Off The Grid

The mountains don’t change. They might shift and alter from time to time. But, that’s like a life occurrence.  We, as a family, like to hike off trails. Places some people may never get to. Today really opened my eyes to the great unknown. At one point of our hike, I was afraid to conquer the steepness. Seeing my daughter do it made me want to cross that path.  It isn’t about the mountain, it’s terrain, and how steep it may be... it’s about yourself. The mountain is the most stable part of hiking. It doesn’t change, move, or unstable its path. It’s simply the person who walks amongst it. You are in control of where you walk on that mountain, where you pick to get to your destination. You might fall a time or two, but your feet never disappoint you. You keep hiking to where you need to be.  That is life. Despite the scratches you obtain in the midsts of things... you always get back to where you should be.  Never blame that mountain that never moves. Blame your feet that led y

It's not all about the kill... as a majority think it is. It's about what it took to get there... the gas, the food supply, the planning, the mood. Turkey hunting is about the hardest hunts I have ever done. That is the joy of it, though! Being with family, friends, and laughing about it in the long run. We almost killed a badger on our way home tonight... yes, road kill. With a vehicle. It isn't the gun that kills people. I had my gun locked and loaded to get that turkey... which never came. But, I still manged to safely unload at 12 gauge shotgun. Always, remember that. It is the safety you learned. YOU are always in control. Just as if you are in control of a knife when cooking dinner. There is something great being in the wilderness. The breeze when it met my face, hearing my dear friend make those turkey calls. Hunting is about building those relationships, that are held dear, deep in your heart.

Not ready for school to start tomorrow... It's been a month's break from endless deadlines, countless papers, & out-of-the-blue quizzes. I've fed giraffe's, rode on a sky lift, shot two rabbits, ate them, caught two fish, went hiking, & ran my butt off... Still day dreaming about what this year will bring with hunting. I already know what I'm putting in for, where I'm going to get it, & how I'm going to do it!  My goal this year=bull, deer, bear, & even more rabbits! This break has brought life back into me. I breathe, eat, dream, wish, hope, & work for being in the in the wilderness. Some people want roses for Valentines Day... I want the smell of the great outdoors, maybe a new gun, hiking, & living my life to climb that mountain! Success, for me, is to overcome my fears, hold those antlers in my hand, & feel accomplished for filling that freezer! 

If you have been hunting, shot your animal, and processed it yourself- I give those people props! It isn't just hard work and dedication... It brings a whole new perspective to the animal you killed. Seeing their meat, having it in your hands, getting dirty, putting it in a bag to go into the freezer to feed your family... It is an experience I will never forget. People often think buying from the grocery store, their meat is "easy" and it's accessible. Which, yes it is very accessible. You grab and go. But, to have to work hard on hunts, make sure you ethically shoot your animal, cut it up, process it- makes your feel 100%.  I wanted to go to the hot springs today with family. But, I didn't feel right to not cut up my own animal I took a life from. The smell, the taste on your tongue, the constant hand washing between cutting and bagging. My hands are raw. Like taking a long bath. Feeling like an old wrinkly lady. It took us 8 hours to process all the meat we