Anaconda Pintler Hike

Well it looks like I'm going to try to revive this blog!  Can I get a Woohoo!?

Everyone has been patient with my non-foodie posts in the past.  This falls under outdoors and hiking.  Joe and I have been anxious to enjoy some backpacking.  This is just a brief post on our hike and some pretty pictures.  You can find a different type of post about the backpacking on my Conscious Observations, Mindfulness blog.

Just after we moved to Missoula, three (3) years ago, I was on one of those late night flights back to Missoula from Denver that I used to take all the time for work and I was chatting with the guy next to me.  I asked him what his favorite mountain range around Missoula was and he said the Pintlers.  He liked that even though they were small, they were beautiful and had few people.  That conversation stuck with me and I bought a book about hikes in the Anaconda Pintler mountains soon after.  Turns out he was right on all accounts!

This past weekend we did just a short hike, 18 miles in 3 days.

Day 1: Middle Fork Portal to Upper Phyllis Lake (5.6 miles)

The portal was only a 2 hour drive from Missoula.  Love it!  The best thing is on the way back no matter which route we take we pass multiple breweries. But I digress, this was a beautiful hike.  It was a gentle, continuous climb as we gained in elevation.   Most of the trail was through a beautiful forest with views every now and then of meadows and a rock walls and peaks.  At the end there is a more strenuous climb up to a view of the Falls Fork watershed and Lower Phyllis Lake.  We happily ended up at Upper Phyllis Lake with plenty of time for a relaxing evening.  Joe fished, I read and journaled.  For dinner I'd dehydrated a great venison stew with mushrooms, kale and sweet potato.  It re-hydrated really well and we enjoyed it!

Grouse

Upper Phyllis Lake

Day 2: Upper Phyllis Lake to Edith Lake (7.3 miles)

This lake is set down in a bowl and so the sun set early the first night and rose late in the morning,  This meant I got up and enjoyed a lovely yoga and meditation practice next to the lake and then Joe got up, made coffee, and we hiked up to meet the sun.

The morning view.  Not a bad way to enjoy our coffee.

Then we slowly cleaned up and got everything back into our packs for the days hike.  We didn't start hiking until 11 AM - so luxurious!  We enjoyed a nice climb up to the pass that separated the Middle Fork drainage from the Falls Fork drainage.

Climbing to the pass.

Here  got to see up close some Tamarak trees changing colors.  These trees go by various names, and look like an evergreen tree, but they are actually a deciduous conifer and they lose their needles every fall!

Tamarak Trees - they actually have many names.  Some call them Larch.

After the pass we hiked down to Johnson lake where we spent a lazy 2 hours eating lunch, reading and fly fishing.

 Joe fly fishing.

Johnson Lake

Then we hiked onto Edith Lake, our destination for that evening.  On the way we ran into 2 groups of people who said there was a black bear at Edith Lake, but he didn't seem to interested in people, so we continued - with a little trepidation on my part.

We picked a campsite and followed all our bear protocol.  We ate and cleaned up away from camp, down on the beach and prepared to hang all of our food.  We didn't go anywhere without bear spray.  Sure enough, the bear came around, but only once.  He and I scared each other a bit, but he was just on a path looking for food and displayed all the signs of a good black bear.  He did not associate us with food.  No ants or berries here!  As we startled each other, he was about 20 feet from me.  I backed up a bit and found my bear spray and said bear loudly but calmly.  Joe was walking up to the camp and said "Bear?"  "Yes, Bear!"  I said pointing.  We continued to speak loudly and calmly and he circled wide around us.  After the fact, I will say he was a beautiful black bear.  Very pretty thick coat and soft brown nose - but I do not need to have one that close again.  No pictures as that was not my focus.  He would look our way like saying, "Yes, I know you are there.  I don't know why you are speaking so loudly?" and then he'd continue poking at logs and looking for food.  He did not return at all that evening and we didn't see him again before we left the next day.

 Joe cooking dinner.

Christine pumping water.

