Enjoying Summer

I'm from Southeastern South Dakota. When you mention summer to me, I immediately think of high 90's or triple digit temperatures combine with high humidity levels.  I also think of my last summer there being spent in the upper level of a house that had been remade into an apartment.  An apartment with no air conditioning.

I think of buying and installing my first and (probably) only window AC unit, otherwise the internal temp of that apartment would have also been in the 80's or 90's.

I think of hiding inside all day until the sun is down so that I can go outside for a few hours before sunset and mosquitoes.

I think of wishing that the large river than ran through town, The Big Sioux, wasn't also known as "The Big Muddy" and polluted.  Because, darn it, if it weren't dirty and polluted, people would be swimming in that thing at all hours.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm on a brief retreat home to see family and right now it's high 60's and cloudy.  Beautiful, really.

But, when summer really hit this year after teaching was done, you can imagine how happy I was to get out into the mountains where it was 70's-80's regularly with no humidity.  Sure, we had a few hot days, but nothing like what I was used to.

And so Koda and I hiked. And hiked, and hiked, and hiked.
Our average hike wasn't that long - between 8-10 miles generally.  But we did venture some longer ones ranging from 10-15.

Don't believe me?  How about some photos!

On the way up to Hyalite Lake

Learning to Fly-Fish...a Montana must!

Hidden Lakes Trail

So, we have been out quite a bit.  It's actually gotten to the point where I don't even bring my camera much anymore.  It's beautiful country and any photo I take will only come within 1/10th of a percent of doing it justice.  

With all the hiking, you can imagine that Koda is getting quite a bit stronger.  Actually, he's gained a lot of muscle mass.  He still weighs in between 56-58 lbs, but I doubt that there is much body fat on him.  Which is great! Right?

Well, anytime you build up one set of muscles, other muscles tend to get neglected and it seems a similar thing has happened with Koda.  I noticed that he was walking oddly a few weeks back and took him to a veterinarian in Bozeman that said it was merely a pulled muscle and to rest it.

We tried that and still he was walking very stiffly with his back legs.  

So, on this trip home, I brought him to the only veterinarian crew that I really trust.  Seriously, folks, if you are looking for a wonderfully dedicated staff of animal lovers that are willing to do anything for your pet's betterment, go to Best Care Pet Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.  Drs. Spoo, Heyden, and Hardy are wonderful in their own right, but they are backed up by a staff of dedicated and caring individuals.

Okay, I'm off of the soap box. I really do appreciate individuals who do their jobs well and love what they do, even when the pay-out isn't the best in return.

So, after talking with Dr. Spoo, Koda is now doing some exercises and stretches to work muscles that have been neglected/over worked.

We have a lot of rest time planned in the next few weeks.  Which means more fishing time for me!

Oh, and school is starting soon as well...so that cuts in to "out and about" time.

Hopefully this winter I'll be a more dedicated blogger.  Hold me to it!

Best,

A

Garnet Mt. Trail

Okay, so I'm not dead.

I haven't been eaten by bears or mountain lions.
I haven't been taken captive by crazed mountain men.

No.  I'm just a teacher approaching the end of the year and all its craziness.

But, next week is the final week of teaching.  From there, I'll settle in to my part time summer job at a local bakery and a lot of hiking.

Yesterday I finally got out again with Koda (and Nathan).  We decided we would try Garnet Mountain Trail.  The trail is 8 miles round trip.  You know you're done when you reach the top and see the Forest Service Lookout Tower (which can be rented out for a few nights here).  The total elevation gain is around 3,300' if you start from Storm Castle's Trailhead  parking area.  Some people drive around past Storm Castle/Squaw Creek and go to Rat Lake, which also has a trail leading up to Garnet Mountain Lookout.

We went by way of Storm Castle.

To be honest, the trail isn't terribly difficult or steep until the end, then there is about 0.5 miles of steep, gravelly road to walk on.  Part of this is because this portion of the trail is also used by 4-wheelers and dirt bikes.

(Side Note: I really hate having trails accessible to motorized vehicles like this.  I think it totally defeats the purpose of going out into "nature".  If you want to ride your dirt bike around, go into town.  Bozeman would do well to invest in a dirt bike track and keep these folks off of the trails, I think.)

It's a beautiful hike.  Arguably the most scenic one I've done in Bozeman thus far.  The trail is lined

with alpine wildflowers and it seems like you get a new and incredible lookout every half of a mile.

