Camping with Kent

Last summer, Kent went camping with us a lot. Unfortunately we were not able to have nearly as many adventures together this season due to our busy and conflicting work schedules. This last weekend we all managed to find time and trek back up to Derby Mesa again. This time we were definitely prepared with the new additions to our camping gear: a croquet set, a borrowed chainsaw, and Kent's belated birthday guns (as shown to the right).


The leaves were still hanging on for us so we still could enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. Besides having cattle wander by sporadically and whipping Moses and Aspen into a mad cow frenzy, it was quite peaceful and enjoyable. We managed to accomplish everything we had set out to do: extreme croquet, shooting, an impromptu boat race, tomahawk practice, and chainsawing and splitting tons of firewood to fuel the heat for the Dutch oven. For four hours we braised short ribs and ox tails to make a delicious stew to enjoy once the sun went down. Tyler brought veal stock from work to make it extra tasty. We were all so tuckered out from the activities (and a little hungover from the night before)  that we barely were able to stay awake sitting around the fire.

Like most weekends, this one had to come to an end. At least we were able to make it out for one last hurrah before the snow starts to fall and stick.

Here's the visual documentation for those of you who are interested.

Shit happens

The last five mornings I've hiked the North Trail loop by my house. It's a little more than five miles long, and it is the perfect way to start my day. (The view from the top is actually the banner for this blog.)

Since I started this routine, I've enjoyed the tranquility of nature in the quiet mornings. After it rained one night, the top section of the trail was filled with snails slowly scurrying as if they were on there own personal intertrail highway. Two days ago Tyler and I saw a buck bounding away from us through the trees — its antlers spanned more than four feet. And yesterday I saw three hawks circling up from below, catching the wind to carry them higher and higher in search of prey over the Vail Valley.

Today after I reached the top, I was curious to find out what amazing nature scene would be waiting for me this morning. More amazing changes in the fall foliage? A late blooming wild flower? Another deer to cross my path? My thoughts were excited with all the possibilities.

As I made my way down the last half of the trail, Moses and Aspen sprinted ahead of me and took off into the bushes. Usually this is a failed attempt to catch the quick chipmunks that run around taunting the dogs at every bend in the trail. This time they didn't return immediately, and I started yelling for them to come back.

My nature scene wasn't what I had hoped for today. Instead of some awe inspiring sight, I realized that today I'd only see what the animals had left behind: their excrement. And Moses was covered in it. Not only had he managed to "get all up in that," he had it in his ears, all around his collar and he couldn't have been happier than a farm animal cliche.

I tried not to let the setback kill my excercise buzz, but when you have to wrestle a no longer Great Dane into a bath tub by yourself and wash a thick layer of crap off the canine, it's not a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

But at least the aspens and my Aspen are awesome this time of year...

Derby Mesa

Fall is approaching quickly this year. I can hardly believe how fast the summer flew by. We haven't gone camping nearly as often as last year, but in the last few weeks we've definitely made up for our lost time.

Tyler took me out to Derby Mesa this weekend. He'd made an exploratory trip out there during the off season, and wanted to show me a few of the cool campsites he'd discovered. The leaves are starting to turn out there, so we want to get back within the next couple weeks.

Our new favorite activity while camping is using our Dutch oven. I don't know why it took us so long to buy one, but now we can't imagine a trip without it. Tyler said that he'd have been very sad to have lived before the Iron Age. It's the best camp cooking tool available —last week we baked corn bread, and this time we made stew with Deschutes Brewery's Obsidian Stout. By the way, our new life goal is camp and cook with different micro brews and equipment and get paid to do it — how feasible do you think this is?
 
It wasn't all eating and drinking — Moses is attempting to be the largest Frisbee dog ever. We practiced with him while we were waiting for ourstew to cook. The only problem is he's very selective of when he wants to attack the flying disc. Usually he actively pursues the Frisbee for about 10 minutes, and then he needs a break. It's funny because we always assumed that Aspen would love to jump and catch a disc or two, not our large moose-calf-like-dog.

Finally, as per usual, here's more visual documentation of the trip.

Green Mountain Reservoir and the fam

We returned to Green Mountain Reservoir, but this time we brought the Hansens and Dickinsons in tow. Tyler and I left early on Thursday morning to secure a campsite. When everyone arrived later that night, we all devoured our ambitiously prepared campfire dinner: corn pone and mac and cheese. Who knew how well a Dutch oven could bake corn bread in the fire?

The meal fueled us for our boating excursion the day. Athena was a model for safety in her life jacket.

The forecast had been for scattered showers, but the sun came out for the four hours we had the pontoon. It took Moses about an hour to gather his sea legs, but was a pretty good sport the whole time. Except when Tyler went to re-dock the boat at a random beach landing — Moses freaked out and thought he was leaving him so he took off into the water. Great Danes are not the most efficient swimmers of the canine family either. After much maneuvering, Tyler was able to come ashore without injuring Moses.

Some of the time during the boat ride was spent working up the courage to jump into the reservoir. As you can see, Ty was not tenative about going in the water. Mazie was extremely enthusiastic about the prospect, and insisted her mother join her. After making sure all of their clothes were carefully folded properly, and that anything that could aid to the procrastination of the the plunge was done, Katie and Mazie ventured to the edge of the boat to take a dip together. As for the video, my reformatting software wasn't cooperating, so you'll just have to watch Mazie and Katie jump in sideways. So just tilt your heads accordingly to remedy the situation:

 

After the plunge, Maxie wanted to go in again, but no one else shared her excitement for the cold water. She didn't even mind that the water had erased half of the face paint from her cheeks.

The clouds must have been keeping an eye on us, because once the boat ride was over, and we made our way back to camp, we waited out the brief rainstorm in the camper. When the rain stopped, we took a walk to Cataract Lake, then spent the evening with brauts, s'mores and campfire songs. For some other pictures, click here.

Diving in

I find this Pot-Shot extremely helpful today. I don't know if any of you remember seeing these in the weekday comic section in the paper. When I was in middle school, I used to cut them out, paste them in a notebook and keep them on a shelf in my room.

Lately I've been applying for writing jobs, but sometimes I'm my own worst enemy. I'll talk myself out of even throwing my resume out there because it's old,  and doesn't list enough experience. And all of my published clips are four years old. Within five minutes of constructing a cover letter, I start thinking I have no business even thinking I can apply for any job.

Whoever said we are our biggest critics nailed it. I don't know what it is that makes it so hard to overcome ourselves. Maybe it's the fear of rejection, and the thought that throwing yourself out there might not work. It feels easier to save yourself the heartbreak, and leave those starred e-mails about job opportunities in your inbox rather than face them head-on.

But ultimately that doesn't solve anything. Job postings disappear, and you're left with another missed opportunity gnawing at you. Sometimes it's better to leap without looking, and rely on the faith you can find in yourself.

I guess it's time to dive in.