2011 Table Rock Hike with my kids

Table Rock or Table Mountain, which ever you prefer to call it, certainly doesn’t make it any easier to climb.Because of summer not starting on time, and due to the amount of snow and cool temperatures this spring, I haven’t been able to get all the hikes in this year. I usually hike Table Rock annually as a warm up and decided this was the year my kids should go with me. Because Justine is suffering from a sprained ankle (ya, right) I left her home to babysit Susan (who had surgery) and the two little kids.They boys were eager to go but I basically tricked/forced Kassidy into going. We left at the early morning time of 4:30am. No small task I tell you! I, myself, got up at 4am and got our gear ready. The kids slumbered their way into the car and went back to sleep immediately, barley knowing what was going on. They slept all the way until we reached the trailhead at 6am, just as it was getting light.

A couple around my age started hiking before us. The wife was talkative, while he was more concerned with getting a good picture of his stop watch. My wheels began to spin and that’s when I schemed up my next goal – yep…. speed. How fast can I climb Table Rock? The wife said he was trying to beat his fastest time of 100 minutes. So, you know what my plans are for next summer…I have to beat his time, I can do it!!Later on in the day, when we were 3/4th of the way to the top, the couple stopped and talked to us again as they were heading back down. This time he was very talkative. He made it in 97 minutes and she made it in just less than 2 hours. I quizzed him some and he only ran on the flatter parts of the mountain, but he did climb without any breaks. That’s a pretty good time!

That day we began our hike up the trail, happy and eager. Of course being the merciful father that I am, I decided to take the more direct trail – THE FACE. The Face is steep, and then a little steeper, and then it gets real steep. And that’s just the first 2 miles. It wasn’t soon before I looked back and saw their excitement had quickly diminished to tears, with a little “I don’t want to do this” and “Can we go back?”Those tears ran until we got to the top of the ridge where one can see the final destination of the painful, miserable (for the unconditioned) climb to Table Rock.

I consider myself a good motivational father… I had to throw rocks near them to scare them into thinking bears or moose where close by. When they asked if we could go back or stop, I ignored them or said “I can’t hear you”. The weather was good. 40 degrees at 6am and by the time we got to the top at 10:30am it was in the upper 70’s. There were a few mosquitoes and horse flies but as long as you kept moving it wasn’t a problem.Once we got to the ridge and could see Table Rock, we had a quick break with jerky and Gatorade. Then it was a good walk before the final ascent to the top which is very steep.Your legs burn with every step and you can only take about 20 steps before you have to stop and rest.When we made it to the top, everyone was happy and tired.
We sat down and had a snack before the other crowds came. Then we took pictures and enjoyed the views of the surroundings. I pointed out other places I have climbed and future climbs I want to take with my kids.We started back down and played in the snow as we descended. We went back down the Face and moved at a faster pace than going up. This time there were no tears, only one blister, some sun burns, and some sore shoulders from the backpacks. The only tears this time was from seeing the car and knowing it’s all coming to an end. Nothing like a square ice cream cone in Swan Valley and some sleeping kids to end a great day at Table Rock.

Upper and Lower Palisades Birthday Hike

I have become more ambitious these last few years in becoming a stronger, more durable hiking machine. I have always loved to hike in the mountains, but never really thought about standing on top of the area’s highest peaks, as a goal. I suppose when I reached forty years old, I had a goal to climb the Grand Teton. It didn’t happen, but I managed to climb the South Teton that year.
So in the last few years I have climbed many mountains including: Borah, Leatherman, South and Middle Tetons, and Baldy. There are still many mountains to be conquered in Idaho and then maybe I’ll look to other surrounding State’s highest peaks.

This particular post is about my recent hike which required snow shoes.

My alarm went off at 4:45AM Friday, April 22nd. I woke up to three inches of new snow. Spring has been having a hard time finding it’s place this year. As I turned off the highway to go towards the Palisades creek campground, several deer were out in a field watching me as I went around the bend in the road. As I was getting out of my car and putting my pack on, four deer were watching me as they were getting a drink.

It was 6:15AM as I started my hike to the Lower and Upper Palisade’s lakes. It was still cold and the snow was frozen enough to support my weight without snowshoes until about 9am when the sun came out and it was a warmer temperature. There was a new fresh blanket of snow all over. As I hiked, within the first mile, I came upon a young moose. He looked like he had a long, rough winter. I spotted him as I was walking up the trail. He finally saw me when I was 20 yards from him. He stood up, a little alerted, not knowing exactly what to do. I stood there and took a few pictures of him. He was a young moose and didn’t seem like he was in good health.

As I continued up the trail, I would stop to take a picture or two of the scenery.

I reached the lower lake to find there was still so much snow. Since seeing the moose, there really wasn’t much sign of life other than a few bird and varmint tracks.