I wouldn't recommend it for anyone visiting from lower altitudes.  If I had tried this last fall when I moved, I would've gotten frustrated and not even enjoyed the scenery.  But, if you're feeling up for a good 4 hour hike (about how long it took us) and a bit of a workout, then I would say to give it a shot!

But remember, bring bear spray!

With summer will come more time to hike and blog, so I'm hoping  to get this blog up and running again.  One more week of school and then I'll be cruisin' through summer.

I have a few trips planned, but not too many.  I will be in the Black Hills at some point in July and running a 5K not too long after that.

Until then, enjoy the photos!

Best,
A

PHOTO BOMB.

Too many photos. Not enough to say.

Life has continued to be hectic.  I am thankful that I can get out and just "walk it out"....if you will.  I'm also thankful for the continually supportive family that I have....all of this would seem ever more insurmountable without them.  Nature is a wonderful thing, folks, let's do our best not to forget that as we sit on our computers in our cement buildings all day.

Hyalite Reservoire 

Drinking Horse Hiking Trail

A bit about the Drinking Horse Trail - it's rather tricky to find your first time out.  Head N. on Rouse and it'll turn into Bridger Dr.  From there, continue and you will see a sign noting Drinking Horse trail and the "M" Loop.  Take the turn on the right immediately before the bridge.  It's not labeled as the parking lot until you turn down the road.  It's about a 1 mile hike with an easy side and a steep side.  ENJOY!

Hell Roaring

After hiking across 2 bridges, you'll come into a little valley.  When we arrive there, we decided to stop and play.  Best. Decision. Ever.

The snow was about 2 1/2' deep....up past Koda's belly.  He virtually swam through the snow....as can be seen below.

I hope you enjoyed the photos! Spring will be here soon!

Best,

A

Indian Ridge

A Mental Retreat to warmer times...because right now it's pretty darn cold.   Whether I was living here or in Sufu, I'd be chilled...so I'm not complaining.  I'm merely stating that the colder temperatures and I are on "icy" terms.

Oh, a pun, I'm sorry!

In all honesty, though, I'm very glad we went XC skiing yesterday.  I didn't bring my camera as we were with friends (Yes! Friends!) Annie and Stephen.  Nathan met Stephen through his work and Annie is his wife.  They're swell people and we have fun together. A good thing, in my book.

Anyway, we went out to the same place as the last post with Koda and went about 6-7 miles total on the skis.  When we were done we were tired.

Like, so tired we didn't hardly speak on the ride back.

But, yesterday, it was warmer.  It was probably in the mid-twenties to low thirties.  Perfect XC ski temperature.  

So, today I'm going to focus back on warmer times when I went hiking on a trail called "Indian Ridge".  This trail is also down Gallatin Hwy, like so many of my favorite trails seem to be.  It is shortly after Storm Castle, on your right-hand side.  The parking lot is deceptive compared to the trail.  You think you'll just be walking up a grassy hill, but that would be incorrect.  This is one of the more strenuous hikes I've done.

See? Deceptive.  This is walking back to the parking lot...the point you see on the left is Storm Castle.

Anyway, you start out through a beautiful wooded area with camping locations alongside the stream which runs next to it.

 The trail curves up, crosses over the river and then begins the ascent.  At first, it isn't really to steep.  In fact, you can go past about 3 or 4 of the switchbacks before you start to think, "When the heck is this going to summit?"

But, along the way and during those thoughts, there are some spectacular look-outs.

I never did summit.  

I know.

This is me, admitting defeat.  

I don't know if it was due to the long work week, the trying to keep up with Koda (rather than pulling him back to my pace) the hunger in my belly, or the unease that I felt when I realized I didn't bring bear spray (safety first!) that told me to call it and head back. Whatever it was, I listened to it, and maybe that's okay.  I wrote some solid lesson plans that night and rested up for the week.

Koda was ready to head back too.  He jumped in the car about as fast as I've ever seen him go.

I hope you all have a wonderful week and stay warm, wherever you may be!

I've got a Christmas Concert to prepare for and a flight to the homeland!

Best,

A

Skijoring - Attempt One

There comes a time in every girl's and dog's life when the snow flies and it's just not much fun to trudge waist deep in snow.

It's at these points in time when the girl has to toughen up and say "It's time to try something new."  Luckily, this girl had a boyfriend that was willing to help her and not laugh at her too hard.

That's right, my friends, last Saturday I learned how to cross-country ski.  Simultaneously, Koda continued to learn how to skijor.

"Wait." You may be thinking "What the heck is skijoring and how on Earth do you say it."

