There Are Two Weeks of Summer Left

Our “two weeks of summer” is almost over and that can mean only one thing – time to go for a hike before the trails are covered with snow. Living in the mountains we are blessed with an abundance of outdoor activities: mountain biking, skiing, rock climbing and poker. The easiest activity for any of us is probably hiking. You only need to put on some boots or sneakers, grab a water bottle and a power bar, and head out the back door into the National Forrest for a hike in the woods and meadows. It sounds simple, and for some folks it is simple. For me, it isn’t so easy…

I have a few complicating factors working against me when I want to go hiking. First of all, I have two dogs that LOVE to run around the woods. Unfortunately they also like to slam into me and whoever else is with me just so we know that they’re there and we don’t forget to give them snacks along the way. I’ve nicked-named them “Seek” and “Destroy”. No matter where you are on the trail and how far afield they’ve gotten, they’ll find you, like some satellite guided missile, and do their best to run you over. I love’m, but they sure are annoying on a hike. You’re probably saying “So, leave them at home!” I would, but then they get really ticked-off and crap in the house to express their displeasure with me for not taking them on the hike. I hate the smell of dog crap in the morning. So we have an understanding – I take them with me on my hikes and they don’t crap in the house. So far it has been a very pleasant two weeks of summer.

Further complicating matters is the fact that I see every hike as an opportunity to scout for the upcoming deer and elk hunting seasons. Loving my creature comforts like I do (warm shower, warm bed, hot coffee in the morning) I’ve opted to hunt in Unit 38 (Gilpin County) again this year. As much as I’d love to set up a hunting camp far off in the woods for a week, I figure I’ve got it pretty good living IN the Unit I’m hunting, so why not enjoy the comforts of home AND hunt out the backdoor. SO… since I’m hunting out my backdoor, that means that every hike IS a scouting trip, which means that I don’t bring just a water bottle and Powerbar, I bring the 10 Essentials and then some. [Remember kids, ALWAYS bring the 10 Essentials (pocket knife, first aid kit, extra clothes, flashlight with extra batteries, full water bottle, map/compass, matches, hat/sunglasses, food, good common sense) whenever you’re going “into the wild” for more than an hour or a few miles.] In addition to all the “required” stuff, I have my GPS, my cell phone, my binoculars, a Crazy Creek chair, dog biscuits, extra water for the dogs, etc. The upside of all this extra stuff is that it helps me get in shape for hunting season – when I carry all the extra stuff for my kids.

Finally, the last and most annoying hindrance to get out hiking is all the other stuff I want or have to do. Fly fishing and cutting firewood are the two biggest. Considering the cost of oil and where its going, I figure I’m going need about 14 cords of wood to heat the house this winter. Kind of sad that I spend all of my winter looking forward to the summer, only to spend most of my summer getting ready for another long winter. Grrr.