Our Journey Living In Nature – Part 21, Section 1 – Winter Camp In Idaho

Our Journey Living In Nature – Part 21, Section 1 – Winter Camp In The Fall

The beautiful Clearwater River that runs along the town of Kamiah.

Within a month, the Clearwater River began freezing up.

October 12, 2018 – Friday

It was a pretty good night last night. This morning is 30 deg. I was feeling mixed feeling about today, good and bad about what the winter will bring? It was a planned adventure as far as camping in the winter in nature, I just did not know how it would turn out? Would we be camping in the woods somewhere or on someone’s private property? The latter would be much safer, but the former would be much more adventurous. And there could be many variables in between. But right now, we at least have a place we can stay and camp for the winter.

The property we will be camping at is just outside of the small city of Kamiah (I see it as more of a town), and along the Clearwater River. We will be camping about a couple hundred feet elevation from the river elevation.

Kamiah is at an elevation of 1,250 feet. It is part of the Nez Perce Reservation. At least what is left of it. It is now just scatter pieces of land that this mighty tribe once had. I am not too impressed with the city, but as like with camping, I will soon see it as home to me and the boys.

On our arrival to Jeff’s place, we had a nice welcoming. He showed me where we could place the tent, and where we had water and electrical access near by. Jeff had a small hunting dog, a very high energy English Springer Spaniel that liked the boys, but the boys were not used to the high energy of their new friend. They did get along though, so that was a good thing.

Jeff trimmed the grass for us at our tent site, and I set up our small tent until I got our winter tent set up. We had a pretty good level site for the 12 foot by 20 foot Outfitters tents, with a 6 foot by 10 foot vestibule attached to the front of the tent. I chose a large tent for comfort and for long term camping in the winter of Idaho. The tent is a Cabela’s Alaknak Outfitter’s tent.

Since I have never set up this tent, I am not sure how long it will take to put up?

Jeff made me a hamburger for dinner. He was very accommodating to us.

October 13, 2018 – Saturday

On many mornings we would experience heavy fog, bit soon would clear when the heat of the sun would burn it off.

We slept pretty well, and waking to our first Idaho frost. It was in the low 30’s this morning. If the rain stays away, I suspect we should have the tent set up hopefully tomorrow or Monday.

I had coffee with Jeff. I think Jeff was enjoying the boys, but he hates wolves, and because the boys look like wolves, he sees them as wolves.

We had mostly on and off light rain most of the day, I didn’t get much done in setting up camp.

October 14, 2018 – Sunday

Looking up at the tent ceiling, I saw it covered in frost. Another cold morning, and with winter coming soon. I am staying warm in the tent using a 20 deg sleeping bag, the inner liner, and fleece and wool blankets.

The first signs of winter

Outside we had white frost covering the the tips of the branches of the blueberry bushes, and on the tops of the wood fencing on the property. It is a beautiful piece of property to make this our home for the winter. We are close to Jeff’s log cabin home, but far enough to feel a sense of privacy.

We were set in a small valley with foothills and low mountains as part of the landscape that surrounded us. Jeff said we were on 20 acres.

I heard the echoing sounds of gun shots through the valley. The boys didn’t care for it, but soon got used to it.

The birds don’t seem to mind the cold with their joyful singing.

The boys and I took a walk down the road about 50 feet below our new homestead. It felt much colder on the road then above where our camp is.

October 15, 2018 – Monday

This morning we drove down to the market to pick up a few things, In town we found a source for firewood for the winter. We will start out with a cord of wood. I am not sure how much we will use.

I asked Jeff if it was okay to have a campfire outside and he had no problem with that. I used an existing partial fire pit that was already next to the tent, and added some stones to finish it off. If we can, I would like to spent as much time outside that we can. The canopy will give us some protection from the weather, and we won’t be stuck in the tent most of the winter.

I got the large tent up with no problem, and set up the wood burning stove in the tent. I will put up the vestibule tomorrow, set up the stove pipe, and slowly begin moving in. I will also take our other tent down. The thought of not having to move camp for six to seven months sounded nice.

I wanted to do a lot of writing here, as with reading while being stuck in camp for most of the winter. And I will contact the Nez Perce for any possible volunteer work for the tribe, whatever that might be. Maybe helping the elder in some way, like delivering food to them. And spending a little time in town to get a feel for this small community. I had a feeling the Native Americans and the non-natives stayed apart from one another. There was a tension and mistrust of the two groups of peoples. One such tension was the hunting and fishing rights the tribe had by treaties made hundreds of years ago. The non-natives felt it was not fair that one people can have special rights, and another doesn’t. They also felt we (the non-natives government) are giving them financial assistance. This is a common complaint with the non-natives everywhere in this country. They feel the tribes are getting special treatment by the government. They even get to build Indian Casinos. They never think about what we took from them. Kamiah does have an Indian Casino in the middle of town that I want to check out, and talk with the tribe if the casino is really helping them?

I personally think the casino’s are a bad idea. It can bring in corrupt, divisions between the tribe, and it has no social benefit to the community. But it does bring in money to the tribes, even if it is only a small amount.

October 16, 2018 – Tuesday

Each day I feel the grips of winter coming, and of course the boys are enjoying the cold. We will continue working on our tent and camp today. The plan is to have food storage in the vestibule at the entrance of the tent, then a small writing area for me just inside of the entrance, so I could look to the outside while in deep thought in my writing, and to watch the boys. To the right and across from my writing area I had a small area for firewood, and the wood burning stove. In the rear of the tent would be our sleeping area. With the large tent area, it didn’t seem cramped. Along the sides of the tent I used it for storage of my clothing and other items I may need during the winter. And as being a block between the boys and the tent fabrics. Takota had already put a small hole in my screened door in the back of the tent. Our kitchen will be outside under the canopy.

Our campsite

October 17, 2018 – Wednesday

On our first night in the new tent, we slept well. The boys enjoyed their sleeping area next to me. The space in the large tent felt comfortable and not cramped. We had enough room for all our needs. My only concern is the boys staying a safe distance from the hot stove, and knocking down the two support poles in the middle of the tents. I wrapped small Christmas lights around the poles so the boys don’t bump into them at night. I under estimate the boys at times, and they alway surprise me on how well the adjust to things.

I did start a small fire in the stove to test it. I could feel the warmth of the stove throughout the tent. I would start a fire at night to warm up the tent, then let it burn out. I stay comfortable under my bedding without the fire. I would only have a fire in the morning for writing, or if we were stuck in the tent due to bad weather. We would spend most of our time outside. At least that is the plan.

I decided to use my new cot for my bed so as to stay off the ground, and allowing the heat of the stove to flow under the cot. I put my new foam pad with a used pad for more comfort and support on the cot. I was using my 0 deg rated sleeping bag and liner, and two blankets if I needed them. If that didn’t keep me warm, I could use my -40 deg rated sleeping bag. As long as the tent stayed up, we should be good.

Jeff questioned how well the canopy would last, and I told him, “we will see?” In a worse case scenario, I could use the overhang of the cabin next to camp or inside the cabin for our cooking. I will just have to adjust with the weather we get. I think the biggest challenge will be getting to town for resupply when winter hits.

It was in the upper 20’s, to lower 30’s in the morning. Once the sun comes out, it warms up quickly. I tried getting a sense of the weather we will be getting in the winter as far as snow fall, and temperatures from Jeff. He would always say, “I will let you know tomorrow.” He did tell me the snow fall can very from a few inches to six feet. It just depends on Mother Nature.

Jeff also would refer to us as “squatters” to his friends.

I didn’t have internet connection on my laptop, but I had good phone service and internet on my smart phone, so that was good. I can always go into town if I need it using the library or restaurant across the street.

I should have my tent and camp finished up today with the exception of a desk for my writing spot (office).

October 18, 2018 – Thursday

We woke to a beautiful morning. I hope to get everything finished up in camp today, so we can settle down and focus on the important stuff.

I thought I would set up my gun rack today in the tent. I had a replacement rack for the one that was damaged. The damaged one I thought I could tape the side pieces together with duct tape and that would make my desk top. And it was perfect for my needs. The tent was complete. I was looking forward to getting some writing done.

On the update on Takota’s eye, it doesn’t seem to be getting any worse and doesn’t seem to be bothering him.

One I was done with what I needed from the trailer for our winter stay, Jeff showed me where I could park the trailer for the winter. I would also park my truck there for easy access getting out of the mud and snow. Having the truck next to the tent, I would surely be dealing with constantly getting stuck in the mud or snow.

October 23, 2018 – Tuesday

We were settling in fine with our new camp. After a long separation, our friends the juncos are back, and feeding at our camp.

There were a lot of animals in our area. A lot of white tail deer, wild turkey, quail, pheasant, and a few hardy birds braving the cold of the winter.

October 26, 2018 – Friday

With the forecast of rain predicted for the past few days, we only got nice weather with very little or no rain. Late Thursday afternoon the rain did finally come. It was mostly light on and off rain showers. We got a little rain through the night. At 8:00 am we were still getting on and off light showers. I was looking outside of my bedroom screen, enjoying the view of the beautiful landscape of the gentle sloping grassy hill side and the stand of Black locust trees. The sky was constantly changing forms with the cloud cover of Fall resting on the hill sides and mountain tops.

Our view at the rear of the tent and enjoying the beautiful Black locust trees while they are still here.

We didn’t get up until 9:00 am when I heard a voice calling to me, yelling, “Hey you down there, you up yet?” I yelled back to this raspy voice from a distance, “getting up now.” I said. Jeff replied, “Come on up and I will buy you a cup of coffee.” I replied, “Will be right up.”

I wanted to take the boys for a walk, but thought they could wait a bit longer. I tied them up in camp, while I had some coffee with Jeff in his warm log cabin home. The log home was built by his dad. We talked mostly about horses, hunting, fishing, and shared experiences in nature that we reflected on from our past. Jeff had some pretty good stories growing up. While we talked, I would pause to look out the large picture window to observe critters walking by, and the beautiful landscape of the countryside. Jeff doesn’t have a deep connection with nature as I do, but he does love being in nature on the surface, like many do in our culture. It was interesting talking with him. Returning to camp from coffee with Jeff, I took the boys for a walk. The boys were alerted to sounds in the nearby wooded area of the locust trees next to us. I thought maybe it was pheasant, then a loud tapping sound of a woodpecker appeared.

We did indeed luck out in finding such a place to spend the winter.

Once I had my writing spot in place I would spend the mornings and evenings writing. During the evening I would spend time to rewrite my journal so I could read it, and then would go back to create our story. At one point my laptop screen stopped working. It has happen two other times before with this laptop. It was a wire connection from the main laptop unit to the screen. I was hoping I could baby it along before I had to find a place to get it fixed. If I could get it fixed?

November 13, 2018 – Tuesday

We have mostly black locust in the close surrounding areas. Jeff wants to cut them all down. I find them to be a beautiful tree. Some have the figure of a decrepit and snarly old man that can grab the unexpected with it’s long pointed thorns. They live to be about a 100 years old. Supposedly they are a fire hazard.

November 15, 2018 – Thursday

It is harder getting motivated to get out of bed in the morning due to the cold weather. Watching the moisture coming out from my breath at each exhale. It was cold.

The days and nights became colder and colder. The days became shorter and shorter. And the nights got longer and longer. I would be preparing our dinners now at 3:00 pm. Once the sun fell below the mountain tops at around 2:00 pm, darkness of night would soon follow. And at 4:00 pm it would turn into night, with the temperatures falling enough it warrant making it time to climb into the tent after taking the boys for a short walk. I would then start a warming fire in the wood stove. The nights became very long. Most mornings I would start a fire outside and sit next to the campfire while enjoying my coffee. The boys enjoying the cold.

Where we enjoy the warmth of a nice campfire

My wonderful companions relaxing at camp

When I had to relieve myself in the middle of the night, I dreaded having to get up in the cold. I would put some clothes on and step outside into the cold dark night. Once I was outside, I thought, “this isn’t so bad?” While I was relieving myself, I got to enjoy the chilly starry night sky, I actually was enjoying it. I got to a point, I went out just with shoes and a coat on. It was always a pleasant and beautiful experience peeing in the woods at night, even with a light snow falling. I always felt refreshed after I was done. I would look up into the starry night sky, and ponder in amazement in the beauty of our planet. Once in a while I experienced a shooting star. Maybe a sign, we are being watched over, and protected on our journey.

This morning the temperature was 35 deg. It is overcast. It is getting a little bit warmer from the 26 deg to 30 deg temps we have been experiencing for the past week and a half. I am getting acclimated to the cold weather, once again. But I know these temperature won’t last. It will continue to get colder.

This has really been our first journal entry since we got here. Most of the entries will be short. The photos will tell our story.

I have been having morning fires outside to take the edge off the cold. I could have them inside the tent, but I prefer being outside in nature. We do burn more wood outside then inside, but it is worth it. We received our first cord of firewood a week and a half ago. It is nice having a good supply of firewood. I would split the logs into smaller pieces for the wood stove, and stacking a small supply next to the wood stove. The rest of the wood was stacked under the overhang of the unfinished cabin next to our camp, hopefully keeping it dryer. I felt like a pioneer of the past. I don’t have any idea how long a cord of wood will last? Most of the wood we were burning was fir, and pine, which burns fast. If I knew, I may have bought two cords.

I will soon find out later when I order firewood in the middle of winter, the harder it will get, and the wetter it will be. This whole process of camping in the winter in a tent will be a good learning experience for me. So far, it has been amazing.

Our wood pile

During these early evenings, I would watch documentaries I had on DVD’s.

Jeff had a medical emergency this morning and was taken to the hospital. He was in the hospital for two days, he then broke out of the hospital, like a prisoner escaping from jail. He called a friend to pick him up. Once back home he then began taking down trees next to our camp. I hated to see the trees coming down, but I could use the cut trees for firewood for the outside fires.

I have been having some rough mornings for the past few weeks since we have been here getting motivated in writing. It was time I really need to get some writing done, so I will begin rewriting my journals, so I can decipher what I had written in the journals. Unfortunately my journal writing was not always easy to read or understand at times. It can be a very long process to rewrite.

November 16, 2018 – Friday

Last night I received news from my sister that her and her husband had lost their home in Magalia from the devastating Camp Fire in Paradise. Me and the boys were just there for three weeks during Christmas of last year. It was the beginning of our journey heading north. It only took me 20 years to visit her and her husband there. She loved living up there. As with all such fires, they lost everything, but the memories the house once brought through all the photos on the walls and trinkets of family.

Beauty can be seen everywhere in our natural world. Winter is a time for renewal, a time for rest. I am grateful for the time we have had, and what nature has provided to us. It has been truly a gift being able to experience nature with the boys. What will the next year bring to us on our journey in nature?

November 19, 2018 – Monday

I woke up and looked outside to a heavy frost on the tree branches of spike like icicles hanging from the branches, creating tiny winter ice sculptures of wonder. It is 27 deg with a fog laying low among the surrounding foothills. At 10:00 am the blue skies then appeared once again slowly bringing a bit of warmth to the winter day.

In the early morning the blankets slid off my sleeping bag where I could feel the cold reaching to my body. Then grabbing them to regain the warmth. It gets cold in the tent with the chill of moisture in the air making it miserable getting dressed. Once outside it actually feels warmer. I never start a morning fire in the tent unless I plan to do some writing. I am not sure how my laptop does inside the cold tent. I do cover it, but I don’t think it helps much. I just prefer being outside next to the fire with the boys enjoying the cold. It seems they are made for the cold weather.

We are suppose to get colder temperatures later this week with chances of light snow.

Today I will cut up the wood into smaller pieces to fit in the stove, and keep a small pile next to the stove ready for a fire in the evenings. I also need to clean the stove pipe and spark arrester before bad weather starts. They tend to clog up faster with soot from softer woods especially if they are not completely dry.

I heard a gun shot earlier this morning when it was still dark. Then a few minute later I heard a truck drive off. When we went for our morning walk, the boys pulled me towards the mailbox along side the road. They smelled the scent of blood, and I spotted blood on the ground with a blood trail going up the hill. It was probably a deer? Because there is so much game around here, I am sure this happens a lot. We hear gun shots going off in the morning hours almost every morning.

November 20, 2018 – Tuesday

Got up at 7:30 am, sunny, 26 deg. Everything is covered in frost. On our walk I had to quickly shed my heavy coat. The warmth of the morning sun quickly warmed me. I talked with Jeff after our walk, His personality showed a lot of anger in him, and can be quite moody.

The beauty of the area we find ourselves in, and to experience in all her forms.

November 22, 2018 – Thursday

It is Thanksgiving day. We got up at 7:45 am, cloudy, 30 deg.

I made coffee, fed the boys. At 11:00 am the sun broke through the clouds, it was 41 deg. No plans for today. I will try and do some writing, and misc. stuff in camp.

Takota was favoring his left paw, so I checked it for any stickers, back at camp, and did find one. I removed it, hoping that was the problem. It usually is.

I did some writing on the laptop during the evening for about a hour and a half. It was a slow process rewriting what I wrote in my journal. While I was writing on the laptop, my screen was acting up. I hope I am not having issue with it.

November 24, 2018 – Saturday

We got some rain last night and this morning. We got up around 9:15 am and went for a walk after the rain had stopped.

After our walk, we went into town for coffee, gas, and to buy some reading glasses.

In town I noticed snow on the foothills, and low mountains to the north of us. The signs of winter are here. I have know idea how much snow we will be getting this winter.

With not cutting my hair or beard for over a year, it was time to get cleaned up. I feel like a new me.

November 30, 2018 – Friday

We got our first real snow that covered the ground. It snowed most of the late afternoon, and evening with light snow. A heavy fog came in, in the evening as well. Although the snow fall was light, I have a concern about driving in it going up and down the drive way, and on the roads. We do get our roads cleared of snow, when it gets bad enough. I only have two wheel drive and the back end of the truck is very light, with little traction in snow, and mud. I got stuck a couple of times in the mud already. Going up the driveway can be tricky. If we get heaven snows, that could be a big problem.

The Outhouse Jeff let me use. Not really!

Our Journey Living In Nature

Our Journey Living In Nature – Part 20

Our Journey Living in Nature – Part 20

September 24, 2018 – Monday – Aquarius Campground

After our backcountry experience in the Clearwater National Forest has ended, Takota, Nanook, and I are ready to move on. I found a campground close by where we are at, so we got packed up.

We got all set up in our new camp, and we may stay for a week or so. After that, we will camp at Dworshak Reservoir once again, and then to our winter camp in Kamiah.

The campground is next to the river and is pretty quiet with the exception of a chain saw buzzing loudly next to our camp.

With the many uncertainties that lie before us, we had some incredible experiences in the Idaho backcountry. I hope we have more to come.

September 25, 2018 – Tuesday

We are on the North Fork Clear Water River. A beautiful area. We slept well, waking up to a beautiful Fall day.

We got up at 8:00 am, and took a walk around the area. On our return to camp, I got things out to cook breakfast, with the first thing, was making coffee. We will have bacon and eggs for breakfast. It is peaceful out, and enjoying the river flowing next to us.

We are well stocked in food for a time in real food, soups, and freeze dried foods if needed.

We have a large campsite open to the river and sky, providing warmth on the cool Fall days when the sun is shining. Our tent is in some shade with five cedar trees next to the tent. Our site slopes gently to the river. Across the river are conifers lining the shoreline that reach to the sky. The boys are enjoying the sandy beach while waiting for breakfast.

We have been camping in a tent in nature for close to a year now, and we never seem to get tired of it. It is hard to explain the magical beauty that is always around us.

This area may be a good area to observe birds. I saw an osprey this morning, I know there are bald eagles here, and I hear ravens squawking about.

I thought we would be getting a break with the bugs from the cold weather, but this is not the case. The flies were really bad.

After breakfast I wrote in my journal, then visited our neighbor who had the chain saw. I asked him about a good place for firewood? We did have pieces in camp that needed to be cut, and our neighbor came by to cut it down to campfire size. The firewood he cut should last for a few days. They are very nice people and very neighborly. They visit this campground a lot.

Evening Entry

We had a nice relaxing day with blue skies.

For dinner we had chicken breasts cooked in bacon fat. Both boys cleaned their bowls.

September 26, 2018 – Wednesday

We got up to a cool morning at 7:45 am. There was a little chill in the air, but it was refreshing to wake up to. We took a short walk on the road along the river. After breakfast, we will head to Orofino and make an appointment for Takota for his eye at the Veterinarian there.

Our neighbor was leaving and dropped off a good supply of firewood for us.

Before we left for Orofino, I was talking with the campers that had a black lab. Their dog came into our camp, and the boys attacked the dog. The dog realized it may be a good idea to stay in his own camp.

Evening Entry

We had a steak for dinner, plus a salad for me.

September 27, 2018 – Thursday

We got up at 8:30 am. We went for our short walk, then back to camp to warm up with some hot coffee, and a warming fire.

On our arrival here, and coming from town to do some shopping, I was caught behind a logging truck stacked with logs. I could smell the lovely fragrance of the cut fir trees. Then on our way back from Orofino yesterday, and driving through the forest of fir trees, I once again experienced the fragrance of fir. It brought back the memories of Christmas when I was young, and our experiences of Christmas and the smell of the decorated fir tree in the living room.

With our materialistic life style, Nature is now talking to us, and what we are doing to her in the form of climate change, but very few are listening, yet!

Man needs to begin to reflect within on where we are going in the future?

“It is very important to go out alone to sit under a tree-not with a book, not with a companion, but by yourself-and observe the falling of a leaf, hear the lapping of water, the fisherman’s song, watch the flight of birds, and of your own thoughts as they chase each other across the space of your mind. If you are able to be alone and watch these things, then you will discover extraordinary riches which no government can tax, no human agency can corrupt, and which can never be destroyed.”

~ Jidda Krishnamurti

After doing some writing, I wanted to get some things done in camp. And although it meant digging some stuff out of the trailer, I didn’t mind so much.

It is beautiful in this place we are at, a peaceful place in nature.

After breakfast I will dig out from the trailer the tent we used in the backcountry to allow it to dry out. We usually don’t have this luxury of space to do that. Doing these little things in nature is special, especially when we can slow down our pace with nature’s rhythms, and in these beautiful surroundings in nature. Even in these unexciting chores that have to be done in and out of camp. We see the beauty in everything. Nature can be a very powerful medicine for our spirit. Every time we come back to camp from errands in town, it always feels we are returning to home.

I had an unlikely thought and feeling just a few minutes ago that a publisher/editor, a older woman will come into my life to publish my writings. But Something special about her is beyond special – she will be a guiding force in my writing and in reaching a deeper level of consciousness for me. It wouldn’t be where she would tell me what to write or how to write, she would ask me the right questions in guiding me, and inspiring me. My writings would touch people’s hearts in a special way. It was a nice thought anyway?

When I began cooking breakfast, a swarm of flies and yellow jackets came to visit us to see what was on the menu?

A couple of days ago I decided to read a book I had, “The Legends and Myths of Hawaii,” by Hawaiian Majestic Kalakaua. It was part of the books I had on Hawaii.

I began falling in love with Hawaii when I first visited the islands, with the beauty, and the culture, and history of it’s indigenous people. I especially loved their music. Each time I went to the Hawaii Islands, I was always being drawn by the native people and not by the tourism. I felt a special sacredness to these Islands.

It was a small book in size, but with a thickness to it, a total of 522 pages. And the print was very small in type making it difficult to read. It was first published in the year 1888. It was not a book I was planning on reading, but it kept falling out of my trailer at my feet. I think it may have been a sign, “I should read it.”

It is 1:12 pm and it seems the yellow jackets were quieting down giving the boys and I time for a little peace.

Afternoon Entry

I got some batteries charged and my tent fully dried.

September 28, 2018 – Friday

We got up at 7:45 am, and another beautiful day in nature. A cool Fall morning with clear blue skies. The boys and I took a walk along the road that follows the river.

For a few days now I have been wanting to write more about traditional indigenous peoples. This thought was weighing on my mind in the need to do more, even in doing short writings. But it would be on writings I have already done, and would be just a repeat of what I have already written. I have no new insights I could share, to maybe open people’s minds to what modern civilizations has done to these peoples through forced assimilation, and genocide. Would I be able to write such a book? I wish I would have had more direct experiences with such people? To have more insights on these peoples, and the roles they play in the world? It seems most of it comes from my heart through empathy, compassion, and understanding – in seeking to understand. The key to this is to get the civilized world to have an open mind, to seek to understand the impact we have on these peoples, and as with other people in an indirect way or in a direct way. And support these peoples the best we can. To show humanity and a connection with all peoples. Humanity isn’t a passive state, it’s a vibrant dance of compassion, empathy, and actions. We can only do this through the elimination of judgement and labeling of others, and showing love to all peoples.

I have coffee made, a small fire going, and pen to paper. I don’t have much to write this morning. I will pay for three more nights here and will leave on Monday.

I found white berries on some bushes around camp. Too lazy to look them up. It could be the snow berry that I saw in our last camp? As with all berries in the wild, they should be carefully identified before eating them.

Afternoon entry

When there are bugs around, like flies or yellow jacket, it is important not to have fishing hooks or knives in hand. One might get hooked or cut, as I just did with a fishing hook.

September 29, 2018 – Saturday

We got up at 7:45 am because Takota had to go out to relieve himself. He was trying to tell me earlier, but I was not paying attention to him. Luckily he held it until we got outside. Since we were up, we took a walk along the road that we usually take, but went a bit further, and found some dispersed camping areas along the river, and some campers parked at the end of the road. We then headed back to camp for coffee and a fire. The sky is partly overcast.

(While writing this, I came to the realization that I am not really a good writer, and I have to accept this fact. All I am doing is documenting what we are experiencing on this journey. And I have to leave it at that, I maybe I won’t be so critical of myself, LOL!)

I got the fishing pole ready and may do some fishing later this afternoon. I wanted to do more fishing thus far, but the boys can be a hindrance in this endeavor, so I just don’t fish. Here, I have an open beach to fish at, and I have a place I can tie the boys up at, and watch them. They are good with that as long as they can see me, and I can see them. They will just lie down and watch me, or the goings on around them, or just take a nap.

I am seeing a lot of blue elderberries around, although the snow berries out number them. Being aware of ones surroundings can always be an exciting adventure, even in the plant life. She gives us so much to see, and learn from if we just pay attention.

We will have the last of our eggs and bacon this morning for breakfast.

I have noticed the right inside of my right knee has been hurting a bit. Not sure what it is from? Getting old can be tough.

Afternoon Entry

I took the boys on a walk along the river, and we saw a bald eagle flying up river. They are always a magnificent creature to see.

On our return to camp, I fed the boys, and started a fire. The skies are overcast with high thin clouds.

I tried some fishing earlier and caught two undersized cutthroat trout, just under 14 inches. The minimum is 14 inches so I had to throw them back. They would have made a nice dinner for me and the boys. It is the first time for me catching cutthroat. It is a beautiful fish. I hooked two others that got away. Barbless hooks are only allowed. Although we didn’t have much luck fishing it was enjoyable, and the boys were well behaved.

On a backcountry trip with Shiloh back in 2009, Shiloh and I fished together and I always had him on leash just in case he saw a critter that needed to be corralled. Mostly coyote. He was always good at staying put and napping. But just in case, he was always close by me if I had to grab his leash. Shiloh and I had a very close relationship with each other and we always enjoyed being in the backcountry together, as with Takota and Nanook.

The clear skies are returning. The weather is like life. The clouds can come, bringing uncertainty and gloom one moment, then when the skies open up to blue skies, it brings a time of renewal, and hope. I try to enjoy each moment in nature. There is always beauty and a purpose in everything she brings to us. But because we live outside, I always have to be aware of weather. Such a fickle web we weave in our minds. It is like seeing dark cloudy weather as black and white, and seeing blue sunny skies as an awakening in beauty with all her magnificent wonder of colors. Both can have their pros, and cons. Both in their good and bad. It is just how we see things in our minds.

