National Public Lands Day 2017

Venturous. Did you know that today is National Public Lands Day? This is a day to celebrate all of the lands that you have access to, for hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, bird watching, geocaching, and much, much more. These lands are set aside for humans to enjoy, for animals to have a place to go instead of into our cities, to protect culturally and historically significant areas, and to preserve a space of wildness that we seem to forget we need in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. This is also a day to get out on some of our land and do some good, from picking up trash to helping a trail crew, to planting a few trees. Public lands include parks in all shapes and sizes, from small city parks to huge national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, state parks, and more. I've made a list of a few of my favorite public lands, but have excluded those units run just by the National Park Service. I've talked a lot about the national parks and am trying to give a few other areas some attention on this post!

McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge, TX

This national wildlife refuge located on the northern gulf coast of Texas is home to so many different species of birds, fish, turtles, insects, and plants that to list them all out would take up more space than anyone would care to read. Instead, let me point out the highlights: wild hogs, sea turtles, river otters, and alligators! The fishing here is amazing, you can catch blue crabs for days, and getting out on a canoe among the saltwater marshes is something that should be experienced by everyone. Just don't get in the water!

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, UT

Venturous. You know me and my love affair with Utah. Technically this is a national monument, but it is jointly run by the national park service and the bureau of land management, so I'm going to include it here. This monument encompasses vast reaches of desert in southern Utah, protects countless ancient indian relics, fossils, and precious water sources. This area is a mecca for hikers and mountain bikers, and is littered with world-class climbing and slot canyons suited to all skill levels. Need more convincing? Get out there and explore it yourself and you'll see exactly what I mean.

Ouachita National Forest, AR

I'm a little surprised at myself for putting this on my list. When I was thinking of places I like to visit I really wasn't sure I'd be putting too many places from the southeast region of the U.S. on my list, but here you are. Ouachita National Forest is a haven of deep green tunnels and solitude, and its forest service roads lead to amazing hiking and swimming opportunites. That, plus the perk of being able to camp just about anywhere you want in a national forest makes it, and all national forests, great places to get away.

Petit Jean State Park, AR

Another location in Arkansas, but this one is well deserved. Petit Jean State Park lies on the edge of the Ouachita Mountains in central Arkansas and boasts hundred foot cliffs and towering waterfalls. Its hiking trails weave from mountain top to canyon bottom littered with grottos, springs, and streams everywhere you look. Want to visit a state park soon? Make this place a top priority.

Colorado Bend State Park, TX

You know, Texas really does have a fantastic state park system. There is a park within an hour or two of just about everybody in the state, and Texans definitely know how to use their public lands. Most of the parks here revolve around water in some way, whether its a small fishing lake, a huge recreation area, a river, stream, spring, or something else. This state park in particular has springs, creeks, rivers, waterfalls, and small pools, all in one little area. And the best part? You can hike to them all, and camp near most. I will most definitely be going back.

There is more to public lands than just national parks, and I hope that I've showed you just a few examples of places to enjoy in the U.S. Don't forget, this is our land, Our Wild, and we should treat it as such. Now get out there and enjoy your public lands!

Cabin in the Woods

Amiable. There's nothing better than a good old-fashioned girls weekend getaway, unless you get the opportunity to have said girls weekend at a private cabin along a beautiful river. That's exactly what Julia and I had planned one weekend last month at a gorgeous cabin owned by one of Julia's relatives where we got direct access to the Blue River and the nearby Tishamingo National Wildlife Refuge. Knowing me, you can bet our weekend had something to do with being outside.

Julia and I both have a thing for fine wine (I'm a wine snob, no shame) so as soon as we met at the cabin Friday night we broke out the wine and some dinner. Our night consisted of catching up, wine, movies and chocolate. Saturday, though, the exploring began. Of course, we chose the weekend that Mother Nature decided to plunge southern Oklahoma into sub-freezing temperatures... but that didn't stop us! We bundled up and headed out the back door to scale the riverbanks, hunting for shells and pretty photos. We also explored the surrounding woods, commenting that we probably wouldn't have been walking through the leaf litter during the summer because of the likelihood of venomous snakes.

It wasn't too long before it became apparent that the temperature would continue to drop, and that the fine drizzle that was showering us might possibly change into sleet or even snow. From the river banks at the cabin we decided to check out Tishamingo National Wildlife Refuge, maybe hike a few trails or at least find a place for a picnic. On our arrival to the refuge, though, the wind seemed to really kick up and we were shivering after just a minute or two outside the car, even with layers on. We mostly decided to tour by car from that point, only getting out a few times to check out overlooks or buildings. Turns out the refuge used to be a chicken farm, with the buildings and houses still standing, though either turned into storage/maintenance buildings or otherwise off-limits to the public. There were a few buildings that were open however, including one that looked drab from the outside but when we actually went inside we found the walls, ceilings and even part of the floor covered in bright, colorful paintings. It was completely unexpected and absolutely gorgeous, and I took more pictures of it than I'd like to admit. After the painted building due to the continuously dropping temperatures and the persistant drizzle we decided to call it a day and head back to the cabin for more movies and wine. We threw in breakfast for dinner as well and settled in for the night.