Day 3: Edith Lake Out (5 miles)

Another lovely morning of yoga and meditating with the squirrels.   I admit to having conversations with the squirrels.  They were so funny!  They would climb all the way up these super tall trees and throw the pine cones down from the top, chattering the whole time.  I was laughing at them and said, just don't hit me on the head with one of those and the next one came down right next to me.  I laughed out loud!  We took our time packing up and headed out for a gorgeous 5 mile hike out, mostly downhill.

Edith Lake

We passed two waterfalls, stopping for lunch at the second one.

On the way home we came over Skalkaho pass, which has another wonderful waterfall and curves with steep edges that scare me!  And in case you think we forgot, we treated ourself to a stop at Bitterroot Brewery in Hamilton, MT, as Joe wanted one of their Bitterrroot IPA's.  Life doesn't get much better than those three days.

Connections

The snow falls

  Quietly
    Calmly
      Straight down.

Each flake can be followed as it passes the window,
  gently moving in connection with the other flakes.

   Softly bumping

      Joyfully jostling.

They land.
  Be here they whisper.
    See us now, they whisper.
      As they connect with each other and to all that surrounds them.

Fire Evacuation and Awareness

I'm writing a blog post that is very different than the one I planned as I drove home less than 24 hours ago from 4 nights at the Jackson Lake Lodge.

Imagine 4 days with the above view of the Tetons, combined with a 3 day Majestic Stillness retreat with Lorna Lange at Synergy Wellness and Fitness (What are you telling me you still have not experienced one of Lorna's retreats?  You are missing out!). But I digress....

This was followed by a beautiful drive through Yellowstone and all the way home to Missoula on Sunday.  We arrived home at a decent hour, enjoyed dinner, some Sunday night football and the last 1/2 of "Field of Dreams".  Who can't smile and feel good after "Field of Dreams"?

As I head up the stairs to bed about 9:40 PM thinking, "If I build it will they really come?" our phone rings and the evening takes a turn. 

The lightening storm that was happening as we watched the movie had landed a lightening strike about 9:10 PM not far from us, about 1-2 miles, and a fire had started.  Our neighbor was watching it and wanted to let us know that with the current high winds, we had a good chance of being evacuated and should prepare..... 

The following chain of events:
     We open suitcases, take out dirty clothes and insert new clean clothes.  I immediately try to use my new tools  as I feel myself tense.  I bring awareness to my jaw and neck and breath into it.  It relaxes.  Two minutes later I have to do it again. And on and on....

     We answer the question if you must leave a building that might not be there when you return what would you take and put by the door the computer, the file with the passport, marriage license, and birth certificate, a few key pieces of jewelry, the yoga mat and relatively little else. I realize my breath is much more shallow than normal.  I stop and breath deeply through my nose and back out and extend my breath.  Two minutes later I have to do it again.  And on and on...

    We decide we might as well try to get some sleep.  I breath, I bring awareness, and then I repeat Loving Kindness Meditation.  I catch myself worrying and repeat those steps. Again. 

      11:35 PM there is a knock at the door - we are being evacuated. It's ok - I wasn't sleeping yet anyway. 

     We pack the car with everything by the door.

     12:20 PM we drive away from our home in both vehicles and the fire is about 50 acres.  We get to the hotel and fall in bed.  I lay in bed confident my home is ok and this is just precautionary, and still my throat is clenched shut.  I breath, I bring awareness, and then I repeat Loving Kindness Meditation.  I catch myself worrying and repeat those steps. Again. Again. I finally fall asleep.

    We awake with about 5 hours of sleep and check to find the fire is about 200 acres.  I breath and try to relax my throat and open my computer to work.  While tired, I feel mostly calm.

     We do some work and go to previously planned meetings.... and check the news every 10 minutes for an update.  I remember again, I need to breath, lengthen my breath, relax my throat and bring awareness to what is clenching within me.

     11:30 AM we find out our evacuation has been lifted, they feel like the fire is mostly under control and houses are safe. The area is only open to residents.  I smile and yet keep realizing my throat is clenched.

At this point we are safe and back in our house.  The evacuation was just a precaution because should the winds change suddenly they wouldn't have time to evacuate everyone and there is only one road out.  As of right now the fire is under control.