September 30, 2018 – Sunday

Another day in nature. We got up and went for a walk, then back to camp for coffee first thing, and followed by a fire. It was overcast and looked like rain. Then the rain began. The boys and I took cover under the cedar trees by the tent. It was just a steady light rain for about a half hour and then stopped for now. With all the experience the boys have in wet weather, they know where to go to stay dry. The rain had brought on a freshness in the air. Once the rain had stopped I then returned next to the campfire. I don’t want to waste a perfectly good fire, now do we? Our plan is to move on Monday, and it may rain more today and on Monday. I was hoping to go fishing today, but that may be canceled due to weather. We may get a chance of rain through the week, so the forecast says.

Afternoon Entry

I did go fishing, but it quickly ended when my first cast got snagged up on some rocks and had to cut the line. I thought maybe it was time to quit. While getting unsnagged, a bald eagle flew by us. Always a joy to see.

It looks like a chance of more rain in the forecast for this week. I am not sure when we will be leaving this camp? Maybe in a couple of days? I am not ready to head for our winter camp yet. So when we leave here, we will spent a little time at Dworshak Reservoir since it will be on our way to our winter camp. And we enjoyed staying there.

October 1, 2018 – Monday

I tried my luck fishing today and caught two more cutthroat that were smaller then the ones before, and had to once again release them. And again no delicious fresh trout for dinner.

It was another overcast day with a chance of rain. But in the end, it turned out to be a beautiful day whether with cloudy skies or clear skies. The boys and I were in nature – such a glorious place to be.

We met a nice couple who are camping here for some fly fishing, and they saw three otters in the river across from their camp. That would be exciting to see them before we leave, and to experience these wonderful creatures of the rivers. They said they would be fishing further up river today, and if they caught any extra, they would invite us for a trout dinner. We have met an incredible group of people on our travels. I think it was for the most part having the boys with me. We made an interesting threesome. People say I look like the boys with my long gray hair. I think it has some to do in living in nature in a tent.

This area of the Clearwater is incredibly beautiful with it’s abundance of cedar, alder, fir and pine forest. The brush was covered in snow berries, ferns, thimbleberry, and many other plants providing a beautiful lush green landscape that Idaho provides. Truly a garden of Eden.

October 2, 2018 – Tuesday

We got up at about 9:00 am. I had the sudden urge to use the toilet, so I tied the boys up and ran to the toilet. Unfortunately I couldn’t hold it in time before my bowls let loose. Returning to camp I had to replace my underwear first thing. In total, I had to visit the toilet four times that morning. I had freeze dried Macaroni and Cheese for dinner last night. It must have been a bad batch. Luckily I got it purged out of my system by late morning, and had no other problems. I did have some stomach upset and that finally cleared up. I was lucky I wasn’t sick all day. We had a Veteran appointment for Takota today that I did not want to miss. So we were able to make that without any problems with the long drive we had to make into town. The gods were with us. I was almost ready to cancel it if I didn’t get better.

We left for Orofino at 11:30 am. The appointment was for 2:00 pm. This would give us a little time before the appointment to pick up a few things at the grocery store.

We took our time on the drive to Orofino to appreciate the Fall colors and the countryside drive. During the drive I was praying Takota was okay. Both the boys had been such gift to me on our journey. I could have not asked for anything more, except them not liking other dogs. They were very protective in that respect. They did love people though.

Once at the Vets, they did the typical tests for his eye. The vet came up with a possible detached retina or Glaucoma. Another possibility was an infection in the pupil. I would have to take him to a specialist and the nearest one was in Spokane, Washington. In the mean time he gave me some eye drops and pill to see if that would help. I was not sure what I was going to do. I knew if I took him to the specialist in Washington, it would cost a lot of money. On our drive back to camp, all I could think about was poor Takota, and our situation living in nature.

I dropped some groceries off to our neighbors, and told them the bad news about Takota. Our neighbors headed out to fish, and would bring me a trout for dinner. It was raining most of the day. Things I left out in camp got soaked by the rain.

October 3, 2018 – Wednesday – Dworshak Reservoir and State Park

I had a bad night thinking about Takota. I had feelings of hopelessness that filled my being. I have such a close connection with Takota and Nanook, and they with me. We are a close knit family.

I got most of our packing done for our departure for today.

I dropped by our neighbors hoping they would offer me some coffee, and to say goodbye to them. They were down at the picnic table watching for bugs to determine what flies to use for fishing. Nanook greeted them with a small howl, and Takota with a little cry. Takota’s eye seemed to be looking better. Our friends did offer me some coffee. After our goodbyes we headed back to camp so I could finish packing.

Their camp was at the bent of the river and it seemed a good spot to observe wildlife. They were seeing much more wildlife than we were at our spot.

It was nice meeting such great people on our Journey. Although always very brief, but always memorable.

Once we were all packed up we left for our new camp at 11:30 am. The boys jumped into the truck excited to leave for new adventures, Takota took his spot under the seat, and Nanook on the other side finding a comfortable spot to lie down. Very seldom would they show any activity on our drives. They would just nap. We did drop by the vets and the vet was encouraged with the medication helping. I told him we would call if there was any changes.

From Orofino I figured it would take an hour to get to our new camp. It was 3:00 pm. We arrived at 4:00 pm, We took our campsite that we had before. It was peaceful here. We were the only ones here. The campground was filled with the colors of Autumn.

I paid the camping fee, picked up some firewood at the wood stack and returned to camp. I got the tent set up then I fixed the boys their dinner, and I had a couple of beers, with my salami and cheese. I made a fire and relaxed for a bit. It was good being back here.

There were quite a few whitetail deer around. We had a small buck hanging out close to our camp. The boys did not seem bothered by him, nor him with the boys.

There is also a lot of bird activity in the area.

It is nice being back here. To the rear of our camp, it is open with sparse small pines, and covered in wild rose bushes. To the left of us and further back from our site it is heavy woods. The front, and left of us is open to the campground.

The volunteer that worked here last time we were here was staying at one of the rental cabins here, and when she saw us, she welcomed us back. Depending on the weather we could easily stay here for two weeks.

October 4, 2018 – Thursday

I slept pretty well as did the boys. We got up at 7:30 am and took a short drive to dump some garbage, and pick up more firewood.

It is overcast skies, with a possibility of rain. I feel a drop or two falling on me and that is it.

I thought I would write about my relationship with the boys while we are here.

While catching up on my writing in the journal for the last few days, I heard 6 herons flying over us. They seem to be having a hard time staying in formation.

I was watching Nanook and he we intent in something that caught his attention. I walked over to him, keeled down next to him, and looked in the same direction Nanook was looking. It was the young buck standing in our camp maybe 40 ft away calmly watching us. After maybe 5 minutes he moved on.

We have plenty of food with us so we don’t have to go into town for a few days.

It was cold when we went to bed, but I slept comfortably. And this morning it was a little chilly at first, but I quickly warmed up on our walk. The boys remember this place. It is nice having the whole place to ourselves. When we arrived yesterday I did notice the yellow jackets were still around and curious how bad they will be? Some flies are hanging around as well.

While starting breakfast, I looked at Takota’s eye, and it seems to be getting better. I can see his dark brown of his iris once again. The other iris is a lighter brown. I gave him a big kiss on the snout of gratitude.

The sun is shining through the thin layer of clouds warming up the day. The blue sky is beginning to show itself more and more. The Corp of Engineers designed this campground. I talked with one camper and he told me the Corp of Engineers did a good job designing campgrounds. Much better than the State Parks do. This is the second campground we stayed at that was designed by the Corp of Engineers.

Afternoon Entry

While I was putting our new canopy up, we were visited by the young buck. He was watching me in curiosity while I was putting up the canopy, and then he came around my truck to feed on some grass. It was allowing me to get closer to him while I was getting things from the truck. My intention was not to see how close I could get to him, but just getting my stuff done in camp. But I was observing the deer’s behavior. He was totally calm around us. The boys were also curious of our new friend.

With the canopy up, we had protection from the light rain we have been having, and we can enjoy being outside. Hopefully we don’t get any strong winds that would blow our new canopy down.

A family came in today, and were staying at one of the cabins. I found out it was Indigenous Peoples Day (Columbus Day) on Monday so I wonder how many people will come here on the three day weekend. I just hope no one reserves our site. I would hate to lose it, and have to move camp.

We will have the trout tonight for dinner that our friends in the last camp gave us.

While I was shopping at the market yesterday, their were two older gentlemen at a table selling raffle tickets to win a high powered hunting rifle with scope, so I bought 6 tickets for one dollar each.

We took nice walks around the large empty campground finding more places to explore.

October 5, 2018 – Friday

We got up around 8:00 am. It was partly cloudy and cold, with a slight chilly breeze in the air. It felt like winter was here. We went for our morning walk and observed a lot of deer in the area. Back at camp I put coffee on and made a campfire.

I took a good look at Takota’s eye, and it is still looking good, but still I have a concern.

Yesterday evening we had a pack of coyotes yelping and howling with a couple of dogs barking at them. Last time we were here, we heard wolves howling across the lake. I wonder if they are still around? This morning we heard elk bugling for a while on our side of the lake. The geese were doing their honking, and the heron’s flew by. Their wings almost make a jet sound flying through the air. The ravens and birds were making their morning songs, and chatter.

The clouds finally cleared becoming a brisk sunny day.

We didn’t see our deer friend come by our camp today.

Afternoon Entry

The one camper in the other camping area, said he saw a bear in the area. I will have to make sure to keep our camp clean.

October 6, 2018 – Saturday

This morning began with a light rain in the early morning hours, followed with a drizzle most of the late morning. It is suppose to be nice weather on Sunday and Monday, with another storm coming in on Monday night, and Tuesday, then clearing Tuesday.

This morning we get to experience a beautiful winter day in the mountains.

While we were still in the tent this morning, Takota took a nice morning stretch putting a 4” rip in the tent fabric. When it stops raining, I will have to repair it with duct tape.

We talked with the camper who told us about the bear, and we were talking about the little buck we have seen. It comes to visit them as well, and he, and his wife feeds him apples. He gave me a few apples to leave around my camp. They have a dog that is dealing with health issues, and they don’t think he has much time left. They know it likes this place so they are giving it some special time here.

The campground is still pretty quiet of campers. Just me and the boys, the family in the cabin, and the man and wife in the other camping section.

I am finding our canopy is not made for the winter, it is leaking through the fabric.

We went into town for some groceries, to check if I was the winner on the raffle for the rifle which I wasn’t, and to make phone calls.

October 7, 2018 – Sunday

Another beautiful morning in nature. The little rain we got last night is gone and replaced with mostly blue skies, and cold. And that can always change in mountainous climates.

We got up at 7:45 am and went for a long walk around the campground. The reservoir is at very low levels compared to when we were first here. It was a nice walk. On our return to camp, I went to the wood pile, picked up more firewood, and back to camp. And as usually, I made coffee first thing, as with getting a fire going. Then writing in the journal.

We are getting close to a year on our journey.

October 8, 2018 – Monday

A new camper in a small trailer camped next to us. I stopped at his camp to say Hi. He was a nice fello to chat with that camped here a lot in the off season. He used to work for the US Forest Service. He enjoyed meeting the boys as well.

Hunters were also coming into the campground for a based camp to hunt for deer. They have to hunt outside of the boundaries of the campground, but some would hunt within the boundaries of the park because they were lazy, and seems to get away with it . I was waiting for the hunters staying across from us in one of the cabins to ask me if they could use my canoe to get across the lake to hunt, but they never did. I was thinking about renting the canoe to them for a price$$$$ and a big deposit.

I did a video with my phone on Indigenous Day, and put it on Facebook. I talked about how important indigenous peoples were in the world, and how they can teach us how important it is in connecting with all life forms on our planet. They can teach us a lot in their wisdom.

October 9, 2018 – Tuesday

We had a light rain all night. It finally stopped at around 7:30 am, and stopped for the rest of the day. The forecast today was for rain all day.

After breakfast we drove to town to drop by the vets to make an appointment for a check up on Takota’s eye on Wednesday.

I called Jeff about when it would be convenient to set up our winter camp? He said, anytime. So we will do it this Friday.

In checking my messages in the Vet’s parking lot, Kevin from Del Valle called me letting me know that his wife Joy had passed. I was deeply saddened. She loved the boys and would always howl at them, and they would always howl back to her. We will have a special howl for her today back at camp.

While I was at the Vets making an appointment, A man came in to drop his dog off. I had a feeling it wasn’t good. When I was in the truck listening to messages at the Vet’s parking lot, I saw the man coming out of the Vets with his dog’s leash in hand, deeply emotional. I felt his pain. I knew he had lost his best friend. (In writing this five years later, I still feel tears of emotion and sadness coming to me). I wanted to say something to him, but I thought it would be better in letting him grieve alone. It is hard losing ones canine companion. I went through this twice with my dogs Shawnee and Shiloh. And the thought of losing Takota, or Nanook would be devastating for me. We have become so close on this journey we are on together. I have experienced an amazing, and deep bond with them on this journey.

Today I felt loss to a human friend, and a dog and his owner I did not know. It is a sad day for me.

Today I was thinking about our new chapter on our journey camping in the Idaho winter.

October 10, 2018 – Wednesday

Today was partly cloudy, but a nice day. I did a short video and writing on facebook. We had breakfast and left at 1:45 pm for the Vets. The Vet I talked to was very nice, but not with good news about Takota’s eye condition. She told me Takota had cataracts in both eyes and possible Glaucoma in his left eye. She couldn’t recommend an Ophthalmologist to get a firm diagnosis. All I could do is pray for a miracle.

Outside the park I spotted a dead porcupine along side the road. He was a big one. One of my concerns with those critters is the boys getting tangled up with them. Fortunately it never happened.

October 11, 2018 – Thursday

No Journal Entry

October 12, 2018 – Friday

To be continued in Part 21

Our Journey Living In Nature

Our Journey Living in Nature – Part 19 – 19 days alone in the backcountry of the Clearwater National Forest, Idaho.

Our Journey Living in Nature – Part 19 – 19 days alone in the backcountry of the Clearwater National Forest, Idaho.

September 4, 2018 – Tuesday – Departure day for the backcountry –

Day 1

I heard Dick and Gary getting up at around 6:30 am and figured we should be getting up soon.

I heard them taking the horses and one mule to the area for prepping. While Dick and Gary had breakfast, I told Dick I would brush and clean the hooves of the animals, to help speed up the process. After they had finished breakfast, Dick got the horses and mule saddled up. And the eight horses and one mule got into the stock trailer with no incident loading.

We then followed Dick, Gary, and the pack animals to the trailhead about 45 minutes away. Dick parked on one side of the road to unload and get the animals loaded with their packs. The trail we were going on started right off the roadway. I was parked across the street and watched for traffic. Dick continued giving Gary packing lessons, and that took more time getting us out of here. We were finally ready to get on the trail at 12:00 pm. I gave Gary my keys to the truck so he could take it back to base camp.

I was talking with Dick on the order that might be best for me and the boys, and with the other pack animals, Dick and Gary handled all the pack animal. I was going to be in the back of the pack, but didn’t think that was a good idea and told Dick. He said I could lead if I wanted to. And I felt comfortable with that. Then the boys could be in front of me so I could watch them.

I got situated with my horse, I then let the boys go from their leashes. They quickly took advantage of their freedom and began running up the creek and were running around all over the place, getting the horses all excited, and me yelling at the boys to come. Dick told me it was okay. I hope he was right. I just didn’t want the boys to spook the horses or them getting kicked.

I chose to walk my horse a bit before mounting, and called to the boys to come to me once again. The boys were running in the bushes, and at one point Takota was heading down a steep embankment, I called to him to come, but he had a difficult time getting back up. I was getting quite nervous about this whole situation. It was new to the boys and me going up with the pack of horses. I always chose to walk a good ways ahead of the pack string on other trips so I could focus my attention on the boys. Once I got them going in the right direction, this is when Takota got a pretty good nip by my horse on the neck by getting to close to her. He didn’t cry out, and I didn’t see any bleeding. It seemed he was fine. I was hoping we would make it safely. There was a lot of commotion in just starting our ride that made me uneasy.

I mounted my horse, and the boys were walking on the trail in front of me. Things started to calm down. We quickly began going up very steep terrain on a very narrow trail. Our only path was staying on the trail. We would meet disaster and possible death if any of us happened to take a wrong step off the embankment. And we had eight miles to go to get to our camp. The boys began to focus staying on the trail and everything seemed to be going better. The boys were doing better, as with my horse. I took a deep breath and began enjoying the ride. It was nice being back in the saddle again.

Soon after we got going, and were gaining some high elevation, our first horse wreck happened. I heard a commotion behind me, looking back, and saw horses falling down the steep embankment, and my tent rolling a good distance down towards the creek. If it would have gone down to the creek, that would have been a big problem in getting it. I really couldn’t see what was going on, but luckily they did somehow recover my tent and got the horses and mule back on the trail. The mule saved the day. He was able to keep the horses from rolling down the hillside with my tent. This is one reason why many outfitters prefer using mules for packing. They have better footing than horses.

I was thinking this is a bad omen, and maybe it is time to turn back. I was all for that, but we continued on. Being on a steep narrow trail, climbing switchbacks, and with pack animals, it can be a very dangerous situation. I think what happened was a pack slipped, causing one of the horses to fall down the embankment and bringing the other horses down with him.

My horse and Gary’s horse were trying to munch on vegetation along side the trail which was a big pain in the butt. Otherwise my horse was doing pretty good.

In the beginning of our trip on the trail I was having doubts of the safety of me and the boys (more so for the boys). And even if we would make the 7.5 miles to our camp in the high country, would our gear make it undamaged? In the very beginning things quickly began unraveling. Dick warned me it would be a steep climb, and mostly up hill with a series of switchbacks. What was nice about the switchbacks most was in the shade of the forests. I have been on many switchbacks in my time, and all of them have been exposed to the hot sun.

In my mind, I was thinking, “it is only a four hour ride.”

We began our ascend around 3,000 ft elevation. The camp we are going to is at 5,961 ft elevation.

The pack horses were getting tired. During the whole ride we had to change lead horses because they didn’t want to lead anymore, and Dick had to constantly adjust the packs that continued slipping which meant we all had to get off our horses to help. Getting off and on horses on very narrow trails and steady ascends didn’t make it easy. Most of the trail were steep drop offs on one side and steep uphills on the other. Most of the ride I couldn’t see how the boys were doing, and would yell back, “how are the boys doing?” Gary said, “they were doing fine.” They were following in back of the pack string. But I was still concerned about them.

The 4 to 5 hour ride turned into an 8 hour ride. During the rest stops for the horses, or the adjustments of the packs, we would stop at areas with grass, and of course the horses and one mule would start grazing on the grasses. They preferred grazing then moving on. The boys were doing well, but were very tired. They ended up being in the back of the pack most of the time. I would check in with Gary on how they were doing and he always said they are doing fine. But I was concerned about them. At one point my horse decided not to go any further as the leader. I think she just wanted to stop and graze. We found a place where Dick and I could switch places and Dick would take the lead. His horse went for a short distance then his horse stopped. Dick had to get off and walk his horse for distance, then he would get back on his horse. He would do this for a few times. We were all getting very tired. I was not very happy, and it was the worst pack ride I have been on. It was a grueling and hard ride. It was the ride from hell. But we did finally arrive safely.

We finally got into camp at 8:00 pm exhausted, and pitch black out. Once I was able to crawl off the saddle, I found it hard walking because I was so stiff, and especially on uneven ground. Eventually the blood started blowing again, so I could walk.

Dick was obviously familiar with the camp, but Gary and I were not. Dick took charge, telling Gary where to tie up the horses and then began unloading all the gear off the pack animals, placing it in one area to then unpack. While they were doing that, I looked around for a place for the boys and I to sleep for the night. There were three level pads in camp that stepped up hill from one another. I picked the upper tier to put our bedding down, and eventually our tent. Once the the gear was unpacked, I went through what we need for our bedding for the night. The boys had already crashed out. The boys did well on our very long trip up here.

Dick was talking about them going back tonight. I thought he was crazy. Both Dick, and Gary were tired, and the pack animals were tired. It would have been far too dangerous in my mind to go back down tonight. I told Dick they should rest the horses and themselves here tonight. I finally convinced him to stay, and start out early tomorrow morning being fully rested. They could use the packing tarps for bedding. It was warm enough out where they should be comfortable roughing it.

While we were in camp, I heard a very loud and very strange sound I did not recognize just up from where we were, and asked Dick what it was? He said, “it was an elk.” I was totally surprised in the sounds it was making. The elk may have shown his disapproval of us being here. They were very eerie sounds in the dark ambience of the forest. I decided to have my loaded pistol, and rifle close by to scare off any critters.

We are in a pretty remote area, but I thought I heard human voices in the distance.

Once our stuff was laid out, the boys and I quickly fell asleep dreaming of the adventures that lay before us on our 19 days alone in the Clearwater National Forest.

September 5, 2018 – Wednesday – Day 2

We woke up to our new camp with a pile of gear that has to be organized into a camp. I am grateful we had arrived here safely. Around 6:30 am, Dick and Gary began packing up for their ride back to base camp. I took the boys on a short walk and when we returned, Dick, his side kick, Gary and the horses, and one mule were ready to leave at 8:00 am. I wished them good luck and safe travels back to base camp. Watching them ride down the trail with the pack animals, vanishing out of sight into the landscape, the boys and I were once again alone in the backcountry. It felt good being alone in this vastness in nature with the boys. We always felt at home. I was also thinking, and hoping our return ride back to base camp will be much smoother?

Repacking the dog food for daily rations.

Looking at the pile of gear I have awaiting me, and looking at how I want the camp laid out, I began organizing. I know where the tent will go, so that is the first thing to get set up, but first, my coffee. I determined were I will have the kitchen which will be on the second level of camp. I needed water for my coffee and for the boys, so I found the spring next to camp, filled the water containers then back to camp. The spring offered only a trickle of water. I was thinking, I hope it is a reliable water source? It seems it could dry up at any time. I helped the path of water by creating a small pool for the water to collect so it would be easier to fill up the water containers, and removing debris and mud, and small stones to increase the flow. It was still a trickle.

While sitting in my chair, sipping my coffee, I relaxed in the moment, breathing in the fresh mountain air and scanning the area of our new home. Last night there was nothing to see, but only the strange elk sounds coming from the darkness of night that decided to move on elsewhere. It felt good to be back in nature.

I ended up writing in my journal most of the morning, then ate lunch, and skipping breakfast. I did feed the boys breakfast.

Evening Entry

I started putting up the tent at 1:00 pm. The tent just barely fitting the flat pad it was on. And then began organizing the rest of our camp. I found nothing damaged from our ride getting here, so that was good. I fed the boys, organized their food bags into daily portions, and slowly turned an empty space in the forest to our home. Dick realized it was a bad idea not to separate the dogs food into smaller portions for weigh distribution, and for keeping track of the food portions each day. He thought the weight of the 30 lb. bag of food would work better top loaded on the pack, and it actually made it worse for balance. That was one of the causes of us constantly having to get off our horses to rebalance the packs. It is all about keeping the weight of the packs balanced. From my little experience horse packing, it make sense using panniers vs. how Dick packed things to minimize shifting, because it is easy to balance the weight In the panniers, then letting the panniers help support and keep balanced any top weight added. Maybe Dick should start using panniers next time. It would take far less time packing as well.

I got the camp pretty much done. And built up the existing fire ring with stones that was partially there already. I gathered some firewood next to camp from downed trees that will provide us with most of our firewood needs. I was pleased with getting camp organized in only a half day.

Next to our kitchen area there was a small bush with a single black/ purplish berry on it. It was a huckleberry. So does that mean there could be more around? I will have to search the area later. I also was thinking, this could be the last one of the season? There was also an abundance of blueberries around.

The boys and I had chicken for dinner.

I look forward to sleeping in the tent tonight.

We did have some yellow jacket come to visit while cooking dinner.

This evening we had a nice campfire. And hit the sack around 8:00 pm.

September 6, 2018 – Thursday – Day 3

It was a beautiful and warm sunny day. It was 68 degrees in the morning. We heard birds chattering, the flies buzzing, lots of mosquitoes out. The yellow jackets will appear when I start cooking. Life in nature is abundant.

During the night it was quiet, not even a mouse stirring.

I thought I heard quail this morning when I was dressing in the tent. I then heard it right outside the tent at the entrance. I unzipped the screen door, and one grouse flew off and the other stood right in front of me just watching me, then flew off a few moments later. They were only a few feet away. We also have some tree squirrel activity. The plan is doing some hunting for small game such as squirrel, grouse, and rabbit. We now know we have squirrel and grouse for possible meals. Maybe even marmot. We also have two lakes a couple of miles away for fishing.

I will spend about a week just observing the area for plants, trees and animals. Unless a critter gets close for an easy shot.

Before breakfast we went on a small walk on the trail heading in the westerly direction and that will take us to Black Lake only two miles away. Black lake is suppose to be great fishing, but a tough hike getting to it, with a steep hike getting down to it and getting back up. I was told there are 6 lakes retentively close to us, but difficult hikes to get to them. I am not sure it is worth the effort.

I had the boys on leash at the beginning of our walk, then I let them off, and of course they took off to explore. It was like being in a huge playground for them to explore. And I did my own exploring of the area to see what I could find. Along the trail there were more blueberry bushes with ripe berries for a quick snack. I wasn’t seeing any huckleberries around though. I would also come across red twinberries, and take some small nibbles of the berries. They aren’t the best berry for taste, and it is said, they can be somewhat toxic. The black twinberry is very bitter.

When we go on our walks or when I sit in my chair looking out into nature, I not only look, but I listen, smell, and feel nature. I open my mind to stillness, to silence within and without. Labeling and judging nothing, but empty thoughts that I replace with silence, and awareness, then experiencing pure awareness – pure consciousness coming through, and then nature opens up to the observer in a wondrous and magical way. Nature tell us her story through the plants, the trees, and animals. We see them in the markings, the tracks, and other signs that nature shows to those who have this pure awareness.

We came across a small meadow, and then turned around back to camp. Once at camp I called to the boys, and they weren’t finished exploring, They do return to camp when they know I am back at camp. I will keep them tied up in camp so they don’t run off to chase any critters they may see.

I have the coffee brewing. We are having bacon and eggs for breakfast. The smell of bacon will surely attract the yellow jackets.

The boys finally came back to camp after making a thorough inspection of the area, and found a comfortable place to settle down for a nap before breakfast. Overall the boys have done really well in staying in camp during our time in the backcountry. I am proud of them.

Dick wanted me to call him today for a safety check between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm. Since I have a Satellite phone, I thought it would be a good idea for a safety protocol.

While doing some writing in the journal, I looked down by my feet and saw an arrow head. I picked it up to look at it closely. It could be an original by native people here (possibly from the Nez Perce) or someone made it who was good at knapping in our modern day world?

Around the camp, and near by I have been hearing a lot of twigs cracking, but I am not sure what critters are doing this? There seems to also be lots of good bird activity around us, but with the heavy forest canopy it is hard to see any birds. I did hear a woodpecker earlier. I have also noticed mushrooms beginning to come up. Nature is such a magical place to experience, especially when we have a deep awareness with nature. For me, once I began practicing bushcraft skills back in 2009, I not only appreciated what nature provided me to survive with the proper skills and materials, I gained a deeper appreciation and understanding for nature, as with a much deeper respect for what she provides to us. The life giving force nature gives us. It is in the Oneness we experience in and with nature.

It is sad that most of us have lost this connection with Mother Earth, and all around the world within the modern civilizations we have created in a materialistic, and synthetic world. We could have regained this connection back by the traditional indigenous peoples of the world, but instead we chose to try to eliminate them because we saw them as ignorant, primitive, and useless. Not knowing they held the wisdom of our planet, and the sacredness of what she provided to us. When they thanked Mother Earth for all that she gave to them, the modern day man thought it to be sacrilegious to the European’s God. And many still think this way in today’s world. This is why we find our world in such a mess – a world without a deep connection to all of life.

