A Snapshot and The Scoop: PIKA!!

Sorry not sorry for all of the little fuzzy animal posts! Pikas are my favorite alpine-dwelling animals because of their adorable little ears and ability to survive the winter by hoarding plant material all summer and tunnelling under the snow during winter, and it helps that they are relatives of rabbits and hares (I love rabbits!). The American Pika is typically found at or above treeline in boulder fields in the American West. These little guys make a high pitched whistle, and you are much more likely to hear them than see them! Remember my "code red" list? Pikas are on it! Torrey and I had spent an entire week in the mountains, first in Rocky Mountain National Park, then in Great Sand Dunes National Park, and while we had seen a few pikas far off, we didn't get lucky enough to see one close up until the second to last day of our trip. We were sitting on some rocks atop Pike's Peak, waiting for Torrey's dad to finish the Pike's Peak Ascent, when we heard the whistle, saw movement on the rocks right in front of us, and dived for our cameras! This little guy was feet from us, and we couldn't get over it. Yay!

Leave me a comment below and tell me if you've ever seen a pika in person. Aren't they cute??

I'm Thankful For...

Warning: Sappy blog post ahead. Seriously though, it's been a rough year, and some times I lose sight of the things that make me happy. Yes, I'm still filling up my Happy Jar and I'll elaborate on that at the end of the year (see the last two years' here and here) , but today I need to sit down and remind myself that there are plenty of wonderful things in my life, and that I should be thankful for them. Following are a few of the amazing people, animals, places and things in my life that I am so, so grateful for, though by no means is this an exhaustive list.

My Fiancé

Where would I be without him? Jared has been my constant, my rock, my biggest supporter for the last few years, and I can't imagine life without him. I am so thankful for him being next to me every step of the way, encouraging me to travel and write and take photos, being my partner in everything, and for the life we are building together.

My Family

Family is everything, and I think this photo says it all. We are a family of crazy, different lives but we bond over nearly everything. We travel together, drive stupid long distances to see each other, talk every week and have an ongoing group text that never gets old. I once came back from a 12 hour hike to no less than 47 missed texts from my family, all discussing if I went missing would it be like the movie 127 Hours. For real. We are there for each other's triumphs and low points, and you couldn't find a more supportive group of people anywhere.

My Friends

Despite moving very far away, I have managed to keep in touch with and even visited/been visited by many of my friends. A few of my friends have scattered in the wind as well, and some are still back in my hometown, but we all make the effort to continue our friendship, even if we go weeks or months without talking. I am so thankful for those of my friends who have stuck with me through everything, especially over the last few years. To those who have travelled with me, thank you! To those who haven't travelled with me yet, when are we going??

My Pets

Oh my pets. Anybody who knows me knows I adore all animals, and a visit to my house will prove that to you. Every single one of the animals I have ever had has touched my heart, and I am so thankful that they have been in my life. I am beyond thankful for the animals I currently have, and am grateful for the animals who were in my life but have passed away. I love every single one of them.

My Adventures

Travelling has become part of who I am, and I am thankful that I get to travel as much as I do and that I have access to the places where I want to travel. Waking up on a mountain or in the middle of a dune field, driving across the country just because, spending hours in a car or hours on a trail are all things that nobody should take for granted, and I hope I never will.

My Jobs

Sure, jobs pay the bills and put a roof over my (and Jared's and my pets') head, but I am thankful for my jobs for reasons other than the money I make. I have two jobs, and they are flexible enough to allow me to continue and expand my travelling. Both jobs have provided me opportunites I only dreamed of before I moved to Texas. I mean, who else gets to work with tigers, or have their fingers sucked by cavys? Both jobs provide ample opportunites to learn new skills, open doors I didn't even know existed, and give me the freedom to pretty much do what I want as long as I get the job done at the end of the day. What's not to be thankful for?

Like I said, this is just a small sample of the things that I am thankful for. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, friends, and overflowing with whatever it is that makes you thankful.

A Snapshot and The Scoop: Pike's Peak, Year Three

Another August, another trip to Pike's Peak, CO with Torrey! This view of the 14'er was taken from Crystal Reservoir in Pike National Forest, along the road to the top of the mountain. Every year since 2014 I have gone with Torrey to Pike's Peak for the Ascent/Marathon that takes place on the third weekend of August. The first year we watched her dad run; the second year I cheered on Torrey and her dad as they ran the ascent together; this year I cheered them on again as they ran the marathon. We're not sure about next year yet, but who knows...maybe I'll be running it with them?