Skee-yor-ing (if you're a Norsky) or Skee-jor-ing (generally how most folks Stateside pronounce it) is when a dog, horse, or snowmobile pulls a human who is wearing cross-country skis.  The biggest trick in skijoring (as far as I can tell) is ensuring that your dog will pull you on the trails and not take off after wildlife.  There are a few common commands that folks like to use when skijoring:

"Hike" - Let's Go
"Easy" - Slow Down
"Gee" - Right
"Haw" - Left
"On By" - Pass without slowing (or a "leave it" command for those who have dogs that may want to stop and smell everything).

The key, as far as I'm learning, in this activity is to maintain patience and consistency.  Really, in this way it's not much different from teaching elementary music.

So, off we went! I wish I could tell you the trail that we went on, but I forgot to look at the name. It's north of Bohart Ranch in the Bridgers (which is north of Bridger Bowl).  There are a lot of off-shoot trails that you can go on, we went to the very top of the road and took the left trail.  Side Note: You'll need 4-wheel drive to get up to the top.

Koda did really well for being scared stiff of the skis and ski poles.  At first, we started with Nathan and Koda in front and my following (I mean, c'mon, it was my first time).  It was entirely uphill and the snow was deep.  Koda was a champ though and kept going, even though the snow was above his chest.  Nathan was a champ for being patient with Koda and his wanderings.

And you know what, the entire way going uphill I didn't fall. I didn't biff even once.

However, the time came to turn around and go home, and that was an entirely different story. Yes, I fell. And, yes, it seemed like a lot to me.  But, that's part of learning. I'm starting to appreciate the struggle and I think that's important.

Besides, if we all didn't struggle with something, how dull would life be?  It's the constant pursuit of something and the struggle that comes with the pursuit that teaches us more about ourselves and our environment.

Best,

 A

PS: Check out Nathan's Blog to read about his summer travel experience! And Happy Holiday Season from both of us.

Storm Castle Trail

My friends, I am pleased...nay, elated...to tell you the tail of Storm Castle Trail.

You head down the highway,

Gallatin by name.

And take a left on a dirt road,

if hiking is your game.

You then take a right,

BUT DON'T YOU STOP.

You go past a helibase,

to make it to the top.

Then you're at the trail,

with three other choices.

Choose one wisely,

(listen to the voices).

You start up the trail,

it's not hard at all.

but then it gets perilous,

careful, don't fall!

Some trail is smooth,

and other is stoney.

Wear good hiking boots,

the trail is no phony!

You go past one lookout,

then two, then three!

Look towards Hyalite,

oh how far you can see!

The exercise is great;

the scenery is charming.

Developing in Gallatin?

NO! How alarming!

The world looks so small,

the higher you go.

You gain a sense of peace,

time seems to slow.

Hiking is more,

than just trying to get fit.

It's about realizing yourself-in this world,

in spite of it.

So when you begin,

please leave no trace.

This place is sacred,

separate the rat race.

Alright, all joking aside...this is truly a beautiful hike.  The only thing I managed to complain about (and honestly, probably too much) was the snow.  Hiking in it was not the most exciting thing in the world as it wasn't "powder soft and Christmas-y". No, no, no. We've had a warm streak in Bozo and the snow was compacted and slick from other hikers.

But otherwise, not a complaint. Nathan and I realized how nice it is to sometimes hike on a trail that has an actual end point.  You feel like you've completed something and can gain a small sense of pride.

And, have I mentioned enough how BEAUTIFUL the scenery is throughout the entire hike?  There wasn't one moment where I wasn't awed by something. Or, perhaps in a more understandable sentence structure...I was wow'd by everything.

                         











You might be wondering why Koda is back on the lead. Well, he had a bit of a falling out with Nathan on a hike last week and completely ran off......twice.  So, to me, that says he isn't ready to be off lead.

(He knows he's in trouble, I think).

So we're back to walking him on the long lead, calling him back, and rewarding him every time he comes.  I've taken him to the dog park a few times and he has done exceptionally well there.  He's returned even when distracted by other dogs.

Oh, and I'm pleased to say that this hike wasn't hard for me (although, it's not a terribly hard hike...just steep).  So, that leads me to believe that I'm getting somewhere in the "get ready for days of hiking" category.

I'm also extremely excited to announce that some friends and I have agreed to do The Color Run in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN next summer.





Alright, exceptionally long post done.  If you're ever in Bozeman and trying to decide which hike to do...I think this would be my number one suggestion!

Happy Monday and Happy Thanksgiving!

Best,
A