I think I will hold off making breakfast until after calling Dick. And In the mean time I will gather some precious life giving water at the spring. This small, and slow flow of water, reminds me to slow down, and give gratitude to all of life’s forces.

Afternoon Entry

It is 2:11pm, and we are getting high clouds coming in. It is 70 degrees out.

When I was beginning our late breakfast I heard a moose call, and the rubbing of it’s antlers against a tree near by. This is a dangerous time to be around moose during the rutting season, as with elk. I hope Mr. Moose stays away from our camp. I was exciting to hear the moose, but also a little bit tense about it. It would be nice to see the moose at a good and safe distance as not to disturb it. And I just don’t want the boys irritating the moose. If I have to, I will discharge my pistol with warning shots.

We took a walk across the trail so the boys could do their business. I found a cluster of black berries and red twinberries in the area.

Back at camp, Nanook and Takota, sensed some movement in the brush, across the spring drainage. I also saw movement but did not see any critters.

Because it is starting to cool down early, I got a nice campfire going. It is clouding up pretty good. I wonder if we will get a chance of rain?

In describing our campsite and area we are in, we are on a slope (not to steep, maybe a 20 degree slope) of a mountain with three flat terraces making up our campsite. The tent is at the upper terrace. And we have our kitchen and living area on the middle terrace. Both giving us a good view of the trail below us for any critters that might pass by. Most of the lower terrace has a stack of logs on it that are used for tents for hunting camps. We will just use the two upper terraces. It feels like a comfortable area that is pretty good size for our needs in getting around. The trail will also lead to Black Lake, and back to where we came. From our campsite we are in a tree canopy of somewhat sparse woods that keeps most of the sun’s rays out, and keeping the site cooler. If we look straight out from camp, we see the foliage of the trees blocking any view we may have of the deep valley below us, and of the surrounding mountains that rise above us on each side of the valley. And if we look down following along the slope, it soon disappears into the distant valley below us that closes us in from much of any view. We are directing adjacent to a small meadow to the left of us (looking out from our camp) that gets good sunlight. This will provide us some openness to the sunlight in an otherwise dark enclosed place that can feel a bit claustrophobic. We have our trickle of water from the natural spring for our water source a short distance away to our right, and past that a nice patch of huckleberry bushes, that we will soon discover. And a good source of firewood from downed hemlock next to camp. We also have some fir trees around that are mixed with the hemlock in the area. The wooded areas are thick in some areas, and heavy in tall brush. We don’t have to deal with a lot of downed logs to walk over as we did in our last two camps. Although our view of the mountains, and surroundings area are very limited unfortunately. Overall, it is a nice camp. But it would have been nice to have a good view of the mountains, or a view of a mountain lake, as with better access to a lakes for fishing. We are in very rugged and steep mountainous terrain.

Evening Entry

It is 5:00 pm, and the skies have cleared.

The day went fast today. Most of the time was spent writing in the journal. During this time in camp we experienced many sounds of nature. When we first got here, I heard unusual sounds of a bird, I thought it may have been quail. A bit later I realized it was grouse. It has an amazing repertoire of calls.

Taking our evening walk, I realized the huckleberries and blueberries are just coming out, and they are all over the place, especially the huckleberries. I enjoyed feasting on the huckleberries every chance I had. We have a large patch of huckleberries just across from our spring. They are everywhere. It will be hard sharing with the bears if they do come through. And with this abundance of berries, I would be surprised if we didn’t see any bears fattening up for winter.

September 7, 2018 – Friday – Day 4

We got up at 8:00 am. I slept pretty well. The boys always sleeps well in nature. It was a beautiful morning in nature. We got a little rain shower that lasted for about 15 minutes during the night.

I took the boys to the small meadow so they could run around. And I brought a plastic bag for berry picking.

Back at camp, I noticed the campfire was still smoldering, so I decided to have a morning fire.

I put a few small branches with some old man’s beard on a smoldering log and some hot ash, then blew, and we got fire. Then it was time to put on the coffee. For breakfast, we will have bacon and eggs. Our ice block seems to be doing well in the warm weather we have been having. We will get a new block of ice on our resupply on the 12th of this month.

Because we will be staying here for a total of three to four weeks, I wanted to keep the pack animals to six. I probably have a total of a week and a half of food left for me in both perishables and freeze dried foods, and two weeks supply for the boys (a 60 lb. bag of kibble).

I have more freeze dried food and kibble at the base camp that Dick will bring up as with more perishables to last us for our stay. There is a lot of planning for these trips just to be in nature.

Before we left base camp, I broke up the food supply for two trips and gave instructions to Dick on what to bring.

What I didn’t mention on this trip, and my last two trips was that I brought two bear proof panniers with us, and the ice cooler that we use is bear proof in keeping our food supply safe from bears, and for food storage. I also brought canned soups and package soups, and an assortment of canned smoke oysters, clams, and scallops to add to the soups.

When I was preparing breakfast, Takota was focused towards the direction of the meadow to the southeast of us. I did not see or hear anything, But I rely on the boys senses to let me know if anything is out there. After breakfast Takota is still focused on the meadow. Nanook seems unconcerned. Usually Nanook picks up on the sounds of critters more that Takota. Whatever it is, it is staying hidden. I haven’t heard any coyotes, or wolves. I know we have elk and moose around, but they also stay hidden.

It is now 1:00 pm, and 67 deg. We have a pleasant breeze coming through camp.

Afternoon Entry

I took the boys for a walk and checked out the huckleberry patch next to our camp. And they were everywhere. So we stopped to pick some berries. Nanook like them, Takota didn’t. He couldn’t get the grasp of eating these tiny berries. It was just too difficult eating these little berries. And the berries would just drop out of his mouth. I was watching Nanook watch me picking these tiny berries, then I watched him go over to the bushes with berries and he began gently picking them with his front teeth. I was very impressed with Nanook, and his learning abilities. He was getting quite good at it. Takota too made a little effort in picking them, but quickly gave up. It was to much work for such a little reward. On the other hand, Nanook enjoyed the delicious and succulent berries as much as I did.

Evening Entry

It seems we are getting a thin layer of clouds coming in our area. Will any thing come of it as far as moisture? One never knows while up in the mountains, what the weather will bring?

At our camp it is nice being in a forested area to keep the heat down, giving a feeling of the comfort the trees bring. But it also blocks most of the view of the mountains, and to feel and experience the scope, and the scents of grandeur of the area, and of the open sky. The small meadow next to us does provides us with some open area. But basically we are stuck on the side of a mountain as we were at our first camp. It wouldn’t be a place I would want to stay at for long term. I would think it would get too claustrophobic over time.

We had another nice campfire in closing this peaceful evening.

September 8, 2018 – Saturday – Day 5

I woke up at 6:00 am, then fell back to sleep. We got up at 8:30 am. It was sunny out, but I could tell it was getting cooler. It was 56 deg.

Last night after dozing off, but still half awake about an hour later, we heard an elk near by voicing a call. It seems to happens when I am half asleep. It is always a beautiful and wild sound to hear in nature. One of many calls of the wild.

This morning before getting up, I heard a deer, or elk, or moose walk next to camp. I looked out the tent window, but there was no sight of it. I hope the creatures of the wild are feeling more comfortable with us being here.

During the night we were getting small gusts of wind coming through camp, and making the fir needles fall on the tent, then rolling off sounding like rain drops.

I let the boy out without theirs leashes on, and they knew it was time for a walk. I was going towards the meadow, but the boys had other ideas on where they wanted to go, and headed in the opposite direction. So I followed them. They went on the trail we originally came on so I followed them. Since they were on it once before they were familiar with it. They then veered off on another trail, and I stayed on the main trail. I called to them, but they didn’t respond. I then heard a squirrel chirping and I figured the boys were harassing the squirrel. On the trail I was on, I disturbed a big bird that then blew off. By it’s size, I figured it may have been an eagle.

I turned back to camp continuing to call the boys. I heard their pitter patter of foot steps running towards me, with both of them out of breath, and with their tongues hanging out. I am sure if they could talk, they would share with me their adventures they had just encountered. I got a kick always seeing them so excited.

I stopped by the huckleberry patch next to camp, I gathered these plentiful and delicious berries, and began filling the plastic ziplock that I had with me with these wonderful and tasty delights. I gave Nanook a few berries, and then he was on his own forging the berries. Takota did the same, but I don’t think he was too successful.

I got enough to satisfy my breakfast needs and headed back to camp that was just across the drainage to prepare my coffee, write a bit in the journal, and then fix breakfast. On my short walk back to camp, the boys were already lying in camp, relaxing before breakfast. I am sure they were thinking, “this is the life!”

It was beautiful cool morning to be in nature. We had a pleasant breeze coming through camp. I find that feeling and experiencing nature deeply, any troubles I might think I have disappears in these moments. Nature becomes pure bliss to ones soul.

While writing in my journal I got a glimpse of a bird flying in my sight of vision, flying low and stealthy through the trees. It then quickly disappeared into the thick foliage of the trees. It was probably a hawk with it’s amazing flying skills. I then heard what sounded like a moose rubbing it’s antlers against a branch. Many things that happen in a nature, happens very quickly, and one always has to be aware of their surrounds to catch these amazing encounters, whether it is a sound, something one feels, or sees.

While I am writing, or just taking a pause to look out into the woods in front of me, and just feeling the sun, or feeling the cool breeze across my face, or listening to the sounds of nature in the forest. One becomes alive and feels the magic, and wonders of the land. Unfortunately most miss theses things because they are trapped in their heads in thoughts. They may get glimpses of this beauty and then find themselves back in the heads. They don’t know what being silent is.

I remember one instance while I was on the Island Kauai. I spend some time just quietly looking out into the beautiful blue ocean from the beach. It was in the morning. There was a yoga class beginning, a few people walking on the beach. When the yoga class began chanting the “Om” sound, I saw two whales breaching together in the distance. I looked around and I was the only one on the beach seeing this amazing sight. Even when the beauty and wonder of nature is all around us, most don’t see it because they are busy in their minds. Many times looking down to the ground, missing what is all around them.

Even practicing silence in nature for over 9 months, I still get caught up in the mind at times. But when that happens, if I can shift these thoughts or feeling into just being aware, and without labeling, or judgements, they will have no power over us.

Although I face many imagined challenges, I would rather not be anywhere else, but in nature with the boys.

Our first propane bottle was depleted last night. We didn’t cook on the first night. The second night we had chicken, the third was steak, and the forth was steak. We now have freeze dried foods and packaged soups until we get our next resupply.

Yesterday, I didn’t get much done but for writing all day.

We will see how this day goes?

The bearings for our site per the GPS is:

N 46 deg 53.133’

W115 deg 30.977’

Elev. 5961 ft.

We are just west of Lower Twin Creek. The partial view of the mountain peak is I believe, Avalanche Peak. We are in the Mallard Larkins Pioneer area.

Because we are at a relatively low elevation in the high country for altitude sickness. I was not to concerned, but still I should have been more aware of the dangers of that possibly occurring. Especially at my age. But so far, so good. I really wasn’t too concerned. But we always have to be aware of these things, as with dehydration, and hypothermia.

Afternoon Entry

I was looking at the topo map this morning to see what was above our camp. The elk we heard on our first night here and on other nights they seem to like to hang out in that area. It looks that there might be a relatively level area and maybe signs of elk up there as far as scat, and hoof prints. It many also give us a good view of the mountains. So before I started a campfire and dinner, the boys and I took a hike up there to explore for a bit. It is relatively steep, but not to far. I am guessing it has about a 30 degree slope with overall low vegetation, grass and dirt ground covering, some downed logs to contend with, the short hike did get my heart pounding some. I had to watch my step so as not to fall or twist an ankle. The hike was about a quarter mile. The boys followed, making their own paths. When we reached the top, the view of Avalanche Ridge was a little bit better. The boys reached the top before I did. It was nice up there, it did have a level area surrounded by woodland. I walked the area, and didn’t see any signs of animals, so I called the boys and we returned back to camp. I realized we were in a very rugged area. On our walk down I mostly traversed getting down. I took my time getting down selectivity choosing my path. It was a good work out.

It is 5:15 pm with a thin layer of clouds. The temperature has cooled down. The warmth of the evening fire feels good.

The morning was spent writing until 12:15 pm, then fixed breakfast, sharpened the axe, did some quiet observing, chopped wood, and gathered water, and did a small amount of video. Overall it was a good day.

The boys and I heard some noise in the woods, and I thought maybe it was hikers? It may have been grouse? Grouse have amazing vocabulary with the many sounds it makes talking to each other from a distance. It is a joy listening to them.

Evening Entry

At 6:00 pm, the skies are clear once again. And cooling off to 50 deg. After taking the boys on their evening walk I heard the grouse in the same direction but further away. We then heard another grouse responding with calls, and this one was coming just behind our camp about 20 feet away. And then two others followed. They walked to the spring and then turned back into the forest. I then saw them walking on a downed log near camp at the meadow. They would have made an easy target. But I was enjoying them so much, I didn’t want to shoot them, but just in enjoying their company.

Then here comes the other grouse coming to meet the three, while talking with each other. This was our evening with the grouse family. I am finding it being more enjoyable watching, and listening to wildlife, then ending their life. I have food, so I don’t have to take a life by killing for food.

September 9, 2018 – Sunday – Day 6

We got up at 8:15 am. It was 52 deg. The skies were somewhat overcast.

Last night when we were in bed, we heard the bull elk making it’s loud bugling sounds from where we hiked to yesterday afternoon. Then we heard the sounds from a distance. It could have been a different bull elk.

This morning we took our walk towards Black Lake. We arrived at the first small meadow, then a second one, then reached an unused camp. I saw some of the trail markers that Dick had used to mark the trail that led to the camp. I also saw markers to the right side. Some made no sense to me. We took the right side of the meadow that took us to the camp. On the way back we took the other trail that crossed the meadow and led to the main trail that we took walking in. At one point the trail did disappear on the right in heavy brush, and I had to guess where the trail might continue. I will have to bring the map and marking tape next time.

On the way back I saw Nanook in a boggy pond getting covered in mud. It was about 2 feet deep. Once he got out, Takota jumped in. They both came out muddy and smelling like a bog. Takota’s got his face covered in the muddy water, and he looked like a wolf. I was hoping they wouldn’t get stuck in the muddy bog where I would have to rescue them? They did enjoy playing in the mud.

Back at camp the boys were sniffing in the meadow next to camp flushing out the grouse one by one, and I went to the huckleberry patch for a fill of berries. The grouse flew down the hill just a short distance below camp. After a short while they were communicated with each other then came back to the meadow. I did hear other grouse on our walk this morning.

While we take our short walks, I take my time to feel the trail and the area, and getting to know it. That is part of the excitement with exploring the area, as with the critters we may encounter. If one gets off the trial and is not paying attention, it would be easy to get disoriented out here. I would like to go to Black Lake, maybe in a day or two. I will take a pack with some emergency gear. Or maybe check out the other areas in the opposite direction towards the Nub. I also want to tag with tape the areas better towards Black Lake. We actually haven’t seen any birds, but flashes of them, or hearing them with the exception of the grouse.

It is 12:00 pm and it is starting to cloud up, but does not look like rain. Weather is important in paying attention to here, and being aware of what it is doing.

I didn’t really feel like making breakfast this morning. But I thought I would for the boys.

I had a little stomach upset probably from the tomato sauce I had with dinner last night. I brought some apple cider vinegar with us, so I will have some of that to see if it helps. Today I will clean my 20 ga shotgun, sharpen my knife, and do some reading on trees.

The weather is beginning to clear up.

Although it has been getting colder at night, I have been staying warm with my 20 deg sleeping bag, and if needed, my wool blanket. Dick told me there is a 20 degree difference here, but we have been having pretty comfortable weather here.

Evening Entry

It was a beautiful day today, partly cloudy.

It is 5:00 pm. We had a quiet and peaceful day.

The boys are fed, and I am about to eat. I am about to do a check-in with Dick, and a confirmation on our resupply day.

September 10, 2018 – Monday – Day 7

This morning I thought I was hearing tree squirrels making a bunch of noise, but I think it was actually the grouse making the noise. Last night and this morning I heard the elk from a distance away, deep down in the valley below, sending out it’s mating calls.

The boy’s and I headed for an evening walk at 8:15 am. The trails here are about 10” to 12” wide. We walked for about a mile then we turned around. Back at camp the mountain breezes were kicking up giving a chill in the air. It is partly cloudy.

After picking my morning bag of huckleberries, I got coffee going. It is quiet here with an occasional bird calling, and the sound of the wind moving through the trees.

This sound of the wind through the trees can have a calming effect if one really listens to it.

I did bring some long johns, and heavier pants and shirts for colder weather. I am prepared for colder weather, but not for a bad snow storm if one hits us unexpectedly.

I was reading a book about a forest rangers life in these parts, and the weather can turn bad anytime. So it will be a good idea to leave on the 24th of this month. I would hate for us to get stuck up here. I would imagine the trail we took up would be very dangerous in snowy conditions going up or down, and maybe even impassable. Hopefully we will continue getting nice weather up to our departure day. I wouldn’t mind a little dusting of an inch or so, and the boys would love it.

It would be nice to have a fire this evening, but the wind is still pretty brisk.

We still have not seen much wildlife here, only heard them. It seems this might be another disappointing trip for observing wildlife. But one never knows when they will present themselves, as did the pack of wolves in our first camp in the backcountry. It was a little nerve racking because I was concerned about how they would react to my dogs, but it worked out well. And it was a magical moment in nature for me to be so close to these incredible creatures of the wild, although I didn’t get to see them. Seeing moose would be incredible, but a bad time, and dangerous in the rutting season, or the majestic elk, or the mountain goat. But even getting to hear them in nature is magical. At least for me. I try not to expect, and just be in the present moment. So far, I am not tired of this place, or the experiences we have had. I have a saying, “When one doesn’t expect, one will never be disappointed.” Just being in the present, nature can show us so much of her beauty, awe and wonder. There is a balancing act when bringing dogs out into nature and seeing wildlife. Wild life will tend to keep their distance, or some will attract the dogs if chased. If one does not want to see wildlife, bring barking dogs or let the dogs chase wildlife away. The nice thing about the boys is, they don’t bark, and if I know wildlife is near, I will tie the boys up. I have also learned, if one keeps a quiet camp, and becomes part of the area, they may not see you as being a threat. Animals will become more present around a camp, and feel more comfortable. And these are the magical moments that can occur. It is us humans that create most of the noise in nature.

When I find I am too much in my head, I feel uneasy in those times. But if I allow myself to be silent, to feel my surroundings deeply, I feel a peace, and nature becomes a magical place to experience. This is why I prefer to go out into nature alone.

It is 11:20 am and it is time for breakfast.

I wasn’t able to contact Dick yesterday, so I will call him again today. We will just hang out in camp today. We will get our resupply on Wednesday. I wouldn’t mind staying here longer if I had the money to prolong this trip. But I would also be concerned about the weather in October, or even in late September.

Afternoon Entry

I went to get some water from the spring, and stop to pick some huckleberries. I looked in a different area, focused on the berries. When I looked up to head for camp, I couldn’t see the camp or my big tent. I was looking in the wrong direction of my camp, and being totally disoriented to where I was in the thick forest. I quickly got oriented to land marks, and headed in the direction of our camp. I could have also howled to the boys to find the right direction to camp. The point is, it is really easy to get disoriented and lost in the wilderness if one is not paying attention to where they are in relationship to camp at all times. It is a good idea for everyone in a camp party to have a warning device, such as a whistle to tell your party that you may be lost.

I have noticed with the huckleberries that they pick up the flavor in the berries with the environment they are in. This is probably with other types of berries as well.

I have noticed there is another type of berry in the area that is plentiful, and it is the black elderberry. There are a bunch of the plants very near our camp. A good source of nutrients rich in vitamins A, C, calcium, potassium, and iron.

All the trees in my area are the Western hemlock, but for some fir.

I got a confirmation tonight that our resupply is on schedule for Wednesday.

The beauty of the clouds are rolling in and out like the oceans waves.

September 11, 2018 – Tuesday – Day 8

It was a bit chilly in the night and a little cold in the sleeping bag.

We have clear skies with a temperature of 48 deg at 8:15 am when we got up. It is still 48 deg at 10:15 am. As far as I know, it was quiet during the night from any creatures. They were not disturbed by our presents here. The birds were active on this beautiful morning. We went for a short walk and made a stop at the huckleberry patch. Nanook and I were picking the berries. Nanook is getting quite good at gathering them. And he sees me with a bag full of huckleberries, and begs for me to share with him.

It will be nice getting our resupply of food. I am looking forward to getting my protein bars. It is a nice snack food to have up here.

Last night I had a bad dream that everything I got in my resupply was wrong.

Today I noticed some birds enjoying the huckleberries as well. I am not sure of the species of bird. I think the grouse are also enjoying their fill.

The clear skies are turning into possible rain clouds. The dark clouds are floating by us. It may be iffy if we get any rain.

I may have to cut down on my coffee. I am not sure if I will have enough for the rest of my time here.

It seems a lot of my focus here is eating those delicious huckleberries. I have forgotten about the blueberries. The most popular between the two is the huckleberry by far. Nanook would have to vote for the huckleberry as well. I read that the huckleberry leaves, and dried berries make a healthy tea. It seems like the grouse are enjoying feeding on the huckleberries as well. With the abundance of these tasty morsels of huckleberries, I am surprised I haven’t seen any bears around. Maybe the boys presence are keeping them away? I thought for sure the bears would be feeding on the berries around here for their winter fat stores.

I picked some leaves of the huckleberry and made a tea. It was okay, but I am sure it was a healthful drink.

I was hoping we would see snowshoe hare around for a game food, but haven’t had any luck seeing any. I am sure the boys would spot them right off if they were around. As for grouse, if I did shoot a grouse for a meal, it would be near camp. It would be too easy to lose them in the thick brush in this area. Squirrel is also a possible game animal. Unfortunately, I am starting to enjoy having the company of these critters around. The grouse have a family here. I would hate to break up a family by killing one.

One of the birds I hear could be a jay or a woodpecker. It is hard to see any birds in the forest canopy.

It is 12:42 pm and I definitely feel the coolness is in the air. The signs winter is nearing, although it is only 46 deg out.

I haven’t mentioned the mosquitoes much, but they are still here, and being the irritates that they are. Not many yellow jackets around.

I just heard an elk calling in the distance. Even if we can’t see the creatures in the forest, the sounds gives a sense that we are among natures – that nature is alive and well.

Afternoon Entry

It is 1:44 pm. I decided to get a fire going to take a bit of the chill away that is in the air. And giving warmth to my body on this cold day. We have been burning all hemlock, and it is a nice wood to burn.

We have seen a marten on the trail in the past couple of days that catches the boys attention and mine. I then saw the huckleberry bushes moving and wondering if the marten is also enjoying the tasty berries.

I haven’t been sleeping with the sleeping bag liner since we have been here. It might be time to use it to add some additional warmth.

Ferns next to trail path

September 12, 2018 – Wednesday – Day 9

I slept well and stayed warm with the liner through the night.

I woke up at 3:00 am with Nanook snoring next to me. I gave him some loving rubs. Looking outside through my tent window, the stars were out. I felt a peace and calmness within. I had some crazy dreams before I awoke at this early hour of 3:00 am. But I felt good, and relaxed, and at peace with myself. Sometimes I don’t experience these crazy dreams during the night. Maybe it is having Nanook beside me? When I was young, but not too young, I had learned to play with my dreams. I had dreams in color, I had dreams that I was flying at will. I had dreams where I was the watcher of the dreams, One dream I had in the early morning was so vivid that when I woke from it I was not ready to stop dreaming and fell back into that dream to continue the story. And other dreams strangely enough, I had dreams I would be getting into fights and always being the victor of these fights. These fights were always in self defense. The few fights I did get into were always in self defense. And I never got the worst of it. Some of these dreams I had were awakening dreams – dreams that had awakened my spirit within.

We got up at 8:15 am, and the clouds began moving in. The temperature was 46 deg.

We took a short walk, and returning to camp I got some water at the spring, then started the coffee perking and a fire going.

11:38 am, I tried to call Dick on the radio with no response. I expect him to be here around 12:00 to 1:00 pm. We started to get a few drops coming down and I prepared camp for possible rain. And then we were getting blue sky and clouds. Then the sun was out warming the day. Although it is now 50 deg, the warmth of the sunshine feels good.

I fixed breakfast for the boys, and will get mine going very soon.

One thing the boys are good at is letting me know if people are coming, or if critters are around. I am sure they will hear the horses before I do, if they come. They don’t bark, but gives me body language if they are alert to something.

When we are in the backcountry I am always alert to forest fires. And hopefully we don’t get caught in one.

Afternoon Entry

Dick did arrive at 1:00 pm sharp. It took two pack animals for our resupply. I am amazed it costs so much more getting packed in in Idaho, then it does in California. Almost three times as much. This trip cost me close to $2,700 so far. Dick seemed to have gotten everything I requested. Dick and I talked a little bit, then he was on his way.

I got our food packed away, gathered some firewood for tonight and filled the water containers.

Evening Entry

I went for a walk with the boys, and I just followed them. They took a trail that they explore once in a while, and they took off running. I followed them for a bit then turned around back to camp. I called to them to come but they did not respond. I figured they would come back when they were ready, since they were so good at coming back to camp. I was getting a little concerned about them, so I called them again with no luck. I thought I would try howling to them, After a few howls, I saw Nanook trotting up the trail towards me, Then Takota following behind, with a look on his face, saying, “What’s up?“ I was always happy to see them coming back to me. When I howled, they were back with me in 5 minutes. Maybe howling works better than calling them with a voice command? Before we went on this journey, I would howl to them and thinking I could use it as a command for them to come if we got separated. This is the first time I tried it, and it seemed to work. Once we were together again, we headed back to camp for dinner. The feeling of gratification I get when I see them coming back to me, just warms my heart. I feel a deep bond with them and I believe them with me.

At 6:00 pm, it is 42 deg.

While getting water, I was thinking our water source that is only a trickle, was a joke, and I was not sure how long it would last. It wasn’t the only water source, but Dick said it was the best. We have not had any issues with water so far. We do have other small springs coming down the hill next to camp, that we could probably use if the one we use goes dry.

September 13, 2018 – Thursday – Day 10

We are all stocked up with food and good to go for the rest of our time here.

We awoke at around 7:00 am, the boys greeted me wanting their loving attention. We got up at 7:45 am. It was 44 deg.

I had all the tent window flaps closed as with the door flap and it kept me nice and warm. The tent we are using is a Cabela’s Big Horn III. It was a nice tent and has served us well in the backcountry.

I wanted to go on a hike going further towards Black Lake. I was thinking about the hike for some reason all during the night. On this hike I wanted to be a little more prepared for the unknown. It wasn’t that the hike was anything special, I just wanted to be a little more prepared because we were going further, but not knowing how much further. I also wanted to mark the trail with colored tape. I brought with me, bear spray, the Spot locator, binoculars, map, a shoulder bag, and my 22 cal rifle, if we see any small game along the way.

With gear ready, I told the boys, “show me the way?” I sometimes direct them, and sometimes they direct me. I have realized they are really good in finding hidden trails in the overgrown brush, and they would wait for me to catch up. The boys love to explore the countryside. Sometimes Takota felt adventurous and he would take the lead, other times Nanook would take the lead. Or they would walk site by side next to me. I would learn later at our winter camp, Tokota was able to read what Nanook was sensing being right next to Nanook, like he was reading Nanook’s mind. That was pretty amazing to me.

While walking the trail I knew where the huckleberries were on the side of the trail, and would grab a snack on the way.

This morning the boys stayed relatively close to me, not wandering too far from me. We took a different trail which is the actual established trail and we did not go through the camp we went through last time. It was a higher trail above the camp. When I was not sure where to go when the trail disappeared, I would watch the boys and just followed them and they would find the trail. Not all the time, but I would say in most cases.

When we were roughly a mile out I noticed the weather. It was completely overcast, but didn’t look like we would get rain for the moment. I decided it might be a good idea to turn around and head back. The boys were close and followed me back.

