tranquility Archives : Tranquil Trekker

Mindfulness When Life is Chaotic

In this post, I discuss my experience dealing with a major surgery and the American, healthcare system.

In my early 40s, I had major abdominal surgery, a full hysterectomy to be exact. Due to large fibroids, an ovarian cyst, and a uterus that measured close to an almost full-term fetus (2900 grams! 😮), they took all my inner “girl parts” save one ovary.

We were fortunate in that I had been aware of the problem for several years and knew surgery was likely coming. Also, almost from the beginning, all the doctors were quite confident there was no cancer so that made the whole experience less terrifying.

It sure was a learning experience though!

Read on for some tips on how I learned to use mindfulness when life is chaotic.

Being humbled by your body’s limitations

One thing that was hard to get used to while I was recovering from surgery was that my body didn’t work right. You literally, CAN’T do things. The doctor puts you on limitations such as:

–Don’t lift over 10 pounds
–You can’t stretch/reach/bend over to grab things
–You can’t walk the dog, pick up your kid, etc.
–It hurts to do even the most mundane of daily activities such as: sleep on your side; get in or out of bed or a chair; sit up straight at a table; get off the toilet, etc.

The best thing you can do in these situations is be kind to yourself and accepting of your limitations. You will only cause problems if you push yourself too much. See this as a doctor’s prescription to take a break!

Uncertainty and lack of control

One surprising thing I learned through my experience is that having control over one’s own body is largely a privilege of good health and elective procedures. The minute something serious occurs, most of your ability to control your own body pretty much goes out the window:

–I didn’t CHOOSE to have problems with my reproductive system–while it “may” have been related to decades of choosing to take hormonal birth control, they honestly don’t know what causes these issues. So this isn’t a “you smoked and got lung cancer” type of situation.

–While there are numerous options for hysterectomy surgery these days ranging from minimally invasive, robotic procedures to incredibly invasive, full-cut methods, I really had no choice in the matter. Due to some logistical issues, I ended up working with two specialty surgeons at two different health systems. Both told me in no uncertain terms, “You WILL have a long, vertical cut, period.”–I ended up with a 9-inch+, vertical incision down the midline of my belly, starting above my belly button! That was fun! 🤕

These surgeons were both the best of the best mind you, with access to the most advanced robotic equipment available. I actually worked with oncologists (cancer surgeons)–even though they were very confident I didn’t have cancer–because my surgery was going to be more complicated/risky due to the size of my uterus. These types of surgeons are the absolute, most skilled in their field. Literally all these doctors do is surgery, often on complex, potentially life-threatening situations. They aren’t trying to fit you in between delivering babies and doing emergency C-sections!

My uterus was so large there wasn’t much room for the surgeon in my abdominal cavity. This increases the risk that other organs can be nicked/damaged during the procedure with obvious negative, potentially long-term consequences. Fortunately, I suffered no long-term side effects–thank the Good Lord Above and my incredibly skilled surgeon! I feel very blessed that I had access to these medical professionals!

—They aren’t kidding about the 6 – 8 week recovery time! For people who are lucky enough to be able to have the less-invasive options, your recovery time may vary. But, when your belly is held together by 40+ staples, you’re gonna need AT LEAST 6 weeks of recovery. At 8 weeks out I still had some soreness and was only back to about 90%–and I had a pretty easy recovery, all things considered.

I’m very fortunate that I can do A LOT of my job from home, from the couch, while wearing pjs and when I feel like it–read: I can take naps just about whenever I want. 😂 Due to this, I was actually able to slowly start returning to work after only about 10 days. HOWEVER, if you’ve got a physical job, or one with lengthy hours/lots of lifting, you will likely need to be off work for at LEAST 6 weeks after this type of surgery!

—EXHAUSTION! They aren’t kidding when they say you’ll be tired after major surgery either. I am a high-energy person who doesn’t usually sleep much. I average about six hours/night of sleep and my body LIKES it that way! When I occasionally take naps they are rarely over 30 minutes and even then I have to be careful they aren’t too late in the day or too long or I may not sleep that night.

After surgery though, I’d be fine for a while, and then I’d get hit with such strong fatigue it was all I could do to keep my eyes open! I took two-hour naps! That is UNHEARD of for me! I was so out of it I didn’t leave the house for a week–normally that would feel unbearable due to getting stir-crazy, I almost didn’t even notice it after surgery.

—I felt like I lost time. I had surgery middle of January. From then until early March, I almost felt like time didn’t pass right. I was pretty out of it the first two weeks or so due to sleeping a lot and being on the “good” meds. But even after I was more awake and aware, it would feel like time was passing and I almost didn’t even notice. I truly don’t know where the winter went!

It didn’t help that it was an El Niño winter which meant it was almost non-existent in the Black Hills. I was in the hospital and on HEAVY pain meds for our short, below-zero cold snap–poor Mr. Trekker got to trek back and forth from the hospital in that!–though the bathroom in my hospital room was on an outside wall and was FREEZING! (I had a nice, window view though!)

When we’re in these situations there isn’t much we can do but accept our circumstances and hang on for the ride. We don’t have to like it, but so much of life is just dealing with things that happen to us that are out of our control.

Weird stuff happens to you in the hospital!

This whole process was a weird, learning experience!

