April 4, 2012

Turkey tracks



Dinga & Jesse on their "lookout" rock
during our hike






















The snow is fast disappearing, and in just three days April has brought mud season into full swing. There was no need to pump water out from under the house on either Monday or Tuesday, but looks like we will have to today.

MAX’s wheel problem was just an optical illusion! Woo Hoo!!

There were only nine photos on the game cam when we checked it on Sunday. Seven of them were of Jesse and two of JB.  Definitely wild life, but already have plenty of pictures of them.

When the dogs and JB went for their morning walk on Monday, JB heard an elk bugling in the canyon to the south of us. Then at the north ridge he heard our resident blue grouse. Yep, Spring has definitely arrived.

I got some overdue chores done, like defrosting the fridge, vacuuming, etc. JB baked bread as usual on Monday, then we both worked on a chocolate chiffon pie. The filling turned out yummy, but we still have to work on the crust. JB used the pie crust recipe in our Gluten-Free Cooking for Dummies cook book, but we didn’t have a couple specific items so he improvised. Obviously not a good idea.

The dogs and I finally went on our "loop" hike again, east on the south ridge to the end then down into Erno’s property and back to Rose Camp. Saw turkey and grouse tracks, and a couple deer tracks. Actually spooked a couple grouse in two different places, but didn’t see or hear any turkeys. It felt very good to get out for a long hike.

JB went Down There yesterday and it will probably be the last time on MAX with the tracks on. Just not enough snow on the main canyon road. We may try to get my Jeep up to our road this week.  I took the dogs for their morning walk and stayed outside a while picking up small branches knocked down during winter storms.  Sat on the porch for a while just watching and listening to the birds.  So nice. . .

Just as I crawled back into bed yesterday morning at about 5:00, after going to the bathroom and putting in a fire, we heard the faint high-pitched yipping of coyotes. Barely close enough to hear, but enough to get the dogs barking. They were probably down by the hair-pin, so hopefully we will get some on the game cam this week.

Thought for the day: I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph, and there is purpose and worth to each and every life. Ronald Reagan