Back in camp, it is 11:11 am and the sky turned a dark gray, it looked like it could start to rain any time. It is getting chilly out at 41 deg. I have a fire going using only the thick bark of the hemlock. It was nice smelling and it burned well. I got my coffee going, and the boys are waiting for their breakfast of kibble, bacon, and eggs from our new supply of food that we got from yesterday.

We didn’t get far today on our hike, but discovered the trail that will take us to Black Lake. If we didn’t have to bushwhack so much, we would make better ground. Although we are in very rugged country, with a steep mountain landscape, very narrow trails that can quickly disappear into thick vegetation, or walking along side steep mountain slopes, it is beautiful country filled with many forms of life that can easily blend into the landscape without even being seen, or heard. I hope we can explore more of this area. We didn’t encounter any creatures on our walk, only the sounds of the grouse.

The bark of the hemlock is burning good and we have a lot of it in camp. I might as well use it.

I have found myself being more reluctant to hunt any small game. If I don’t need to, unless for a survival situation, I can’t see taking a life.

It is definitely getting colder each day and we did get a little rain, so I decided not to cook breakfast. We took cover in the tent with the rain falling a bit more.

A little earlier before going into the tent, and while they were eating their breakfast, Takota was interested in something on the trail, then Nanook noticed it. I was thinking maybe a moose or elk? I looked down on the trail below, and it was a marten hopping along the trail. All three of us were excited to see this little creature near our camp. It was the first time we got to see one of these beautiful creatures in real life. I am not sure where he came from. It must be near since this is the second time we have seen him or her in the area. It might be attracted to the abundance of huckleberries.

Afternoon Entry

It is 3:35 pm and have been picking some huckleberries for a snack in the light rain we are getting. It is 38 deg. I suppose we could get some light snow. I am prepared for it, with our tent, clothing and warmth of the sleeping bag, liner, and a wool blanket.

The clouds are hanging along the mountain side. It is beautiful here, and peaceful. All is quiet in the forest. I am not too concerned about the weather, with the exception of our departure day and the rugged terrain we have to go through going back. The good thing is we do drop quickly in elevation, so snow might not be much of an issue. I hope?

We are relaxing next to a nice warm fire. It looks like the clouds are clearing out and being replaced with lots of blue sky.

Evening Entry

The temperature is at 37 deg. It should be a cold night. I am sure the boys are enjoying the cooler weather. It is time to button up as they say. It is beginning to get dark at 7:30 pm under the canopy of the hemlock. And that means it is almost time for bed.

September 14, 2018 – Friday – Day 11

I woke up again at 3:00 am after having some dreams.

Last night I took the boys for a short walk before bed to get any business done. Nanook was quick about it. And Takota just took his time. I had their leashes on and Takota seemed to get tangled up in everything, as he does so well. After we were back in the tent, I was looking for my thick wool shocks to wear, and couldn’t find them. I was getting frustrated not being able to find them.

This morning when we were getting up, my pants from yesterday were still wet, so I grabbed a clean pair of pants, and changed all my pockets out into the clean pair of pants. I then thought I had lost my keys, but forgot I had put them in my pants already. I did find my wool socks on a pile of books I had out. I also misplace a screw driver I was looking for last night. And it was where I usually have it. All of that frustration I was experiencing was for not. A pure waste of energy.

As for my socks I couldn’t find, all I had to do is get another pair from my bag, it was no big deal. But I made it a big deal. I apologized to the boys for yelling in frustration. I tend to get angry when I misplace things.

When we left for our walk this morning it was sunny and 47 deg. Another beautiful day in the backcountry. We just did a short walk, then back to camp. I got water, made coffee, started a campfire, then time for breakfast for me and the boys.

During the night it did get cold. I blame it for not having my wool socks on. Now that I know where they are I will have them for tonight, unless I forget where they are again.

The grouse have not been around camp for a few days. Will they come back?

With me, Nanook, the marten, the grouse and the birds, the huckleberries are beginning to dwindle in supply. They will be gone very soon I suspect. I will miss having these flavorful treats.

Takota lost his bandanna on our walk this morning, so we will have to go out today to look for it, and gather some firewood.

September 15, 2018 – Saturday – Day 12

I awoke many times during the night for some odd reason.

Takota and I heard a sound from one of the containers, which means a critter is in our camp. It was about 3:00 am. At first I thought it could possibly be a bear. But a bear would probably be much louder if they smelled food. I thought maybe it is our neighbor the marten. I kinda made sense it is the marten. I just listened to the sounds this creature was making until I fell back into a restful sleep. Takota did the same.

I noticed Takota’s left eye was swollen again this morning. I will have to keep an eye on it. He could have scratched it?

It was 8:00 am when we got up and went for our walk. It was partly cloudy with a temperature of 43 deg.

On our walk I was watching Takota closely, and he seemed to be doing fine. His eye seems to clear up when he is up and about. After our short walk, I made coffee, and got a fire going.

There has been a lot of bird activity going on. I heard grouse in the berry patch across from the spring, but could not see them hidden under the huckleberry bushes. I heard some chirping from the trees, and it was a gray squirrel coming down a tree. It was the first one we have seen.

When I was about to start cooking breakfast, I heard a sound coming from behind me, but couldn’t figure where it was coming from. I then saw the marten about 12 feet from me, running to a tree. I was now only a few feet from him. It climbed up the tree behind our kitchen area. It was making a cooing sound, like a baby. It peeked around the tree trunk to look at us, and when I got too close to it, it gave me a vicious growl of it’s disapproval saying, “Not too close buddy, I am vicious.” I did get some photos, but most of them ended up blurry. The marten must have been our visitor early this morning that we heard.

It eventually climbed down from the tree and scampered off to a different area of the forest. I saw this as a special gift from the forest.

I am not sure if this marten was the same one we saw the other day or not. Maybe a sibling? Either way it was special.

A mushroom I have seen on dead fall is the Red-belt conk I believe. Another common mushroom I have seen in this area with a gray cap and white gills. I have seen two others that I have not identified. We are learning more about mushrooms and how they tie into the forest ecosystem, as with playing an important part of their relationship with the forest. I am gaining a greater appreciation for the fungi world. As with the trees and how they communicate with each other. We are just beginning to learn how everything is tied to each other in this web of life. We once knew this many thousands of years ago, but have forgotten. This is why I feel it is important to learn from the wisdom of the traditional peoples that still remain with the knowing of this knowledge and relationship with the natural world. Then maybe, we who live in the modern day world will stop destroying the very thing that gives life to all life – the four elements, air, water, earth, and fire. As with all life on our planet.

I spotted two gray jays in the huckleberry patch, and two others in the trees. It seems this area is coming alive with the forest creatures. Unfortunately we only have a short time left here. This is why I prefer staying in one spot to learn the area. Most people only stay for a very short time, maybe a day or two. They may see more of the beautiful landscape then we do, but what they do see is only a small glimpse of what is actually there. They only touch the surface, and they don’t experience deeply what is truly there before them. When we can experience nature silently, being still, it allows us to go deeper into this experience within nature, and our relationship with her.

A couple of days ago I did find some fir trees in the area mixed in with the hemlock.

Evening Entry

Today we had off and on clouds and blue skies. It is 5:41 pm, at 50 deg. It feels very comfortable.

I did some video in the meadow today, mostly of me talking about our experiences here.

Takota’s eye looked pretty good through out the most of the day. I gave him Benadryl to see if that helps.

September 16, 2018 – Sunday – Day 13

It was a pretty good night, but got cold at times. When I awoke I was experiencing a little anxiety and couldn’t shake it off, Maybe a little writing in the journal will help.

I have my coffee and a nice fire going. It is 11:00 am, and 46 deg. The sky is overcast, and maybe a chance of rain. I also see blue skies in the distance through the trees.

The coffee, fire and writing in the journal seems to help calm my soul from the anxiety I was experiencing earlier.

For our walk today, I thought we would take the trail a bit further that we came in on in the dark. The trail was very narrow, 10” to 12” wide. We had an up hill side and a very steep down hill side that seemed to have no end to it. We walked maybe a mile and a quarter or so. I was getting tired so I decided we would head back to camp. The boys were ahead of me, so I called them to come. I heard their footsteps following behind me. They both stopped next to me for a moment, then continued on, passing me in a trot heading back towards camp.

I saw Nanook stopped, sitting on the trail overlooking the steep valley below. I didn’t think to much about it. I checked if I could see Takota down where Nanook was looking, and didn’t see anything. I noticed the beautiful plants changing into their Fall colors . So I assumed Takota continued on the trail. They knew the trail so I was not to concerned about it. I thought maybe Nanook was just waiting for me. Nanook and I moved on with Nanook running ahead of me, and assuming to catch up with Takota. I thought they were at the creek, and no boys were around, so I thought they were back at camp. They weren’t in camp, so I called to them and howled to them. I did a few things in camp figuring they would soon be running into camp as they always do. With the boys nowhere in sight I headed back on the trail to look for them. I was calling and howling to them. Shortly I saw Nanook running to me out of breath and panting. I thought Takota would be following behind, and there was no Takota in sight. I was getting concerned. Nanook was thirsty so I took him to the creek for a drink, then went back to camp to see if Takota had returned, and no Takota. We then went back on the trial to find his brother.

We stopped at the place on the trail I met Nanook and I asked Nanook where Takota was? He gave me no indication of where Takota was. Then in a tree next to us, a Steller’s jay was perched on a low branch squawking at me. Was he trying to tell me something? The jay then flew to another branch, and then more squawking at me. I couldn’t make sense of this behavior the jay was displaying. The strange thing is, we hadn’t seen a Steller’s jay for 12 days, and this one was talking to us?

We went to a trail split where I thought Takota may have taken on the other trail, but that was unusual, he would have come back by now. My mind turned to fear that Takota got hurt or lost. The very idea terrified me. Would we be able to find him? He could have been anywhere? I told Nanook again, where is your brother? Go find Takota. I repeated this over and over again to Nanook. We were at the split of the two trails where I can see in both directions of the two trails.

Nanook finally gave me the slightest indication with his ears pointing back to the trail we just came from. I thought he didn’t know, but I went with it. We headed back on the trail, and continued to call Takota.

While walking the trail I thought this couldn’t be right. But I was also thinking that maybe Nanook was actually looking or hearing Takota in the thick brush below while sitting on the trail? Maybe Takota was stuck? I kept calling Takota. Once we were getting close to where I originally saw Nanook on the trail looking down the steep embankment, here comes Takota on the trail, coming towards us. He was so happy to see us and I was very relieved and happy we had found him. Takota cried in joy when we joined together once again. He didn’t seem he was hurt in anyway. He probably just got caught up in the thick brush and the steep slope and was having difficulty getting back up on the trail. I saw it as truly a gift we found him. I was so grateful.

We were back together again. Nanook did good in finding his brother, and with the help of the jay.

On our evening walk, Takota had his head buried in a plant that was in the mint family. I thought maybe this plant was the cause of his eye irritation?

I found my hoodie sweat shirt and put it over my fleece top and stayed nice and warm during the night.

September 17, 2018 – Monday – Day 14

Takota woke up through the night, it seemed he couldn’t get comfortable. He had both eyes shut when he was wandering around the tent. It was the first time he had done that. I was getting concerned about him. I tried to comfort him with rubs and scratches that he seemed to enjoy, and he finally settled down and fell asleep beside me. Maybe he scratched his eyes getting out of the thick brush?

I woke up at 7:15 am, again feeling a bit uneasy. I then focused, my energy on excitement rather than discomfort, and I was quickly able to experience that good energy field within.

While I was still in bed I heard animals in a distance. I thought it may be elk in a lower valley.

We got up at 8:00 am, it was partly cloudy at 42 deg. We took a short walk just below our camp, then returned to camp to get coffee ready, a nice morning fire, and writing in the journal.

It was a beautiful Fall morning, and with that little energy change I made it began the day just right.

Evening Entry

I spent doing a video for a couple of hours after breakfast, then gathered and sawed firewood.

Takota’s eye seems to be better.

The boys and I took a walk in the afternoon, and heard elk bugling.

The day was a good day.

The elk are still bugling this evening.

It is 7:00 pm and 42 deg.

September 18, 2018 – Tuesday – Day 15

This morning we had high thin clouds in the area with the sun showing through. It is 47 deg.

Last night Takota again seemed restless and uncomfortable as he did the night before. I placed my wool blanket on his bed, and that seemed to work. Nanook was lying on the bed next to me. Takota then lied on the tent floor. I had a sense Takota wanted to sleep next to me, so I moved the other bed next to me, and that seemed to work. He slept for the rest of the night.

It seemed at night his eye would cause him the most trouble, then clear up during the morning when we were up and around.

Takota was alert this morning listening to the elk calls. After breakfast I will give him some Benadryl to help his eye.

I called Dick and left a message to see if he could pick us up before the scheduled date of the 24th so I could get Takota’s eye checked out.

During our whole journey thus far, I could not image doing it without the boys. They were a great support system for me.

While I was fixing breakfast for me and the boys, I heard Takota playing with Nanook. Or should I say harassing Nanook, because he knew they were going to have a very tasty breakfast of kibble, bacon and eggs.

Takota and Nanook were both resting after breakfast, but also alert, listening to the sounds all around them. We heard more elk calls echoing deep in the distance of the lower elevations of the valley, and through the woods this morning. What an amazing and magical sound.

Evening Entry

I was spending time playing with the video camera today.

Takota’s energy seems to be high. He was full of piss and vinegar today and this evening. Up the hill above camp the boys were hearing and sniffing the scents of creatures stirring around. Although my human scents can’t always detect them, they are around. The forests are always alive with subtle activity that man cannot hear. We hear, but we don’t here, we see but don’t see. We only see the surfaces of things, because we don’t go deep into our experiences within. We only tend to gloss over these experiences, missing so much that nature provides to us. By just being still, and silent, can we hear the voices in nature.

I found myself rushing through things, trying to get things done. I just need to slow down. There is no rush. We have no dangers we have to deal with, such has fires. It is good though to have these things in the back of the mind if they do happen, and prepare for them the best we can. But most of us don’t. We don’t think it will happen to us.

Daily, I check Takota’s eye. And it usually effects him at night, and clears during the day. I don’t know what to think? All I can do is keep an eye on it.

September 19, 2018 – Wednesday – Day 16

When we went to bed last night, he again seemed a little restless. I got him to lie on his bed, and I gave him loving rubs and scratches, and that got him to relax. He did get up during the night, but quickly lied back down. Each time, I would give him loving scratches, as I would with Nanook being on the other side of me.

At around 7:00 am both boys woke me with loving attention. Just before that Takota went over to Nanook to get some tender loving licks. Usually Nanook would give him a growl, then give in, giving the loving licks, Takota expected.

If I woke to bad thoughts, the boys would always bring a shining light to my morning, as did being in nature.

It is a beautiful sunny day, 47 deg.

We went on our morning walk to the small meadow. I had them off leash, but the stayed close to me and was listening to me. Takota was doing fine and his eye didn’t seem to be bothering him.

I hear the Stellers jay chattering away in a nearby tree.

I looked over to the boys and saw them looking intently at something down at the trail. I thought, maybe an elk or moose, or the little marten? I looked down at the trail, and I could not believe my eyes, it was a lone black wolf sniffing along side the trail. He glanced up at us with a cautious curiosity, but did not seemed too concerned. He just continued sniffing. He had a small white mark on his upper chest. I again wished I had my video camera ready. I grabbed my other camera from the tent and began snapping photos. Unfortunately they were blurry. I am not sure if I was shaking from excitement, or the camera was out of adjustment. The boys were very interested in our new visitor.

Our visitor did not seem threatening, and continued up the hill to the left of our camp, occasionally watching us, then behind our camp when he disappeared into the woods. What an incredible sight to see. It was our first wolf encounter that we got to see.

I am not sure if we will see him again. Will he returned to this area? Probably unlikely. Does it mean more wolves are in the area? I will have to keep a close eye on our surroundings. It is hard telling how wolves will react in a pack in our situation? We only had one experience with a pack of wolves that was not threatening, but them being more curious about us. And what would the boys do if they were off leash and saw a wolf, or pack of wolves in a close encounter? So far our experiences have been non-threatening with wolves. Have we just been lucky?

Much later I talked with a so-called wolf expert from the US Forest Service about our encounter with the pack of wolves in the Sawtooth, and he told me they were probably just curious about us when they came to visit us in camp. It was very interesting how this pack responded to us. They checked us out, and they chose to leave the next morning. Did they leave the area because we were there? Or were they just passing through? These were good lesson for me with the boys on how the wolves responded to us in both situations. I believe if the boys showed aggression towards the wolves by barking, it could have been a different scenario that may have played out. I also believe if we show respect for all creatures in the wild, the outcome will be a good one in many cases. And it does not mean being foolish around wildlife either.

Evening Entry

We have not seen any sign of the lone wolf since this morning. But the boys will be on alert if he comes back.

Takota’s eye seemed to be doing pretty good.

The elk have been active here during the mating season, hearing them call for a mate. It has been part of the experience here for us.

We had a nice fire, and experiencing the cooler weather of Autumn in the high country.

I wonder if we will hear any wolves howling this evening?

September 20, 2018 – Thursday – Day 17

I slept pretty well. Keeping the window openings of the tent closed helped keep the tent a bit warmer. We weren’t having any problems with condensation in the tent for the whole trip. And since the boys enjoy the cold, I try to keep the inside of the tent on the cooler side. Takota seemed to have slept well during the night.

At about 8:00 am the boys came for their loving attention of scratches and rubs by me. This attention always started my morning out right. And then stepping out into nature. There is nothing like it.

The weather looked cold and overcast so we stayed in bed for another hour. When we got up it was 40 deg. We took our morning walk just down the hill and over the trail, making it a very short walk. The boys are always sniffing, and listening to the sounds in nature while on our walks.

The huckleberries are almost gone from our consumption, and the other critters who enjoyed them. I am surprised no bears came through. The Steller’s jay is still squawking near camp. The skies are now clearing up. We occasionally are getting a cold Fall breeze coming through, that always feels refreshing to us. On our walk I was looking down at the ground to see if I could discover any stones carved by man. I did find one that was very crude, but looked like it could have been an arrow head, spear head, or cutting tool probably from the ancient people that were once here. I thought about what it would have been like living with these peoples? I set the stone back on the ground where I found it.

While getting water at the spring I noticed a track in the mud that was possibly a bear track. It may have stayed clear of our camp due to the scent of the boys, if it was indeed a bear.

It is quiet and peaceful in our place in nature.

I forgot to mention, we had a guy and gal backpacking that crossed our camp. I talked to them for a little bit. They came from Black Lake. They said, it was a steep climb from the lake. It would have been nice to check it out, but it was not meant to be. They were the only people we saw up here in this remote area.

I will begin organizing our gear for our departure in two days. I just hope it will be a better ride back to base camp?

I called Dick, and Gary answered. Gary told me Dick can pick us up on Saturday or Monday. I told him Saturday. I also mentioned that I was hoping he would come along to help out.

September 21, 2018 – Friday – Day 18

At 6:00 am, it was a beautiful morning. The boys were quietly sleeping until they heard me saying. “Good morning kids.” They both rolled over at the same time, for their belly rubs. Nanook thumping his tail on the tent floor. Takota let me know he was ready with a whine followed by a yawn.

We got up and went for a nice walk. I gathered some lichen covered branches, and old man’s beard for our morning fire. The sun was rising above the tree covered mountains. It was nice seeing the morning light within the darkness of the forest where we had our camp.

At camp I got the fire going, the coffee perking, I wrote in the journal, and just enjoyed the quiet, and peaceful moments in nature. One of the books I was thinking about writing was on those moments of reflections that I had on our journey.

Afternoon Entry

It was a nice last day sunny day with a nice Fall breeze. The temperature was 58 deg, at 12:05 pm.

I got most of our stuff organized to pack out by late afternoon. The only thing left is the tent and our sleeping things, and I will get that done in the morning. Today I removed the stakes and guy lines of the tent to make it faster taking down the tent. I don’t think I will have to worry about strong winds taking the tent down tonight.

I should have time for breakfast and finishing packing tomorrow before Dick arrives. It will take him sometime to get everything packed up and loaded on the pack animal. I hope he comes early enough so we can head down the trail before dark. We will be doing a lot of walking with the horses due to the steepness and narrowness of the trail. Doing it in the darkness can be dangerous, for us, for the dogs, and for the pack animals. I was concerned about

Takota doing this hike down, with his eye problem.

This was our last backcountry trip, at least for this year. I hope we will have the opportunity to have more. In the back of my mind I thought about our winter camp. I was not ready for it mentally. I hope it will work out with the land owner staying on his property for the full winter?

Overall we enjoyed our stay here. There were some challenges we had to face, like getting up here, Takota getting lost, and is eye problems, but other then that we enjoyed it up here. We had good weather overall. A pretty nice campsite, We got to experience moose, elk, a wolf, grouse, a marten, and some jays. Nanook and I got to feast on an abundance of huckleberries. And it was just nice being up here. We didn’t have to deal with burnt out areas which was nice. And we had no people here. Each of our three backcountry trips offered us different challenges to learn from, as with learning about our relationship with nature.

September 22, 2018 – Saturday – Day 19

This morning it sounded like light rain falling, but it was only the needles of the hemlock falling on the tent. The wind was blowing pretty good this morning that I was not expecting. Even with the guy lines not staked, the tent did not flap around much.

I had a difficult time sleeping with my concerns about leaving today. I did not have much confidence in my Outfitter to get us down safely. I was especially concerned about Takota. Can he make in down on the rough and narrow trail we will be going down on with his eye problem safely? Especially if we have to do it in the dark? Even if everything went well with Takota, will it go smoothly with the packs not slipping and staying firmly on the pack animals? I could only image dealing with this in the dark, having to try and adjust them at night on these steep, and narrow trails we will be on for 4 hours? But nothing is ever certain, dealing with pack animals, heavy packs, and in steep, narrow trails, and in rough mountain country, with steep switch backs, and doing it at night.

We got up at 7:00 am. I had time to finish packing up, and fixing a quick breakfast. A light rain began falling while we were getting ready to leave. Hopefully it remains only a light rain? I had camp completely broken down by 12:00 pm. And then wait for our ride back to base camp to come soon. I figured Dick would arrive in camp by 1:00 or 1:30 pm. They arrived at 2:15 pm. I was not happy with that. I knew we would be doing a good part of the ride back in the dark. I did understand that Dick had a lot of work getting the animals ready, trailered, then getting them to the trailhead. I am glad Gary was there to help, although he couldn’t do too much. He also had to bring my truck with them to the trailhead. Maybe Dick had real help for our trip down.

I wouldn’t be too concerned if we had a better trail to go back on. But we will have serious drop offs to deal with for most of the ride. It will be slow going. And I am really concerned about Takota.

We only had a little light rain in the morning, then the rest of the day was mostly overcast.

We did not get going on the trail until 5:30 pm. I was not happy about leaving so late. We could have cut half that time if Dick brought a well seasoned packer with him to help.

I thought we were taking a different trail heading back, but it was actually the same trail. I didn’t realized it because we arrived in camp at night when we first arrived here. I should have known this if I just looked at the map I had. A bad mistake on my part.

Dick and Gary mounted their horses. I told Dick I would walk my horse for a bit. The first part of the trail was easy. I then let the boys off leash and mounted my horse. She was the same one I rode up on. I was the last one in the pack. I thought if I walked the boys and my horse together, my horse would do better with them. That was not the case. My horse really did not like my dogs. And that is when I let the boys loose, and I got on my horse.

When I let the boys off leash, they were off and running down the trail. Takota seemed to be doing fine with his eye, but we hadn’t hit the toughest part of the trail, and in the dark.

The first part of the trail ride was relaxing and pleasant. I was actually enjoying it. The horses were doing fine and the boys were doing fine. The boys stayed close to me and I was keeping a close eye on them, especially Takota. I wish I remember going up on this trail, because we could have had that as part of our walking trail.

My responsibility was not only watching the boys, my horse, but also watched for any issue with the pack animals in front of us.

The first incident, Gary’s horse did not want to go any further. A familiar pattern with these horses. My horse was doing fine, but she did not like my dog’s flanking her. She got very nervous, and she was ready to kick or bite at them. So I had to keep the boys a safe distance away. I also moved my horse to get her focuses on moving forward and getting out of that defensive stance. This did happen a few times, but nothing bad happened.

Once we reached one section of the trail where it was getting steep, we dismounted and walked the horses. Dick said we would be walking most of the trail off the horses. Things then started to get bad. When Gary dismounted his horse, he fell. His bad knee gave out on him. He luckily did not get hurt. One has to remember this guy is 75 years old. He is still pretty strong for his age, but he is more likely to get hurt doing this. I don’t know what Dick was thinking bringing him along.

Some of the views we had were spectacular with the setting sun dropping behind the mountains.

Dick went through the protocol of riding in the dark. He said, “some people tend to get disoriented at night on the horses. And will fall off their horse.” Luckily I don’t have that problem. I have ridden horses at night and they do pretty well finding their way at night. We had to be careful not to shine our lights in their eyes. We also had to keep a good communication with everyone. That is something Dick seemed to forget. I had some difficulty walking my the horse, on the trail because of my cataract in one eye. I had to take it very slow. The boys were doing great overall, as with the horses. The boys seemed to find their place in front of me, and behind the pack animal that was not at least bothered by the boys. It was the same pack horse the boys followed getting up to camp originally. So things seemed to be working out.

The further we went the more difficult the tail had become. Dick had three pack animals and he was in the lead, Gary was in the middle with three pack animals, and I was drag, or at the end of the pack line.

One thing, and maybe the only thing good about my horse was she was not crowding or pushing me on the trail. Gary’s horse was really bad at that, and on three occasions pushed Gary off the trail which could have been very dangerous. The last time Gary ended up in thick brush on a very steep slope, luckily that stopped him from sliding down further. But making it very difficult getting out of the thick brush and back on the trail in the pitch black darkness. I couldn’t help him because I had no safe place to get to him. I used my head lamp to give him extra light. He did finally get out, but it must have been exhausting for him. Dick allowed himself to get further in front of us making it difficult to communicate with him, and that was really pissing me off.

I then saw one of Gary’s pack horses collapsing on the trail, so we yelled at Dick that a horse was down. He finally heard us and came up to help. I had no idea how serious it was? I told Dick he had to stay closer to us. I am guessing the pack slipped and the horse lost balance. We were lucky the horse fell where he did. If it happened on a steep embankment, that could have been very bad. Dick was able to get the horse up, and we and the horses had no problems for the rest of the ride, with the exception of just being very tired.

I was getting hot, and sweating with all the rain gear I was wearing. I had to start stripping this clothing off. It was getting very uncomfortable. I was also wearing the wrong shoes, (Riding boots) for all the down hill walking, and my feet were getting very sore, and killing me. We finally made it down to the trailhead. We went to my truck, and I put the boys inside so they could rest. I then watched for any traffic to warn them to slow down near the horses and stock trailer while Dick and Gary unloaded the packs, and loaded the horses in the trailer.

We walked most of the trail down and it was exhausting. I have to say, the boys did great under these circumstances.

We did have some moon light to help us out on the trail, when the clouds weren’t covering the moon.

I would have to say it was another ride from hell, but we all made it down safely.

Back at base camp I asked Dick if he needed any help with my gear? And he said, he will cover it up for the night. So the boys and I headed for our tent that was luckily still set up, and crashed for the night.

September 24, 2018 – Monday – back at base camp.

The night was off and on sleep wise, being awaken by the sounds of horse hooves around the tent, and munching on grass. A light rain was also falling off and on through the night. Otherwise me and the boys slept well. I was really proud of the boys for being so well on both our trail rides on this trip, and on our 19 days in the backcountry. They were a pure joy being with and sharing this experience with.

We got up at 8:30 am, it was chilly outside. I took the boys for a walk then headed for the tent cabin for some coffee and burnt pancakes that were prepared by a helper of Dick’s by the name of Rick who likes to talk too much. He should have been named, Gabby.

