us submerging our entire bodies, cleansing our itchy fur and hair. We played in the water together for awhile simply enjoying the day. Later, sitting on the beach watching Bowie try out what could only be described as the dog version of snorkeling, I felt good and at ease. It seemed like the lake had the same effect on Bowie too.

(Water Bowie) 

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My Book: Mini Misadventures

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In the Presence of Sheep

Bowie, Adventure Companion

I’ve never seen a Big Horn Sheep in person, not until this weekend at least. 

A friend and I had planned a four-day three-night camping trip to Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. I was expecting lots of hiking and beautiful landscapes but I hadn’t exactly thought about wildlife. The second day we were driving back to our campsite when we came across a large number of onlookers, pulled over on the side of the road. My friend immediately knew what was happening as she had experienced this same occurrence during previous visits to the park, so we, of course, pulled over and got out to stare. 

“See the sheep?” she asked me. 

“No,” I said back as I scanned the area in front of me and wondered why a fuzzy white sheep would be out in these parts. 

“There see? Look for their white butts.”

And then as soon as the words left her mouth, I saw a furry white butt and the animal attached to it. And then another, and another, and another. A whole herd of butts or rather rams, scattered the rock outcropping before us. 

I was awestruck. 

I had never seen one ram before in real life, let alone a whole herd. We observed them from a safe distance but I could still feel the sense of power that was emanating from them. I’m not sure how long we stood there watching them graze and climb among the rocks but finally, the shared time with them ended as one ram trotted across the road and then another until the rest of the herd leaped from their places on the rocks and followed suit in full gallop finding greener grass on the other side. 

The spell that held us onlookers was broken and everyone continued on there way. As we also returned to our car and drove past the grazing herd I couldn’t help but feel moved by the experience. To see such powerful animals, in the wild, doing what comes naturally to them was inspiring. 

During the rest of our time in the valley, we would encounter these fellows a few more times and their presence was never taken lightly especially as the cracking of horns could be heard echoing off the red rock that they so easily claimed as their home. Oh, they also became easier to spot now knowing that when the cracking of horns could be heard, I could scan the cliffs for white butts and there they would be. 

(Rams In The Wild) 

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My Book: Mini Misadventures

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Coconino National Forest: A Love Letter

Disfigured By Love

Digging through some old journals as I do occasionally, I came across a small entry from 2018. I am pretty sure I’ve never posted it on the blog, however, I found it sweet and of course have no recollection of writing it. I still feel the same about the forest surrounding Flagstaff and think it’s one of the reasons why we have been drawn back so many times.

11/20/18: Flagstaff AZ – Coconino National Forest  

There’s a feeling about and within the Coconino National Forest that I don’t exactly feel anywhere else. It’s a tingling feeling of fall and winter; a weird but undeniable truth.

There is a low hum of life that surrounds me in this forest yet it is so still if you move to fast you may miss it. Things are moving and growing but slowly, carefully, never in a hurry but always waking.

A walk on a trail will help you notice, feel eyes on you but yet you cannot hear a thing, leaving you to wonder what exactly is out there with you. This is not at all a scary feeling but somehow magical and comforting.

There are still wild places and wild longings that man has yet to tame.

(A Time In The Forest) 

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My Book: Mini Misadventures

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Same Trail, Different View

Camping With Kids

 

I went hiking this weekend down the same section of trail that I have hiked before. If I’m being honest, it’s the same section of trail I have run before too, but it was different. 

The snow was still completely covering the trail and surrounding landscape so I traveled along with spikes on my shoes. I paid special attention to avoid sections of ice and was very aware of the world around me; very “present” as it were. 

The trees and ground seemed to twinkle and wink at me as the sun hit ice crystals.  I listened as glumps of melting snow lost their grip on tree branches, rustling branches and needles as they fell. Somewhere between the branch and ground, the clumps would separate and became individual flakes again which in turn, became glitter in the sun for just a few, brief, seconds.

The trail seemed hushed and still although I passed others braving wet feet and frozen noses. I could smell wet pine and feel the tingle of ice on my face as the breeze relocated snowflakes. This same trail that I have traversed many times before revealed a different side to me as I traveled in this new season. I tried to imagine a few familiar spots along the way in the summer or fall but I struggled being so immersed in the world around me, so beautifully decorated by Jack Frost.

(Humphreys Peak in the Distance) 

Other Stuff I’ve Done or Did:

My Book: Mini Misadventures

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Frozen Time

Four Years Ago, On A Trail Far, Far, Away…

 

Snow captures a moment and freezes it, often showing a map of activity you never knew occurred.

I can still see my sister’s footprints in the snow from Saturday when she and my mother left. Every day her footprints become less defined but they still linger on the ground. The snow still holds on to her print as I hold on to the memories of the time we shared. Moments we shared in December swirl in my head like snowflakes in the wind, and then the wind sends my thoughts across the year of 2019.

Eventually, my sister’s footprints are melted and gone. They become water for the earth and help ready new life for the spring. As 2019 fades it also nourishes 2020, helping ready me for a new year just like the melted snow to the earth.  I recognize the impermanence of my existence then and lift my head to greet the sun of a new year, new ideas, new trials and errors and of course new adventures.

Welcome to the new year,

– Snuggles