Leave me a comment below and tell me if I'm crazy for even entertaining that idea...

My Top 10 Favorite Roads

It's no secret: I love roads! I love driving on roads, I love figuring out how to get my little car around obstaclces on the roads where I shouldn't take it, and I love planning routes to take so I drive on the maximum number of new roads. Over the years that I've been travelling, and the years that I've been driving, I've come up with a list of roads that I absolutely love. For some roads the challenge they present is what draws me to them, for others it's the views they offer up, and for more it's the stops along the way. No matter what my reasons for loving roads, I've listed out ten of my favorites below, and I tell you why they're worth the time to drive! Please note, these are in no particular order, and this list will be updated as I come across more awesome roads to drive!

Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

If you have a mind to explore the most easily accessible alpine tundra in the continental United States, take a ride on this road! The only paved road that bisects Rocky Mountain National Park is your only way to access both sides of the park without spending hours and miles going around outside of the park, but be aware that this road is only open seasonally. During the winter months the road closes due to white-out conditions and snow drifts so deep they bury buildings. During the summer though, the tundra is an amazing place to see elk, big horn sheep, mountain goats, marmots, and many other species, right from the side of this road! The road starts in the forest, rises to well above treeline, then descends back into the forest. Did I mention it crosses the Continental Divide too?

Schafer's Trail, Island in the Sky, Canyonlands National Park, UT

No list would be complete without a desert road. This road, located in my favorite national park, is not for those who have even a slight fear of heights. You start off on top of a plateau (which you have to access by way of another road mentioned on this list) and all but immediately dive over the edge of a cliff by way of a series of tight, stacked switchbacks. A thousand feet later, you reach the lower part of the road that meanders across the seemingly-flat-but-not-really middle layer of the park, bringing you right against the edge of another set of thousand foot cliffs above the Colorado River. From there you continue your journey across the desert and eventually end up back in Moab. Note: DO NOT drive this road during a thunderstorm or if there was recent rain!

Utah's Highway 12, UT

Another road that is not for anyone afraid of heights, this road takes you through an amazing series of ecosystems in central southern Utah. Starting from the town of Torrey near Capitol Reef National Park, you climb up and over the Boulder Mountains (I don't recommend it during a snowstorm, though I got through ok) before descending back into the Staircase-Escalante region of the desert. The road follows razor edge ridges above cliffs with no guardrails, and a mistake here means plummeting into canyons hundreds of feet below. From the ridges above you descend into the canyons below, before rising again as you approach Bryce Canyon National Park. Here you get back into the higher-elevation Ponderosa Pines and other altitude-loving flora, though still get to see the red rocks contrasted with the dark green of trees. The road is one of the top scenic byways in the country for a reason.

Notom-Bullfrog Road, Capitol Reef National Park, UT

I don't remember it, but apparently I rode this road with my family years ago, on one of our first trips to Capitol Reef. I stumbled across the road again this past January and after checking with the park rangers that my toyota could handle it, off I went. The road starts off paves, before abruptly switching to gravel, then eventually fading into the colorful, sandy dirt of the surrounding desert. The road itself was awesome: ups and downs, between mounds and desert washes, and I could see the tire tracks of those who had come through when the road had been wet. It was definitely not something I would want to be on if it were wet or too icy without 4-wheel drive, and a no-go if it were raining anywhere nearby. If you want to see the desert up close and personal, this road is for you.

My Spot, Mount Shavano/San Isabelle National Forest to Billings Mine, CO

It has been years, at least eight, since I was last on this road, but it still lands a place on my list because of where it goes and how it gets there. I've written about My Spot before, and it is awesome for reasons other than a perfect campsite by a creek. The road that goes past My Spot starts paved, before turning into a forest service road that meanders through the mountain forests, past alpine meadows and rushing water, until finally reaching a national forest campground, a lake, and an old mine right near the treeline and top of the mountain. It is not a road that can be accessed by my little toyota, but as soon as I get my jeep you can bet on where I'll be headed!

Utah's Highway 313, UT

This short scenic byway starts near Moab, UT and has one purpose: to get people up to the Island in the Sky. The only paved road that leads to the most popular district of Canyonlands National Park is a destination in itself. Starting near river level you head into a short canyon and begin to climb up. After roughly two thousand feet and a couple of scenic overlooks, campgrounds, and the entrance to Dead Horse Point State Park, you reach the boundaries of Canyonlands. But that isn't the end of the road. You cross a grassy steppe, where you're likely to see antelope, mule deer or a coyote, and keep driving until you hit the end of the road, right at the edge of one set of thousand foot cliffs overlooking the Colorado River miles away and two thousand feet below. It's not a bad drive (as it's paved) and has guard rails, so those with a mild fear of heights should be able to handle it fine.