The day was partly cloudy, but beautiful. Each time we leave for another area, we know it will be in nature. It will be winter soon, right around the corner. A new adventure, but I am a bit concerned about our winter camp.

Takota’s eye was looking good this morning.

I took a well needed shower, got everything packed up. I talked with Gary for a bit before we headed out. I was looking at our next campground and I was looking at the campground near Orofino at the reservoir we camped at before. It would take maybe 4 hours to get to. So we checked out a small campground not to far from here called Aquarius campground on the North Fork of the Clear Water River. It was a short drive to get there. It looked like a nice campground, and quiet. There were only a few campers there. The camping fee was only $5.00 per night. On our way to the campground I saw a bald eagle perched on top of a large rock in the middle of the creek. It would have made a great photo, but I didn’t stop.

It was cloudy with possible rain. I set up our tent then headed for a small town of Pierce about an hour away to get gas, and to the market there for some food. It was a nice drive going through beautiful countryside, showing it’s Autumn colors of reds, oranges, and yellows in it’s landscape. One area that wasn’t so nice, was where the forest was clear cut that scarred the landscape.

At the store, we were able to get real food. I picked up some ham and cheese, beer, bacon and eggs, steak, and chicken.

We encountered a couple of deer crossing the road on our way back to camp.

I was told a small reservoir named Deer Creek Reservoir was a good place for fishing, that was close by, and of course the river we were camping at. When we were at Deer Creek Reservoir, an elk crossed the road in front of us. It was a beautiful sight to see.

Back at camp I wanted to get the boys fed. I picked up some wood near the reservoir for a couple of fires. We had ham and cheese for dinner and a nice evening fire.

The sky is clearing, as with it cooling down. It was a beautiful day in the Idaho mountains. It is also time to set up my rod and reel for some fishing.

Tonight I was noticing Takota’s eye was not looking good.

To be continued in Part 20

Our Journey Living In Nature

Our Journey Living In Nature – Part 18

Our Journey Living In Nature – Part 18

Including the Northwest Passage Campground, Apgar Campground, and the Outfitter’s Base Camp.

August 18, 2018 – Saturday – Northwest Passage Campground

Once we secured our campsite with a payment at entrance, we went back to camp to place our payment tag on the site number pole. I also put our bagged tent on the picnic table. Some people amazingly steals campsites. I unhitch the trailer at the site that usually seals my site, but this time we didn’t have the trailer. We have the site for four days. We then went to McCall to get dog food and people food.

I know after some good rest I will have a better outlook. It was a strange feeling that came over me driving here with a feeling of complete emptiness inside me. Nothing I had experienced before. I don’t know what brought it on.

After picking up some food in town, we returned to camp, I was in a bad mood, with a bad headache. And I still had to put up the tent. It was late afternoon and I thought we would have a nice quiet evening. A car then pulled into the campsite to the left of me. It was a single guy that did not look like he was there for camping. He seemed out of place here. I had a bad feeling about that one. He stood around the site for a bit, then left. He placed a tent on the picnic table.

After dinner, I took the boys for a walk and then settled in for the night. It was still early in the evening, but I was tired and I was sure the boys were tired as well.

Before turning in, another car pulled into the site next to us. It was a woman, her child, and a tiny dog now joining the male companion. I didn’t think much of it when the boys and I went to bed.

The people at the site to the left of us then left. After they returned, the talking began, mostly by the woman. It wasn’t the type of conversation a couple would have, but two people would have on a date, a blind date. It sounded like they met online just from how they were talking. The guy set up the tent, and before long, and after a few glasses of wine, the woman put her child with the dog inside the tent. And then the sex on the picnic table began. I was thinking, how inappropriate, especially with a young child there? And I really did not want to hear them grunting and moaning right next to me. The woman sounded very drunk as she talked and she got progressively louder the drunker she got. The conversation was lead mostly by her, and it was about her life evolving about partying. I really felt sorry for her child and how the child will turn out with this role model of a mother?

By 2:00 am, I began yelling at them to keep it quiet. With no response, I had enough of their being inconsiderate. I yelled out again. And on the third time of me telling them to shut up, they then went into one of the cars and the woman began continuing to yell at the guy. She definitely had issues, and issues she brought on herself. Pretty much the guy was not saying much, but maybe thinking, “what did I get myself into, was it really worth an easy fuck?”

I was listening to see if the woman was being harmed at all by the guy at all, but it was all her causing the problems. I felt sorry for the pour young child with a mother that had mental problems, as with a big drinking and drug problem.

Then the woman lost her car keys when she tried to leave the next morning.

August 19, 2018 – Sunday

When we got up, we went over to the Camp Host to complain about last night, and the people next to us. He went over to talk with them. I had learned that it was a blind date, And they met on Facebook. The guy should have known better with the signs she was giving, but he was thinking with his little brain. I think the guy was very embarrassed with the whole situations, and he just wanted it to go away. I made it clear to the camp host what had transpired last night.

When a key maker came to their camp to make them another key, the woman’s dog was off leash and about to go into our camp. I yelled at the woman to get her damn dog out of my camp, making if obvious I was pissed at their irresponsibility. She then began yelling at me. Her new found boyfriend said, nothing, and stayed out of it. I think he knew he made a bad mistake eating from this apple. I think he just wanted this whole situation to be over. At least I hope so?

This is one of the problems with camping in campgrounds. Although this incident is, I am sure very rare. When people drink and camp, they get very loud, and disturbs other campers. And there are those who go camping just to get drunk. If I had cell service, I would have called the police, mostly for the well being of the young child.

As I was finishing up washing off at the water pump, we were walking back to camp, I saw a woman going to the garbage dumpster. When I was walking towards her she looked familiar to me. Her looks, the clothing she was wearing, and her body shape. I think she may have been here before we left for our backcountry trip? The boys wanted to greet her because she had the smell of salmon on her hands. The woman let the boys lick her hands. When I got close to her, it really seemed I had seen her before at this campground. So I asked her, “You look very familiar, haven’t you been here before?” She said, “Twenty years ago.” After our short conversation, we headed back to camp. I was stumped why she looked so familiar? Later I circled the campground to see if I could find what campsite she was at, with no luck spotting her.

Later I was having fun with my imagination, thinking, “what if she was a Spirit?” If I see her again, I will try to talk with her more.

Although I did not get much sleep last night due to our neighbors, I felt rested this morning. It felt good being back at this campground, and in this area.

Evening Entry

While cleaning stuff from my passenger seat, a pamphlet fell out and onto the ground. Maybe it is a good sign we are heading to a good place?

We went to the store for some food, made some phone calls and checked Facebook.

After our two weeks away from this campground, the huckleberries are gone and the leaves are beginning to wither.

I was talking to the camp host, and he was telling me that the loons are migrational at Loon Lake. It is too bad we missed them. It would have been a much nicer experience having them there.

I was getting dinner out and it must have been the season for yellow jackets. They were all over my food.

I had a fire tonight hoping to get rid of some of the flying critters.

August 20, 2018 – Monday

We got up at around 8:30 am, with overcast skies and a little cool. We went on our walk on the road outside the campground. Back at camp, I put the coffee on, and fed the boys. The wind began picking up. Before we got up we had a little sporadic light rain falling. It was the type of rain that was carried afar, because we had blues skies above us.

Most of the campers have left with only 6 campsites still occupied. It is quiet and peaceful here now.

A mule deer walked close to our camp a few moments ago getting the boys attention. The boys continued watching where the deer had gone, across the road to feed on vegetation. While the boys were watching the deer, they were quiet and motionless.

A bit later the deer returned close to our camp.

It is raining a bit more, but the canopy of the fir tree is keeping us dry. When it rains, the boys have learned to use the canopies of trees or bushes to stay dry. The gear we had outside I covered with a tarp.

A guy walking passed our camp, asked me if we were doing alright in the rain? If he only knew? I do enjoy these light rains that we have. I find them refreshing.

This morning I noticed more small holes in the tent floor. It was from the boys, mostly by Takota stretching, and with the tent getting older. I am sure it will be time soon to take it to the tent graveyard.

I just heard thunder to the east of us. Hopefully we will be safe where we are?

August 21, 2018 – Tuesday

I woke to the chattering of the gray squirrels in the fir tree near by. Waking to the sounds of nature. It was then followed by the thump, thump, thump of the cones of the fir tree hitting the ground. These sounds to us may only be unimportant sounds to us, but for the squirrels it is life, and survival to them. It is important to the fir tree in spreading it’s seeds. It is part of the cycle of life that all creatures play a part in. It is a busy morning in the squirrel’s life. He then has to remove the husks, and move the cone nuts to it’s cache, hoping no nut thieves find them, which they do sometimes.

We got up at 9:00 am. It was a cool sunny morning with smoky skies that seems to be ongoing for about a month now. I wonder how unhealthy it is for us to be outside in this smoke, with really no place to hide? It doesn’t seem to effect us, but it does in the long term I am sure.

The boys and I took a walk on the dirt road outside of the campground. The boys would be sniffing, and I would be looking for animal tracks. We did not see any moose sightings or tracks on the road. With all the vegetation around us, they could easily be hiding, unnoticed to the human. But is was a beautiful walk still. With it’s lush green surroundings.

I will get a few chores done, and pick up the trailer and canoe from our friends.

Last night while sitting next to the campfire, I was reading one of Dr. Wayne Dyer’s books, I read a phrase that resonated with me, “Become detached from the outcome.” When we can do that, we can live in a place of the present moment.

The boys were living in the present moment, chasing a gray squirrel up a tree. The squirrel was scolding the boys for about twenty minutes. Takota quickly got bored with being yelled at by such a tiny critter, and took some time for a nap, while Nanook continues to watch the chirping squirrel carry on in it’s chattering.

I was thinking about what I would call our wolf encounter? Would it be “The Call Of The Wild,” or “The Night The Wolves Came To Camp?”

We picked up the trailer and canoe at Tim and Lynn’s house. Tim was the only one at the house. Lynn was working at the golf course. We talked for a short bit, and I thanked them for their kindness. He told me yellow jacket season is here and won’t end until it starts getting cold.

August 22, 2018 – Wednesday

It was still a bit hazy from the fires burning in California, Oregon, Washington, and now Montana, and in British Columbia, Canada. It was a bad fire season in the northwest.

The fire season for Idaho has not been that bad.

The boys and I took our walk on the dirt road. We heard wood cracking in the heavy brush. Nanook was listening as I was. And Takota would rather harass his brother. We didn’t see anything. At the end of the road next to the entrance of the campground, I saw a woodpecker bobbing his head on the roadside, then it flew off. I was wondering what that was all about? Something I wish I could have filmed.

Four new campers arrived at the campground yesterday. Three tent camping, and one in a trailer.

Yesterday I heard from my friend in California that everything she had was destroyed by the Carr Fire in Redding, including the loss of her dog. She was now homeless as well. That must be so devastating for so many who had to suffer through these fires. We tend not to think about this much when it happens to other people, the impact it has on their lives, until it happens to our friends or family, or us. In a moment, everything is stripped away from us, many times leaving nothing, but only ashes from our past, and the memories of who we think we are. But the memories are never lost. Just the material things we hold onto.

When I began this journey, I wondered if I would see the beginning of the impacts of climate change? I am slowly becoming aware of it. One of the reasons we are on this journey is to see, and experience the natural world as we know it before it is gone. Being wiped out by the cause and effect by our ignorant, and greedy human species – in the devastating impact we have on the natural world. We have become consumed by the materialist life style, and forgetting our true roots and connection to nature.

This morning in bed I focused on feeling, and relaxing through breath in the mountain air. It helped clear the head of thoughts.

August 23, 2018 – Thursday

Today we will do some laundry, and meet up with our friends, Dan, Linda, and their lab, Kaily.

I forgot to mention, while we were taking a nap in the tent, Takota put a big rip in the tent with his stretching. A little repair with duct tape did the job for now.

We met Dan and Linda, and their dog, at a brewery in McCall, we sat at a table outside so we could have the dogs with us. The boys were so happy to see their friends again. We shared a pitcher of beer between us, and talked for a bit. I thought we were going to have lunch there, but it was a bit to pricey for us. We were all hungry, and Dan suggested getting a Subway sandwich to go and sit on the beach at the lake. We got our sandwiches and went to the beach a few blocks away. I let the boys play in the water with me holding onto them on leash while playing with Kaily, Kaily was off leash. They continued pulling me further into the lake and I really did not want to get all wet. So Linda took the boys one at a time a bit further into the lake to play. She didn’t mind getting wet. Nanook fully enjoyed the swim. When Linda took Takota out into the lake, he would only go in so far while gauging the depth, but he still enjoyed it, splashing in the water and biting at it. They were very happy boys spending time with their camping friends, Dan, Linda, and Kaily. I also enjoy being with our new friends.

Takota and Nanook bonded with people we had met very quickly, and was always excited to see them. If they had dogs, the boys would always except them in their pack, and that did not take long for them to make new friends. They loved meeting new people and their dogs. I did have to watch the boys body language with other dogs, to make sure they accepted them. New dogs they did not know, they typically didn’t like. Sometimes if they see a dog next to us in camp, or a dog always passing by us at our camp with their owner, the boys will feel comfortable with the dogs at times. It is interesting how they interacted with people and dogs.

This is how the boys met Dan and Kaily. Dan would always have Kaily off leash on his bike rides through the campground, and would always stop by ours to chat. That connection with Dan and Kaily together, the boys saw them as one and accepted Kaily quickly.

August 24, 2018 – Friday

We took our morning walk, then I put on some coffee, and fed the boys.

We went into town to get some things done. The skies continue being smoky, and we may get some rain today.

Evening Entry

The day remained cooler then it has been, with a nice pleasant breeze.

It was late afternoon when we got back to camp. A couple that camped across from us on our last visit here, came in to spend three days here. They drove by our camp to say, Hi. They gave us their left over firewood last time. They were very nice people and was nice seeing them again. Some people I feel a connection with while we have been camping. It is nice meeting new people, and the boys always want to make new people friends. If we pass a camp that we know on our walks, the boys always want to stop to say Hi, even if the people are in their trailers. They have a great sense of smell.

The smoke had finally cleared out in the late afternoon, giving us clear skies.

The yellow jackets came to visit us when I began cooking food, and becoming more numerous. Once I started a campfire they disappeared. I also cut more firewood for tonight’s fire. Each day I am so grateful we get to live in nature. There is nothing like it.

August 25, 2018 – Saturday

It was 8:30 am when we got up. The sky was clear, with no signs of smoke.

We took our walk on the dirt road, and on the way back I thought I heard the foot steps of a moose, I soon realized it was only the sounds of fir cones dropping to the ground by the squirrels.

I felt good focusing on the special relationship I had with the boys, and with nature. Especially in places like we find ourselves in like Northwest Passage.

Before getting up from bed, Takota came for loving scratches, and Nanook climbed on top of my bed, and on top of me. Although there is really know room for both of us on the bed, Nanook didn’t mind. And it was nice having him close to me. I just hope he doesn’t put a hole in the air mattress. These moments waking up each morning with the boys always gives me great pleasure, and a great outlook on life.

It will be winter soon. And I am not sure if we have a secure place for the winter to stay. The money situation is always a concern. How long will it last? It is always in the back of my mind. But being with the boys and in nature draws my attention to these wonderful experiences, and in the realization of how lucky I am being able to do this. It are the simple things that brings so much joy to us.

We had three whisky jacks (gray jays) fly into our camp today. A special treat. Like all jays, they will be your best friends if you give them food.

Today feels like Autumn is just around the corner.

A little survival tip on fire starting. Duct tape makes a good fire starting material. But do not hold it on the adhesive side, but fold it in half so this doesn’t happen. I just learned the hard way, I got a burn by holding on to the sticky side. I hand a hard time getting it off. Or place it on the tinder or kindling to light, then place some tinder on top of the tape. It burns HOT!

August 26, 2018 – Sunday

This morning it was overcast and cool out, with a little sprinkle that lasted only a few minutes.

We got up at 9:00 am. It felt comfortable in bed. I did not want to get up. We may get a chance of rain today, so I want to get most of my gear loaded up in the trailer today. We may stay another day due to rain on Monday.

My lower back is a little sore since we got back from Loon Lake. It was from loading my gear into the truck bed. I have to be very careful of any injuries, especially being in the backcountry, but also anytime, due to being very physical while camping. Also getting sick would hinder me from doing the things I need to do while camping, as with taking care of the boys. I have been very lucky so far in that respect.

Yesterday afternoon, a family came in to a site next to us, a husband, wife and two teenage boys. I went over to greet them. I warned them of the yellow jackets, and we chatted for a while. They were very nice people. I also introduced the boys to the family.

We have met a lot of nice people at this campground.

August 27, 2018 – Monday

I woke up with the sound of light rain falling on the tent roof. It brought me back to the time just a short time ago when the rains began in November of 2017, when we were still in California, and the start of our journey had just began. When the rained subsided, I heard a angry growl just outside our tent. “What could that be”? I asked myself. And then it was quiet in the night once again. The boys were not disturbed by this sound. Many times when I hear a sound I don’t recognized that are in the area, I go through my mind on what animals would make such a noise? It could be a dog, maybe a fox, maybe a badger, or martin? Although I haven’t seen badgers or martins in this area, it doesn’t mean they aren’t here. It is like trying to fit pieces in a puzzle.

Later in the night, the rain began once more, much louder, and harder, and more consistent. The rain always sounds much harder then it really is when landing on tent fabric. The only way to find out is to stink one’s head outside the tent. I try to cage the severity of the rain to determine if I want to get up or not. There are times I am pleasantly surprised, that it is only a light rain falling, that for me, is a nice time for a walk.

When I woke up in the morning, I was checking for any leaks in the tent, and luckily found none. This tent took us through Washington and Idaho, and although we didn’t, experience much rain in these places, this tent does have an issue of leaks that were consistent with the last three tents we had of the same brand and style. I thought Columbia tents would be a better quality of tent than others, that is not always the case. I have not had much good luck with this tent, in the rain and wind. Name recognition doesn’t have much meaning as it once did.

Yesterday I patched up the tears, and rips the boys made, (usually Takota), with their stretches. Some particular areas are difficult to repair. Good thing I repaired them before the rains last night. I suspect the tent does not have much life left. Most tents are not made for continuous everyday use nowadays.

Because I was not familiar with the weather patterns in Idaho, and talking with my camping neighbor here, as with the Outfitter that will be taking us on our next trip in the backcountry, the weather will begin changing in September. My attitude was, we are prepared for anything! And compared with most campers we are. But this could be a dangerous attitude if we get extreme weather while we are in the backcountry. Fall type weather will be on us soon.

I was in my mind again, and panicking how we are going to survive? I was even thinking about canceling our next backcountry trip. I tried to snap out of it this frame of mind, so we drove to McCall to get out of our wet camp. Once in town I was feeling more myself again. I was able to relax a bit more, and focus on my purpose of being out in nature. We will extend our stay here for one more day and will leave on Tuesday.

Evening Entry

This afternoon, the weather was changing for the better. The sun was coming out, but then clouded up again, then the sun came out again. It was back and forth with the weather. But we didn’t get any more rain.

This morning I had no intention of sharing what I was experiencing this morning in my writing, but this is part of my experiences in nature. It is part of our journey with many unknowns, doubts, and uncertainties, and not sharing them in my writings. But that could be a hindrance as well.

Depending on the weather in Kamiah we may set up a quick camp without the tent.

August 28, 2018 – Tuesday – Departure day to Apgar Campground

I decided we would camp at Apgar Campground on Highway 12 that runs along the Lochas River. The same campground we stayed at before, and hopefully the same site. We stopped by the town of Kooskia for some food for our camp. I always enjoy our drives through Idaho with the familiar, and not so familiar. It is beautiful country.

I called Jeff, the guy who said we could stay at his property for the winter, and it is still a go. I also let the third Outfitter that we are on our way. He is letting us stay at his base camp for a week so I can get the horses used to the boys. At their first meeting, the horses wanted nothing to do with the boys. The Outfitter will be gone for a few days, and we will be alone at his camp. I told him I will feed the horses while he is away, so we can spend some bonding time with them.

When I was originally talking with the Outfitter, he highly suggested I take a horse to our new camp in the backcountry vs. hiking because of the high elevation gain we will be making. This will be the first for me riding horseback into our camp, and the boys on foot. I am a bit concern about how the boys will do with the horses on this ride.

Reaching the Apgar Campground, there was only one other camper there, and we were able to get campsite #5. It was nice being back at this campground. The weather looked good, so I decided to do a simple lean-to with a tarp, and sleep outside under the stars. The yellow jackets were a nuisance here as they were at our last camp.

It is 7:00 pm and will be dark around 8:00 pm. We will soon hit the sack. This will only be a one night stay, then we will head to the Outfitters camp. Since we have been there before, it will be easy to get there. It will be about a four hour drive.

August 29, 2018 – Wednesday – Arrived at Outfitters Base Camp

We slept well last night under the lean-to tarp. The weather was good all night. I think the boys enjoy sleeping outside, as I do. It is nice waking to nature. There is more of a connection to nature when sleeping outside. The scent Fall was right at our door step. It is a good time to camp.

We got up around 8:30 am. I had no sense urgency getting things done. Breaking camp will be fast and easy. We do have to adjust to a one hour difference here.

I fed the boys at camp, and I will stop at a cafe in Lowell to pick up breakfast for me on our way back to Kamiah. The egg muffin and large coffee went down fast, and we were on our way to a new adventure.

The morning sun was reflecting off the ripples of the Clear Water Middle Fork River.

We stopped in Kamiah for gas and a food supply, then to our next destination at the Ridge Runners Outfitters Camp, some three and a half hours away. I was feeling relaxed on our drive there, seeing familiar places we passed through in June. There was no worry’s about what roads to take, or if we were going the right way.

We arrived at the base camp around 3:15 pm. Dick, the owner of Ridge Runners Outfitters Camp met us, and showed us where we could camp and park the truck and trailer while we were in the backcountry. I will leave the tent up while we are gone as well.

Outfitter’s Base Camp

I set up the tent, then I talked with Dick and his helper, Ben for a while discussing our plan for the backcountry. It was getting late, so it was time for bed. Our plan is to spend a minimum of 19 days in the backcountry alone. Possibly longer if things go well. I did not want to end this experience we were having in the backcountry, but winter is coming soon, with potential unpredictable weather, and extending this trip would cost more money. We will just have to see what our backcountry camp is like and if it is worth staying longer.

Dick had about twice as many stock animals as he did the last time we were here. He has one mule and the rest horses. The horses and mule showed more interest in the boys then last time we were here, when they responded in fear. Maybe that is a good sign.

August 30, 2019 – Thursday

We slept well at the Base camp. We got up at 8:30 am. Dick and I talked more about where he is going to take us in the Clearwater National Forest with my morning coffee. We will be leaving on September 4 for the backcountry. It will be an eight mile trip and will take about four hours to get there. We will be staying at one of Dick’s hunting camps. Dick said we could be dealing with wolves, bear, moose, elk, and mountain lion at the areas we will be in. Being in the backcountry there is always a possibility with encounters with these wild critters, but mostly unlikely. It would be nice encountering these creatures of the wild, but always at a safe distance. And for bears, never close to camp. I don’t want them destroying our tent or camp. That would cut our trip short, to say the least.

Afternoon Entry

We are once again alone. Dick and his helper are gone. Dick will be back on Saturday.

We are here to hold down the fort, me, the boys, and the horses, and one mule. We spent some time during the day with the pack animal getting acquainted again. I can’t say it went well, but better then I had expected. Hopefully it is quiet while we are here alone, with no issues with wild animals or the horses, and one mule.

The Yellow jacket are hungry. I started a fire, but it didn’t seem to help. I have not eaten much and I am really hungry.

The weather has been overcast with some blue skies most of the day.

One thing about packing in that freaks me out is getting attacked by a swarm of vicious yellow jackets on a horse, and the horse freaking out, especially on narrow and potentially dangerous trails. Dick did check the trial for any ground nests before we leave that gave me some comport.

August 31, 2018 – Friday

Sometime after I fell asleep, I had a panic attack, something I have not experienced for some time. It lasted about 10 to 15 minutes. I finally was able to calm myself down. Panic attacks are terrifying experiences to have. It was about riding a horse vs. hiking, and how the boys will do with the horses, and the horses will do with the boys? It was all about the safety of the boys. I was ready to cancel our trip when Dick returned on Saturday. But I also know I would not make the steep ascent with most of the hike up hill and on foot.

We woke up to cool temperatures in the morning with blue skies. We took a short walk, then I fed the horses. I then took the boys along the fence line while the horses ate. They seemed much calmer with the boys around, which was good. I felt really good this morning, and happy to be alive in nature, and being with the boys. We had a nice breakfast of bacon and eggs, and my coffee. I decided to have a fire this morning. We were not bothered too much by the yellow jackets this morning during breakfast.

We will spend more time with the horses, getting them use to the boys. And I will start getting our gear ready for Dick to start packing it up.

While taking the boys along the fence line, the big draft horse tried to stomp on the boys with his massive hooves. This horse won’t be a good horse to take with us. I will tell Dick to leave this one at home.

September 1, 2018 – Saturday

We woke to another beautiful day. It seems it is getting cooler each day.

I walked the boys, fed the horses, then fed us. I have a lot to do today and Sunday to get ready for our departure into the backcountry on Tuesday. Each pack trip, I have to pretty much empty the trailer to get the gear I want to take with us, then putting the rest back into the trailer. On our return trip, reorganizing and reloading the trailer with our stuff once again. It is definitely a process. And a pain in the butt! This process will begin again once we get into our winter camp.

Each packer is different, and does things differently as far as packing the pack animals. Sometimes they begin at a base camp, and others we meet on the trailhead. It has been an experience for sure In Idaho. With “drop camps” ( the packers taking the party to a particular area, and dropping them off, and picking them up) usually the packers may use their own gear for the camp. For me, I prefer using all my own gear, then I know I have everything I want. I always have the concern using this method of a drop camp, with the question, will they pick us up? Dick is currently a one man operation, and will he be able to pick us up on the scheduled day?

Because we are staying out for so long, Dick will do a resupply drop for us. And of course this will cost more money.

Each day we have been at the base camp, we have had our guardian hummingbird flying by our tent.

Afternoon Entry

I found most of the gear I was looking for that I wanted to bring with us. Tomorrow I will go through the clothing I will be bringing, then putting things back into the trailer that I won’t be bringing.

Dick arrived at 6:00 pm. We discussed the ride up to our backcountry camp.

September 2, 2018 – Sunday

Another nice day. I will continue getting the things I will be bringing to get packed up

Dick will check the saddles with the pack animals and riding horses tomorrow. I will be doing a check ride with the horse I will be riding.

September 3, Monday

We got up at 7:30 am, took the boys for a short walk, then I pulled my truck closer to the trailer to begin loading the rest of our gear to take over to the loading dock for Dick to pack up. I then fed the boys and made my morning coffee. I was thinking about the gear I wanted to bring and making sure I didn’t forget anything. And the question on how our ride will go tomorrow?

Dick continued getting his gear ready for the trip, and finishing up putting our packs together. He does not use panniers, but wraps all the gear up in canvas tarps. Many packers use panniers for ease of packing and for proper balance. I was about to separated the dog food into plastic zip bags, one bag for each day (8 cups, for both boys in each bag) that helps me keep track of the food I use. Also it will help in balancing the packs. Dick said he wanted the whole bag of dog food packed as one. Later he told me he wished he would have listened to me. So now that means, once we reach our camp I will have to separate the food into daily portions. I am not sure if I had mentioned this before, but I have been on five horse packing trips including the recent ones, and I took two – one week horse backing courses, as with a lot of horse riding experience under my belt. So I did know a little about horse packing.

I was getting tired with moving gear, getting stuff back in the trailer, and thinking about tomorrow, I spent some quiet time just experiencing the moments, being with the boys, breathing in fresh mountain air, listening to the birds, watching the horses feed in the pasture, and watching the boys observing the snowshoe hare feeding on the grass next to our truck. I could feel the stillness of my mind and body taking in all these experiences.