–It still kinda freaks me out that this guy I only met for about 45 minutes, the day before surgery, literally had his hands deeply inside my abdomen…he did a great job but that is WEIRD to think about! 😯

—I have never had so many random people ask about my pooping schedule. 😝 Apparently, when you are put under anesthesia, it tends to “paralyze” your bowels temporarily. Due to this, it isn’t unusual to become quite constipated for a few days after surgery. They give you meds for this, but they also watch you carefully to see if you “are gassy” and “have good bowel sounds”. These are good signs that your bowels are waking up on their own, and no further medical action is needed. So for three days after surgery, every time a medical person walked into my hospital room, one of the first things they asked me was, “Did you poop today?” 🙄 *sigh*

—A creepy lady watched me on the TV! (No, really, this was not a hallucination brought on by the meds! 😯) The hospital I was in was starting to implement these “virtual supports”. Basically, after getting into my room after surgery, and then after a round of meds from my real nurse, I’d be happily sitting in the room relaxing. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, the TV would freak out and this headless voice would start emanating from the ceiling–this is especially weird when your senses are already dulled by some pretty strong pain meds. 🤯

Basically, another nurse, in some other part of the hospital, would just pop up on the tv to talk to me and check to make sure my meds were working, see if I needed anything else, etc. It was never clear to me if she could see me or just hear me (I could see her on the TV screen.) But there was never any warning this was coming and I really didn’t have any way to refuse her. I’m not sure what would have happened if I had been changing clothes or using the bathroom when she called. 😊

Frustration with medical staff/billing:

Author’s note: I should note that I’m coming from the perspective of the American health system and as someone who is blessed to have good health insurance.

I was fortunate in many ways but I got an up-close view that is the racket of the American medical system!

—Bills start coming, and then keep coming, for random things…for the next several months! First, you get a bill for the doctor at the hospital, then you get a separate bill from the anesthesiologist’s organization. Then you get bills for things like “professional services” that total thousands of dollars! (I don’t even know what that means, “professional service” is literally all they told me!) I even got a bill for some random person doing something office-related. It literally said something like, “John, office misc.”–note, John was not the real name. 😉 But what did “John” do, make a copy of something?! 😝 (Insurance covered their portion so I’m assuming everything was legit, but it would be nice if they were more transparent.)

—I was a little frustrated by the lack of info from the medical staff. They answered all the questions I had–the trouble was I didn’t really know what questions to ask! They also told me everything I “needed” to know regarding the procedure, recovery, how many days in the hospital, etc. But they weren’t helpful at all in giving info such as “things you may want to have at home for recovery”.

Note: you want a reacher and a high toilet. If you don’t have a high toilet you can get a special toilet seat at Walmart–and other places–that has handles and raises the toilet seat up by several inches. This can be INCREDIBLY helpful after any major surgery!

—I also learned it can be helpful to have a fairly serious condition. One of the doctors said she’s had experience with my insurance company where they denied the procedure until further, more detailed info can be provided. They approved mine quite easily! 😂 (She said I had a VERY GOOD reason for a hysterectomy though. 😝)

That all being said, despite my minimal frustrations, I feel the need to put a shout-out to the US healthcare system. It is in no way perfect, but if you have decent insurance, I truly believe it’s one of the best available overall.

I heard absolute HORROR stories from people in other countries (England, Australia, Canada, etc.) who had to wait months if not YEARS for surgery, oftentimes suffering from severe pain and bleeding the entire time–and then they may only get a week or two notice to prepare! (Also, in many of those cases, second opinions are almost unheard of and you’re stuck with whatever doctor you get, whether you are comfortable with them or not. 😪)

I went from my initial appointment to Surgery Day (while navigating two separate health systems and multiple doctors) in less than two-and-a-half MONTHS! If I hadn’t had logistical issues with the first doctor (and some personal preference regarding scheduling surgery) that time frame could have been even shorter!

—Scars can be cool! I thought I would be HORRIFIED by my scar. It turns out, I’m rather proud of that battle wound! I survived one of the worst, hysterectomy procedures they do with flying colors! I never thought I’d be one of those people who wants to show off my scar but I get it now. I EARNED that, literally with my own blood (and the removal of five organs! 😂)

–I also have to give a shoutout to Avera Medical Group in Sioux Falls, South Dakota!

They were a bit annoying to schedule with–they didn’t seem to quite get I was driving from the other side of the state, five hours away, across a frozen tundra, in JANUARY! 😝

But once I was there the facilities and care were top-notch! My awesome surgeon was like a big teddy bear–I felt very safe and secure with him and his staff (and he did a GREAT job!) The facility was very nice (though the food could’ve been better), but they had private rooms (with windows!) for every patient!–I had a very, cheery view of some Christmas lights from a house across the street!

I especially appreciated the chaplain and several members of my surgery team praying with us beforehand. I don’t know if this is common practice everywhere but Avera is a Catholic hospital. This service was offered to me (not required) and I eagerly accepted it. It gave me a lot of comfort moments before going in for a pretty scary procedure! It felt good knowing that some of the people being blessed by the prayer were the very people who would have my life in their hands a few minutes later!

From the initial appointment, I had no doubt I was in good hands! I think that was another mindful moment for me throughout this whole process. I usually like to handle everything myself, but in this case, I just had to trust the experts and let go…

Be present, seize the moment, and embrace your downtime!

When you’re in those situations where your body FORCES you to slow down, it’s best to just embrace it and give yourself permission to “do life” at a slower pace for a while!

