Our Journey Living In Nature – Part 18

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

August 18, 2018 – Saturday – Northwest Passage Campground

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

August 19, 2018 – Sunday

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

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

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

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

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

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

Evening Entry

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

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

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

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

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

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

August 20, 2018 – Monday

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

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

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

A bit later the deer returned close to our camp.

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

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

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

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

August 21, 2018 – Tuesday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

August 22, 2018 – Wednesday

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

The fire season for Idaho has not been that bad.

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

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

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

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

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

August 23, 2018 – Thursday

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

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

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

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

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

August 24, 2018 – Friday

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

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

Evening Entry

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

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

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

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

August 25, 2018 – Saturday

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today feels like Autumn is just around the corner.

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

August 26, 2018 – Sunday

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

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

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

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

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

August 27, 2018 – Monday

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

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

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

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

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

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

Evening Entry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Outfitter’s Base Camp

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

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

August 30, 2019 – Thursday

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

Afternoon Entry

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

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

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

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

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

August 31, 2018 – Friday

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

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

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

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

September 1, 2018 – Saturday

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

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

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

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

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

Afternoon Entry

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

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

September 2, 2018 – Sunday

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

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

September 3, Monday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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