journal . stories . life

30 ~ January 2022


It was colder than I expected in the morning on our overnight backpack trip, because the wind had died down - 14 degrees. I quickly started a campfire, and me and Mollie sat close to it. Mollie is the only one that will get near enough the fire to feel it's warmth; Beau and Hayley are too cautious.

When I had let the dogs out of the tent in the middle of the night, Beau did his usual bark loudly, to alert any critters he is there. I am always ok with that. What was unusual this time is a half hour later he wanted out again. All three dogs went out and I could see they had their noses in the air, picking up the scent of something. In the morning they were very interested in a scent up on the rock outcropping above our tent. What was out there??? (this is mountain lion country).

In all our years of backpacking and camping I have only seen eyeshine at night a couple of times, and only had my perimeter lines triggered twice. Both times I was backpacking in Grizzly Country of Montana. I have always thought the presence of several dogs is a deterrent to wild things coming too close.

What I love about backpacking is being out alone through the dusk, night time, and early morning hours - truly the best time of the day. You can feel the peace from nature, and if you do it enough, that peace can become part of your character. (and hoping it does)

( .. set your youtube video to HD for the best quality - click on the tool in the bottom right to change it. )

(click on photos below for larger image . . . - Esc or clicking outside of image will close it)

Two dogs standing on a sunlit rock outcropping with pine trees and clear blue sky in the background

cluster of pine cones resting on ground covered with dry pine needles and small rocks near a rock crevice

Small tent pitched on dry grass and patches of snow near rocky terrain with a tree nearby, golden sunlight illuminating a distant mountain

Bright orange flames burning on pieces of wood surrounded by rocky ground

Three black and white dogs wearing matching green plaid jackets standing on a large rock surrounded by trees and rocky terrain

A small tan tent set up on a grassy patch near pine trees and large rock formations, with a black and white dog running near a tree in the foreground and mountains in the background

Sparse pine trees along a dirt trail with patches of snow, a small black and white dog standing on the path, and rocky hills in the distance under a clear sky

Three slender leafless trees and one larger pine tree standing on a grassy slope beside a large rounded rock outcropping in a forested area

Small dog wearing a green plaid jacket standing alert on rocky ground near large textured boulders and pine trees

Rocky mountain ridge with pine trees under a clear blue sky

A lone pine tree standing on a rocky outcrop with a forest and mountain range in the background under clear daylight

rocky mountain landscape at dawn with large reddish boulders in the foreground and tree-covered hills lit by early sunlight

patches of dry grass poking through a light covering of snow with shadows cast across the ground

Snow-covered forested mountain slope with bright sunlight shining through the trees and a black and white dog sitting in the snow near scattered rocks and tree trunks

Man in a cowboy hat sitting outdoors on rocky ground at dusk with two dogs close by, one looking at the camera and the other resting on his lap

Three dogs among dry grass and leafless trees on a rocky hillside with pine trees and large rock formations in the background

Person wearing a hat petting a dog near a camping tent in a natural setting with trees and mountains in the background during early morning light

Silhouette of a person standing near a glowing campfire under a starry night sky with rocky terrain and trees in the background

Campfire glowing warmly near a rock outcropping at dusk with a person and several dogs nearby in a mountainous outdoor setting

Dogs near a glowing campfire at dusk with large rock formations and sparse trees in the background

Person crouching next to a small campfire near large rock formations at dusk with a dog nearby wearing a coat

Man wearing a cowboy hat standing outdoors in a forested area with three dogs, two of which are on a large rock with backpacks, in morning sunlight









“Wherever you go, go with all your heart"