Dick was telling me we have plenty of firewood at the camp we are going to. It is one of the hunting camps he has. He has a three tier flat area for our camp, and a small spring for our drinking water next to camp. And as always, I imagine this camp being the perfect camp for our last trip in the backcountry. It should be the perfect time to camp with the weather cooling down, and maybe the bugs will be leaving. If we got a little snow that would be fine. Just not a major snow storm. That would be very bad.

Each day I could feel cooler temperatures. Dick said it will be about 20 degrees cooler where we are going.

An older fellow, named Gary (older than me) at age 72 years old came in this afternoon to help Dick with packing us up into the high country camp. He has no experience doing this. Dick will be giving him a quick course in horse packing. Good luck with that! He is a very friendly guy though and nice talking with. And with the little help he may be able to give, it could make it a better trip and safer trip I hope? I had a feeling we will be needing his help.

Dick told me it would be an additional $1,200.00 for the resupply run, so I gave him more money.

I was curious how the 2008 economic crash impacted his business. As with most people, it really impacted his business greatly as with everyone in this business. It put a stand still on so many businesses nation wide, including mine. This is when I decided it was time to get out of this rat race. And live in nature.

On our last evening at base camp me, Dick, and Gary talked a bit at Dick’s tent, then turned in early for a long day on the trail tomorrow.

On the previous few nights, I had continues thoughts and concerns on how the boys and horses will do together on the trail.

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Our Journey Living In Nature – Part 17

Our Journey Living In Nature – Part 17

Includes our camping at Northwest Passage Campground, and our 14 Days at Loon Lake.

July 25, 2018 – Wednesday – Ponderosa State Park – Northwest Passage Campground.

We awoke at 6:30 am. The sky was partially covered with beautiful cloud formations against the blue sky. We got up at around 7:45 am, took the boys for a walk, then I got some coffee, fed the boys, and began packing up for our next journey. Our departure time was 10:45 am.

We left our nice experiences at the Sawtooth Lodge, and the Sawtooth Wilderness behind us for new adventures in Idaho. We will be heading back to McCall.

As always, it was a pleasant drive through the countryside of Idaho, most of the time following rivers to guide us, through lush green forests, and majestic mountains, unlike those times of the past, where I would drive from city to city, filled with buildings, houses, people, and endless traffic. And on occasion, only seeing spots of the natural, that most of us have become accustom to in the city life. Any open land was destined to be developed. What a contrast me and the boys are living today, where we experience mostly the beauty of the natural world everywhere we go.

We arrived in the small town of McCall at 1:30 pm. We checked out the Ponderosa State Park that was close to town, that lies on the eastern side of Payette Lake. It was a large campground, maybe the largest we have seen, with no campsites available. We then checked out the campground that was part of Ponderosa State Park at the northern end of Payette Lake, by the name of Northwest Passage Campground. It was a small first come first serve campground. I figured we would have little chance of getting a campsite there being so close to the weekend. But maybe we would get lucky? If not, we had another less preferred option on a dispersed campground up the road.

We finally found the campground with some difficulty, and pulled into the entrance. We did our typical drive through of the small campground circle, and I was amazed that they had a few campsites that were still available. We grabbed campsite #5. I quickly realized campers were coming in right behind us to grab a campsite as we were. filling up the campground quickly. We got there just in time. It was a nice relief finding a campsite, so now we can relax. I unhitched the trailer to tell other campers this site is taken (a nice thing about having a trailer), I then paid for our site to secure it. Then back to camp to put our pay tag on the pole to satisfy the ranger if they drive by to check on if the site was paid for.

It was getting late, so we drove back to McCall to get some food for me and the boys. I found a pet shop close by Albertsons where we had just shopped, and picked up two large bags of dog food. We then returned to set up camp.

As soon as we got back into camp, I got our tent set up. I was hot, sweaty, tired, and getting a bit irritable. So we took a walk around the campground, found the only water source for the campground, and took advantage of rinsing off with the cool and refreshing water. It was an old style water hand pump that took two hands to pump. It was located at the entrance of the campground, as with the trash container. I was getting irritated with the boys, especially Nanook, because they had to sniff, and mark almost every bush. Then Nanook would do his scratching thing to finalize his markings. This process of marking was time consuming, and I just wanted to get back to camp to get the rest of the camp finished up. I found myself constantly yelling at them to move along. I had things to do. It was like having two misbehaving, and out of control children with me. But they were excited to be in a new campground. It was a new adventure for them. I wish I had more patience on these moving days, but they are usually long days with taking down a camp, driving usually an average of three to four hours, looking for a new campground and campsite, then setting up our new home. And if we had time, going to a grocery store for dinner. I tend to get grumpy when I am tired. And of course the only job the boys have is to make sure I do everything correct, while they are napping.

Most of the campground was shaded by fir trees, and the ground cover was Huckleberry bushes, that at the time, I was not aware of the type of bushes they were.

It is 8:30 pm, and we are good for the night. We have been fed, and sheltered up. I left the rain fly off the tent, to help keep us cooler during the night.

Overall it was a good day, but in the end I found myself losing it at times with the boys. But they were doing what they always do, and that is being dogs. They are now crashed out. And I was ready for bed.

The mosquitoes were surprisingly not bad, so that was a good thing.

July 26, 2018 – Thursday

I wasn’t sure how bad it would be in getting a campsite in the summer, especially with the crowds of people camping, and most State campgrounds requiring reservations (which we don’t do). Since we will be in the backcountry most of the time this summer, I was not too concerned.

I slept pretty good last night once our Russian neighbors stopped talking and went to bed. They took up three campsites close to us. The noise of loud children, and loud adults, usually gets me riled up, especially when I am trying to sleep. Quiet Time in all campgrounds is usually 10:00 pm, but few ever follow this rule. But for some reason, I wasn’t bothered by our Russian neighbors, I actually enjoyed listening to the Russian language. They kept to themselves for the time they were here. It was hard striking up a conversation with them. But I did my best to be friendly with them.

We got up at 8:00 am, took a short walk around the campground, and checked out the fishing pond they had here in the campground. It was right next to the Payette River. The Payette River wrapped around a portion of the campground. In this section of the river, it was pretty calm making it perfect for kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards, for a casual, relaxing, and scenic float along the river. And if lucky, seeing a moose grazing along the shore. It was an incredibly beautiful, and magical setting in nature.

The campground was small and the campsites were close together for the most part, each campsite felt somewhat private being separated by the vegetation and trees.

This very campground was the filming location for the 1940’s film “Northwest Passage,” with Spencer Tracy and Robert Young. Thus the name, Northwest Passage Campground.

While we were still on our walk heading towards the entrance of the campground, we saw a woman foraging in the bushes. I asked what she was looking for? And she told me, “Huckleberries.” A little later, we came back to that area, and found a few of these tasty berries. I soon realized these plants were all around us in abundance. The more I looked for these berries, the more I found, but many were not ripe yet or hiding. It was my first experience with huckleberries.

The area we are in is very beautiful with the little we have seen of it thus far. We have the beautiful Payette Lake, the beautiful meandering Payette River weaving through the area, we have the forests, and mountains on both sides of us. It felt magical to me. And we are close to town. The road circles the lake giving us access in both direction to McCall.

I made a call to the Outfitters, telling them I had not heard anything from them. I got a call back, that they had not gotten any emails from me. So hopefully we can get a departure date soon for our new backcountry experience.

In camp, we had a nice gentle breeze coming through camp that was keeping us cool.

I was thinking about cutting some firewood, but really didn’t feel like it. I didn’t even feel like writing in my journal. I think it will be just a lazy day today. Although we will need to shop for food at some point.

Evening Entry

I was enjoying watching our Russian neighbors and their children.

I wanted to have a campfire tonight, and to help some with the mosquitoes, so I cut some wood around the area. We also went into town for some food. Once I mentioned fire, the mosquitoes came swarming all around me. Some of the thing about camping in the summer months are the crowds of people, and the mosquitoes – both can be irritating.

July 27, 2018 – Friday

All through the night I was questioning myself, if this was a good idea doing this self discovery journey in nature? And once I awoke, with the boys by my side, and our first steps going into nature’s domain, the answer was clear, and always a YES! I think about the boys, and I believe their answers would be a yes as well. How many dogs get to experience such an adventure? They love this lifestyle. What dog wouldn’t? And I do as well.

I was always concerned about my funds, and how far, and long they would take us? For the winters, I was hoping to camp out on private property for easy access for resupply, but still have a feeling of being in the great outdoors. And in my mind I would see us being in a somewhat remote place spending our winter living in nature. But the reality of thinking and doing are to different things.

I get annoyed having to try and find things in the trailer that I need. It is a big chore to undertake. Especially in different seasons. I believe I have all the gear, and clothing I need for all seasons, just getting easy access to them is the problem? And in reality, winter in the high country would indeed be a big challenge in every conceivable way. But the things, and beauty we would experience would be incredible. It would also be a lot of work. I would be spending a lot of time chopping wood, and carry water.

I was watching a YouTuber and his experiences living in a small teepee in the forests, I believe in Sweden, in the winter. It looked like he was deep in the forest. He finally made it clear that he was not actually deep in the forests, but only a few miles from his home. It really was not clear how much time he was really spending in camp, and at his real home? And he always had his loving wife to come back to. She would come to visit him on occasion. It was still a pretty good video, and gave me some ideas on winter camping in a tent.

I took the boys for a walk on the road that is less traveled, just outside of the campground. We got to see another perspective of the area we are in. Everywhere we went, we experienced the endless beauty of the natural world.

On our way back to camp from our walk, I saw more ripened huckleberries coming out. I also noticed some red twinberries coming out.

We are close to the same elevation here as we were at Sawtooth Lodge at 5000 ft, but it seems cooler here. And our camp has good shade by the tree canopy at the campground. Some sites get more sunlight than others. Our site is mostly shaded in helping us stay cool.

I was watching the young Russian kids picking the delicious huckleberries behind our camp.

I offered my eggs and bacon to our Russian neighbors, but they refused the offer, because they will be leaving today. I enjoyed their company, although I really didn’t talk to them much. I did tell them they had well behaved children, and enjoyed watching them play. They had a lot of children between the three families. They seemed to be great parents.

While waiting for my coffee to be done, I checked out the berry patch behind me, and these wonderful tasting dark purple berries were everywhere. It was like magic, how they just appeared from nothing to something.

After our neighbors leave I am hoping to grab their firewood they had left behind.

I am enjoying having fresh huckleberries with my huckleberry coffee.

A couple dropped by our camp and asked how I tied down my canoe to the truck. I showed them, then the conversation moved to other things, like how things seemed much easier in the old days. It was nice talking with them. It put me in a better frame of mind for the rest of the day. I am finding I am getting less angry with things, but still dealing with challenges, and frustrations that come along, even with the simplest things.

This journey is not just to write about nature, but to bring peace into my life, that it definitely has. And the boys have been part of this experience.

Afternoon Entry

The boys and I took a drive on the east side of the lake to McCall. At the road split we took a left and checked out Little Payette Lake, and noticed some dispersed camping areas that seem nice, but were right along side the road. One area I spotted had a pile of firewood, so I stopped and grabbed a good stack of wood.

People ask me why we don’t do dispersed camping, because it is free? If I was doing very short term camping, I probably would, but doing long term camping (one to two weeks) it is safer, and easier camping at an established campground.

We continued on until we hit the road transition from paved to gravel/dirt, and the road conditions got progressively worse. We then we turned around and headed to McCall.

We dropped by the Ranger Station in McCall, and checked on wildfire conditions for the area we may be going into the backcountry. So far, so good. But that can always change. We had clear skies where we were at, but to the south of us at Cascade, it was really smoky. I will continue checking on the wildfire status prior to our departure into the backcountry. I also found the location of the laundromat in town.

We had a productive day.

I talked with some people who know this area and they told me there were moose in the area around the campground.

I was watching the plumes of smoke from the wildfires reaching high into the sky for thousands of feet. It looked like thunder clouds.

July 28, 2018 – Saturday

We awoke to another beautiful day, with blues skies, and seeing the canopy of the trees above us through our screened tent roof.

We got up at 7:45 am, took our morning walk along the gravel dirt road outside of the campground. I was looking for any tracks of moose, but only found tracks of deer, and the tracks of the boys, making it difficult to track.

There was a campsite that was very noisy last night, and I found the campsite on our walk. I noticed they were Samoan. I talked with them about the noise they were making, and they were a family that had not seen each other for a while. It was a family gathering or reunion. They apologized. I felt bad I said anything. I seem to have much more tolerance of native people than non-native.

Some of the birds I have seen here are the Western tanager, the robin, and the raven.

Evening Entry

Our camping friend, Kevin from the San Francisco Bay Area told me he had friends in McCall, and when we first arrive here I gave them a call. I needed a place to leave my canoe, and trailer while on our backcountry trip, and she offered her place to leave them there. I did not want to leave them at the campground for 12 days.

I then received another message from Kevin, at Del Valle, that his wife, Joy wanted to here some howls from the boys. Joy also texted me that she was very sick and had stage four ovarian cancer. I was deeply saddened by the bad news. I was thinking how I could get her the boys howls, and realized I could do a video on Facebook from my smart phone. So the boys performed howls for Joy, and I sent it to her on Facebook. She loved the boys, and the boys love her. While we were camping at Del Valle, Joy and the boys were always howling to each other.

On our evening walk we took a road that was blocked off to motor vehicles. I was being drawn further up the road out of an inner curiosity, and inviting me to continue to find what awaits us. It was a nice hike taking us through forests, across small creeks, and along the cliffs of the mountain side. There was a warning sign that this area is used for grazing sheep, so I kept an eye on grazing sheep. It wasn’t the sheep I had to worry about, but their watch dogs.

July 29, 2018 – Sunday

We began our morning walk on the road that takes us along the river. On the way back to camp I saw the first moose tracks on the road.

I suspect people will begin leaving today at the campground.

The family I talked to about making a lot of noise, they took it to a new level by using a microphone last night. I feel sorry for the ones camping next to them. There is a limit, people should consider in being considerate and respectful of others in places like campgrounds. By using a microphone to amplify their noise, takes it to an extreme. There is no reason for that.

There was a large Mexican group camping that came in yesterday, and are leaving today. While people were waiting for them to leave to take their camping spot, I was noticing them taking time to clean up after themselves, and washing off the picnic tables. They had left the sites spotless after they left, for the next campers to come in. I was very impressed. I have never seen anyone do that before.

July 30, 2018 – Monday

We did laundry today. Made arrangement to drop off our trailer and canoe to the people’s house Friday afternoon.

The new family campers next to us were having problems putting up the canopy I let them use. I was watching them put it up hoping they would not damage it, and of course they put a big rip in the canopy cover. They did tell me about it, and said they would replace it for me. A lesson to learn, don’t let people borrow your things who you don’t know, because their is a chance they could damage them. Before they left, they did replace it, but with a cheaper model.

Most of the day I was dealing with anger management, just from the small things that had occurred in the day.

July 31, 2018 – Tuesday

I had a restless night and it took a while to fall asleep. And then I was out like a light. We got up at 9:00 am and went for a walk down the road. It was always a nice walk because the road was not that busy, and the scenery was always amazingly beautiful. Sometimes we would cross the bridge over the Payette River. Nanook and I would stop on the bridge and watch the trout swimming by. Takota had know interest, he just wanted to get off the damn bridge. Any bridge we crossed, for some reason he didn’t like. Maybe it was from the slightest vibration of it that he didn’t like?

Everywhere the eye could see there was a spectacular beauty of the whole area. It had a magical feeling to it – a wonderland only nature could provide.

The sky had a thick overcast, mixed in with the smoke from the fires to the south of us. The temperature was a bit cooler that felt nice. And the mosquitoes were out for their feeding of blood.

It is very peaceful here, especially when the people are gone. I have to mark this down as one of the nicest places we have been to. Even in McCall itself. It is a typical resort/touristy type place, with lots of traffic, but had a quaintness to it. The Albertsons grocery store we went to was on the outskirts of town, and it made it easy for us to get to without hitting to much traffic. But it was usually crowded at Albertsons, especially on the weekends.

The two young girls next to us kept me amused last night and this morning with their delightful and child like conversations.

I have to start getting everything ready for our next journey into the wilderness. The Outfitter found a place he would take us on the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness. It would be a very short hike from the trailhead to our drop off point near Marble Creek. I am curious what this area will be like? I know it will be a beautiful area, but rugged. And how accessible will it be for us to move around to explore. This will be a 14 day trip.

We won’t be taking the trailer with us to get to the trailhead, so I have to think carefully what I can fit into the bed of the truck.

I have three stoves, two propane, and the smallest on is liquid gas. I am thinking about taking the liquid gas stove. It will take up a little less space. I will have to figure all this stuff out before I drop off the trailer on Friday.

While dumping some garage in the trash bin, I was thinking how lucky we are that when we pack up, we are packing up to a new home in nature. Where most go back to their regular lives in the civilized and chaotic world, only to think about when they can return back to nature. A weekend, or even a week is too short to experience nature, and most don’t really experience nature. It is just part of the things we do for recreation.

I don’t know how long we will be on this journey in nature, or where we will end up. Only that we will do it as long as we can. As long as the money lasts

One of the girls next door was talking about having braces put on. It reminded me of my sister Sue. She was the only one that had braces done in our family. I definitely needed them, but we couldn’t afford them. I really miss Sue, but I know she is in a good place. I have really been blessed in having such great siblings.

I dreaded having to reorganize my stuff, digging my way through the piles of stuff, pulling it out of the trailer, then putting it back in again.

Evening Entry

With the exception of me talking too much to passers by at our camp, I got a fair amount done today. I picked up some non-perishable package foods today for our next trip in the backcountry.

I am not sure why, but I felt a strong connection to my native friends on Facebook. I miss that connection I had with them. When something reminds me of the indigenous peoples in the world, I feel a very strong connection and love with them. When I had my nonprofit, “Indigenous Peoples International.” I had high hopes I could make a difference in the world. Unfortunately I started it in the beginning of the economic collapse in 2007. And it was very hard to get any funding. The little money I had of my own, I put into it, that dwindled very quickly. So I used facebook as my platform for my nonprofit. I just couldn’t get it going.

August 1, 2018 – Wednesday

The smoke from the fires got pretty bad over our area yesterday. The mountains around the lake were just hazy images with reddish brown air that engulfed the area. It is disconcerting about having to breathe in this smoky air. We really had no place to hide from it. It didn’t seem to stop people from boating, water skiing, or playing on the beach. I guess they don’t realize it is very unhealthy to breathe in.

This morning while lying in bed, I heard a bird call, I believe was a Sandhill crane.

I only had two eggs left, so I gave them to our neighbors, and in return, I got a new canopy, and a good supply of firewood.

We are seeing more robins around camp, and a hawks calling.

Our new friends Dan and his wife dropped by our camp last night, and we talked for a while about different things, but mostly about the big rock bands in the late 60s and 70s. Dan grew up in California in the mountains, and like me, he has a deep connection to nature. They spend the summer months in Idaho, and the rest of the time in Oregon. It was nice meeting them. The boys really like them, and their dog.

August 2, 2018 – Thursday

As we are getting close to leaving for our second trip into the backcountry, my mind is going nonstop at night. I have most things done this morning on what we are going to bring with us, before I drop my trailer off to our new friend’s house on Friday evening. Much of my gear is already in panniers, and duffle bags, from our last trip, and will do a quick check on those things. And what I can leave in the trailer.

I decided to use an air mattress instead of the cot to reduced bulk and weight. It is a new air mattress and I want to try it out.

Afternoon Entry

I just about got all the gear ready to load on the truck, and will load everything up on Friday. I will drop off the trailer and canoe at our new friends house Friday afternoon.

Friday 3, 2018 – Friday

We got up at 7:30 am. It was mostly cloudy and cool out, but with no chance of rain.

I wanted to get up early to enjoy a fire and a cup of coffee before we start our busy day. I will first take a shower at the Ponderosa State Park, then finish packing the trailer, and preparing everything for our departure for Saturday morning. We will go shopping for our food supply after we drop off the trailer. I had the butcher at Albertsons put the perishables in their freezer for us, and we will pick them up in the morning.

On our walk this morning, we walked up the dirt road, and here comes Dan on his motor bike. And as usual we stopped to talk for a bit. Then a car pulls up, and the guy asked us if we have seen any moose. He hunts for moose with his camera, and he comes to this area a lot to photograph the moose. He tells us this is a great habitat for moose. He also said, there are a lot of bald eagles in this area. I haven’t seen either eagles or moose.

Since we have been in Idaho, we have met the nicest people. Even people from out of state. I think the out of stater’s transform to being nice once they cross the state line into Idaho.

I am thinking we may come back here after our second backcountry trip is over, to recoup.

It is a beautiful morning, and so peaceful out in this special place in nature.

When we arrived to drop of the trailer, we were greeted by Lynn and her husband. They showed us where to park the trailer and canoe. I told them I really appreciate them doing this for us. Lynn and Tim offered us to stay for dinner, and a place we could set up a tent, or sleep in a guest bedroom, and to take a shower before we leave on Saturday. I thanked them for the offer, but told them I still have a lot to do before we leave.

Before we left Lynn and Tim’s house, Lynn was asking us about our journey, and Tim with an interesting ear in our story. Lynn seemed to show the most interest though. I briefly told them our story, and told Lynn she could follow us on Facebook. If I had the money, I would have bought them dinner for their kindness. After dropping our trailer and canoe off at Tim and Lynn’s, we headed for the restaurant where we would meet Dan and Linda, in McCall.

The beautiful natural landscape we have experienced, and the nice people we have met here, have been truly a wonderful and delightful experience.

Saturday 4, 2018 – Saturday

We got up and 7:30 am, took our walk, and a woman stopped us at the campground and asked if we heard or saw an elderly woman walking around. I told her, “No, but will keep an eye out for her.” The women was 70 years old. She was last seen by some campers walking down the road. I said, “we were headed in that direction and would watch out for her.”

Returning from our walk, I dropped by the woman’s camp with no good news of her missing mother. I asked if she called 911? She said she had. It is hard to get lost in this area, unless one wanders into the bush. But if the person has Alzheimers, that could be a big problem. I could see how it could become very confusing.

Back at camp I fed the boys, and began packing up our camp. Of course, Dan came by on his morning rounds of the campsite for a morning chat with anyone wanting to chat with him. Dan loved to talk. Dan didn’t see the elderly woman either. If I was staying here I would help in the search of the elderly woman. While I was packing up, a Sheriff dropped by in response to the 911 call of the missing person.

I wanted to get out of camp by 10:00 am, but it was not until 11:00 am that we left. It was going to be a very long drive to get to the trailhead. About 6 hours. We stopped for gas, and coffee for me for the road.

We took the turn off to Warm Lake before Cascade, then headed to Yellow Pine, a small mining town. I didn’t bring water for me and the boys, so we stopped at Yellow Pine for water. It took about two and half hours to get to Yellow Pine. They were having a harmonica gathering there, and it was jamb packed with people. Once we got our water, we continued on toward our final destination, another 3 hours or so more to go. Our drive got further and further into remote country. I am glad I didn’t bring the trailer with us on the winding, narrow, and rough roads we encountered.

(Image of Yellow Pine)

The skies that I thought were clouds were actually plumes of smoke from the fires. We reached Monument Summit at 8685 elev. There was a fire observation crew there observing the fire and communicating with other observation crews closer to the fire. I told them where we were going to the Marble Creek trailhead. They said, so far it was safe to go there.

Taking that long road was the only road in and out of the wilderness area we were suppose to head into. That got me a little concerned. With my limit knowledge of forest fires, and no knowledge of the area we were going into I wasn’t sure it was a smart area to go into. I do know forest fires can be very unpredictable, they can change direction at any time, or grow in intensity at any time. That is why they call them wild fires.

About 45 minutes waiting for the Outfitters to catch up with us, a pick up truck pulled behind my truck and it was Shawna, the Outfitter’s wife. She talked with the fire observers, and came back to me saying the fire has jumped a creek and was heading in our direction. The fire observers suggested not to go any further. Al then drove up with the pack animals. We decided to turn around and stop at a boon docking camping area to figure out a new game plan. Once we got there we looked at a map, discussed our options and I decided we would head for Loon Lake. At 7:00 pm the boys and I started heading back to McCall. I wasn’t clear where we would stay for the night. The Outfitters would stay at the boon docking camp and rest the pack animals then head out early in the morning to meet us at the Chinook Campground and trailhead for Loon Lake.

When I reached McCall it was still crowed with people at 11:45 pm. I stopped to get gas, then next door to Albertsons to pick up a snack to eat, and a block of ice. Neither the boys or I had eaten dinner. I decided we would try that dispersed camp a few miles past Northwest Passage campground. I was hoping I could find it in the dark. It only had a small sign indicating it was there. Luckily we did find it in the darkness of night, and tried to then find a place we could stop and camp that was close to the road. We stopped at what resembled a campsite. I decided I wouldn’t set up the tent, and we would just sleep under the stars. I tied up the boys after picking a spot we would sleep, threw down a ground tarp, then our bedding. Luckily everything was convenient to get at in the bed of the truck. And we hit the sack. It was 1:00 am. The boys laid on their beds next to me. I looked out to the night sky at the stars for a bit. I was too exhausted to fall asleep.

It was a long day of driving. On our way back to McCall I had to drive in the night time and it was very difficult to see at night with having a cataract in one eye.

We had to get up early to meet the Outfitters at the trailhead, and I had no idea where we were going, especially in the dark. I set my alarm for 4:15 am. We were suppose to meet them at 6:00 am at the campground.

Chinook Campground / Loon Lake, Payette National Forest

August 5, 2018 – Sunday – Day 1 – 14 Day Trip at Loon Lake

In the early morning around 4:40 am, I finally got up, took the boys for a short walk to pee, and began packing up. I heard a loud truck and trailer with the distinctive rattling sounds that a stock trailer would make, coming up the road. It was Al whizzing by, and about 5 minutes later, Shawna came whizzing by behind him in her truck. Fifteen minutes later we got finished packing up, and we were off. It was still dark, and I was hoping I would be able to find the campground we are supposed to meet at. I quickly glanced at the map to point me in the right direction and hoping the turn off to the campground was clearly marked.

The paved road turned into a gravel road which is not uncommon in Idaho. I was hoping I was going in the right direction. I then saw the sign for Chinook Campgrounds, Loon Lake. I turned onto the road taking us to the campground and immediately saw a glimpse of the stock trailer. I was hoping it was our Outfitter. When I got closer I could tell it was them. I felt a sense of relief, a bit nervous, and excitement. Al had the pack saddles already on the mules. I began unloading our gear from the truck bed and taking the gear over to the loading area by the mules. At the same time trying to remember to bring everything I needed. I told Al we will probably need five pack animals. And he said, ”No problem. I will make it work.” I was waiting for him to tell me, that will cost you more money, but he didn’t. I went over to Shawna while Al was putting our gear in the pack saddles, to discuss the details and to go over the map with me. I gave Shawna the money. I was going to count the money one more time, and she said, “I trust you.” This trip would cost me $1,200 cash round trip. Considering all the traveling we had to do due the the fires, that was a very good price, considering our last trip coast me close to $3,000, plus having to buy a new cot.

I gave the boys some food, but they were not interested. I went through my day pack for what I wanted to bring with me, and made sure Al had everything he needed to pack. Al said, go ahead and they will meet us there. He gave me directions to get on the trail. It would be a 4.5 mile hike to Loon Lake. Then the boys and I drove to the trailhead parking in the truck. Al said, “we (me and the boys) will probably be there before them, or they will wait for us.” Then he will go over the available campsites with us. Al was really easy going and very workable. It seemed his ethics were customer service first.

At the parking lot I got everything I wanted to take with me, hoping I don’t forget anything. In my daypack I brought extra water for me and the boys for the hike in, then took a pit stop at the toilet.

It was pretty chilly this morning and I just had a T-shirt and a light long sleeve shirt on. I thought I would warm up soon enough once we got on the trail.