–Take lots of naps!
—Do the “slow” activities you never find time for: journaling, art projects, puzzles, play games, watch terrible movies you fully enjoy! 😁
–Take the time to step back and relax
—Take it easy and slow! LISTEN to your body! It WILL tell you what you should and shouldn’t do…and if you do something naughty, it WILL punish you for it. 🤭
—Enjoy the simple things! While still in the Recovery room (and after not eating for close to 15 hours) they let me eat orange jello…I have never tasted anything so DELICIOUS in my life! (The broth they gave me was pretty good too!) Then on the third morning, when they finally let me have buttered toast after two days of being on a liquid diet, I thought I had died and gone to heaven! 😂 😁

A piece of buttered toast sits on a plate which is in a person's blanketed lap — After two days of being on a liquid diet, this tasted like a meal fit for the gods!

In Conclusion:

So far, recovery and post-surgery have gone well. My remaining ovary seems to be picking up the slack with no menopause symptoms yet (though I “may” go through that fun, change of life a few years earlier due to this procedure.)

Overall, given the circumstances, I think it was the most positive experience it could have been!

So…ya wanna see my scar? 😉

Have you found Mindfulness helped you get through a difficult time in your life? Tell me about your experience in the comments!

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Excited to Turn 40!

The Trekkers turned 40 recently! In this post, I ruminate on how it feels to turn over a new decade and dreams I have for Part 2 of our lives.

Both of the Trekkers turned 40 years young recently! 😮 🤭 It’s ok though, we’re excited for the next decade!

I always assumed that by now I’d have everything figured out. It’s silly, but when you watch tv, and there’s a character who’s in their 40s, they usually seem so mature. They seem like “real” adults. They have a “real” job, they’re married, they have kids, they own a house…I see them and I think, “I hope I’m like that when I grow up”…

…Wait! I’m married, we own a house, and we both have real jobs. We don’t have kids but Puppers comes in a close second, right? Wow! I am that person! But why don’t I feel like it?

Metaphorically old

I started feeling “old” when my doctors began responding with, “that’s normal with age” when I would point out oddities I had noticed. Don’t get me wrong, that is a far better response than the alternative could be, but still…

…you also start to notice your age when things start failing on your body and the only true cure for them requires surgery and a 6 – 8 week recovery period to fix! (Bunions on your feet, carpal tunnel in your hands…my knees have started to lock up from time to time…I knew all that hiking would catch up to me one day! )

Delayed adulthood?

Part of the reason we still feel like “kids” could be partially due to the fact that Mr. Trekker and I didn’t begin “adulting” until we were almost 30. When one of you spends seven years in grad school, other life events tend to get put on hold.

So, while most of our friends and family members were getting married, buying houses, and having kids at 22 (or earlier), we didn’t get to really start the process till almost 30. So, we’re basically eight years behind everybody else. Does that mean in “adult years” we’re actually only 32? Could that explain why I don’t feel “that old”…or maybe I’m just immature?

I feel as though there were themes to our recent, lived decades:

Our 20s were about finding ourselves in this adult world and figuring out what we wanted to be when we grow up (we’re still working on that one! 😝)…

Our 30s were about paying off the debt we accrued in our 20s, 😂 and building an adult life (“real” jobs, buying a house, starting to accrue a nest egg, etc.)

Hoping for a great decade to come

And now we’re looking forward to our 40s! I’m optimistic that 40 will be the beginning of a great, new decade. Plus, I get to be an even-numbered age again. I like even numbers, so hopefully, that’s a good omen.

I am prayerfully hopeful that our 40s can be about starting to move toward what we really want in life. For me, I’d LOVE to be able to “retire” by 50. I pray for good planning and a little luck to accomplish that.

To be clear, I use the word “retire” VERY loosely. I see it more as “removing oneself from the Monday – Friday, 9 – 5 grind” rather than “stopping work for the rest of what will hopefully be a very long life.” 😇

Our Dreams for the Future

Now that I’m 40, I feel like my priorities in life are changing. Instead of being motivated to pursue that great new job or promotion, I instead find myself wanting to pursue “living our best life”. This looks different for every person but for us, it looks like traveling to amazing places and having awesome adventures.

We’ve already done a decent job of traveling all over the country. We excel at taking random weekend (or multi-week) trips from:

- - - - visiting family
      - seeing all 48 of the Continental, US states
      - checking items off our bucket list
      - doing random adventures
      - traveling thousands of miles to the Canadian border for an amazingly tasty, homemade bear claw (and some awesome ghost towns!) 🤤

We want to do even more adventures like this though. We’ve got some pretty epic trips we want to take in the next 10, 20, or even 30 years. As John Muir said, “The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.”

What else are we hoping to see and do in our 40s? Well…

- - - - In the short term, check out these posts for info on our Epic, 40th Birthday, Spring break trip!: Viva Las Vegas!, 7 Things to See in Death Valley National Park, and Driving the Extraterrestrial (ET) Highway
      - we have goals to FINALLY make our epic, Alaska vacation a reality…
      - …and if we see Alaska we’ll only have one more state to visit to see all 50 US states so…I guess Hawaii it is then!
      - we want to drive ALL of Route 66…
      - we want to check out and camp on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon…
      - we’ve had Nova Scotia/Newfoundland on our list for some time…
      - there are still a ton of ghost towns we want to visit in Colorado, Utah, Montana…

…and these are just the big trips within and near the US, these don’t include all the smaller trips we’d like to take…we’ve got a bunch of international locales we’re excited about too, but those may have to wait till our 50s. 😉

I also have some personal goals I want to achieve:

- - Now that the world is entering the “Post-COVID era” I want to FINALLY get to a blogging conference!
  - I have one book I’ve been working on writing for quite some time and another I have ideas about…
  - I want to write guidebooks to help people easily see/experience this amazing world we’ve been blessed to live in…
  - I want to continue pursuing my freelance/consulting career…

Final Takeaways from my 30s…

- - I haven’t achieved all my dreams from my 30’s…
    - - I had the opportunity to attempt to start my own business/work for myself. I was doing pretty well too until a little thing called COVID came along and kind of killed that dream 😡 –at least temporarily–though I’m still trying to press ahead with this in some form or another.
      - Several years ago I did leave a job that failed to make me happy, and while I’m back working a “somewhat” normal, 9-5 it tends to be one of the weirdest versions of that type of job that exists, I think 😂 (and I mean that in a good way!)
    Easily 60% of my job is paperwork that I can do from home pretty much WHENEVER I feel like it. On top of that, even the meetings I do have I usually schedule myself. This means I can more or less work whenever I feel like it (as long as the necessary stuff gets done). And thanks to laptops and mobile internet I can often work from anyWHERE I want, as well (with a little time to plan.) My job is also based on Billable Hours which is a whole other, weird thing. It makes for an incredibly flexible job that plays well into my plans for lots of travel in our future. 😁
What does “getting older” mean for me?

I feel like I pretty much stopped “growing older” at around 30–and I’ve had a number of people tell me I don’t look “that old”–enough so that I don’t think they’re “just” being nice! 😇

Based on genetics, I have two possible physical paths to follow as I age. My dad’s side of the family tends to avoid getting grey hair as they get older. My mom’s side, on the other hand, has an infamous “Curse” where everyone has a head full of white (albeit BEAUTIFUL) hair by the time they’re 50! (So far I seem to be taking my dad’s family’s fork in the road. Only the next 10 years will tell if that continues or not! 😯)
I don’t feel old…Ok, maybe I do “a little”: when I stay up too late and feel like I have a hangover the next day…or when I tweak my back with a violent sneeze (thanks COVID! 😝)…or when I feel a random *crack!* in my neck when raking leaves! I’m more mature now (I think? 🤔) and I definitely feel much more secure in who I am and what I want out of this life (and the world).
My 30s were pretty good to me and I feel like I’ve really come into my own in the last few years. So what does it mean to notch another year on the proverbial stick of life?

Another birthday means being hopeful about the future!

The good news is both Mr. Trekker and I have longevity in our families. We are blessed to have some pretty good genes in our family trees, so I have every intention of us living to be 85 or so, at least. Almost all of our grandparents lived into their 80s (and many of our family members have lived at least that long, sometimes FAR longer).
While nothing is guaranteed, of course (my anxiety forces me to put that qualifier in, we don’t want to jinx anything now do we? 🙄) it’s a fair guess (hope?) that we’re not even halfway through our lifespans yet…which is a WONDERFUL thing. Hopefully *fingers crossed*, we have MANY years left to adventure together!
I have grand plans for the future. I want to travel, I want to write, I want to see and learn new things, I want to leave my impact on the world. I don’t have time to feel old!

Getting older means energy!

I’ve got just as much energy as ever. I still don’t need coffee to wake me up in the morning (Mr. Trekker will tell you the LAST thing I need in the morning is MORE energy 😇). Everything just seems to move so fast these days, I feel like life is racing by! The hours, the days, the weeks, the months, the seasons, the years! I want to embrace life and enjoy it as much as I can, and that can be hard to do when it feels like it’s just whipping by you! (This feels especially true after the craziness of the last few years.)

I pray our 40s are blessed

My goals for my 40s are similar to my goals from past years. I want to continue striving to appreciate the little positives that each day brings. I want to continue to embrace life’s small moments, so maybe each year won’t race by so quickly anymore.

I thank God for these first four decades, and I pray He chooses to bless both Mr. Trekker and me with MANY more! I always try to celebrate birthdays and don’t complain too much about getting another year older. After all folks, it’s better than the alternative, right?!

To help celebrate getting older, check out this great song by one of my favorite Celtic bands. One More Day Above the Roses, by Gaelic Storm!

What do you hope to accomplish in the next decade of your life? Let me know in the comments!
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Like what you read here today? Please feel free to leave a comment, like or share this post! Add your email at the bottom of the page, or the sidebar to the right, to be notified when a new post is published. By signing up for the email list, you will also receive a free copy of the Tranquil Trekker’s Top 10 Tips of Trekking Do’s and Don’ts!You can also follow the blog on social media by clicking the links below!FacebookTwitterInstagram
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Lake Helen, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming

In this post, I review the Misty Moon trail starting at the trailhead at West Ten Sleep Lake and continuing to Lake Helen.

Are you looking for a moderate hiking trail that really lets you enjoy the wilderness of the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming? Check out the Misty Moon trail from West Ten Sleep Lake to Lake Helen in the Cloud Peak Wilderness!

Where is the Misty Moon trail?

Trail #63, the Misty Moon trail, is one of the most accessible, main trails to access Cloud Peak and Bomber Mountain. It starts at the trailhead behind West Ten Sleep Lake (this is also where the trail for Mirror Lake/Lost Twin Lakes begins.

To reach the trailhead take Forest Route 27 to where it terminates. FR 27 is located off of US 16 in the southern Bighorn mountains. You will turn at the sign for (and location of) the Deerhaven Lodge. Boulder Campground, Island Park Campground, and West Ten Sleep Campground are also all located off of this road.

What is the trail to Lake Helen like?