I still feel tired and tense, but calm. I realize I could not have had a more intense situation directly after this retreat in which to practice every tool I learned and wonder, "What would I be like if I didn't have these tools?"  I am sure I would be more tired and anxious.  I would be overreacting and definitely not still planning on going to Barre class tonight after I pick up my CSA vegetable share.  I am thankful for these tools of breath and awareness.

I take my last sentence here to recognize that there are people in Colorado in much more dire straights than this and I send all the warmth and compassion possible to them as they struggle to help themselves and neighbors to survive the floods.

May the people in flooding CO areas be Safe.
     May they be Happy.
          May they be Healthy.
               May they soon be able to again, Live With Ease.

Morsel of Mindful Living

Laundry... laundry is something that has to be done.  It's something some people dread and some don't mind.  I find I enjoy laundry more when it's sunny out and I can allow many of my clothes to dry outside.  Why?

It's an excuse to go outside during the work day.   I get to check on the doe who likes to nap under the tree.  I say Hi and talk to her a bit and smell the honeysuckle peeking over the wall.

I get to check on my Lilies, Echinacea, Strawberries, Sunflowers and more in the patio flower bed.  The yellows, pinks, and greens are so bright in the sun and I close my eyes and listen to the bees moving busily from flower to flower.

I get to check out the view on clear days.  Just looking at this view reminds me what a great life I have - better make sure I appreciate and enjoy it!

Laundry doesn't sound so bad now, does it?

Morsels of Mindful Living

The Lolo Fire Monday 8/19 at about 2,000 acres.

Fire.. I've always respected fire.  If anything, the diligence my Grandma Graff always had making sure the camp fire was put out instilled that respect in me.  The first time I learned to fear fire though was back in 2002.  While hiking the John Muir Trail, Joe and I hiked through an area that had recently burned, but more importantly was still burning.  The account of this fire can be found on Day 13 of the hike.   But now that we live out West, every year we are humbled by the strength of fire.

We arrived back in Missoula to find the above fire, named the Lolo Creek Complex fire.  This picture is taken from near the end of our road of the Bitterroots.  The fire started during the weekend from a lightening strike, but took off on Monday and both Monday and Tuesday had periods where it was out of control and just running down the mountain.  As of Thursday, this fire is the #1 fire priority in the United States at this moment and it's reported to be over 9,500 acres.

We cannot open our windows as the smoke is so thick around our house and most of the time it's like we are in a fog bank.  Our view had not been as clear as the first picture since Monday night.  

Yet, we are lucky.  This particular fire won't reach us and we can stay in our home, while others are evacuated and wondering about their home.

I feel....
Sadness for those that have already lost their home.
Fear that someone on our hillside will inadvertently start a fire, or that lightening will strike closer in the upcoming storms.
A slight sinus headache from the smoke that has seeped in into the house.
Wonder at the strength of fire and the determination of the people who fight wild fires all summer long.

I smell... smoke.
In the house, it's a light smoky smell, almost a "thick" air smell.
Outside it's like you are standing right next to a big campfire.

I hear...
Fans, as we work to keep a closed up house bearable without air conditioning.
When the fans are off, I hear constant helicopters and low planes.  As of this morning there were 9 helicopters tending the fire.

Despite the thick air, I feel thankful for my breath.  My breath calms me as I watch the fire and it slows and allows me to sleep well even though the air is smoky.

Morsels of Mindful Living

Just a quick post today on an item that is helping me be mindful. 

This image has been making me very happy lately!  I got it off a facebook post and made it my computer background.  Then I started thinking, hmmm this is signed.   I hope Katie will forgive me for posting very beautiful illustration.  I googled, Katie Daisy.  If you enjoy this image, check out her Etsy site, http://www.etsy.com/listing/128828750/11x14-go-slowly-veritcal-print?ref=listing-shop-header-0.  I love her illustrations and am just trying to decide which one to buy!