I take it the bathroom is still closed for the season.The snow got deeper as I headed up the trail, and harder to walk on in snowshoes. The sun was out warming the snow. By the time I got to Chicken Springs, I was worn out due to pushing through the deep snow. By this time, even with snow shoes, I would fall through the snow. There was still about six feet of snow.
I rested for about 15 minutes and seriously thought about returning. But I knew I was close to the upper lake. I also knew the hardest, steepest part of the trail was yet to come. I decided to push on as I cannot ignore a goal set. The trail got steep and soon was lost due to so much snow. I continued to follow where I remember the trail to be as I was familiar with the area. It looks a lot different with seven feet of snow all over though. I knew I was almost to the top where the Upper Lake was.

I again came upon another moose. But this moose wasn’t too happy to see me. I was below him so I hiked up to him and got within 30 yards. He was a big boy and not as timid as the moose I had seen earlier. I walked just a little closer. The snow was so deep I didn’t think he felt like walking around too much. But as I started to take pictures he bluff charged me. I stepped back and fell through the snow up to my knees. As I was trying to get out I looked up and he didn’t bluff this time. He charged me and got within 15 yards of me before I screamed like a little girl, I mean yelled and waved my ski poles. I then realized I had ran downhill in snowshoes back to my trail. I don’t remember that part, but I didn’t care, I was just glad I got away. He bluffed a few more times and so I had enough and didn’t care if I got video or pictures of him.

I continued on my hike and within 20 minutes I made it to the top and looked down into the Upper Lake. It was frozen solid as expected. I took a 20 minute break and was very exhausted. It was 12:12PM when I made it to the lake. It took almost 6 hours to hike in the deep snow. Normally in the summer it only takes about 4 hours.

I put my gear back on and head down hill only to see the moose again. But he was on the move following my trail down. I saw him go around a corner so I was glad not to have to deal with him again. Or so I thought. I came around the corner and he was coming towards me, ears and head down in a charge. I jumped off my trail down a hill to a tree. It was my only protection. I quickly learned if I yelled at him, he would charge me. So I stayed quiet. I was trapped by a steep hill side and a mad moose. He would not let me move without letting me know he was there and watching my every move. I threw 2 softball sized rocks at him, only to learn know how much more pissed off he was. His hair was standing just as tall on his back as my neck. He attacked the rocks and trampled them giving me a visual of what he had planned for me.

After 10 minutes of this I had to make a break for it. I backtracked a ways and hiked up and over him. I soon calmed down and realized how exhausted I was from snowshoeing in the deep wet and heavy snow. I still had 6 miles to go. I was too tired to take very many pictures on the way back but did see some Mountain Goats which was cool. I made it back to my car by 5pm. It was a great long exhausting hike, but loved every second of it.

Rosie Wolfe - Lititz, PA

Rosie Wolfe has been in my thoughts a lot since I have been reflecting about my father’s death 12 years ago. (View previous blog post). I met Rosie while on my mission in Pennsylvania on August 20th 1989. I knocked on her door one hot/humid summer day and she welcomed me and my companion into her home and fed us Ice Milk (not ice cream, there's a difference) and Cheese Curls. It was an odd combination, but it was Rosie's favorite snack and I learned to enjoy the mix. At the time, she was 84 years old. Today, she would be 110.

Rosie became very dear to me. I only got to know her for about 4 months and only visited her a handful of times. She was always so happy to see us and would enjoy are company. Rosie was of the Mennonite faith. She read the Bible 2 hours a day and was close to Christ. Her husband had passed away twelve years prior to me meeting her. Her body was worn out from lifting Lloyd out of bed and around the house when he’s health went bad for ten years. She had a great smile and just the sweetest lady you ever met. She had my sense of humor, so we could keep each other laughing all day.

She had many talents and “stitching” as she called it was one that helped bring in some extra money. She made yarn Afghans. After meeting her on my 3rd visit, I asked if she could make one for me. She agreed if I bought the yarn and chose the colors. Well, I decided on bold, bright color and she was almost appalled when I showed them too her. She didn’t know they made such loud colors. She told me I needed 24 rolls of yarn. She got right on it and had finished it in one week. She never dreamed one of her Afghans would make it to out west – let alone Idaho.

When I was transferred to a different area, she was the one I missed the most and hard to say goodbye to. She cried when I told her the news over the phone and she begged me to come visit her the next day before I left. We continued to keep in touch via short letters.
Her letters and short phone calls were like a broken record. She always asked how I was doing, how “Sue” was after I got married. She remembered my family, parents, and siblings names and eventually a pet or two. She happily gave you unwanted advice. She always told me to never go to bed angry at our spouse. And you always say your prayers. Never refer to your children as kids, because Bible never did and kids are baby goats anyway. She would only allow me to call her Rosie Posie. As a child, she was teased to tears by that name. But it was part of our relationship, so we allowed it.She would tease that she's a tame wolf, because she had an e on the end of her name.
For a few years we would get an occasional call or short note from Rosie. Then both letters and phone calls stopped and never heard from her again. I only assumed she passed away shortly after being in a nursing home. Rosie as a delightful person and was a wonderful kind soul. She loved service and being needed, whether a drink of water or sewing on a button to a shirt, she was doing what Christ would do. She is very dear to my heart and know that one day I will be able to give her a hug again.