The first few miles of the trail are LOVELY. You start by meandering on a flat trail through the woods around West Ten Sleep Lake.

We saw a momma moose and baby bedded down in the tall grass near the lake! Be sure to give these animals PLENTY of space, especially with dogs. Most momma animals can be INCREDIBLY aggressive when they’re protecting babies, and moose have been known to kill dogs–we kept Puppers on a leash and she was too distracted by smells to be aware of our new friends.

(As viewed from the back.) A woman and dog ascend a hiking trail through a grassy field. Trees and a rocky mountain can be seen in the background — Puppers and I on the Misty Moon Trail

Once past the lake, you start a gradual climb through several grassy meadows and forested areas, with great views of the mountains beckoning you along the way.

The trail undulates the whole way so while there are a few short, steep spots, there are no lengthy, spirit-crushing climbs–I think this contributed to the trail feeling easier than it actually was.

Circular, rough indentation in the rock — We saw a bunch of these indentations on the rocks, not sure if it’s some kind of fossil? Looks like a plant left them…🤔

About halfway to Lake Helen, the trail becomes steeper. This is where you hit the rocky sections. There are no large boulder fields to cross and no scree slopes to navigate (on this portion of the trail) but the rocks are big enough that they cause a lot of uneven terrain that you’ll need to manage. Hiking boots are definitely recommended for this trek!

I think older kids could do this trail. It’s a longer one and they may need some help in the rocky areas, but overall I would say it is moderately difficult.

The hike didn’t actually seem that bad while we were doing it. Both Mr. Trekker and I were pleased at how good we felt throughout. Especially considering we carried heavier packs than usual (we brought A LOT of water) and we hadn’t hiked much this summer as it’s been so warm. Also, the trail STARTS at around 9000 feet (you gain around 1000 feet in elevation over its five-mile length. Lake Helen sits at almost exactly 10,000 feet.)

Mr. Trekker and I were both pleased that we didn’t feel the altitude too much (it probably helped that we camped at 9000 feet the night before). If you aren’t used to these altitudes though, you’ll definitely want to take it easy.

The Trekkers seem to be doing better with altitude in recent years. It used to be that just driving to Estes Park in Colorado (which sits at around 8000 feet) was enough to make me feel funny. Now we’ve camped and hiked higher than that on multiple excursions in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana and done quite well. They claim your body “learns” how to adjust to the altitude better the more you experience it and I think that may be true. (Living at 3000+ feet for the last decade probably hasn’t hurt either. 😉)

Related posts: A drive through Ten Sleep Canyon!; Bighorn Medicine Wheel in Wyoming; 4 Don’t Miss Sites in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming; Camping in the Bighorns

We considered going all the way to Misty Moon Lake but that would have added several miles to our already 10-mile hike. All three of us were feeling good when we arrived at Lake Helen so we figured we’d just spend a relaxing lunch at the lake and head back.

As it turned out it was good we did decide to turn back. Even though she was raring to keep going when we reached the lake, by the time we got back to camp Puppers was hurting. This was the first time she’s ever really had issues on the trail. This is one of the longer trails we’ve ever done with her (though she’s done 10 miles with us before). This trail is REALLY rocky, in parts, which means it’s probably also one of the toughest trails we’ve ever done with her. We did LOTS of rock hopping on the way down and she was obviously aching by the time we got back. She seemed to make a full recovery within a few days though! (In her defense, my hips were sore for several days afterward, as well.)

Obviously, I can’t speak to the trail past Lake Helen (since we didn’t do it. 😉 I do know that Misty Moon Lake is only about 300 feet higher than Lake Helen but it takes two more miles of hiking (each way) to get there.

Also, my understanding is once you get past Misty Moon Lake the trail gets much tougher. There are some scree slopes and boulder fields (namely on the way to the wreckage site at Bomber Mountain and to reach the actual Cloud Peak). Also, once you get past Lake Helen you are basically above treeline the entire way. This means there is NO SHADE at all so make sure you bring sun hats, LOTS of water, and sunscreen if you’re planning to go this route. There is also NO PROTECTION if you’re caught out in a storm.

I cannot stress this enough: if storms appear imminent PLEASE get below treeline as safely and quickly as possible. It is INCREDIBLY dangerous to be above treeline during a lightning storm. Safety should ALWAYS be your first priority!

Small lake with a large rock in the middle, ringed by trees. Rocky mountains rise in the background. — Lake Helen! (Bomber Mountain is near the tall peak straight up from the rock in the water. Florence Pass is through the saddle even further to the right.)

From Lake Helen you can see Bomber Mountain and the high-altitude, Florence Pass to the right. What you cannot see is Cloud Peak (as often as we have visited the Bighorns we have yet to see that site. It’s VERY isolated. 😝) From what I have heard from other hikers though, you CAN get views of Cloud Peak from Misty Moon Lake.

Let’s talk about Bomber Mountain and Cloud Peak

Cloud Peak and Bomber Mountain reach altitudes higher than 12,000 feet so altitude sickness starts to be a concern when you spend lengthy amounts of time at these altitudes. Potential hikers should also be aware the snow can be quite deep on these trails through July! Also, mosquitoes are said to be HORRIBLE in the summer (we had no problems at all on Labor Day weekend and we didn’t use any bug spray. 😁)

Bomber Mountain: This used to be an unnamed mountain in the Bighorns. That is until a World War II-era bomber crashed here while on a training mission in the early 1940s. If you know where to look you can still view the wreckage. (Don’t ask me how to get there, I don’t know. 😉. For more info on this hike you can click here)

You can check with local forest offices for information on how to get to the site. From what I’ve heard there are also rock cairns that help direct the way but you need an idea of where to look.