I had the boys on leash. Most of the way the boys walked side by side like sled dogs pulling me along the trail. The trail was in good condition and was scenic, though much of the forest was burnt by fire. Some areas we were met with pleasant shaded areas of woodlands. It would have been easier having the boys off lease on the hike, but I didn’t want the boys running off, or if Al came up on us with the pack animals, getting them excited. The trail was fairly level with gentle up and downs. We saw six deer just off the tail. At the 3 mile marker we ran into a family, a man and wife, and a young boy and girl returning from a backpacking trip. They all carried their own backpacks. That was nice to see, seeing parents getting their children involved in nature through backpacking. Overall the hike was pretty easy with gradual elevation variations. About a mile from the lake I saw wolf scat on the trail.

There was no sight of the lake until the very end when passing a meadow to the entrance of the lake. Once we arrived at the camping area, the Outfitters were right behind us. As I was looking out towards the lake, most of the lake surroundings were burnt remains of trees from a devastating forest fire some years back. I saw Al on foot walking his horse with three pack mules behind, and Shawna with two pack mules, and her riding horse. He told me he packed his riding horse as well with our gear, at no charge.

At first glance, I was not impressed with the area. There was a lot of dead standing, and a lot of dead fall.

Entering the lake area we walked into an open area that was used as a large campsite. Campers were packing up to leave. It looked like a good campsite, but Al commented that we will get a lot of traffic going through there. Al showed me the other options a bit further on. There were a total of five camping sites, I selected what I thought would be the best one, and again, the only one that would barely fit our tent. Right beside the tent was a dead standing widow maker. I checked the root system and it seemed pretty firm in the ground. I decided on this site and the packers began unloading our gear. As always, the boys were excited about their new camp. There was a small wooded area between our camp and the lake, so we had just a speck of a view through the trees to the lake, and a small path from our camp leading to the lake. On the other side of us we had a burned out area with dead standing. Then a small meadow. In the front and rear of us was pretty much open.

Al said, “if we want to leave early, he will have to try to schedule us in.” He will be busy for the two weeks.

I then began organizing the camp, and setting up the tent, from the pile of gear the outfitters left us. I set the tent end guy lines further apart and it did tighten the two ridges of the tent a bit more. I did once again refrain from bringing the tent vestibule due to the added weight, and bulk, and it wouldn’t have fit anyway on our small tent site. The vestibules are nice to have, but unfortunately it is not to be.

It took us about two hours to hike in, arriving at the lake at 10:00 am. Getting most of the camp set up, we got a few sporadic rain drops coming down here and there. After getting the camp set up my energy level was running low, as with my motivation.

We needed water so I grabbed the two canteens and headed for the stream. I let the boys loose to run around. And that they did, exploring the area, and playing in the lake. After filling the canteens up I headed back to camp. I was looking out to the lake, and it was a beautiful area. I could imagine what it was like before the fire chard the whole area into ashes, and the remaining skeleton figures of standing trees.

I was watching the boys playing, and thinking, this is what it is all about – being in nature. We were alone once again in the backcountry. A place I mostly prefer.

On the trail back to camp, I saw Nanook running towards me, and asked Nanook where his brother was? I looked ahead and saw Takota running back to camp. Then he turned and was running back towards me on the trail. I saw blood all over his head and neck. I immediately checked him out to find the source of the bleeding. Somehow he cut the tip of his right ear. I put the leash on him and took him back to camp to doctor him up. I got the bleeding to stop with no problem. I don’t have any idea how he did it. That boy is just waiting for an accident to happen.

I fixed the boys dinner at 3:00 pm, and I fixed myself a salad. One of two that I had brought with us. I would have brought more, but I didn’t have the space. On our Sawtooth trip I brought no salads, and really missed having them.

All day I was really dragging, and we went to bed at 7:00 pm.

August 6, 2018 – Monday – Day 2

On our first night in the backcountry, we slept well, We went to bed at 7:00 pm. I was ready for bed much earlier from the two long days it took in getting here.

I slept on a new air mattress that I have had for a while, but never used. I was very pleased with it so far for comfort. But how long will it last? It is a self inflating air mattress with a small mini-pump to add any additional air that might be needed for comfort. I got it inflated to about 60% with the pump and with me blowing into it. The mattress is an “Exped” air mattress. It provides about 3” of cushion. The difference between this air mattress and the cot was that with the cot I had some height and support to make it easier to get dress.

Before getting up, I was being greeted by the boys with their loving affection. We got up at 9:00 am. The weather was a bright and sunny day at 68 deg. We were the only ones camping here so far. So I let the boys roam about a bit while I got myself up and dressed. I grabbed a few protein bars to nibble on, and took some deep breaths of the fresh mountain air.

We are at an elevation of 5,835 ft.

I left a towel out last night, and walked a short distance to the lake to wet it so I could use it to cover the Ice cooler from the heat of the sun. The boys were running around, sniffing the new scents, and playing in the shallows of the lake. They were enjoying their new surroundings. They then returned to camp to join me.

A hummingbird was checking us out yesterday, and is back this morning. I wonder if they are spiritual beings, or spirit helpers watching over us. For some Native American tribes, hummingbirds have been seen as a sacred symbol, a symbol of resurrection and rebirth. They are also seen as healers – bringing healing and help to others. They carry messages of love and joy. I can see that, they are amazing creatures for being so small, and so beautiful. It is a joy watching them and having them in our camp.

It is quiet and peaceful here. Yesterday I saw four Canadian geese here, swimming in the calm lake. We have lots of birds chattering this morning. I then saw two ducks in the lake as well.

Takota heard something, and a few moments later I saw a hiker and his dog that appeared on a trail close to our camp. I heard another voice, but could not see him. The hiker with his dog soon returned. I talked with him and he was checking out the right side of the lake trail for access getting to the crashed plane site at the end of the lake. He said they were not able to get through due to heavy brush. The other person I heard was walking on the left side of the lake and was able to reach it, but having to go through a lot of downed trees. I was not really interested in checking out the crashed plane.

I soon realized Loon Lake attracted a lot of day hikers, some backpackers, bikers, and now motorcycles that are allowed into this national forest. Most of the day hikers came here to see the remains of the plane, and not in the beauty of the area.

I spent most of the day writing in the journal, catching up on what transpired in the past two days. We did do some exploring in the area as well.

Evening Entry

It is 7:00 pm and just finished dinner. We had Sockeye Salmon. The boys always seem to know what I am cooking, whether it is steak, chicken, or salmon. They seem to like the salmon the best. What was left of the salmon after my portion, the boys got that I mixed in with their kibble. I finished cooking my salmon, adding to it some smoked baby clams, and topped with a good amount of Tabasco sauce. I finished my dinner off with a kale salad topped with dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds that were included in the salad.

While writing this evening, the mosquitoes were coming out to feast, so I put some coffee grounds in the fire. That seemed to help rid us of the pesky critters. We are also dealing with these tiny creature known as No-see-ums, that are flying all around us, and biting us.

The benefits of having our gear packed in is being able to stay out in the backcountry longer, having more food, and bringing in more gear. Most people would not bring as much gear as I do, but I am not like most people. I bring extra gear that I also want to test. Plus I have two big dogs to feed. I brought canned soups with me, and canned oysters, clams and sardines to add to the soups for added flavor and hopefully more nutrition.

The fire we made was from wood around the camp. I brought axes and saws to process the wood.

I was reflecting on this journey we are on, and how lucky we have been to experience this journey at my age of 67 years old. At this age, I am walking into the wilderness with Takota and Nanook, alone, and up to 19 days long. At a very early age I dreamed of being in the wilderness whether being on horseback, or backpacking, or hiking. I felt my place was in the woods, or by the ocean, or in the mountains. I could feel these places speaking to me in a very profound way within me.

My goal was to stay out in nature as long as my aging body would last. I have been experiencing the symptoms of aging slowly, like less endurance on hikes, as with poorer balance, and memory slowing, but nothing that has stopped me from going into the backcountry alone with the boys, and living in a tent full time. When we left on this journey, I didn’t even think about my age, I was just focused on being in, and experiencing nature. I also feel I am being guided on this path I have chosen, or maybe it has chosen me.

I choose not to get our drinking water from the lake even though I can filter it. The river outlet is close to our camp, so I get the water from there, as with filtering it for the water I drink. Hopefully both the boys and I don’t catch a bug from the water. I am only using the filtered bottles I used in our last camp at Sawtooth. The inlet water is all the way at the end of the lake and not an easy hike to get to. While I gather the water, the boys enjoy playing in it.

Today was warm with an occasional breeze coming through. As mentioned, I do all my writing in the journal where I can write, and observe my surroundings. I allow myself to experience all my senses to the awareness and in the purity of nature. Feeling the mountain breeze coming through our camp seems to refresh my soul. It has a cleansing effect on me. And is always welcoming.

In the early afternoon a tree came down not far from us. I then looked over to a small living tree that had split and is bending on top of another tree. It tells me this area gets a lot of strong wind that can push over living trees as well. I thought I would do a video of the widow makers in our area. It just wasn’t the one next to our tent. I looked around our campsite and there were dead standing trees on two sides of us that could easily reach our tent and camp. How could I have missed that? I was so focused on getting our camp set up on that spot, I missed one of the important rules of picking a campsite, and that is staying away from widow makers. I would hear trees falling everyday in this area due to the winds, and all the dead standing trees from a major fire that went through this area, devastating the lush green forest that once stood here. I will have to notify the USFS (United States Forest Service) about this when I get back. One would think they would clear the dead standing from campsites. There are only a few small spots of green in the area, one next to our camp, one at the entrance of the lake, and at the other end of the lake. The rest of the area is barren skeletons of a lush forest that once was. Even the healthy trees still standing are not safe. I think the USFS stance on this is, “Warning, Camp At Your Own Risk.” The few campers I saw here, I warned them of the risks of falling trees. At least the USFS should post warning signs out for any areas like this one. I realized also that even trees that look healthy can fall, like the one I saw close to our camp that had split in half.

I remember when I was camping at a campground in the Sierra Nevada’s, a supposedly large pine tree fell on a picnic table at a campsite across from me. Even if we take all precautions to be safe in the backcountry, there are always potential and unseen dangers lurking all around. And most people never are aware of these potential dangers, even on taking a small hike. We assume all will be safe. That is what the forest service job is? Making the forests safe for us?This is why I believe nature should always be respected, and always being aware of potential dangers.

Across from our campsite is an opening of dead standing trees, then a small meadow. And everywhere I look, there is dead fall, and dead standing. If I knew this before hand, We would not have selected this area. I am not sure if the Outfitters even were aware of this. Or if they were, they should have mentioned this to me. There were signs everywhere of the potential dangers here, if we are just aware of them.

I heard some loud splashing at the lake, it was about 8 ducks swimming off shore. The hummingbirds have been buzzing around our camp all day. I saw two in flight together.

A squirrel is chattering away in the trees close to our camp.

I then looked straight ahead of me and a squirrel was chattering away, and flicking it’s tail while on a downed tree near camp. With so much dead forest in our surroundings, it is nice to see life all around us. Life still goes in this devastated area. We will be here for 14 days, and instead of packing up, I can learn about wildlife and the regrowth of vegetation in burned out areas. Most campers would not stay in this area, but to see the crashed plane, or for only a one night stay. They would see this area as being stark and ugly, when in fact it is part of nature, and can be a place to learn from.

Our fire pit is surrounding by a big pile of stones. The opening is small, about 18” in diameter, but large enough for a comfortable fire. I prefer the small cozy fires.

The boys and I took our evening walk, and we walked along on the southwest side of the lake. The trail was overgrown and with many obstacles of dead fall. When it was getting to difficult, I decided we would turn back.

Although I would have preferred a nicer area to camp for 14 days, I think we were here for a reason – to learn and observe that nature is not always perfect in how we perceive it. If we can ask, what can we learn from this experience, what is nature teaching me to see? It opens up our experiences to new things. Nature is not here to please us, but to teach us.

On our return walk back to camp we crossed over where the lake ended and the stream began. I watched in joy, while the boys were playing in the water. After they were finished playing, we returned to camp.

Sitting in my chair with journal open, both Takota and Nanook are listening, smelling, and watching for any critters that might be lurking around in the area. I am also beginning to settle into our space in nature.

There are three campsites where we are at. All of them are framed with logs in triangular shapes. I am not sure what the reasoning is for this? Or who did it? They do make good foot rests while I am writing, and good benches to set things on. Even good log supports for sawing logs.

Earlier I heard a loud bird call, maybe it was a crane? Second thought, I think it was a heron.

I really enjoy having a small campfire. It is part of the camping experiences.

Today, I felt good and refreshed with a lot of energy, with no stiffness or soreness.

I left the valve open on the mattress most of the day to self inflate, and it seemed to help a bit. It is 10:30 pm now. It is very dark, quiet, and peaceful out. The fire is almost out, and is time for bed. May each day of our 14 days here be safe and rewarding.

August 7, 2018 – Tuesday – Day 3

All night I was nice and comfortable on my air mattress. Though it took a while to fall asleep. During the early hours I felt feelings of joy, and contentment being with the boys in the backcountry. I was happy to be here. I was even considering getting up in the middle of the night to cut wood. It was so nice spending time alone with the boys in the backcountry. There is nothing like it. I finally fell asleep at 4:30 am. I awoke at 8:30 am, and we got up at 9:00 am, and ready to begin our new day. Though I was still a bit tired from lack of sleep.

Early this morning I thought I heard wolves howling from a good distance away. I heard them again about an hour later.

A couple of planes flew over the lake this morning, probably to check out the remains of the crashed plane?

When the boys returned from their walk about, keeping close to camp. We heard a cow bell clanging away. I soon saw a hiker with the cow bell heading for the crash site. A half hour later I saw people on horseback coming in.

On the lake there were some Canadian geese, and a bit later a line of ducks in a row, in the same area as the geese. Also their was a black and white bird in the same area where the ducks and geese were. Us humans, have the need to label what we see, as far as animals go in nature. Or we just take little notice to them. If I don’t know a particular species of an animal, just observing them is enough for me. In giving it a label, a name, doesn’t really add to any value of that creature. It is what we see, and learn in that animal that is important. This also applies to the vegetation, and trees.

I walked over to the area where the horse group were. There was two women, and three men. All in their late 60s and 70s I would guess. While talking with them, the cow bell hiker came back. He did make it to the plane crash site. I thought the plane was in the lake, but actually in a swampy area in the woods. He showed me some photos he shot of the plane, and it was just a mangled heap of scrap metal metal. To me it was not worth going to see, unless I got bored.

At 11:20 am it is 82 deg.

After finishing my talk with the horse people, they wanted to check out our campsite. And their dogs ran over to my dogs and I thought there would be a dog fight for sure. Fortunately their dogs were female, and they just sniffed each other. I think they were border collies.

Evening Entry

I finished my journal entries from the last four days. I hope they make sense when I go to rewrite them?

While splitting the wood, I split the handle of my brand new and unused axe. I wrapped it with duct tape, and hopefully that works?

I finished up one bottle of propane tonight.

It is almost 8:00 pm, and a beautiful evening.

Two backpackers came in this afternoon. They were staying for one night. They came in to see the famous plane wreckage.

On one of our walks I saw some wild blue berries, so I had a few to munch on.

This evening on our walk, we explored the southeast side of the lake trail. Within a short distance we were stopped by a thick web of downed trees blocking our way. I wish I would have brought my rubber boots to go through the boggy areas.

I would learn later that the motorcycle groups made a deal with the USFS to maintain the trails if they could use them. The question is, do we want motorcycles as part of our backcountry experience? I don’t!

August 8, 2018 – Wednesday – Day 4

This morning it was sunny, but cool outside. A 54 deg morning at 9:00 am. It was a bit cool when we got up at 7:45 am.

What I could remember of the night, it was filled with thoughts, and dreams of self doubt. Thinking of what my purpose is in doing this? But I committed myself to this, with no return ticket. I can’t turn back the clock, all bridges burned, and no return to my past life, and profession. I gave it up so me and the boys could experience nature to it’s fullest.

After breakfast, we heard two bikers, and a cattle dog go by our camp on the trail that is past the small meadow, that goes to another lake. Both Takota and Nanook heard them, as they do all people approaching the area. Even if they are far from view, Nanook still listens to them. I wonder if he was one of the people who camped next to us at Northwest Passage Campground that we met? He told me he liked biking in the backcountry, he has a Shiloh Shepherd and lives in McCall. Nanook showed a real interest in them. He probably remembers them. From Nanook’s response, I would not be surprised it was them.

The boys and I took our morning walk on the north side of the lake. The shallow lake is glassy calm. The smell in the air was of pine and fir, and the sounds of birds singing their morning songs. In the beginning the trail was an easy walk, and was lined with blueberry bushes on each side. I would nibble occasionally on the sweet berries. When the boys had the opportunity, they would head for the water, running through marshy grasses that lined most of the lake, and covering themselves in mud.

With my camp set up, and my journaling caught up, I can begin relaxing to the rhythms of nature. To experience her fully, and to observe the beauty and wonders all around us. The boys are enjoying romping on the grounds their ancestors once did without worrying about being shot and killed my humans. Most of the time they stay close to me, and other times they get lost in the moment, going wherever their free spirits take them. There are times I don’t have a clue of where they are, then when I call them, I will see them running back to me, like two excited children coming to tell me all that they have seen. Then after they come back to greet me, they are off again for more explorations. Sometimes Takota will pop his head up from the brush to check on where I am at. I never get tired of seeing such beauty and delight that the boys bring to me. But even with them wearing bandanas, I still have to be concerned that they could be shot.

Along our walks I would check out the lake to see where any fish activity would be. And I see nothing from this shallow lake. It would be nice to catch some tasty trout. The lake is small, but would be fun paddling around in a canoe. The only wild edibles so far are the blueberries. One guy I was talking to, mention huckleberry being around.

The boys flushed out a sandpiper from the lake grasses, and two of another species of bird nesting in the grasses.

Further up the trail it became boggy, other areas still thick in vegetation, and other areas the grass was short. I thought I heard a moose grunting, and a short time later the sounds of scraping antlers against a tree. I think we have a moose in these parts? It is amazing they can stay so hidden being so large of animal.

It was getting too boggy for me so I was ready to turn back towards camp. Further up the trail, the boys flushed out three large geese. They had the heads and the markings of Canadian geese, but the coloration of the body didn’t resemble Canadian geese. There were other birds making calls I thought might be Herons.

After I turned back, the boys followed. At camp I got a fire going. I was still upset a little about damaging my axe. I then put on some coffee and began to write in the journal. I will fix bacon and eggs for me and the boys for breakfast.

The animals that are here that I know of, or seen, or heard are deer, moose, marmot, chipmunks, gray squirrels, and wolves. The birds are the hummingbirds, geese, ducks, robins, woodpeckers, kildares, and herons. As with other ground nesting birds. I also saw the elusive bird I have not been able to identify yet with rust colored underside of the wings and a white tail. But I have not heard or seen any Loons? Maybe they come to the lake during a certain time of year. It would be nice seeing them here. The only loons we have seen here are the mountain peaks called North Loon Peak and South Loon Peak. The trees here are the Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine. Since the fire of 2007 that burned much of this area, a lot of new growth is appearing.

When I have my bad thoughts, or dreams during the night, they always vanish when I step outside into nature, or I am greeted each morning by the boys.

I think for the human species, there is something magical and a beauty being next to a mountain lake, or even next to a flowing river. Maybe we feel more connected to nature with an inner connection with water, then in a forest. But even being in the forest, we too can experience a deeper connection with nature, or even in the desert. What brings nature alive where there is water, are the animals it attracts. Water is life for all life. Being out in nature full time I feel a deep connection to all things that is nature. For me, I especially feel a deep connection with the trees. Maybe when we begin to see all things in nature as living Beings with an intelligence, we begin to see them differently. We become more connected to them as fellow Beings in life. And it should. The trees have been around for between 350 and 420 million years ago. Without trees the earth would not be habitable. They give life as the water does. Every organism on this planet supports one another as one life – as one Being. We are all connected as one.

Evening Entry

It was smoky at the lake today and this evening. I talked to the two guys and girl who bicycled to the other side of the lake to see the plane that crashed, and they told me it would have been much easier walking. They said at one point there were 10 to 15 downed trees they had to cross.

At 3:00 pm we took a walk to the plane crash on the right side of the lake, but just prior to that two boys and his dad were going there. The dad was carrying a pistol with him. The boys were howling, and running ahead of me. They did have their bandanas on. I hope this guy would not shoot them, thinking they were wolves. We did catch up to them, and thanked him for not shooting my dogs.

It was a bit of a rough going through a lot of heavy brush and downed logs. We were then stopped by the inlet of the stream and lake. The only crossing over the stream was a log bridge with a small log next to a larger diameter log next to it. We were maybe five feet higher than the water, and the water depth was about 30” to 36” deep. There was no way would I attempt that crossing with the boys or evening without the boys. So we turned around. I did see a campsite in the trees just across the bridge that looked pretty nice, but too small for my tent, and crossing the stream would be an issue. Both for me and Takota. Nanook probably would have loved it. I spent a little time looking for another crossing over the stream, but I didn’t see any. Since it was getting late we started heading back to camp.

It was about 1.5 miles to the crash site. Most of the trail was in good to fair condition with a lot of stepping over logs on the trail. It was hot on the trail, and I did not bring any water. I figured the boys would get water from the lake. When there were shady spots, Takota and Nanook would take rest breaks. Overall they stayed with me on our walk in both directions. They were being very good boys the whole way.

On the way back to camp, I heard a barking in the distance. I wasn’t sure if it was a dog or wolves so I wanted to get back to camp. I kept an eye on things just in case I had to put the leashes on the boys.

When we were close to camp, both the boys and I rinsed off in the stream to cool off. I took my shirt off soaked it in the stream, then rinsed it and put it back on. It was cold, but felt refreshing, and cooled me down. Although we didn’t reach the plane, it was a good hike to get a little exercise, and to explore the area.

Both the boys and I were tired after our three mile hike in the hot sun. I was too tired to cook dinner. But I did build a fire to rid us of the biting flies. I used a wood splitting technique for kindling that I had learned from Ray Mears that avoids any potential contact with the blade of the axe. It worked pretty well. Basically you place the axe blade against the wood, with the wood piece laying flat on a chopping block, and pounding the axe and wood together, causing it to split, with no chance of the hand or fingers getting in the way.

For dinner, the boys had ham and cheese over kibble, I had freeze dried spaghetti with lots of Tabasco sauce, that tasted pretty good.

It was confirmed, motorcycles were allowed on these trails. The hiking trails are narrow here, and motorcycles will destroy the trails, will make a lot of noise, and hikers will have to watch for them so they won’t get run over. It is bad enough with cyclists allowed on the trails.

We have a culprit visiting camp, a little chipmunk looking for food. I tried to get some photos, but he or she would not stand still.

August 9, 2018 – Thursday – Day 5

We got up at around 8:30 am, it is now 10:21 am. The sky is still smoky, and 86 deg. The smoke is not too bad. It is like a light haze, with a slight smell of smoke. The boys and I took a walk along the meadow right before the lake. I heard chain saws going this morning some distance away.

I gave the boys plain kibble this morning and they gave it a nose up, as not interested. But the chipmunk didn’t mind. The chipmunk cautiously sneaking up on the dogs food bowl on the other side of the log. Nanook being aware of something on the other side, he listened intently. The chipmunk checked to see if the coast was clear, stretching as far as it could above the log, to find a big furry head of Nanook. The chipmunk thought this was not a good time and skedaddled into the nearest hole in the ground. Nanook and Takota took chase, but was not fast enough to catch Mr. chipmunk.

Afternoon Entry

As I sit here in contemplation , I realize with all the things I want to accomplish, I find the most important thing is just to be in silence – in full silent awareness. This will bring me closer to nature on a much deeper level within and without. As the late Dr. Wayne Dyer wrote, it creates, “Real Magic in ones life, beyond one’s comprehension, beyond one’s imagination in the physical world.” How do I know this? Because I have experienced this directly. It is referred to a spiritual awakening. Once one finds this place, one realizes there is no other place one wants to be. When we experience this place of Being, it gives us a sense of belonging to all things.

This Real Magic can be experienced anywhere, not just limited in nature. But in nature, it can provides less limitations when one opens up to it fully.

Evening Entry.

We went for our evening walk while I did a water run at the stream. Takota played in the water, and Nanook was somewhere in the woods not far from us. I heard Nanook barking which is very unusual for him. I called to him, then ran over to where I thought he was. I thought he may have been barking at a bear, wolf, or moose? I called to him again and he came to me as if nothing had happened. I looked around the area to see if I could determine what he was barking at and there was nothing. I then saw Nanook sticking his nose in a ground squirrel hole. I couldn’t believe he was barking at that. And of course Takota had to investigate what Nanook had found. I went back to the stream to get the canteens, and water bottles I had filled, then back to camp. The boys followed.

It is 6:54 pm, just about 10 minutes ago I heard a big crash. A tree came crashing down and it sounded like it took a couple of other trees down with it. It was the loudest I have heard thus far. All the times I have been in the Sierra Nevada mountains I have never heard trees come down. It is like an everyday occurrence here. This could be a very dangerous situation for us.

I wanted to do a video of the boys playing in the water, so we walked over to the outlet and video taped them for about 45 minutes. Then a few minutes later another tree came crashing down. This was getting me really concerned. I could always call the Outfitter to get us out of here. But I decided to stick it out. Smart thing to do? Probably not!

Most of the evening we were alone here, the people that came here today were only day hikers.

It was warm today at 86 degrees with a light breeze coming throughout the day. At 8:24 pm, it got down to 76 deg.

A bit earlier a large a group of cyclists from a church group came riding in. Most of them went to hike to the plane crash site. They left at 3:00 pm. After the kids returned, I took the boys over to the kids playing and cooling off in the lake from their hike. There were twelve of them. The boys did fine socializing with all the kids. Takota does not care for a lot of high energy kids, but he was enjoying them.

We had a crossbill bird come into camp today, and our hummingbird friend came to visit us throughout the day.

It will be interesting how many people will come in on the weekend?

The sky continues to be hazy from the smoke. I am surprised they would bring kids out here with this smoky haze?

I am watching two grey squirrels chasing each other around the base of a tree.

Earlier in the day I was talking with one of the mascots of the church group, he was waiting in the shallows of the lake with a fly fishing rod, but was not fishing. He was pretty far out in the lake in only about 30” deep of water. He didn’t even try to fish. It was just to shallow.

When I came back to camp, I realized I left the stove on, and used up a whole bottle of propane. It is easy to do if one is not paying attention. I was just boiling some water. I am surprised I didn’t damage the pot. It takes so long to boil water at this altitude, and if one gets side tracked this is what could happen. I have to be more aware of that.

Before we went to bed I took the boys for a short walk to relieve themselves. About 15 minutes after going to bed, I heard a sound of an animal, that was like a huffing sound, and a pawing on the ground. It could have been a moose, or maybe a badger. But it was loud and close to our camp. I shined a light outside, but could not see anything. It sounded like an animal with an attitude.

August 10, 2018 – Friday – Day 6

We got up shortly after 8:00 am. We took a walk at the front meadow by the first campsite, and the lake. I saw moose tracks. That could have been the critter that was close to our camp last night that scared the heck out of me? I also found a Bigfoot print in our camp that measured 12.5 inches in length, and about 6 inches in width.

Just kidding, but it did look like a Bigfoot print. Although we may hear these strange sounds at night, it gives excitement to the wonders in nature. I was concerned that if it was a moose, it could have easily destroyed our tent if it wanted to.

At 9:00 am the temperature was 62 deg. And the sky still hazy with smoke.

On our way back from our walk we encounter a Garter snake on the trail. The boys totally ignore it.

A couple of days ago I was noticing Takota was burying something with his nose. I went over to look to see what it was, and it was the head of a ground squirrel.