My Best Friend, My Example, My Hero, My Father...

This post is a little bit about my Dad and the trail that he left behind for me to follow. I miss him. Today Feb. 12th, marks the day he passed away 12 years ago. It doesn't seem possible it has been so long. Each day I still feel like, "hey, where is he?" I wish I could just see and talk with him again.

My father passed away from heart failure. I found him in bed, looking peaceful with his hands clasped together as if he was just taking a nap. He has left a huge void in my heart that will never be filled. He was the most perfect person in my eyes I have ever known.

His father was one of the area’s largest Potato growers along with sugar beets, grain, alfalfa, and sheep. Farming was his way of life. He enjoyed working the ground, getting up at 5am to change water, and the harvest. When he passed away, my dad took over the farm and house. I treasure being raised in the same house and sleeping in the same room as he did as a boy.

He was very well known and respected. All my life wherever we would go, he was stopped by a person that wanted to say hello and talk to him. Everywhere....the mall, restaurants, shopping, and even vacations. He always had a smile and interest in what you were up to in life.

My father wore a hairpiece. Which to this day, some people didn’t know about. He always wore a hat or his hairpiece. I never knew him with a full head of hair. One time he was asked by some young kids about how Indians use to scalp white man. He told them where the Indians grabbed the hair and simulated the stroke of a knife across the top of his head and pulled off his hairpiece… You never saw mouths drop open like that for so long. He had a great sense of humor.


Some of his favorite pastimes in life were horse packing trips, camping, and snowmobiling. He passed that on to me. A lot of my fond memories was spending time in the mountains. Whether a 5 day horse trip, checking on the sheep, or just a ride in the mountains. Many lessons I have learned there taught me about life’s challenges. Some include how my mother wouldn’t allow me to go with him again for my safety. But he managed to sneak me back in the truck somehow.

He was very devoted to his testimony of the Gospel. He took all church callings seriously and would strive to live his life correctly. He was honest and most generous. He would always give you money, fill up your car with gasoline, or even do your chores for you.

When I asked Susan to marry me, we came home to tell my parents. He was out in the summer sun tearing apart an old barn. He stopped what he was doing and was so excited to come give Susan a hug and kiss. His face was all sweaty and dirty, but he didn’t care. It was important to him to support me in the girl that would marry me.

We all have that someone special in our life that is like my father for me. We can all go on and on about that person in our life that really stands out. I am nowhere near the caliber of a father/man as he was. I yearn for the day I can see him again and I know I will. He is my best friend, my example, my hero, and my Father. Thank you for showing ME what’s beyond the trail. I miss and love you dad.

Doing what I love...

I was raised riding in deep fresh powder in Idaho. At an early age, I grew to enjoy snowmobiling. I started out with a Kitty Kat. It went about 8 mph. I soon graduated to the Kawasaki Drifter. Once I did that, I was able to ride with adults and keep up. I remember several times, telling mom I wasn’t feeling good enough to go to school but quickly sneaking with my father to go for a ride. My father always wanted me to go with him. It was wonderful to grow up and learn the things my father loved to do. Snowmobiling was one of them. We were part of the Ammon Trail Riders snowmobile club. Still today, I have great friendships with those that were part of the club. Snowmobile sooths my soul and gives me another reason to spend time in the mountains where I feel I belong.

Today, my brother and I went with some friends for a ride up above Kelly Canyon ski resort. It was a great day of riding. Deep snow, cold, sunny, and MOOSE! Yes, MOOSE. There are always firsts in life. Well, today, I had one. With all my times spend in mountains and trying to get too close to moose, I finally did it. I was chased by an angry, blood thirsty, killer cow moose. Well, wasn’t that bad, but let’s just say, don’t get between a cow moose and her calf and PRAY yours snowmobile doesn’t break down while trying to escape.

Skiing at Grand Targhee for the FaceBook Price

The only way to afford skiing now that I am a father of six is to either chaperon the school ski club which gives me a chaperone's pass or a take advantage of a new thing I discovered called Face Book Fridays.

My first time Skiing, I didn't do so hot. I was 13 and went with my brother, who was a hotdogger. I only lasted a half a day and gave it up. Then 2 years later, my good friend Cameron and I got a bright idea. Hey, lets join Ski club. I was hooked ever since. Cameron and I were in Ski club for 4 years. It was great. Each year we would go to Jackson Hole Ski Resort 9 times and then to Sun Valley 1 time. Cameron and I quickly gained confidence and soon stayed in the Black Diamond runs. Now, I continue to ski, but not as often. Maybe just a few times a year is all. I really enjoy it and always look forward to the next trip. I kept almost all my lift passes. I go to throw them away, but something just pulls me back...