Please be respectful if you visit this site as several soldiers did lose their lives in the crash.

There are no actual trails that go to Bomber Mountain or Cloud Peak. (This seems a little odd to me as Cloud Peak is the highest point in the Bighorns and is what the wilderness area is named for, but I digress. 😝) There are some rock cairns to guide your way to Cloud Peak. My understanding is for Bomber Mountain, you pretty much just have to know where you are going.

This being said, PLEASE be sure you have a good, topographical map and a compass with you if you are attempting these hikes. Also, be aware there will likely be some bushwacking involved and you could easily become lost. These routes should only be attempted by EXPERIENCED, backcountry hikers! (Cell phone service is spotty at best in this area. DO NOT rely on it!)

Cloud Peak: “can” be done in one day but it would be a VERY long and VERY hard day (it’s around 24 miles total). People have done it but most suggest doing a 2 – 3 day backpacking trip. (Lake Helen and Misty Moon Lake are popular places to camp for these.) The last three miles to the summit are said to be a boulder field with “house-sized” boulders (per the reviews). The “trail” isn’t super clear either. Some people suggested this is actually a more difficult hike than the notorious Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park 😮 so PLEASE think hard and use incredible caution if you’re considering this trek.

West Ten Sleep Lake Campground

On other trips, we’ve stayed at the Island Park campground but since we were leaving from the trailhead at the lake we stayed at the West Ten Sleep campground on this trip.

It was LOVELY! Some sites had views of the lake, ours had forest views. But the sites were nicely shaded with lots of soft, pine fluff. The campground was also relatively quiet and quite pretty. It was also only a couple of hundred yards to the beauty of West Ten Sleep Lake!

Serene lake reflecting the trees and mountains that surround it — West Ten Sleep Lake!

James T. Saban Fire Lookout

The Trekkers have passed this lookout on every trip we’ve made to the Bighorns and we always say, “we should check that out!”…so, we did!

The trailhead for the James T. Saban Fire lookout is found off Route 16 in the Bighorn Mountains, around five miles east of Meadowlark Lake. The turnoff is on the south side of the road. I can’t remember if there are signs telling you to turn but you can see the lookout at the top of the hill from the road. This is also the turnoff for the St. Christopher’s Chapel and there are signs for that site.

A wooden and shuttered fire tower sits on top of rocks. Trees grow out of the rocks. — The James T. Saban Fire Lookout!

Dog stands on a rocky ledge overlooking trees and a dropoff. A grassy field and mountains are in the background. — Puppers enjoying the view from the fire lookout!

This fire lookout is easy to reach and offers some amazing views of the surrounding area. It requires a short drive on a narrow, dirt road to reach the trailhead. You’ll want to take it slow and watch where you are driving. In good conditions, I would be comfortable taking almost any higher clearance car, SUV, or truck there. In poor conditions (mud or snow) the road may be impassable.

Once you reach the trailhead, it is about a 15-minute walk (in each direction) to the tower at the top of the hill. It isn’t a bad hike. It gets a little steep in spots but the trek is short enough almost anyone in good health should be able to handle it. (Note: you are at an altitude of around 8000 – 9000 feet in this area so take your time as you may feel short of breath.)

Mountain overlook, rock and trees in the foreground, then a lake and mountains in the background — That is Meadowlark Lake in the background

Though it is a bit long and strenuous, the Misty Moon Trail to Lake Helen is a great hike if you want to really get a taste of the Cloud Peak Wilderness area in the Bighorn Mountains!

Have you hiked to Lake Helen, Bomber Mountain, Cloud Peak, the James T. Saban Lookout Tower, or Misty Moon Lake? If so, tell me about your adventures in the comments!

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4 Tips for Digital Mindfulness at Work

In this post, I outline some steps we can all take to be more mindful regarding the use of work laptops, phones, and messaging programs when we’re supposed to be enjoying some “downtime”.

I started a new (more normal) job a few years ago after COVID pretty much killed my freelance career. 😝 I still work from home a lot but I also visit with clients out in the community. Because of this, I now have two laptops and two phones (one each for work and personal use). As you may imagine, this does not lend itself to tranquility, peace, or a dearth of technology in my life.

I’ve felt like the old grandma at work, trying to figure out her grandkids new-fangled technology. 😝 I actually did this same job 10 years ago but back then all I had was a Word document, a flip phone, and a laptop. (It took real effort to locate a WiFi signal anywhere away from the office back then, and there were no hotspots on my flip phones!) Today, almost everything is web-based. While this makes things far more convenient (and saves trees, a definite plus!) it also means there are countless more assessments and paperwork items that are screaming for my attention at all times.

All of this runs completely counter to the mindfulness principles so many of us work so hard to maintain in our lives. We want to be Present in the current moment…we strive to focus our mental energy on one task at a time…and then we’re slammed by multiple devices pinging and dinging with alerts like “you’ve got mail!”, “someone’s calling!”, or “your next meeting starts in 15 minutes!” It’s EXHAUSTING!

So, how do we use these devices as tools to help make our work-life run efficiently, so we can focus our mental and physical energy on what is most important, thereby leaving LOTS of time to live life? Read on for the Tranquil Trekker’s tips for digital mindfulness at work!

