Linda and I took two weeks off to see our boys, visit old friends and relax in the Colorado Mountains. We had a busy and enjoyable spring and summer with the Bed and Breakfast. We hosted lots of interesting guests in our home. However, we were ready to get away for awhile and I was lucky enough to draw an archery elk tag.
Last winter and spring were remarkable in terms of precipitation for Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. That precipitation is reflected in the fact that the Missouri River flooded all summer, being above flood stage for over 3 months. Rains have been constant throughout the year. It's being reported the flood is a 500 year event.
Vegetation was lush throughout the Sand Hills of Nebraska, high desert of Colorado and its mountains. Normally this time of year, vegetation is drying out and the fall colors are starting to show but that wasn't the case at all. Mountain meadows were overflowing with flowers and yes, bugs. Lots of flies, mosquitoes, and gnats. In the mountains, late afternoon summer storms are the norm and that was the case for our trip; we had a pleasant shower nearly every afternoon and or night.
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| Rainbow Over Diamond Peak |
I envisioned retirement as a simple one-room cabin at the top of the ridge overlooking a 100 mile vista in either the mountains or desert. I'd have a nice porch, comfortable rocking chair, and a hot cup of coffee and be watching beautiful sunsets and the approach of storms. I love the feel of that gust of cold air that signals the approach of a storm; the cool droplets of drizzle or snow that hits my face while I watch and feel the spectacular force of wind, pounding rain, lightning and the concussion of thunder. At those times, I feel in Ah and the closest to my creator.
Our favorite camping and hunting location is northwest of Steamboat about 50 miles, near the Wyoming border. There are virtually no people up there, just a couple of ranches miles apart connected by a dirt road. No phone reception, lots of sheep, some cattle and amazing wildlife. Its a great get-a-way if you like the sound of nature. In the morning, the sand hill cranes would be singing to their mates and possibly to us. Its indescribable the feeling to waking up to the 'clucking chooo' of a pair of cranes. They are marvelous birds. A friend of ours has a photo blog which includes some crane pictures she's taken; check it out at:
http://snowlens.blogspot.com/.
We have a small trailer that suits our needs. It will sleep 6 but you would have to be a verrry close family. It's just great for two. It has a kitchen, bathroom, shower, furnace, refrigerator and air conditioner if you have somewhere to plug in. Otherwise its conservative use of battery power, water and propane.
Camping in the west is becoming a hazardous pastime in some popular areas. Dead trees are falling everywhere and many campgrounds have been closed as a result. Agencies simply don't have the resources to remove all these hazards. The Forest Service is being taxed simply to keep back country roads and trails open. In this particular area, nearly half of the mature pine trees are dead, killed by an infestation of pine beetles.
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Dead Pines from Pine Beetle |
These little insects bore under the bark and feed on the vegetative tissue between the bark and wood. This interrupts or prevents sap from flowing between the trees leaves (needles) and its roots. When the infestation becomes severe enough, the tree simply dies. There is no solution or known prevention. This plaque extends from the forests of Canada to Mexico and in many locations nearly ALL the pines are dead. It's an ecological and economical disaster few people realize. These dead and dying forest rob us of the potential lumber they provide and pose a serious threat from forest fire. Some communities are clear cutting these dead trees to protect their properties. The dream of having a cabin in the pines is rapidly disappearing.
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| Pine Beetle Holes |
We have always had these pine beetles but they have always been controlled by natural factors. Somehow, that balance has been lost. Some scientist attribute their expansion to climate change; that winters are not as severe (cold) as they use to be which might be allowing higher insect survival over winter. Others suggest recent droughts have weakened trees, leaving them more susceptible to insects. Regardless of the reason, our pine forests are dying.
Hunting Elk for anyone is quite a challenge, especially when your 61 years old. This year I planned to hunt from a tree stand; do more sitting and less walking. I picked a location near some good game trails about a mile from the end of the road. I carried in my stand and steps, found a good tree that hid me and yet provided a good view of potential game corridors. I set up my stand about 15 feet above the ground.
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| Tree Stand, Elk Predator |
The benefit of hunting from a stand are many, specially for the old and patient. First it prevents you from walking through the forest and only seeing elk butts run off into the distance. I've done that for 2 decades. Second, it gives you a better view and you see a lot more wildlife. Birds and squirrels feed in the trees surrounding you and animals wonder around and even under your stand. Another nice thing; your not trying to shoot arrows through the brush. It also gets you above the ground where its makes it more difficult for animals to see and smell you. Elk don't have natural predators that live in trees so they seldom look up. However, they have a tremendous sense of smell so getting off the ground makes it more difficult for them to smell you. The hard part is to set on a board for hours. Your butt gets sore, to have a tendency to fall asleep and often you move when you shouldn't; movement is your enemy. That's what animals catch.
However, the thrill of seeing an elk, deer, or even a fox lumber underneath your stand makes it all worthwhile. This year I saw a spike bull, a 4 point bull, several cows and one small calf. Season opened and I held out for a bull for the first weekend. Fortunately for me a yearling elk wondered too close to me on Tuesday. A single well-aimed shot and the arrow shot through its lungs and heart. It ran about 30 yards and collapsed dead. A humane kill.
A yearling is an elk that's about a year and a half old. It isn't full grown but is still the size of a large deer. When you start thinking; "I have to carry this animal a MILE back to the truck, a smaller animal simply didn't seem to be a drawback and was actually a blessing. For me, it was about all I could do and make me think about work that I would have had to gone through to carry a full grown bull out of the woods. A mature bull would have about as much meat as a medium sized horse, 400-500 pounds. This trip has made me reconsider my capabilities and they are certainly not what they were 20 years ago. I need to keep that in mind. On my last trip out, Linda helped by carrying out my stand. It was a nice walk through the woods that we'll both remember.
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| My Helper! |
We were hunting and camping with an old friend of ours, Johnny Boutwell. Johnny and I worked together for nearly 20 years. He was hunting deer this year; he failed to draw an elk tag. Its always better to hunt with someone; its safer and more fun. He also found some time to play cards and domino's with Linda. They both love to play.
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| Why do people ply with more than one deck?? |
Surprise Visitor The last night we were just finishing up a celebratory dinner of elk steaks when we were somewhat startled by someone asking us through the camper's open window if it was OK to camp along with us. We said it was and I went outside and found a young man on a bicycle. His name was Mike Cowlin, a recent college graduate from New Zealand. He was touring the US along the Continental Divide on back roads. He started in Banff, Canada and was heading to Lone Pine, New Mexico on the Mexican Border. What an adventure. I gave him a cold beer that he gladly accepted.
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| Mike Cowlin seeing the World |
We had a pleasant rain that evening, pleasant if you sleep in a camper. I visited with Mike more in the morning over a hot cup of coffee. I discovered he recently finished graduate school and was a marine biologist. He said he had traveled about 1,700 miles so far and was looking forward to visiting friends in Golden, Colorado for a couple weeks of rest before resuming his adventure. WHAT an adventure!!!! He is posting his adventure on his own blog
http://www.mikedoestheworld.com/ and he has some amazing photos of his trip thus far. We had a wonderful drive back home.
