A Hunting We Shall Go..

This past weekend, we were treated to a date-weekend.  The kids had a sleepover at Don and Darlene's on Friday night.  They had a ball.  When we arrived Saturday evening to pick them up, they informed us they were not ready to leave.  Well, in that case...(just kidding!)

Ry and I went out to eat Friday night and then Saturday we headed for the hills.  Ryan decided that he just couldn't go for a hike in the middle of hunting season without toting his rifle along and so our hike turned into a mini hunt.  Now there is a difference between a hike and a hunt (even if it is a very half-hearted hunt).  I did not realize this until we were a mile or so in on the trail.  Every time I asked Ryan something or pointed something out, the reply came in an unintelligible mumble barely above the sound of a whisper.  It took me a while, but finally I figured it out. 

"Umm, honey?  Am I talking too loudly?"  

His very quiet reply?  "Voices carry."  

Yep.  I was talking too loudly.  And sniffling too loudly.  And walking too loudly.  Never mind laughing.  Have you ever tried to laugh quietly?  Yeah, me neither.  Not that I was doing anything different than I would on a normal hike, but I was quickly learning that even a half-hearted hunt must be treated like a real hunt.  I was feeling bad about scaring all the wildlife off but Ryan reassured me that he really wasn't expecting to see any animals.  Of course, if he hadn't brought his gun, we would have seen all sorts of animals.  The Murphy's law of hunting.  

By the time we got to the top of the ridge, I was getting quieter (probably because I was out of breath) and was so glad to see over to the other side (no more going up!).  The tamaracks added a beautiful burst of color to the otherwise green forest.  It's fun to look down on the valley you live in from the ridge you generally gaze up to.

 Another look with the reds of the huckleberry bushes in the foreground.

We ended up slogging through snow for quite a bit of the hike, more than we expected, but with all the animals that had gone through before us it wasn't too bad.  Ryan pointed out all sorts of tracks - bear, elk, deer, even the occasional wolf track.

We found a sunny patch free of snow for lunch, enjoyed a little rest and a visit from the game warden.  Yep, even half-hearted hunts count as far as game wardens are concerned!  Ryan handed over the appropriate tags and the game warden mounted his horse and continued on his way.

Lake Darling with Mt. Pend O'reille in the background.

It really was a lovely day and even though we did not see any animals, we enjoyed a quiet day together!