Utah's Highway 128, UT

A road the runs along the mighty Colorado River? Count me in! This scenic byway connects the town of Moab, UT to Interstate 70 by way of a canyon cut out by the river. From Moab you dive straight into the canyon and follow the curves of the river for miles. Eventually the river drops away as you climb out of the canyon and onto the windswept desert and a flat road until you hit Cisco, UT and the interstate junction. My favorite way to travel is from the interstate down into Moab, as you get to transition slowly from the flat desert to one of the most scenic places in the country. This highway gives access to many other places besides Moab, including Castle Valley, the La Salle Mountains, river rafting opportunites, wineries, and many others.

La Salle Mountain Loop, Moab, UT

You wouldn't think of finding lush alpine forests within a few miles of some of the driest deserts in the country, but a drive along this road will show you how it is. It doesn't take long on this road, that rises out of Castle Valley near Moab, before you start to gain elevation and see the trees start popping up. Within a few miles you come across stands of aspens and ponderosa pines and hear the rush of a stream nearby. The road, which starts paves and gradually changes to gravel at the higher elevations, is pretty much a one lane path, but one with plenty of pull outs to make room for other vehicles going the opposite direction. There are plenty of forest service roads that branch off of the main road, and once I get my jeep I can't wait to make tracks all over these mountains. As you descend off the mountains and the land becomes arid again the road widens and is once again paved before spitting you back out into the desert on the other side of Moab. If you need a respite from the heat of the valley, hit this road for a nice little refreser!

Forest Service Road 177, Ouichita National Forest, AR

When I headed into Arkansas to check out Hot Springs National Park and the surrounding area, I wasn't expecting mountains. I mean sure, "mountains" was plastered across all the maps I consulted, but to me mountains are the towering, snowcapped behemoths out west. There is no denying, however, that the Ouichita Mountains are mountains, and nowhere is that more apparent than on this road. I first took this road on a whim, after seeing a brown sign pointing travellers down it, and have since gone back a couple more times just to get lost on it again. The road is easily accessible and well maintained, covered in gravel and crushed rock, though it can get slippery when it is wet, like during a thunderstorm (oops!). There aren't wide open views of glaciers and alpine lakes, but the enclosed and lush forests have their own charm and hide little jewels like waterfalls, crystals and swimming holes. If you take this road, make sure to bring paper maps of the area and make sure you have a full tank of gas, because cell phones don't work out here and you can easily get lost along the branching, sometimes unmarked roads that seem to circle among themselves. It's not a huge area so you'll eventally hit a paved road and head back to town, but it is always better to be prepared.

Balsam Mountain Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC

The last road on my list is another one that I stumbled upon while looking to escape the Labor Day crowds at the most popular national park in the country. On this road, I found what I was looking for. I saw maybe two other cars the entire time, and because it is a one way the only reason I saw them in the first place is because I was parked along the side, looking at the creek, the forest, the mushrooms or whatever else, and they just happened to pass me. The forest gives this road a muted feel, and in the near-constant wet of the Smokies mists envelope you and water drips from everything. Don't expect a dry road, though it was hard packed and my toyota handled it fine. There are no dizzying drop-offs and only a few extensive views, but there is something about the smell and feel of the forest that kept me enthralled for hours.

It is a good idea to begin all of these roads with a full tank of gas and to have paper maps with you at all times, because cell service is spotty at best and completely non-existant at worst. Exercise due caution on all of these roads during foul weather, but especially on desert roads during thunderstorms and mountain roads during blizzards. Four wheel drive is recommended, but not required, for all but one of the roads listed above. If you decide to drive any of these roads, can I go with you?

A Snapshot and The Scoop: I Got My Fix

Ever since my own pet squirrel died at the end of July I'd been missing her tiny grabby hands, puffy tail and soft weight that I had come to take for granted. When Torrey and I were on our week long adventure in Colorado, and our road took us near a ghost town tourist site that had tamed down squirrels that you could feed and pet, I just had to go. Now, I don't normally feed the wildlife, but this one location is the exception. You buy little bags of seeds at the general store and walk across the road to a woodpile, where chipmunks, ground squirrels and little finches flock, along with all of the children (and adults!) who want to feed them. Torrey and I spent a good half hour there, loving every second of it as the squirrels climbed all over us, on our shoulders, arms, legs, hands and feet in their search for the seeds they knew we had. I took way too many pictures of these adorable little rodents, and I don't regret a single one. I got my squirrel fix!