Author’s Note: My intent with this post is NOT to complain about my new job. Having a work phone and laptop actually makes a lot of sense with the work I do. My home IS my office. Also, since my job is fairly mobile, it only makes sense that my work is mobile too. I also VERY MUCH appreciate that my company has provided me with work devices as I DON’T want to have to use my own. 😝

And bottom line, SO MANY people are in this same boat. Having multiple devices is really just becoming the new normal (especially with the popularity of flexible work options and the rise in work-from-home due to COVID.) My goal with this post is to encourage people to view these devices as necessary evils and to help them figure out how to use them as beneficial tools without allowing them to take over our lives.

Compartmentalize your Work Devices

Compartmentalize with your work laptop, phone, and any messaging apps if at all possible. You can accomplish this by only having these work-related programs on your work devices. Also, be sure to turn these off at the end of every day and on your days off if possible (I realize this isn’t always an option if you are on-call).

If you feel this isn’t an option in your case, my question would be, are you actually on-call? If not, is there truly an expectation that you respond to calls, emails, or messages during off-hours? To put it bluntly, are you actually jeopardizing your job (or future promotional opportunities) if you don’t respond promptly? Or, is this a self-imposed prison? Is it not actually necessary for you to be available at all times but do you feel like you should be?

Many people have their work email come to their personal phone (even though oftentimes this is voluntary, and is NOT required by their job). I think they’re nuts, personally 😉, but I also can’t help but feel a bit sad for them. They need (and deserve) a break and I just don’t see how this practice achieves that for them.

So my advice is to talk to your boss. Get a clear understanding of what the expectations really are. If the presumption is that you be readily available during off-hours, then you’ll have to decide for yourself if that’s the work environment you want. Just know that studies show you’ll be a better employee if you have true downtime. (Don’t take my word for it, you can read about some of them below! 😉) And if you’re the boss, check out the links and please, don’t be an a-hole! 😇)

Harvard Business Review–The Upside of Downtime
Forbes–Downtime is Important!

Multitasking Makes you Less Productive

In addition to compartmentalizing your work devices, the studies linked below also show that contrary to popular office belief, multitasking DOES NOT work, and it actually DAMAGES your productivity! 😮

Forbes: Multitasking is Bad for You!
Cleveland Clinic: Multitasking Doesn’t Work
Forbes: Multitasking Hurts Productivity

Multitasking is almost NEVER a mindful practice, as mindfulness requires you to put your full mental energy and focus into ONE task at a time. As an example, think about taking a work call while driving (we’re going to assume you’re using hand’s-free devices.) If you’re paying attention to driving (which you should be) you CAN’T be putting all your mental energy and concentration toward the phone call you’re having. And if you’re aren’t focusing on the phone call whatever/whomever you’re trying to serve with that call won’t be getting your best effort. Also, you can’t take notes while driving, or look things up on your computer or phone as you may need to. (I would also ask, how do you pay close attention to driving if you’re distracted by a call?) So all this multitasking scenario succeeds in is making you less of a safe driver while also providing lousier service to your job task at hand. It’s a lose-lose situation!

Prioritize Downtime

Now that I’m back to working more like a normal person, there is nothing better than 5:00 on a Friday, when I log out of my work email, turn my work phone off, close my work laptop, and put all of them (screen down) in the office, not to be looked at for the next several days. I think it’s important that we have that break whenever/wherever we can take it.

That break is important for our mental health and it makes us better workers. It gives us a chance to recharge mentally and physically so we have more mental energy to face the challenges of the job when the next work week comes. I worry this appreciation for the benefits of downtime is something that’s gotten lost in recent years, in our always-on society.

Find Unique Places to Work

This one may be difficult for some people. Depending on the type of work you do you may need to be in front of a video monitor often. Or you may do highly technical work that requires you to be tied down to some sort of office environment. But for many of us, one of the joys of flexible work situations is that you can pick where you want to actually work. So don’t limit yourself to being locked in your home office, the basement, the second bedroom, or wherever you usually work from. If it’s a nice day and you have the internet access you need, work from the front porch or the back deck. Go sit at a local park, beach, or other green/blue spaces. If the Great Outdoors isn’t really your thing, go to a local coffee shop.

Obviously, make certain you are still ensuring all necessary confidentiality your job may require. Use screen protectors so others can’t read your screen, talk quietly if you’re on the phone or seek out private places to talk, or use headphones if you’re in a meeting or a training session (anyone sitting within earshot will appreciate this anyway!)

To Conclude:

This is somewhat of a complex subject as our jobs all vary so greatly in terms of the circumstances that surround them, what our supervisors may require, the security necessary to protect the information we work with, and the practicality of how our jobs function. I just want us all to “think outside the box” when it comes to flexible work options.

One of the best things about these work options is they allow us to get out of the office and better fit our work into the lives we live. So take advantage of this! Set boundaries for when and how you use your work devices. Recognize that while multitasking may make you FEEL more productive, in all likelihood it’s probably, actually hurting your productivity. This isn’t good for your company or the clients you serve.

Also, remember to prioritize your self-care. If you aren’t in a good place it will be almost impossible for you to put your best foot forward in terms of the work you do. Part of this self-care means making your work environment the most pleasurable it can be (while staying within the confines of what is required for your job, of course).

So, the next time you go to grab your work laptop or phone on your “off” hours ask yourself, “Is this really what’s best for me, my client, or my company?” If the answer is likely “no” go do something enjoyable instead!

Do you have any tips for keeping a healthy balance between work and home when your digital, work devices follow you home? Tell me about them in the comments!

