thumb butte....

Starting the day a bit lazy, I awoke later than planned.  I believe my days off tend to start this way, a bit unfortunate.  But then the day happens, a dizzying whirlwind of adventure, spontaneity and some good wholesome fun.  Grabbing some grub from the Ranch before heading out, Melinda and I chat about the day ahead.  Leading the way we take Highway 89 north toward Prescott.  The road is long and winding the entire way, my kind of highway.  From Congress Highway 89 clings to the Bradshaw Mountains, over Yarnell Hill and into People's Valley.  Ranches line the roadway, set to a backdrop of mountains in the distance.  Upon arriving in Prescott, the increase in elevation is apparent.  The air a little thinner, the day is chilly and breezy, the kind of weather that turns your nose and cheeks pink.  We decide to head to Thumb Butte, Gurly Street leads us west out of town.  A small recreational area sits at the base of Thumb Butte, there are multiple day use picnic areas, parking and a few trailheads from this site.  Thumb Butte, trail 33, is less intense if hiked to the right, this is a more gradual increase.  The area is a great spot for outdoor activity that is close to town, many people bring their dogs here for a walk.  Depending on the season is it possible to climb to the top of the butte.  In winter and spring, hiking is permitted, however climbing the butte is not, the closure is due to Peregrine Falcon nesting.  On this day, we are lucky enough to see a falcon floating on the breeze, hunting.  Educational exhibits dot the trail and we are also able to learn about the flora and fauna of the area.  Different types of cacti and shrubs are scattered throughout the hike.  And trees such as Alligator Juniper, the bark of which looks of brown alligator skin, is quite intriguing.  The types of plants at this elevation (5354 ft.) greatly varies, a crossover area, it contains both desert and alpine species.  After the hike I make a quick stop in town for hot water to make tea, a great way to warm up, then set a course for home.

Resources:
< City of Prescott >
< Yavapai County Native >
< & Naturalized Plants >
< Trails.com >
< US Forest Service >

oh, give me a home....

The morning is cold; I wake to an inch of snow on my car.  Heading west, I start my day.  Out of Gillette I take the interstate one last bit toward Buffalo, WY.  Once there I will follow winding two lane highways to my destination.  Paying no mind to the snow that morning, I am unaware of what the day will bring.  From Buffalo I take Highway 16 through the Bighorn National Forest.  Snow still covers the Powder River Pass, elevation 9,666ft.  Along the highway, forestry roads are the only sign of the presence of people, most for camping and snowmobiling.

Dropping out of the pass the weather changes to a more spring like feeling.  Highway 20 heads south from Worland toward Thermopolis.  Entering the area the scent of sulfur is in the air.  Thermopolis is well known for its’ hot springs, including the world’s largest mineral hot spring.  Stopping for fuel, I see a city basketball tournament lining the road through downtown.  Competitors playing three-on-three as fellow citizen’s watch perched in their lawn chairs, cheering.  South out of Thermopolis I continue through Wind River Canyon.  The road follows the river here, winding and narrow.  So narrow in fact there are tunnels along the route, I see a truck driver lowering the pressure in his tires to make clearance.  Beyond the canyon passing Boysen Reservoir and Boysen State Park, I continue toward Riverton.  Though it is one of the post populated areas I have driven through today, it takes only minutes to reach the opposite side of town.  Again heading west, I leave Riverton on Highway 26.  Taking a look at the map I see every road I have taken today.  Highway 26 is the only major road through this area.  The openness does not denote barren land, but a land full of the wilds that once covered this country.  The only sizeable town along Highway 26 is Dubois, WY.  Here they say Do-boys, a long standing mockery to a former post master.  It’s said soon after gaining the title he changed the name of the town, along with towns in both Montana and Idaho, to his own.  Furious, townsfolk refused to pronounce the name correctly.  

Beginning to gain elevation, I near Togwotee Pass, this is where my knowledge really begins.  With a new job and a new area, a little homework goes a long way, and the rest is discovered throughout the season.  Togwotee Pass, elevation 9,658 ft., still covered in snow, is the only area along the way I have passed not one, but two snow plows.  It is also the latest in the year I have ever seen a snow plow being used, the first of May.  Togwotee Mountain Lodge, I later learn is open all year and caters to snowmobilers and folks dog sledding in the winter.  In the busy summer season this lodge and others, like The Hatchet Resort, are cheaper options still close to the parks.  Just over the pass, I catch my first glimpse of the Teton Range.  Grand Teton peeking around the next bend, its height disappearing into the snow clouds above.  A few minutes later I pull off in a turnout, a large wooden sign welcoming me to my new home stands just inside the park boundary.

Up the road I drive through the park entrance station, a friendly ranger welcoming me, I introduce myself and inform her I am working at Signal Mountain Lodge for the summer.  Today is the first day the Inner Park Road is open and the South Entrance to Yellowstone will still be closed for another two weeks, weather permitting it to open.  From here I still have eight miles to my destination.  Driving lower than the speed limit, I observe everything along the way, making note of what is marked on the park map.  I pass Oxbow Bend, one of the most notable places in the park.  Here you can spot moose, elk, bears, pelicans, osprey, bald eagles, beaver and other animals, it is a favorite for many photographers, with Mt. Moran in the background.  I turn off onto the Inner Park road, driving south over the dam.  Jackson Lake is a natural lake; however Idaho owns the top 30ft. for irrigation purposes.  From another turnout I take in the view, still in awe, the range is completely covered in snow and the lake lay frozen solid.  Continuing further I pass the Chapel of the Sacred Heart.  Soon a right hand turn brings me to my destination; the snow is still coming down as I pull into Signal Mountain Lodge.

No Apples, But Plenty of Saguaros....

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Well fortunately I did not get knocked out by an apple tonight, but I did have a great idea come to mind this evening.  The fact that I am more often a "toe in the water" type of gal has redirected itself to a "dive right in and do this" mentality.  Of course many folks I know have told me this for way to long for it to not be true.  Even when things are rough, I have many more options available to me now than many ever have.  I want to enjoy every bit of this experience and take from it all I can.  When age becomes more of a factor in everyday life I hope to never look back and wish that I would have done more.  I would rather regret something that I have done than feel I have missed out on my life.  Postponing one's life should never be a considered option.  

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The breeze plays us a gentle song as it carries away all our worries.  Opening my sails, they too have no worries, dancing with the breeze as we drift along.

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