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