We woke up the next morning to brilliant sunshine, a crystal clear day, and temperatures in the teens. Brrr!!  Neither of us were in a hurry to go home, especially with the likely ice on the roads, so we popped in a few more movies and wrapped ourselves in blankets while we waited for it to warm up. Once we deemed it warm enough and late enough in the day we started to pack and load up our cars. In the bustle of getting ready to leave, the cabin door got shut behind us...and locked us out! Luckily we had our car keys on us and Julia had her phone, but my phone and most of our stuff was still inside. Oops! Eventually we ended up getting ahold of the cabin owner and got ourselves back into the cabin, but I decided right then and there I wanted to learn how to pick locks. I feel like it's a good skill to have! (Side note: Julia got me a practice lock for Christmas so I can learn! Thank you!!) After our bit of excitement, we got all loaded up and reluctantly took our leave. It was an awesome weekend, if a little cold, and I can't wait to do it again!

A Snapshot and The Scoop: The Diversity of a Tidal Marsh

Tidal marshes are some of the most diverse ecosystems I've had the pleasure of exploring. You've got all of your grasses, reeds, and shrubs of course, not to mention any wildflowers you might find in the right season. And then the fauna: millions of insects, spiders, and other bugs constantly zoom around you, carrying on their own simple lives. Crabs and snails and all sorts of fish swim in the pools, ponds, lakes and waterways. And the birds, oh the birds! Storkes, herons, ducks, little field sparrows, swallows and many, many more I can't name. No wonder the tidal marshes near Sea Rim State Park are set aside as a National Wildlife Refuge! There are enough birds nesting in the reeds, only to pop out for a moment before diving back in, to fulfill any bird watcher's dream list. Have I mentioned the alligators that roam the park, or the wild hogs that go snuffling, snorting and splashing through the shallows, or how about the otters that make their home among the warm brackish waters near the coast? It's a nature lover's paradise and a refuge for everyone, not just those who call it home but for those who are just passing through as well.

Leave me a comment and tell me if you've ever explored tidal marshes. What did you think?

A Snapshot and The Scoop: Itty Bitty Toad!!

Have you ever seen a smaller toad??!! We saw this tiny little thing hopping along on our path and couldn't help but to pick it up and marvel at it's adorableness. Is that even a word? It is now! Don't worry, we set him off to the side of the path in the direction he was going so no one would step on him, and he went along his merry way.

Leave me a comment below and tell me if you think he's as cute as I do!

A Snapshot and The Scoop: Ice Jams and Broken Trails

Marley and I enjoyed ourselves on a fair winter day in February 2014 while hiking in Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge near Valentine, NE. It was just the two of us on the trail, which took us down and up the forested bluffs paralleling the Niobrara River. Where the trail looped closest to the river, we found ourselves blocked by massive chunks of ice that had been shoved onto the banks. It was either turn around, or climb over the ice jam. Marley absolutely refused to get onto the ice, so in the end I picked his 75 pound butt up and carried him myself. I put him down right on the edge of the ice, made him stay and jumped down to snap this picture of the "trail." If I had known that I would be putting "trail" in quotes for many of my adventures throughout the year I probably would have reconsidered my New Year's Resolution....but I'm sure glad I didn't!!

Leave me a comment below and tell me about a "trail" that you've hiked!

A Snapshot and The Scoop: Badger Don't Care

Back in Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge Marley and I were driving on a dirt road across the prairie when we came across a prairie dog town. We spent a good amount of time watching them scurry around, going about their business. Marley wanted to get out and play so bad! I even put down the window for him. Just as we were turning around to go back to the hotel I caught a glimpse of something much bigger than a prairie dog: a badger was running between the burrow holes, trying to find a way in! I'd never seen a live badger in the wild, and was enthralled with how this one moved and behaved. It was surprisingly quick, but the prairie dogs were faster, always diving into their burrows at the last second, and popping up as soon as the badger turned it's back. Marley and I watched the badger for a long time before it finally gave up and headed for longer grass, where we lost sight of it. Not gonna lie, it was pretty neat!

Leave me a comment below and tell me about your first time seeing an animal and what impression it left.

A Snapshot and The Scoop: Getting Right Into The Middle Of It

Last year, on a mild winter day back in Nebraska, I found myself driving around Valentine, NE with Marley, on the hunt for a good story and an awesome view. We took a little side road with a sign promising a view of the Niobrara River and the valley the river carved for itself. Driving a short distance down a dirt road, we turned a corner and suddenly found ourselves in the middle of a herd of bison. I had had my windows down because my dog likes to be a dog and stick his head out, but when I realized what I had driven in to I slowly rolled them up. The last thing I wanted was Mar to suddenly bark and start a panic within the herd. We drove forward slowly, inching past the moms with newly born calves and waiting patiently for the herd to move off of the road in front of us. Finally, the road cleared and we drove on to a spectacular view of the river and the sandhills of  north central Nebraska.

Leave me a comment below and tell me about a time you've found yourself in an unexpected place, and how did you deal with it?

A Snapshot and The Scoop: Our First Father-Daughter Trip

My dad and I have never gone on a trip alone together, so last October we hit the road for a weekend and drove around central Nebraska. We both love driving and being outdoors, so on a fairly chilly morning we drove to Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge near Valentine, NE and hiked a short distance to Fort Falls and the Niobrara River. We spent some time taking in the view, watching a couple Bald Eagles (my favorite animal) fishing in the river, before we finished our hike and left for home. It was a trip I will never forget, and I can't wait for our next one together!
Leave me a comment below and tell me about a treasured trip with one of your family members.