Got milk? No. We have elk. At least we did (as visitors) for breakfast. We could not open the Airstream door until they left. Our best count was 20. Tim and I were inside going from window to window quietly taking pictures when ... Jett sees an elk’s head pass the front window. She launched onto the couch then into the window barking trying to get her. Pure panic for a few minutes trying to calm Jett. They eventually moved on.
Speaking of milk. I was thinking since we had a big hike ahead of us today we could just have a small bowl of cereal before departing. In looking at the milk it has an expiration of August 11th. What’s the date today? Interesting how there is a turn of priorities for us while on these bigger trips ... what use to be important is no longer and what was never a concern is now a top priority.
On today’s agenda was the Beaver Ponds Loop Hike. Today’s hiking tip: If say a young unprepared couple (bear bait) starts the same hike at the same time as you do. Slow the roll. Pretend to still be preparing your pack for your hike, read the posted sign on the last grizzly bear sighting and know that they will go first!
Life is good. We do realize how fortunate we are to be taking this amazing journey and are absorbing and appreciating every minute of it. Today’s hike was just amazing.
The description of the hike was five miles round trip and rated as moderately strenuous. We drove the half mile to town and parked at the Mammoth Hotel then walked through town to the trail head located between Liberty Cap (the big rock) and a stone house. Following a few creeks and gaining some elevation we hiked through forest to meadows of sage and stands of Douglas-fir and aspen.
Finally reaching the beaver ponds! Afterwards the trail leads you through mixed forest and meadows and ends on the Old Gardiner Road behind the Mammoth Hotel.
The hike took us just over three and a half hours to complete. My FitBit recorded almost seven and a half miles. Once back at basecamp Jett was happy to see us! The beer was cold and then an adult beverage made of lemonade and frozen blueberries hit the spot while we watched the elk return from their days adventure. Thanks to JM&TM for the adult beverage tip. However we have now run out of frozen blueberries! Again priorities have changed.
Today’s quote -
‘Traveling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.’ - Ibn Battuta
No comments:
Post a Comment