It's always good to surround ourselves with beautiful reminders of how we want to live our life, like mantras, and nothing could be more apropos for me right now than this lovely quote from Thich Nhat Hanh, a Zen Buddhist Monk.

Smile. Breathe. And Go Slowly.

Morsels of Mindful Living

Joe and I sit next to each other on the concrete seating in Caras Park.  It's a Wednesday mid-day.  I've just finished an excellent Pilates class and Joe picked me up and we came downtown to this week's "Out to Lunch" event.  We had just grabbed two spots to sit and listen to The Clumsy Lovers play and I pause...

I feel ...

The warmth of the sun as it hits my head and the backs of my bare arms. 
The warmth of the concrete on which I just sat.
That my legs are slightly tired and wobbly from Pilates class.
That I'm hungry!

I smell...

The scents of the many food items for sale, including the wood fired pizza, not far from us, and the spicy scents from the many Asian food carts.
The river as it flows behind us.

I hear...

The instruments, especially the banjo and fiddle player as they move through the music. 
The melodic, friendly, and upbeat voice of the female singer.
The laughter of the children on the lawn between us and the band dancing to the music.
The conversation of the two friends behind us catching up.
A shout as a woman calls out to a group walking by and jumps up to hug people she hasn't seen in awhile.

I feel...  Very thankful. 

Thankful that Joe and I can both enjoy this venue and take time out on a Wednesday.
Thankful that we live here, in this town, with these amazing and talented people.

Every Wednesday from 11 AM to 2 PM Missoula has live music, food, and kids activities downtown.  Such a great town.

Morsels of Mindful Living

Morsels of Mindful Living will be an ongoing post on this blog.  To me, to be mindful is to be in the present with a  kind, open, curious, and non-judgmental attention.

I hope you enjoy these posts.

Driving up the hill toward town I go faster than normal, I'm late and I don't like being late.  Coming around a curve I quickly come upon a car going 30 in this 45 mph zone.  I step on the brakes and immediately turn to anger, then I pause... not immediately, but within a few thoughts before we reach the top of the hill, I pause...

I feel ...

Tense.
My jaw is clenched, my neck is tense, my fingers tap impatiently on the steering wheel.
My foot is moving quickly between the brake and the gas, as if that will help move along the person in front of me.
My stomach is even tightening.

I take a deep breath.

I feel ...

The cool breeze as it enters the window from this much appreciated end of July cool spell.
My shoulders, stomach, and neck slowly relax.
My foot settles patiently on the floor.

I smell...

The moistness in the air from the recent rain, our first rain in almost a month and it's been raining since yesterday.  Lovely.
The rain has brought out the smell of the sage and lilies that I pass.  The smell moves through the window with the cool breeze.

I hear...
A dog bark.
The growl of a lawn mower.
My car quiet as I reach the top of the hill and the engine switches to full electric mode.

I feel...
Thankful to that car for being my much needed "mindful reminder" so when I do get to my appointment I'll be present and able to focus on the person I'm meeting.

Disclaimer: This picture was taken on our road, at a stop, with no other traffic.

Morsels of Mindful Living

Kneeling in the garden I pull back the Lavender with one gloved hand to pull the grasses and weeds around the base with the other gloved hand and I pause...

I feel ...

The pressure of my knees on the kneeling pad, just pressure no pain today;
The warmth of the sun on my back and soaking through my hat to my hair and scalp, as if the hat weren't even there;
The patient movement of my fingers as they work to pull the weeds slowly from the earth to obtain the most root possible.

I smell...

The warm earthy scent of the ground as I break it open;
The scents of the Lavender, Honeysuckle, Echinacea, Mint, Thyme, and Sage that surround me;
How these scents all intermingle and become more focused with the intensity of the sun.

I hear...

The bee's going about their work on the Lavender and Russian Sage.  They buzz all around my head, but we have an understanding that we are beneficial to each other and we allow each other to calmly go about our individual efforts.
The leaves of the trees and the tall grasses as the welcome breeze blows through on the top of our hill.

I follow my breath as I inhale the smells and the garden into my soul were it creates and grows it's own garden of flower memories that will last all winter until spring first blooms again.