Leave me a comment below and tell me, would you get excited too if they crawled onto your lap for food?

A Snapshot and The Scoop: Breakfast Views

Torrey and I were in no hurry to leave. We had hiked into the dune field of Great Sand Dunes National Park the night before, and spent the morning being lazy. We'd had a crazy week up to that point of go-go-go (by our own design) but decided that the morning on the dunes was one of relaxation. I was up first, wandering around and watching the sun rise, then Torrey got up and wandered like I did while I boiled water for oatmeal. I grabbed breakfast and followed her tracks, finding her at the edge of the field overlooking the rising sun. We sat on the sand, passing the bowl back and forth as we watched the world far below wake up. We finished our food but continued to sit there, not in any hurry, with no where to go except into the mountains that night. I need to remember that slowing down and relaxing while on my adventures isn't a bad thing. Sometimes, you just need to be in the moment with a hot cup of oatmeal and a good friend.

Leave me a comment below and tell me about your favorite breakfast view.

A Snapshot and The Scoop: Stories in the Sand

In the forest, unless they have really big paws or there is some really soft dirt, you typically don't see the prints and signs of animals. On sand, however, there's a different story. You can see every single track from every animal that has passed through, until the next wind or rain washes them away. On the morning we woke up in the dune field of Great Sand Dunes National Park, Torrey and I found several sets of prints near our camp. Most of them were small, as from insects or maybe lizards or kangaroo rats, but we did see some larger prints that made us rethink whether or not we were really alone the night before. We saw some prints that might have belonged to someone's dog, or maybe a coyote, then we found these prints that were clearly not a dog. The only thing we could think of was bobcat, because they looked like they had been chasing something (a kangaroo rat probably), we saw scuff marks, then just these prints walking away back towards the edge of the dunes. I wish I had taken a scale shot with my hand or something, but these were definitely not house-cat sized tracks, but were also much smaller than a mountain lion's. Here, kitty kitty!

Leave me a comment below and tell me about a time you came across tracks on one of your hikes.

A Snapshot and The Scoop: Awaiting the Storm

Now that I live in East Texas, I really, really miss watching thunderstorms roll in. With all of the trees out here, you can't see much of the sky. Back in August when Torrey and I first arrived at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, we were treated to a storm building over the mountains, then watched as it rolled toward us and the dunes. The light tan sand popped against the darkening sky, and even though it meant we would have to delay our start time for our backpacking trip, I didn't mind at all. I got to stand in Medano Creek and watch a storm come in; I was in my happy place.

Leave me a comment below and tell me if you like watching storms approach. Is it just me?

ALLIGATORS!!

Elated. I had three main concerns: keeping my camera gear dry, making sure Callie didn't get bitten by a venomous snake, and making sure Callie didn't get eaten by an alligator. The order of those concerns depended on what was happening around us. I took a much needed break from life at the end of October and headed out of town with my dog, driving south towards the Gulf Coast as quickly as I could. Our first stop of the day was Brazos Bend State Park, a park known for its alligator population. I've lived in Texas for a year and eight months, and hadn't yet seen one of the famed reptiles, but it wasn't for lack of trying; I'd intentionally canoed several parks in East Texas and along the coast just to look for gators, but had no luck. I knew that if I went to Brazos Bend and still didn't see a gator, I never would.

The first thing I did when reaching the park is drive straight to Elm Lake, which is a hot spot where you're almost guaranteed to see one. Callie and I hopped onto the observation deck, but aside from a beaver and several dozen birds, nothing popped out of the water. We hit the trail that traces the rectangular lake, walking slowly while I scanned the water for anything that might resemble a gator's head. Callie wasn't aware that this was a special walk, other than I wouldn't let her anywhere near the water. I kept her close to my side, unwilling to let her wander too close to the edge of the trail. It wasn't until I'd gone about a quarter of the way around the lake that it finally happened: ALLIGATOR!! A group of other walkers had stopped a little ways ahead of us, pointing at the water. I knew what was happening, and sped up, not wanting to miss it. And there it was! A big one, about ten feet from the shore and about twenty feet from where we stood, watching us with its eyes and snout sticking out of the water in the classic gator pose. I quickly pulled Callie behind me and even closer, so that she was practically sitting on my heels as I faced the gator. I snapped more photos than I'd like to admit before finally moving on.