Mr Chipmunk was running around our camp this morning looking for any tidbits of food. I also noticed a frog or toad was living in a small hole underneath the tent. A whisky jack also flew into camp this morning for a quick visit.

The lake is glass calm as it always is. Only the ripples of the fish rising to the surface to eat the insects landing on the water appears making concentric circles. The area is quiet with the exception of the bird calls, and the humming birds coming to visit the camp. The gray squirrels are now gathering fir cones, and the little pattering of the chipmunk’s foot steps running across the logs. The flies are now beginning to awaken, becoming an irritate to all warm blooded creatures. Each morning life in nature comes alive.

Nature is a peaceful and beautiful place to be in, and to experience in it’s times of stillness, and in it’s times of awakening, and ever present moments. It brings to those that are aware, a sense of wonder in our world. A gathering and connection with all things.

Then this connection, this peaceful gathering of life is broken by the noise of the human voice. The human voice that has become much louder in nature, when a quiet voice and a whisper would suffice. What has happened to man that we have become so disconnected to nature, to the very things that gives life to all life. We have become a species alone, separate from all other life forms.

I walked down to the lake to glass the edges of the lake to maybe discover any movements of life. The boys began to howl, echoing throughout the lake basin. It was an incredible sound to hear. I was thinking about how these large animals, the moose, can stay so hidden in this area. People ask when in nature, where are all the animals? They don’t understand that they have to be quiet, and listen, to see nature around them. To show respect for all life in the plants, in the trees, and in the animals, as with in the four elements of life – Air, water, earth, and fire.

Today will be another warm day. At 11:15 am, it is already at 92 deg.

I just checked the block of ice in the ice chest and it is still about half the size left, even in these warm temperatures we have been having.

This morning, I was thinking about last night, and the unknown sounds I heard that brought a bit of fear in me. My thoughts ran a-mock in my mind, rather than just allowing a peaceful listening to these sounds. Having the feeling of complete isolations, and of the unknown can bring on fear for most, because we have forgotten our relationship with nature. It is also from our own imagination that fear is created, or wonder is created. It is a choice we make.

It is 12:30 pm, the temperature is 93 deg. We have a nice breeze coming through camp, to help in keeping us a bit coolers.

I was told it is suppose to be record breaking temperatures today in Idaho.

I have noticed I am getting acclimated with the rough terrain walking in the backcountry. But one must take each step slowly, and respectfully to hopefully avoid injury.

While gathering water at the lake, I was talking to a hiker, and he mentioned a cold front is suppose to come into this area tonight, and with dropping temperatures to about 20 degrees.

I am not concerned about the cold so much, but with the wind. The wind has been light and coming from the southwest so far.

I heard a clanking noise behind me , and a barking sound. It was Mr. Chipmunk on the stove again.

Evening Entry

There were a few day hikers that came in today, but no campers. One guy was attempting to fly fish in the lake with no luck.

I was thinking about what I was hoping to do out in the wilderness. And that was to hopefully find a place for the summer at one location, and in the winter in one location. This would only happen on private property. And finding such places would be shear luck, without knowing the right people, and finding the right locations for long term camping. One of those places would be like Kennedy Lake in the Sierra Nevada’s where Shiloh and I stayed in 2009 and 2010.

It is 8:00 pm and the boys and I heard people coming in. It was a dad and his son. The boy looks to be around 12 years old. What an adventure for the boy and his dad.

August 11, 2018 – Saturday – Day 7

This morning before getting up, there were a few rain drops falling with mostly clear skies. We heard another tree falling near camp.

We got up shortly after 8:00 am. The temperature was 61 deg. We took a walk again to the front meadow. In the meadow I noticed wild strawberry plants without the fruit. I also found a few yarrow plants. Still not much coming out as far as berries. Slim pickens as far as wild edibles go.

It is still pretty hazy this morning.

We past the camp of the father and son on our walk, and they were packing up to leave today. They left their backpacks on a rock. They must have gone to the crash site. I heard their voices across the lake.

There is a lot of bird activity this morning, as with gray squirrels dropping a lot of fir cones to the ground from high above.

I talked with the dad and son on their return from the other end of the lake. They are leaving today. Too bad. It seems this location for most, is to see the plane wreckage. Forget about experiencing nature. The dad said, his son didn’t sleep well last night. Who does on their first night? For me and the boys, it is just another night in a tent. No big deal. Most come from sleeping in a nice comfortable bed, in a nice safe house, to sleeping in the wilderness on hard ground in a sleeping bag, and the strange sounds one might here during the dark and spooky nights. It takes time getting use to this for most. They were here from 8:00 pm to 10:00 am the next morning. With this experience, will the boy ever want to go camping again? The parents much be teachers to the children when they go camping in nature, not just sight seeing. The father also mentioned they didn’t see any animals. Duh! Do they think the animals are here just to please their desires of seeing them? For our entertainment? We haven’t seen any large animals, but for the deer on our hike here. But, we heard wolves howling, moose sounds, and their tracks. And don’t the small animals and birds count? Just in the fact that moose can hide in such a place that has been burned by fire, is amazing to me. Most people don’t see large animals in the wild, because they make to much noise and they are not respectful when they are in nature. Just listen, and observe, and one might just appear. Then the question would be, would they show respect to that animal?

Last night while doing some reading next to the fire, with daylight quickly fading into darkness, I heard a sound behind me, next to the small meadow. I heard the snapping of twigs, and rustling in the brush. I scanned the area with my flashlight and saw nothing. And the sounds began again. I saw the glow of eyes in the trees, and realized it was possibly the gray squirrels playing around.

While I was doing some writing in my Journal I heard some motorcycles coming towards us. I was thinking, “another reason we don’t see wildlife here.” Supposedly these guys rode up on a trail they were not suppose to be on. I will have to check on that with the USFS? The guys on the motorcycles also parked their bikes in the campsite where the dad and son had camped earlier that they were not allowed in. There were a total of five motorcycles, and the riders were rude and inconsiderate. When they finally left, one guy left a rubber snake on a rock at that campsite. That is why they shouldn’t be allowed in these areas.

Early Afternoon Entry

Not too long ago I could here the wind begin from the southeast intensifying, getting louder and stronger. When it hit us we were getting very strong wind gusts. If the wind shifts in the northerly direction, we cannot sleep in camp. The only option I saw was in the small meadow next to camp. Trees were falling without the wind. I could imagine what it would be like with strong winds? This could be a very dangerous place to be.

While watching Takota around the water, he is getting much braver, he loves to bite at it, and splash around in it. I am sure it feels good on these warm days we have been having, cooling off in the water. Although the water is pretty shallow, he won’t venture off too far in the lake. Nanook could be another story?

Evening Entry

I don’t like the option I have setting up a quick camp at the meadow just in case we get lightning and being completely open to the wind.

The weather forecast said clear tonight, yet it is clouding up. The winds have let up a little, but is still blowing at 7:00 pm. The weather can be unpredictable in the mountain regions. There is another spot near our camp that has some tree protection. It is a small area that can give some protection hopefully from the wind and falling trees. I will have to keep a watch on what the weather will do. I planned our escape route, and it will take three trips to set up a quick camp.

At 7:45 pm the winds have calmed down. Maybe we will have a quiet sleep in the tent tonight.

It is 8:30 pm and I think it is time to turn in. It has been somewhat a stressful day with the weather situation. The evening is calm and quiet. I hear no crashing trees falling, but I am sure the steady winds we had today has weaken many trees. It feels like being in a mine field in this area. It may not be over for us yet. We are suppose to get possible thunderstorms for Wednesday and Thursday and could bring more high winds. But whatever the weather does, there will still be more falling trees. I really don’t recommend camping in these type of areas. The risks are to high for having a tree slamming on you.

August 12, 2018 – Sunday – Day 8

As far as I know, the wind started up again at around 10:00 pm last night with strong winds once again. I decided I did not want to risk the danger of a tree falling on top of us. So I got up, got dressed, and started to move camp. I grabbed my pack and tarp and headed to our alternative spot under the starry night sky, and under some pine trees. I seemed we had some protection there.

The boys seemed curious with what the heck I was doing, but too comfortable in their beds to move. I tried to avoid any rocks or roots above the ground for our sleeping place. I placed my pack on the tarp so it wouldn’t blow away and went back to camp for another load. I grabbed my air mattress, and sleeping bag next. Then lastly, the boys, and closed up the tent. I left the boy’s beds in the tent, figuring they will be fine with one night without their beds. Just another new adventure for us in the backcountry.

At our new camp, I secured the boys to a tree so they could sleep next to me. I was again proud of the boys for being so cooperative with me in this transition. I got into the sleeping bag, said, “good night,” to the boys lying next to me, and I gazed out to the night sky, waiting for the meteor showers to begin. I can’t say enough how much comfort the boys give to me with their companionship. They are truly a gift to me. Now, we just wait it out hoping a tree doesn’t fall on our tent.

The wind did shift direction from the north to the northwest. I am glad we made the move. I felt a little safer in our new spot. We were sleeping under a clump of 5 pine trees that were close together. If a tree did fall, hopefully our pine tree barrier would stop it from crushing us. They did create a nice wind block.

Nanook fell asleep with no problem, Takota was alert listening for any possible intruders that might be close by. He then settled down and quickly fell asleep.

In the middle of the night Nanook moved to a grassy area to sleep. I would occasionally check on the boys during the night. At some point during the night, Mr. Moose, snorted at us and moved on. Maybe the moose was getting use to us being there. The boys were alerted to the moose presents, but did not react to it, and we all fell back to sleep. I am really happy my dogs don’t bark. I was thinking about stores I had heard about of moose that became a nuisance in peoples camps. Our moose let us sleep quietly under the starry night sky.

It was nice throughout the night. It began getting light at 6:00 am. The wind had stopped and we heard no crashing trees falling. I heard a duck, or goose, or maybe a heron fly over us. This continued to happen about 8 times. I think they may be the heron.

When the boys awakened they began grazing on the grass next to us. We finally got up at 7:30 am. We went to our camp to check on any possible damage that may have occurred. Everything looked good. We survived!

I tied the boys up while I got our gear back to camp. We then went down to the stream for water, and for a walk. On the trail a good size tree fell across the trail. Only the tips of the tree laid on the trail. Takota must have slept well, he was full of energy this morning when I let him off leash. After returning to camp I put the water on to boil for the coffee. I had to replace another bottle of propane, #4. We have been treating the water through boiling, and using the “Lifestraw” water bottles.

I enjoyed sleeping outside with the boys. Maybe we will do it from time to time. We may have to do it again if we get more wind that is a possibility on Wednesday and Thursday.

It is peaceful once again at Loon Lake.

It wasn’t as busy with only three campsites used. All were safe from the winds.

My block ice has finally melted in my cooler. It lasted 8 days. Not bad considering the heat spell we had. I am happy also with my air mattress.

I just heard another tree fall. This has been ongoing since we have been here. I wish the Outfitter would have warned us about this area.

Last night I had a bean soup with smoked clams added, and with lots of Tabasco. It was delicious. I will use the rest of the perishable foods this morning. We have 6 days left not including our move out day. We have plenty of food left.

Afternoon Entry

We have been having on and off breezes all day. The breezes are welcoming, but under these circumstances I would prefer them not being here.

I saw an osprey here at the lake today.

Evening Entry

The winds constantly changes direction. It is quiet at 7:30 pm with just a slight breeze. It is interesting how the wind reacts in the mountains. It can be very unpredictable. We are alone at Loon Lake once again.

August 13, 2018 – Monday – Day 9

Back at our camp, me and the boys slept well in our tent. I didn’t hear any trees falling. This morning it is nice, a beautiful day next to the lake. The sky is clear of any smoke. At 9:00 am, it is 66 deg. It was in the 50s early morning. I think it was our coldest morning. I had to put a blanket over the sleeping bag to keep the chill off me. We got up at 8:30 am.

I heard a few trees falling this morning before we got up. They were not close to us. It has been pretty amazing that no trees close to us have fallen. Maybe the spirits have been protecting us.

I received a morning loving from the boys this morning before we got up. It always starts the day out right.

Takota was developing a lot of gunk in his left eye that seemed unusual. I will have to keep an eye on it. I tend to be overly concerned with the boys if something doesn’t seem right with them due to experiences I have had with other dogs. I have lost two dogs already, and for me, and for most people it is a very painful experience losing a best friend. As with my dog, Shiloh that I had lost in 2011, I developed a very close relationship with with him, and now with Takota, and Nanook, especially on this journey in nature that we are sharing. They both have a special place in my heart. Each one has a unique personality to them. We have developed a very close bond with each other, and I could not imagine losing either one of them, because that close bond we have would be broken. This journey we are on together would have little meaning if we didn’t do it together. I had that bond with Shiloh as well, with spending time together camping and in the wilderness in 2009 and 2010.

Takota is the shy one, the sensitive one. When he comes to me in the morning, he will nudge me for me to give him some loving attention with scratches and rubs. Sometimes I will tell him to go bother his brother, so Takota would go over to Nanook, plopping down next to him, and sometimes rolling over giving Nanook some gentle slaps of his paw, telling Nanook to give him some attention. Sometimes Nanook will give Takota a growl and a gentle bite on Takota’s nose, telling him to stop bugging him. Then Nanook would give in to his brother with licks on his face, and ears. Sometimes both. They are truly a gift to me. I could not imagine doing this journey without them. It is endless joy in having them a part of my life, and being with me on this journey. Having all three of us together to the end.

We went on our morning walk. Takota seemed fine and full of energy. His eye looked much better.

We met up with some boys from the Washington State University Cross Country

Team. They were having a morning run in nature. Two other day hikers came in to check out the crashed plane early this morning.

On the lake there were three lines of ducks all in a row. I tried to glass them to see what species they were, but they were to far away. They might be Cinnamon teal?

Evening Entry

I used up our forth propane canister, making coffee. We have four left.

Takota’s eye looked fine all day. That is a relief!

We had a nice day. There was a little smoke coming in this afternoon, and light breezes on and off through the day. Trees continued to fall all day. We will sleep in the tent tonight, unless the winds get worse.

A couple with their son come in to check out the plane wreck, but decided it was to late. So they stayed for an hour, then hiked back to the trailhead. Their son tried a little fishing with no luck. Not even a nibble.

I knew from other people’s fishing experiences, this was not worth trying to fish at this lake.

During the afternoon the flies were really irritating.

It is 8:00 pm, I will take the boys for a walk, then probably go to bed. I hope the winds stop.

I did some video of ducks swimming in the lake. The tripods I was using made any movement I made very chopping. I need to use a better tripod.

August 14, 2018 – Tuesday – Day 10

The wind calmed down about the time we went to bed, somewhere around 9:00 pm last night. It was a peaceful night and slept well.

We got up at 9:00 am, with blue skies and no smoke. We took our walk to the front meadow and got water. It is quiet here this morning as with most mornings. The only sounds we hear are of nature.

Some people just arrived this morning. Probably day hikers to see the plane wreckage.

The story about this plane crash is, a twin engine bomber, a B-23 Dragon, crash landed in the middle of the lake in the winter of 1943. It slid to where it lies now in a marshy area. All the crew survived the crash and were rescued. Anyone can google the full story if interested.

Back at camp, I got the coffee going. I had a few protein bars for breakfast, and the boys had their kibble. I let the boys loose so they could wander around. They mostly stayed in camp unless a squirrel got their attention for a chase. Once they began running through the deadfall, it was time to end their free roaming. I did not want them to get hurt.

I heard the ducks quacking close by our camp. I don’t think they are the Cinnamon teal ducks though.

Overall with the exception of the dead standing trees, and the dead fall, throughout the area, it is a nice area to camp in. And we have a nice little campsite with some open areas, and a small area of trees close to camp, and of course being very close to the lake. I would have been nice having a lake view from camp with the surrounding mountains. Also a better water source nearby. But with having such a large tent, we are very restricted where we can have camp. Any place we find ourselves in nature, we find beauty everywhere – even in campgrounds, but of course, being in the wilderness is much, much better, but can also be much more challenging and dangerous.

When I look for campsites in the backcountry, I look for the best site that provides the natural resources we need, safety, a site that will fit our camp, and having a view may be the last thing on the list. I never know what I will get. I try to explain to Outfitters what I am looking for, but they really don’t understanding really what I am looking for. Since I choose to stay in one spot for our long stay, as with bringing a lot of gear, I want to be as comfortable as possible. But I am finding in Idaho so far, we are restricted by our large tent that restricts us on the sites we take. I always have to lower my expectations and allow nature to show me the way. Wherever we end up, we can alway find beauty in our surroundings.

Evening Entry

I did some video today, took the boys and I on some walks, and just enjoyed the experiences in nature. I felt comfortable just sitting in camp being silent.

One thing I find is a lot is toilet paper that is not buried properly, or not at all, or that the animals may dig up. I prefer to burn it.

I am thinking we may take a hike to the plane wreck tomorrow, going along the south side trail of the lake.

We met a couple of friendly guys on horseback today, and a family from Moscow, Idaho. It was a mom, a girl and two boys. They have come to see the plane. The two fellas on horseback asked me to take a snap shot of them, and they did the same for me and the boys.

It is once again quiet at the lake with the boys.

August 15, 2018 – Wednesday – Day 11

We got up at 8:45 am. I was thinking as always how long can we do this for? Where will this path take us? We have been on this journey now for eight and a half months now. What have I gained in this time? A greater awareness, and relationship with nature, and a wonderful bond with the boys. But I still feel I have not accomplished enough. But it has indeed been an experience. With all the frustrations, challenges, and uncertainties, I encounter, the boys always brings a smile, and joy to me.

How long will I be able to follow the changing seasons of the year, for how many years can we go on? How much can I accomplish on my inner journey? I wanted to accomplish so much more. As for my inner journey, I just wanted to experience Being. Nothing else, just Being.

It was a cool 46 deg, at 9:15 am, when we went on our morning walk

Afternoon Entry

At 4:55 pm the temperature was at 82 deg. We are starting to get a nice breeze coming through camp. I spent most the day shooting video, and took the boys to the lake a couple of times to play. And, in camp and out, I would spend time being silent – experience stillness within. I just noticed we have a different confer tree around our camp. I don’t know the species though.

There were not too many people at Loon Lake today. The ones I did see, and the ones I only heard.

In one area of the lake where the boys like to go into the water, I noticed a yellow jacket type creature hovering in the area. I began observing the creature, and it was performing a mating dance to a larger size creature of the same species that I assumed was a female that was on a small flat rock. Then another female attacked the female that was on the rock doing this ritual dance with the smaller male. It was pretty amazing to watch.

Tomorrow we will try going on the left side of the lake path to reach the plane wreckage. Friday I will begin to break camp for our departure on Saturday. When we reach Chinook Campground, we may look for a site to camp there, or try the one we left from on our way here, or possibly at Northwest Passage Campground. I am thinking we may not get a campsite there on a Saturday. I actual got my days screwed up. I could have stayed one more day to make our 14 days here. I am not sure how I did that? Maybe the Outfitter wasn’t available on Sunday.

I met a couple of women in their twenties with two dogs with them who came to the lake late afternoon to camp overnight. I warned them that my dogs didn’t like other dogs. And I warned them about widow makers when they are setting up camp.

There was also three people that came in on horseback. They sat by the lake drinking whisky for a couple of hours. I felt really uncomfortable with one of them having a pistol with him, and drinking. A bad combination. After they finished off a fifth, they left.

August 16, 2018 – Thursday – Day 12

We woke up at the usual time at 7:30 am. We stayed in bed until 9:15 am. The temperature was 63 deg. The skies were overcast and smoky.

I talked with the two women this morning and shared our story with them. They said they were interested in following us on Facebook.

The day was quiet and peaceful. We went on our morning walk and saw the hummingbird dipping into the fire rings to collect the fire ash in our camp and other camps. The ash actual has a nutritional value that the hummingbirds digest.

While getting our water at the stream, we saw two herons flying by with their huge wing spans.

Evening Entry

I did some video, then we headed for the plane wreckage. The trail there wasn’t to bad, but there was heavy brush we had to go around, and logs we had to go over. The boys found there own paths to get through this maze. I took a quick walk around of the plane, then headed back. It took us about an hour and a half round trip. I was getting tired on our return hike, so I had to be extra careful to take the walk back slowly as not to injure myself. The boys had no problem. Nanook found a short cut using the shallow lake as a pathway back.

(Plane wreck image)

When we got back to camp, we were all tired, and took a nice nap.

Earlier we saw a hawk or eagle soaking over the lake. And during our evening walk we saw a mule deer near by. Then both boys took chase after a chipmunk that hid under a log.

At 7:00 pm we heard thunder coming through our area. I felt a few rain drops coming down. It is hard telling what will come of it. We are getting some wind with wind gusts. With this thunder storm of potential lightning strikes, and winds, it was a beautiful night.

August 17, 2018 – Friday – Day 13

We got up at 8:30 am, partly cloudy, and 62 deg. We survived the thunderstorm that came through last night. We went on our morning walk, and to get some water. I saw some scat that might be from some elk, or maybe the mule deer. I also found tracks that might be from elk.

It is our last day here and time to start packing for our departure tomorrow. The Outfitter will be here around 8:00 am. Once they no longer need our help, we will begin our hike back to our truck at Chinook Campground. Once the Outfitter arrives at the campground we will pack up our gear into the bed of the truck, then determine where we go next to camp for Saturday night.

A family of with two young children came in last night. Packed up to leave today after checking out the plane wreckage. It seems to me this is a lot of hiking for the children, bush wracking to the plane, then a 4.5 mile hike back to their car at Chinook Campground.

We used up our fifth bottle of propane this morning.

I expect new campers coming in for the weekend.

I hear the thumping of fir cones falling from the tree with the gray squirrels chirping away. They must be preparing for their winter cache.

It seems I never enjoy packing up from the backcountry. Maybe I should look at it as ending one adventure and surviving it, to going on our next adventure. I was ready to leave this area. I think we were pushing our luck here with all the trees constantly falling in the area.

The Chipmunks, the gray squirrels, the hummingbird, the unseen moose, as with the other critters that were in the area, made it special.

We saw three backpackers heading to the other end of the lake, weaving their way through the brush. I stopped to talk with them. They asked about places to camp. I told them about the campsite that was at the other end of the lake that I thought would work for them. So they headed that way.

Evening Entry

It was a beautiful day, mostly cloudy, and breezes on and off during the day, and with a bit of sunshine. I got most of the packing of the camp done that I could. I was going to loosen the guy lines from the tent, but thought I should hold off on that just in case the winds come up.

I always look around me, seeing the plants, the trees, the sunshine glistening it’s rays through the trees, the calmness of the lake, listening to the breeze coming through the valley, and the many magical sounds that sings in the air. Nature is truly a magical place if we only pay attention to it, and experience it deeply within our being.

I experience the crackling of the campfire once more on our last night here, waiting for it to burn down before going to bed. Thank you for bringing your presence and comfort, your light and warmth to us on these many mornings and nights, and providing the ash for the hummingbirds.

The darkness of night opening is growing near. The small opening we had through the trees between our camp and the lake became just a silhouette of what was. The faint light of the fire still reflected of the trees.

I decided we would go to the beach to view the evening calm and peaceful lake one last time.

The lake holding onto the very last reflections of the trees, and mountains before they disappear into the darkness.

A family that was camping near us had two small tents on the beach. The other tents under the canopy of the trees. Another couple camping next to us. I warned them about the widow makers where we are camping before they set up camp. They chose to take the chance, as I had for the past two weeks.

We were on the beach with the family, and we were attracted by the bright flashing lights of lightning across the lake. It looked some distance away, and not even thinking it is coming towards our direction. We soon realized it was moving closer and closer to us. The three backpackers across the lake that camped at the campsite I told them about, were all of a sudden in the middle of this lightning storm. I saw them scrambling with their head lamp beams flashing every which way for any type of protection. We knew it would be over us in minutes. We all scrambled to the only protection we had, our tents. But in reality, our tents really offered no protection at all from a lightning strike or falling trees. I wished our fellow campers to be safe. They did the same too us. I told them to let me know if they need any help. I also have a satellite phone for emergencies. As with two other SOS transponders with me if we need them.

Once we were in our tent, we just hunkered down and waited for it to pass over, and hoping we would survive. I was really concerned in these moments if we could survive this. We heard the lightning grow nearer to us. The flashes of the lightning were blinding, even through our tent, and lighting up the whole sky, as was the deafening roar of the thunder. It was like we were in the middle of hell or a war zone.

I heard trees crashing and the thunder pounding. It was about a half hour that it finally passed us, but it seemed like forever. I thought, “we survived it.” But then the force of the winds began blowing. I heard more trees crashing down. This lasted for about another 15 minutes or so. And again, we survived it. We got hit hard with lightning, heavy rain, and high winds. It was amazing we survived this. Thank you to the Gods and to the guiding spirits of the forest, to the mountains, and to the animals of the land. Our tent did well during the ordeal. Takota did not know what was happening, Nanook was sleeping through it. I stayed fully clothed on top of the sleeping bag, if I had to quickly get up and out of the tent. I stayed awake for some time, listening for falling trees. I felt fully exposed to the dangers nature can present. I finally went to sleep, but always listening to any cracking, splitting, or falling of any trees.

August 18, 2018 – Saturday – Day 14 – Departure Day.

We got up and 6:15 am. Stepping outside, our camp was all muddy from the heavy rain, and wet, and my gear splattered in mud.

The Outfitter was supposed to be here around 8:00 am. I had everything packed and ready for their arrival.

I checked with the other campers that they were okay and they we fine. They said, they were concerned about us?

When using Outfitters, I always wonder if they will, or can pick us up? I am sure there were a lot of downed trees on the trail.

At 9:00 am, the boys and I heard the welcoming sounds of horse steps coming closer. It was our Outfitters. It was a great relief. All I had to do was to fold up the tent, and put it into the bag. I had a little talk with the Outfitter telling them we got hit hard last night.

After the tent was packed in its bag, I went over with Al everything we had, and the boys and I headed out.

After arriving at our truck, at Chinook Campground, we waited for the Outfitters to arrive. I was tired from the hike having to have the boys on leash. We met up with hikers and motorcycles on the trail. The guys on the trail with their motorcycles had no idea we were just on the side of the trail. They were paying attention only to the ground and what was right in front of them. It is dangerous with motorcycles and hikers on the same “hiking” trail.

A couple of times I turned my ankle, and once I almost fell. My walking stick saved me by helping me regain my balance.

Once the Outfitters had arrived, we met at a place they could unload our gears from the pack animals, and I proceeded to load our gear in the truck. Overall the Outfitter did a great job with the exception of warning us about the place they dropped us off at.

When leaving the campground, most of the campground seemed foreign to me since when I saw it last, in the morning darkness. Even part of the highway seemed new to me heading back to McCall. Once we passed the disbursed camping area we spent the night, everything started to become familiar.

Driving down the road towards McCall, I felt both physically and mentally drained. I felt a weird sensation, a numbness of mind, an emptiness without any purpose, without any sense of place or home. The past 14 days just seemed like a blur to me in these moments. We then reached Northwest passage Campground where I once again had a sense of familiarity. The campground looked full, but surprisingly we found two campsites open on this Saturday. Sites 11 and 12 were open. Site 12 looked to be the right choice for us.

Continued on Part 18

	wild990 on The Passing of Takota
	wild990 on Our Journey Living In Nature…
	ConnieLee Night Sky… on Our Journey Living In Nature…
	Kari S McAllister on The Passing of Takota
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	wild990 on The Passing of Takota
	wild990 on Our Journey Living In Nature…
	ConnieLee Night Sky… on Our Journey Living In Nature…
	Kari S McAllister on The Passing of Takota
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Blogs In Nature

Experiencing Nature through Stories and Photos

Monthly Archives: May 2024

Our Journey Living In Nature – Part 21, Section 1 – Winter Camp In Idaho

Our Journey Living In Nature – Part 20

Our Journey Living in Nature – Part 19 – 19 days alone in the backcountry of the Clearwater National Forest, Idaho.

Our Journey Living In Nature – Part 18

Our Journey Living In Nature – Part 17