Sunday, September 4, 2011

UPPER PALISADES LAKE!

AGAIN Howie took Friday off.
I could get used to this.
And we went for another "hike".
It required this:
?
The bear spray we carried is called Bear Deterrent.
Because anyone in their right mind KNOWS it's not a bear repellant,
just a deterrent.

We stopped when we were finished to see where we had been.
We went from here on the left, to here on the right.
Do you know how far that is in DOG YEARS????

Well, let me tell ya.
7.2 miles.
But there were so sheer cliff drop offs and the trials trails weren't nearly as bad.

Hikers are supposed to sign in before they begin.
"Hey you silly hiker people, sign this book so we know how well the wild animals are being fed.
We appreciate your support.
Sincerely,
The Wild Animals"


It's also a popular horse trail.
There had been several horses.
I felt like I was in a parade.
Marching in the drill team.
Behind the horses.
I didn't take pictures.
(You're welcome.)

You stay alive, you hear me? Stay alive!
I will find you!
No matter what!
No matter how far!
I will find you!
Sorry, I had just a little of a James Fennimore Cooper Last of the Mohicans experience again.

I did get a little distressed when we came upon 3 cow meese moose and two baby moose.
Moose are ugly.
Seriously ugly.
And they had babies.
UGLY I'm tellin' ya.
Oh, ya, and there was a bull moose.
A regular Moose Reunion.
I hear moose are meaner than any bear.
I did not get a picture of the cows and their babies.
Bullwinkle is in the above picture.
But there was no close up of him.

There are two lakes at Palisades.
This is the lower lake.
It's pretty.
The upper lake was 2.7 miles further uphill.
Totally worth the climb.
So gorgeous and green and quiet.
Great place to soak the feet.
So nearly 15 miles and 9 hours later we made it!
We didn't break any speed records.
It was a great day.
Blisters and all.
at

37 comments:

  1. UnknownSeptember 5, 2011 at 1:16 AM

    BEAUTIFUL pictures! And I loved your descriptions ... My hubs doesn't like hiking (what a total bummer!), but I finally told him he needs to hike because I like to. And he's agreed (yeah!)

    I'm one of the bloggers Lesa invited to the bloggy dinner on Saturday -- looking forward to meeting you and so glad to meet you on your blog.

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  2. ConnieSeptember 5, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    You are turning in to a bonafide outdoor woman! I don't blame you though, the scenery is gorgeous!

    I have a feeling you kept Howard laughing for those 9 hours of hiking! You're both in good company.

    Take care of those blisters.

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  3. tammySeptember 5, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    Bear spray?? That is a first for me.
    What a gorgeous place to hike to though!

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  4. KimSeptember 5, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    I've decided you need to either go back to the early early 1990's or get a Daniel Day Lewis fix somehow. Anyway, good for you and your hiking. Beautiful pictures!

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  5. ~Wyatt~Brittney~Brecken~Oliver~September 5, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    How fun! Way to go! Moose are the worst! I have been chased by them countless times! Growing up in Egin equals moose....lots of moose....

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  6. g.suzieSeptember 5, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    Tauna. . .good to see you and
    hubby having some great adventures.
    Glad you are taking us along for
    the journey!
    Beautiful picturess.

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  7. Kristina P.September 5, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    What a lovely hike! Even if you did have to actually be with nature.

    And moose can be mean! Just as dangerous as bears.

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  8. ConnieSeptember 5, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    Thanks for taking us on your adventures. Such beautiful photo's. We get to enjoy the scenery without the blisters and sore muscles. I am so glad you didn't have to use your bear deterrant. I wonder if they make something to annoy the moose too, because I am thinking if they have something to deter bears they just might have something to REALLY TICK OFF A MOOSE.

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  9. gigiSeptember 5, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Jealous of all your beautiful sights and fresh air! Still to hot here for much of anything :(

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  10. lesaSeptember 5, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    See you can do it!!! Awesome pictures.

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  11. CBSeptember 5, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    Good for you girl!!
    Coming upon all those moose would scare me more than the bears - Did you have Moose Deterent...Detergent...Oh Hell whatever it is you need!!

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  12. BarbalootSeptember 5, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    I hiked Timp today and I thought of you while I did that cuz I remembered you'd already done some serious hiking this summer:) Sound like today was quite the journey!

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  13. ValerieSeptember 5, 2011 at 11:13 PM

    We've done that trail before! I love it! But we've never made it to the lakes. Once we took the little kiddos and it was just too far for them and once I went with the YW for girl's camp and we didn't have the time to go all the way. It's definitely on my bucket list of hikes to finally finish...

    I am TERRIFIED of running into the moose/meese :) on the trail. Have you heard that if you're attacked you squeeze their nose between their nostrils? HA!! I never want to get close enough to test it!

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  14. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2011 at 3:21 AM

    You two are awesome! Good for you and the views are magnificent! I really enjoyed your photos. Hope you have a great day.

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  15. YvonneSeptember 6, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    What a beautiful place to hike.

    I agree moose are not the prettiest animals AT ALL.

    I bet that water was COLD but still must have felt great on your feet.

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  16. Liz MaysSeptember 6, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    That was pretty, pretty, pretty!!!

    I think that's pretty smart that they have hikers sign in before they start. Glad you didn't get munched on by bears!

