Just What the Doctor Ordered

The restorative power of nature is well established. (Do the names Henry David Thoreau or Walt Whitman ring a bell?) I actually read an article just this past week that quoted a medical study showing that time spent in nature was as effective in treating PTSD as any conventional intervention. ("Wilderness RX"; Annette McGivney; Backpacker Magazine, March 2018)

While I certainly don't suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the long, snowy winter that we just came through certainly had me eager to get outside. Both Dan and I were more than ready for our annual Pipestone 4-wheeling trip. Since you probably don't want to read a long, detailed, day-by-day account of our outing, here are just a few highlights. 

*HAPPY CAMPERS*

You haven't seen happy until you take an 8-year-old camping with his grandpa! Our buddy Grif brought his grandson along for the first couple days of our trip. Whether shooting his BB gun, riding in Grandpa's Razor, climbing around at Ringing Rocks, or helping me build a campfire, he never stopped grinning!

Colton wasn't the only happy camper!

*BLUEBIRD OF HAPPINESS*

We planned our trip a week earlier this year than usual, so we didn't have the plethora of bluebirds that we sometimes have had. Nevertheless, we did have one pair hanging around camp. More than once, either Dan or I (or both) jumped up from a meal or a conversation to grab the camera when that bright blue bird showed up! 

*HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU!*

For some reason, we didn't pile on the miles this year like we have in the past. We only covered about 150 miles over the eight days. But ride we did: through snow and mud puddles and through warm temps and choking dust; from creek bottoms to high mountain meadows; and from quick forays around camp to all-day excursions. Each trip was punctuated with quality time spend with friends. 

All in all, we had a great time! I was so very happy to get back outside. So, I suggest that you also follow doctors' orders and take a "happy pill"! Just consider yourself warned: This is heady stuff, and it's highly addictive! 

*BONUS PICS*

What happens when the sun is setting
in the west and shining through
pouring rain in the east!

We knew that white men had been here for a long time...

...but we weren't aware that the Indians had also left their mark!

Macro fun... this little weed was about the size
 of my pinkie fingernail.

This busy bee wasn't staying put for more than a couple of seconds
at a time.