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

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

Off-Leash Training

Off-Leash Training

Alright, so, I'm going to start this out by completely owning up to the fact that Nathan helped me out with training Koda to be off leash.

He helped me out a lot.

You see, I'm exceptionally protective of Koda (probably due to the fact that I have wanted a dog since I was 8 and have finally achieved that glorious goal).  I'm also exceptionally aware of the fact that, if he does get hurt, so does my bank account.  I'll do whatever is necessary to "fix" him, but a teacher's salary isn't extensive and being cautious doesn't always hurt.

But, as you'll notice in upcoming photos of recent hikes, Koda is completely off leash.  I've only had him 6 months, so how could this happen so quickly?

I'll give you a write down of the process that we went through to get him to the point he is now:

First, it was the re-tractable leash.  This was for the first 4 months of owning him. Koda was previously called "Tex", so I needed to be sure that he knew his name.  I constantly rewarded him by giving him small treats when he came after I whistled or called his name.  I also am consistent with the whistle I use to call him (For any Wes Anderson fans, it's the same whistle as used in "Fantastic Mr. Fox").

On the Lead

Second, my parents purchased a 20'-25' lead.  Originally, we were just going to use it to let him hang out in the backyard while we were doing other things.  Eventually I used it as his leash (connecting it to my day-hiking backpack) when hiking.  It allows him enough room to maneuver and be a good distance away from us, but not outside of a controllable range.  The lead also allowed me to test his listening skills and see if he would come when called.

Snowfill Dog Park

At this point, I had also moved to Bozeman which has a phenomenal dog park called Snowfill Dog Park (see previous post).  This park is large enough that we can really test Koda's listening by having him be half a mile away and calling him.  It also allowed us to see how well he listened while being distracted by other animals/people.

The next step Nathan took the initiative with - I was too nervous about it.  When Koda seemed mostly responsive to his name and coming when called, we stopped holding on to the lead.  We still had it drag behind/under him - so it provided some resistance - but Koda was essentially free to run around where he liked.  This part we did for about a month and a half and continuously rewarded him with praise and treats when he did return.

Once Koda proved that he would come when called both at the dog park and on hikes/other walks with the lead still attached, we removed the lead.

BAM. Off-leash dog.

Finally Off-Leash

Now, does Koda respond 100% of the time with alacrity?
I wish.

When on hikes, he likes to get a good distance ahead of me.  I learned this really well today on a hike (post about that next week).  There were points where he would be beyond my sight (something I'm not okay with).  So, when he proved again and again that he wouldn't come when called, I attached the lead to him and made him stay on lead.  I'm blessed with a fairly intelligent dog, so he knew what he did/did not do, and walked very nicely on the lead.

Do I think this method will work with all dogs? No, I honestly don't.  If you have a dog who is high energy and easily distracted, or a dog who is stubborn and likes to test your ability as "Alpha" - this may not work for you.  It also may not work if you don't have the time to devote to it.

It worked for me, and so far so good.
Knock on wood!

Best,
A