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  17. Doran & JodySeptember 6, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    Oh man!!! I wish we would have went with you! I LOVE to see meeses! Glad you had a wonderful time earning those blisters!

    Mountains are BEEutiful!! You can't go wrong playing there!

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  18. Furry BottomsSeptember 6, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    WOOHOO! You made it! Those pictures are beautiful! And thank you for not showing any horse arses.

    I don't know much about moose, but they're solidary creatures, so it was amazing for you to find a FAMILY of them, including Bullwinkle. And I've heard of those bear sprays, not sure if they even really work?!

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  19. Furry BottomsSeptember 6, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    BTW, I am putting in a request to be adopted. By you and your husband. Yeah. I like going on hikes too!

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  20. life in red shoesSeptember 6, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    YOU DID IT!!!! And you weren't eaten by a bear or stomped into pulp by a moose ;)
    You know what the best deterrent is don'tcha? Watch it on TV :)

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  21. Julie HarwardSeptember 6, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    Looks like an awesome day...are you sure those bare feet aren't attached to skinny dippers?! LOL

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  22. HeatherSeptember 7, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    Wow! That was quite the hike! That is crazy you have to sign in before you hike.

    I am not a fan of moose. They scare me. I don't think they are ugly though. I think they are cute.

    Those lakes looked amazing!

    It looks like you had a great time! I am glad your hubby has been able to takes some time off and do things with you. Those times are the best!

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  23. Debby@Just BreatheSeptember 7, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    Can't believe you did another long hike. Way to go! It' so beautiful.
    I would have loved seeing the moose. I think they are cute!

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  24. VernSeptember 7, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    How come your "days off" feel to me like the worst Girls Camp ever?

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  25. mCatSeptember 7, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    Oh my friend - it all looks so wonderful! Even the bull moose and the moose reunion! And fifteen miles - muy proud of you!

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  26. Grumpy Grateful MomSeptember 8, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    Gorgeous photos! I love the way you write! I would have been running the other way with those moose! My parents got chased by one once so I have a bit of a fear, though I think they're fun to look at...from my car. :)

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  27. LKPSeptember 8, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    many much moosen.... in the woodsennensen... XD
    btw, i LOVE that hike!
    as for the horse trail, d'ya step in any along the way? love you. and i'm jealous of all this fab eastern idaho hiking you're doing. making me spud-sick to come back!
    ::hugs::

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  28. LeontienSeptember 9, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    Oh my 15 miles again! my gosh lady your a super hero in my eyes! haha!

    Great job and the pics are fantastic!

    Leontien

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  29. wendySeptember 11, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    What an amazing day!!! Me and my hubby like hiking and outdoor stuff too.
    Tauna..YOU AND I need to watch Last of the Mochicans together.
    I think between the 2 of us, we know all the lines.

    Ya know, I hear you have to pretty much spray the bear in the FACE before the bear spray is really effective.
    IF I HAVE TO LOOK HIM IN THE EYE....I am sure it is probably too late for me.

    (after the movie, we could go hiking.......or shopping, (tee,hee))

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  30. LeontienSeptember 11, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    I just wanted to say thank you on your video of your newest post. i couldn't comment on that post itself, i don't know why....

    Hope you have a good Sunday
    Leontien

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  31. EmmySeptember 11, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    Wow that is a long day- but it does look beautiful and worth it.

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  32. Queenie JeannieSeptember 12, 2011 at 12:45 AM

    Looks like you had a gorgeous day!! All this hiking stuff sounds bad for your health though, lol! (kidding)

    You must really love that man of yours!!!

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  33. Liz MaysSeptember 12, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    I don't see comments open on your 9/11 post, but WOW! Thank you for sharing that amazing video! The images are deeply moving.

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  34. LauraSeptember 13, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    You guys rock!

    The difference between you and me, Tauna, is that I would (and have) taken pictures of the horse poop. Other than that, we're soul sisters all the way! ;)

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  35. SherrieSeptember 16, 2011 at 12:56 AM

    Really awesome photos! I have been reading about your hikes and I am very impressed. I enjoy hiking, but I don't think I could have done the hike to table rock... so you are amazing!

    I'll have you know that all the adventures we have been on in Montana, we have yet to see a moose. And there you go seeing a whole family of them. I have been so disappointed because I thought we would see plenty of them on our hikes.. but nope! They might be ugly but they do get my respect.

    I'm glad you went prepared with bear deterrent. Running into a bear is not a good thing. Everywhere we hike around here is bear country so we always carry bear spray, a couple types of large knives and we pack some heat. Bears scare me!

    I really enjoyed reading about your hikes and seeing your photos of the gorgeous scenery. I would love to spend time in the Teton range. Thanks for sharing!!

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  36. Grandma Yellow HairSeptember 16, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    Girlfriend why I was surprised to see this post about you going hiking again is beyond me. After the last long long long one I thought you would take a year off. hahahaha
    Glad you got right back up in the saddle again and brought back to us a great post.
    These places you go are just beautiful.
    Sorry you have those horrible things called blisters. Take care of them and you
    Love
    Maggie

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  37. HollySeptember 16, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    You make me so jealous of not being able to do that kind of hike!! There's a spot our family frequents called Beaver Lake in the Uintas. It's only a 7 mile hike and I can't even do that... *sigh* So pictures and stories are the closest I get... Thanks for the beautiful photo journey of your day!! (Thanks for leaving out the horse poo, too.) ;p

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