Trail Adventures
With training completed, we were finally able to get out into the
park. Thursday we hiked 15 miles through the Lookout Point Loop and
Bowland Ridge Trail. The morning brought a torrential downpour with
huge gusts of wind, but we kept trekking. The rain is apparently
really good right now because they’ve been in a 7 year drought. The
much-needed water soon went away to a mostly cloudy afternoon when
we finally made it off the trail.
Friday was more training - Hazardous Communications and CPR in the
afternoon. Fortunately, I am already certified in CPR and got off
the hook. I was so excited for the Seasonal BBQ cook-out that
evening because I didn’t have to cook for myself. I am getting a
taste of what it is like to live completely independent without a
commons or mom to cook for you. It’s definitely been a growing
experience. All the divisions get along great, and we were able to
mingle with the interpretive staff and other Student Volunteers.
After a great meal, we all headed over to the volleyball court area
to play. It was so much fun! The picturesque sunset over the rolling
hills with various meadowlarks singing and deer quietly grazing made
for an awesome setting to play with some fantastic people. We
finally stopped when we couldn’t see the ball anymore, and then we
headed over to the campfire for some good stories and s’mores.
Saturday was basically a trip to Rapid City. Yes, it took almost the
entire day. I’m still in the shopping for a cowboy hat. I will
definitely have one before I leave here. Ugh. And we have a spider
problem in my house. I was warned to check my bed sheets every night
before climbing in. I’ve killed a few, but none so far in my bed.
Thank goodness. Oh! Mike Henry was able to give me a bedding set! I
got a pillow, a thick blanket AND a comforter. You have no idea how
excited I was, basically jumping up and down, if you can imagine. I
didn’t realize how simple a complete bed set would change my life in
such a positive way. Let me tell you, I have definitely been
sleeping like a baby every night since then. So Lesson One: It’s the
little things in life that make it so sweet.
Sunday I discovered the interpretation library where they have a
good collection of books about the area. I took out a medicinal
guide to wild prairie plants, which is absolutely fantastic. My
favorite so far is the purple coneflower and the scarlet globemallow.
The coneflower was used by the Lakotas to treat snakebites and the
scarlet globemallow was used as a paste to prevent burns from
reaching into boiling water. It’s really fun to pick out various
plants along the trail and know some possibly useful uses.
Monday we hiked 6 miles in the morning, which wasn’t too bad until
just before we got off the trail. I checked my radio weather
forecast and it said no severe thunderstorms until the late
afternoon. Well to our surprise, a giant storm cloud swept over us
and basically let loose rain in buckets. Within 5 minutes,
everything I was wearing was completely soaked through as we ran for
Moby. Moby, by the way, is our giant white 4-door pick-up that is so
ancient it looks like one touch will make it crumble. We have faith
in Old Moby though. The reason for the name is because it looks like
a giant white whale. Earlier that morning, I had a close encounter
with a snake. I was just walking along and the bushes right next to
me rustled as a snake rushed past. My heart was definitely pounding.
Another instance when my heart was pounding occurred today, Tuesday.
As we were hiking this 12 mile route we traced out, we must have had
to detour at least 4 or 5 times for herds of buffalo. We were doing
great until we reached a wide open expanse with NO trees, of course.
Just over the ridge were three bulls. Basically, we were screwed if
they decided to charge us. We were a ½ mile in all directions from
any trees to escape into. They were probably only ambling about 50
yards away, but one started trotting towards us and the other two
were ready to follow. We had to slow down as first instinct is to
run. That motion seemed to ease the buffalo, which slowed to a walk.
We scrambled out of there as fast as we could. It’s pretty scary to
be at the mercy of a wild animal. And they are on high guard right
now protecting their new-born calves. Lesson Two: Don’t mess with
the buffalo because they are lean, mean, charging machines.
So that’s it so far. Other than a healing pulled knee and blisters
forming on my blisters, it's great out here. We still have another
day of hiking for 13 miles or so and then we can start going back to
fix posts, etc. Should be a great week for weather. I’ve already got
a nice red burn from today.
Laura
