To Camp or Not to Camp

I am glad that it was a lot warmer down in the valley
where we were camped. 

It seems this year that spring has been slow in coming. Not that we haven't had some nice days, but very few of those nice days have fallen on the weekend. We have been itching for weeks now to get the camper out. It was beginning to look like we were going to continue to wait, as the forecast for the weekend was not showing much promise. Nonetheless, Dan started getting the camper ready during the week, figuring that we would make a decision when the time came. 

When I got up Friday morning, I was greeted by gray, glowering skies. *SIGH!* But then Dan got up and checked the weather and the radar. He decided that we would trust the forecast (partly sunny with no precipitation), and we pulled out for the Pryors. Patches of blue encouraged us, and by the time we had the camper set up and the quads unloaded, we knew we had done the right thing. It felt so good to be outside! 

The Pryor Mountains are deeply grooved with canyons and caves. Regular followers of the blog will know that we have made several attempts at exploration, with very limited "success." We tried again Friday afternoon in another spot in a different canyon. But alas, despite early promise, it quickly became apparent that this canyon was also inaccessible. We contented ourselves with walking the edges and peering down into the depths. We were really hoping to catch a glimpse of a bear or a mountain lion. At one point, we even sat down and waited patiently while Dan tried to call one in, but this too was to no avail. Oh well, it was so relaxing just to wander aimlessly through God's creation. We become like children out there, fascinated by rocks and trees and flowers and bugs. 

Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty

This "cave" looked a lot more impressive from the road.

Saturday morning brought more sunshine and some friends. As we left the valley floor and began our ascent, the temperatures dropped. (I am glad that I went back to the camper sooner than later for my heavier coat!) As we reached the higher meadows, we were greeted by snow ghosts -- trees that have been plastered by wind-driven snow. It quickly became apparent that Plan A - the switchbacks - would have to wait for another day. There is no shortage of roads in the Pryors, however, so we just went another way. We spent the whole day riding. As we reached the last intersection of the day, we something that we have not seen before in the Pryors -- a large herd of healthy-looking mule deer. They were so pretty in the afternoon sunshine. 

These tiny flowers reminded me that spring always returns. 

Heading home Saturday evening, Dan and I both agreed that we were very glad that we had taken the chance on camping. Let the season begin!