Our Journey Living in Nature – Part 20

September 24, 2018 – Monday – Aquarius Campground

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

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

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

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

September 25, 2018 – Tuesday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Evening Entry

We had a nice relaxing day with blue skies.

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

September 26, 2018 – Wednesday

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

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

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

Evening Entry

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

September 27, 2018 – Thursday

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

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

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

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

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

~ Jidda Krishnamurti

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Afternoon Entry

I got some batteries charged and my tent fully dried.

September 28, 2018 – Friday

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

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

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

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

Afternoon entry

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

September 29, 2018 – Saturday

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

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

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

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

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

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

Afternoon Entry

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

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

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

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

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

September 30, 2018 – Sunday

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

Afternoon Entry

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

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

October 1, 2018 – Monday

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

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

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

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

October 2, 2018 – Tuesday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October 4, 2018 – Thursday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Afternoon Entry

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

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

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

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

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

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

October 5, 2018 – Friday

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

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

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

The clouds finally cleared becoming a brisk sunny day.

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

Afternoon Entry

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

October 6, 2018 – Saturday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October 7, 2018 – Sunday

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

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

We are getting close to a year on our journey.

October 8, 2018 – Monday

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

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

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

October 9, 2018 – Tuesday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October 10, 2018 – Wednesday

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

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

October 11, 2018 – Thursday

No Journal Entry

October 12, 2018 – Friday

To be continued in Part 21