Saturday, July 28, 2012

A Backpacking Adventure ~ Scrappy Style

It's all about the getting OUT there...

we (My main mom Peep and I) go hiking almost everyday, but usually it's just a few miles for exercise.

When the boys take us on THEIR adventures, though...it's just WAY more OUT there!

Just so you know...we (even without the boys) are always PREPARED.   It IS the wilderness after all!  We carry Bearspray  (A MUST here in Montana!) and also a SPOT  ~ one never knows what could happen!  Great tools for safety AND security! 

My Peep says her boots are made for walkin'



Summer HIKES are great, but Backpacking Adventures are the BEST...

Last weekend, we decided to get out there....Here we are on the first trek of our HIKE....



There's a LOT to carry...sleeping bags, tent(s), food, my Scooby chair...

The best seat at the fire-pit!


Yep...Dad even carried that in!  Just another one of many reasons why Mom says he's a KEEPER... He loves us girls SO much! 

One of the most important things on a hike is that I  insist on being the leader.

Only I, the Scrapster, can do it RIGHT!


It's all about knowing everything about the woods.

Did you notice my tether?  Yep.  If I am not leashed, I am getting a ride in my Pet-a Roo

We learned THAT lesson the hard way!   There were a few mushrooms along the trail....



Here's the thing about Mushrooms (if you haven't already read my Toxic Hike post)

Sometimes...certain times of the year...they can be attractants and poisonous to us DOGS!

There are also some other WONDERFUL (yummy) things in the woods of Montana...

like Huckleberries!    



There are endless trails to explore and rarely will you come across any others deep in the woods.

Look at the jungle view from my Scrappy prospective!  Talk about Tunnel Vision!



FINALLY, we arrived where we were going to camp...

at the river's edge!





You have no idea how much I   LOVE rivers...I couldn't wait to get in! 


There is almost Nothing better than Pawing for FISH!



Life is GOOD in the woods


Like I said earlier...you just never know what's going to happen in the woods of Montana....

All of a sudden...the youngest said..."Somethin's comin!  Do you hear that?" 

and hear it, we did...all sorts of ruckus!....rocks sliding and noise like something really big comin' right at us! 

THEN, we spotted it!   Thankfully, across the river!


This Black Bear had NO idea we were there....we watched him feed along the steep hillside...



I had NO idea what this thing was....I wasn't scared...just mom was!

I watched very intently and quietly ~ much to Dad's surprise.

until Dad finally whistled at this thing!  THEN, I barked!

(we wanted to make our presence known...better than catching it off guard)

Didn't even PHASE it.

It just meandered along the river searching for more food, only looking back at us once.

Are you relieved?  Mom was. 

I just became more curious!


We spent more time enjoying the river....fishing and basking in the sun.

Then we set up camp.



One of the greatest things about where we live is how late it is when it finally gets dark.

Here I am enjoying the warmth of the fire as the sun is setting...



In the tent, I sleep extremely well..never moving, all wrapped up in my peep's down vest between their sleeping bags...

the youngest doesn't sleep as well...

hmmm...wonder why? Thoughts of bears perhaps?

It is so cold in the morning, I have to wear my coat.


We have breakfast and fish some more...

HIKE back out and once I get home and have the dreaded must have after a night in the woods bath...

I sleep and dream of fishing with the bear....pawing at the fish

Scrappy Style






















15 comments:

  1. OH wow, what an adventure! A black bear! A tent and a campsite! Wow!! You are gonna sleep good when you get home! (I like those boots too!)

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  2. Scrappy I am right there with ya, backpacking is the BEST! Although my MOM has never packed in a chair for me, might have to work on that. Beautiful photos. And how cool you saw that bear. I think you were brave and a very good dog for not barking.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  3. That looks like a whole lotta fun. We wish we could have come with you :)

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  4. Wow,Scrappy, that was such an exciting hike. Beautiful scenery, and oh that bear!!!! Thanks for sharing your wonderful adventure with us.

    Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

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  5. what a great adventure. Love your chair
    Benny & Lily

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  6. Thanks for sharing your backpacking adventure, Scrappy - the photos are wonderful; I miss Montana! I liked learning about Spot and seeing how careful you were with the bear - waiting for your dad peep to make noise, then following up with your ferocious bark! Did you catch any fish?

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  7. Hi Scrappy
    I love your adventures so much! I would love to go hiking with you. I love camping too.
    I think your river was the most wonderful river I have ever seen. It looks so fast and cold- but yet- you had your footies in the water!
    I think you have the bestest dad to pack in your special chair... wowo- I am so jealous.
    I am glad your parents are so careful not to let you eat bad stuff on the trails. They keep you safe.
    I think your world of Montana is beautiful.
    Thank you for sharing this journey with me.
    love
    tweedles

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  8. wow scrappy, you hike a few miles??? we take one walk around our block, which takes about 5 minutes and we're beat! maybe you could teach us stamina amd endurance!

    yuki and rocket

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  9. What a fantastic adventure, Scrappy! I'm amazed you hike a few miles every day. You're very little! But then, you faced the great big bear down, so maybe youre heaps tougher than you look. I've never been camping myself. It looks very exciting but I'm not sure if I could cope without my princess bed and the heater. Dont tell anyone I said that though. I'm supposed to be a big fearsome pigdog. Okay. Hooroo! X

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  10. Oh Scrappy, what a wonderful adventure! I love rivers too, and I don't care if it's January or July -- I'm taking a dip. I have to take a bath after almost every hike, because I always end up wet and muddy.

    I've never seen a bear before, but sometimes we hike in the mountains where bears live, so mom bought me a bear bell to wear when we hike in the mountains. Usually we hike closer to home.

    Backpacking sounds super-fun, and Montana looks amazing! Looks like I have some SERIOUS competition in next year's Adventure Animal category in Mango Minister!

    your pal,
    Garth

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  11. What a hike Scrappy. Have a lovely Sunday. Pop by and say hello and meet a new friend.
    Best wishes Molly

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  12. What a wonderful adventure Scrappy! Sure am glad that bear didn't care about you all though!
    Lovies, Miss Mindy

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  13. Very cool adventure, Scrappy! Love the Scooby chair :)
    Stewey

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  14. That bear was close. A little too close for comfort. :) Sure was a pretty place you hiked to. Sounds like a wonderful time. Except the bear.

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