The trail we were on kept Elm Lake on the left, while on the right and slightly lower than trail level the marshes of the park sprawled beyond sight. We hadn't gone more than thirty feet when a small family passed us, telling me to keep my eyes on the right as there were several small gators right near the bank. Sure enough, there were! Much smaller than the first guy we saw, there were three gators about a foot off the bank and a fourth one in a tangle of tree roots on the bank itself. Keeping Callie close again, though she was probably bigger than these gators, I snapped my photos, did an internal dance of excitement, and went on. Then, of course, it started to rain. The shower didn't last long, but it lasted long enough and came down hard enough to force me to find shelter under overhanging trees in an attempt to keep my camera equipment dry. While I was trying to shield my electronics, the sun shown under the cloudburst briefly, lighting the raindrops into brilliant, fiery jewels against the backdrop of the lake and forest, turning the whole trail into a sparkling wonderland. Then the sun was gone, the rain stopped, and we finished our circuit without any more excitement.

From Elm Lake we hiked a double loop encompassing Horseshoe Lakes and Big Creek Trail, which turned out to be a lovely stroll through the wooded, mostly dry section of the park. There were a pair of oxbow or horseshoe lakes, where I was able to spot a couple of big gators from the bank above the lakes, then the trail looped back into the bottomland forests hung with spanish moss and blanketed with wildlflowers. Even at the end of October flowers were in bloom, and the leaves were only just beginning to change colors on the trees. It was here, with little piles of leaf litter strewn across the path, that I began to worry about snakes. Texas is home to several venomous snakes, and a recent sighting of a coral snake back home had me jumpy. I'm not afraid of snakes (I own two myself) but I do worry about being bitten by one while out on the trail, or of my dog being bitten and not being able to do anything about it. As such, we went cautiously, making lots of noise with my feet and giving any critters nearby plenty of time to slither out of sight. We didn't see any reptiles other than the gators on our hike, and despite the fact that I love seeing snakes on the trail, I wasn't disappointed. None of my concerns materialized, and I finally saw an alligator (seven of them!); goal achieved.

A Snapshot and The Scoop: Too Cute For Words

Isn't this photo almost too cute for words??!!! Torrey and I were on our way out of Rocky Mountain National Park, headed off to another adventure, when we decided to stop at an overlook we hadn't been to yet. We were so happy we did! At first we were only enjoying the view, when all of a sudden Torrey tapped me and pointed down, directly below the rock barrier where we stood. A marmot was basking there, licking the rocks for minerals. After that, I all but forgot about the view. There were marmots everywhere! Young fat ones and older fatter ones, all waddling among the rocks or basking in the morning sun. I was in heaven! We spent a good twenty minutes watching these cuties, and were rewarded by getting to witness this adorable little exchange between an older marmot and a younger one. I'm pretty sure they were mother and baby, because the older one grabbed the younger one and started grooming it for a short time before letting it go on it's way. Whatever the relationship, I was thrilled to have gotten it on camera!

Leave me a comment below and tell me that it's ok to get so excited about something this cute. It is, right??

A Snapshot and The Scoop: Code Red

Torrey and I had already had several very full days at Rocky Mountain National Park, and we were wrapping up our final evening by searching for one of my "code red" animals, a moose. Most people have a list of animals they would love to see out in the wild, a life-list if you will, and I have oh-so-cleverly called my list a "code red list." If myself or my companion see one of my code red animals, all they have to do is say the words and I dive for my camera (within safety's limits, of course). Bears and wolves, mountain lions and alligators are on my code red list, and so are moose. I don't get to see moose nearly often enough to just drive by with out getting excited, so whenever I get the chance to see one and take pictures of it, I jump. We had stopped at a little pond, set back a short distance from the road, and walked quietly down the trail hoping beyond hope that we would get lucky and see a moose wading in the shallows. We didn't get lucky, though we did spook a photographer who was watching a mother woodpecker teach her baby how to drill for worms. She told us just the other day a friend of hers had photographed a moose in the pond, but she hadn't seen one since. We chatted for a bit then left her to her birds and went on our way. Not even a few miles up the road we actually sighted a moose, running along the road before crossing in front of us and high-tailing it to another lake, though it was moving so fast I didn't manage to get a good shot of it in the fading light. Still, code red! And it was awesome.

Leave me a comment below and tell me what animals are on your code red list?