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Little Devils Tower, Cathedral Spires and Needles Highway Loop

In this post, I review a loop hike made from two popular trails and a scenic road, all amidst the beauty of Custer State Park!

While there are many great hikes in Custer State Park, one of my favorites is an awesome loop trail that connects the Cathedral Spires to the Little Devils Tower Trails and incorporates a portion of the Needles Highway.

You can do this loop any time of the year, but I suggest extreme caution if you try it in the summer. It includes either a lengthy overlanding stretch which requires scrambling over steep, unmarked terrain, or it means you have to walk along the narrow, CROWDED Needles Highway.

Where are the Little Devils Tower and Cathedral Spires trailheads?

You can reach both of these trails from the Sylvan Lake area, which is found off Route 87 in Custer State Park. Both are accessible throughout the year (weather permitting) though you can’t drive directly to the trailheads during the winter months. (You can access them via a spur trail from Sylvan Lake or other connector trails in the local area.) See below for directions to both trailheads:

Little Devils Tower Trailhead

This is found just past the turnoff for Sylvan Lake. (Continue on Route 87 a little less than a mile south of the turnoff for the lake. You will see a sign for the trailhead on your left and will make a left-hand turn into the parking lot.)

You can’t reach this trailhead by car in the winter months as the road is closed in that area. In this case, you can access the Little Devils Tower trail via an easy spur trail that is located on the western corner of the main Sylvan Lake parking area.

Cathedral Spires Trailhead

This trailhead can be found less than one mile south of the Needle Overlook on the Needles Highway (Route 87). (Note, this is south of the turnoff for Sylvan Lake.)

Extreme caution should be practiced in this area. The parking lot is small and is located at a bend in an extremely curvy and narrow portion of the Needles Highway. It is necessary to cross the road to reach the trailhead and in the summer this area is frequently crowded with traffic. The curves and rock walls can greatly reduce a driver’s visibility and cars are sometimes parked incorrectly, as well, further exacerbating the problem.

As the Needles Highway is closed in the winter, that time of year you can only access this trail by car if you do it via a connector trail (such as the Little Devils Tower trail).

Snow in the foreground, then green, pine trees and gray, rock spires in the background. A brown sign reads, "Cathedral Spires". — This is the junction where the Little Devils Tower trail meets the Cathedral Spires trail

What will you see on the Cathedral Spires/Little Devils Tower/Needles Highway loop?

The loop can be completed in any direction, or you can hike each section individually. The Trekkers find it easier to start at either Sylvan Lake and take the spur to the Little Devils Tower Trail or to just drive to that trailhead directly.

This route is especially enjoyable during the winter months (roughly November through April depending on the weather) because the Needles Highway is closed to all vehicles during that time. You can still hike/snowshoe/ski it though! It’s so cool to be able to slowly and calmly enjoy this route, and all the beautiful views it offers, in peace.

No offense tourists, we love you guys! It’s just that during the busy, warm months, all the bustling of cars, busses, and motorcycles makes us miss our quiet, peaceful Hills. 😇

See below for a description of each trail:

Little Devils Tower Trail

This trail is around two miles long, in each direction. It is fairly wide and smooth and isn’t overly difficult (it does ascend the entire way out but the grade is low).

If you know where to look, the fabled Poet’s Table can also be found in this area. If you want a few hints on how to find it, click here.

Near the summit, the last several hundred feet does require scrambling over large, steep boulders. There are some absolutely gorgeous vistas on this trail, and from the summit, you can get great views of the Cathedral Spires…

Cathedral Spires Trail

You can reach this trail directly from the Little Devils Tower Trail or from the Cathedral Spires Trailhead on Needles Highway (if it’s open). At one-and-a-half miles in each direction, the hike is fairly flat, smooth, and well-marked. At its terminus, you will find yourself in an amphitheater. It is surrounded on three sides by rock spires that reach to the heavens as they tower overhead. Sounds reverberate off the rock causing a cacophony of noise. This is a prime area to stop for a quick lunch break and it is especially haunting in the fog when it creates a spooky, almost fairy-tale-like scene.

Green, pine trees in the snow in the foreground. In the background, gray, rocky spires reach to the clear, blue sky. — The Cathedral Spires!

Needles Highway

This connector section of the trail offers incredible views of Custer State Park and the town of Custer that sits directly to the south of the park. On clear days you can also see the plains that stretch to the east and south. It is truly a beautiful area! Watch for mountain goats here too as they favor the rocky, granite crags that this part of the state is known for.

Green, pine trees in the snow in the foreground. In the background, large, gray, pointy boulders under a clear, blue sky. — Can you spot the mountain goat?

Rear view of a woman and dog walking on a snow-covered path through a tunnel of pointy rocks. A sign on the rocks reads, "Needles Eye Tunnel". — Puppers and I entering the Needles Eye Tunnel! Can you believe full-sized buses fit through here?! True story!

Two large, rock structures, one with a long, narrow hole, all under a blue sky. — The Needles Eye!

The entire loop is around 9ish miles in total length so it’s a little long. However, there isn’t a lot of elevation gain as you’re already at one of the highest points in the Hills and the routes themselves aren’t difficult. I would rate this as a moderate hike.

So, if you’re looking for a fun and scenic way to see well-known parts of Custer State Park, check out this loop trail made from the Little Devils Tower and Cathedral Spires trails, and the Needles Highway!

Have you hiked these trails? Tell me about your experience in the comments!

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Centennial Trail Between Bear Butte and Alkali Creek Trailheads

In this post, I review the northern portion of the Centennial Trail that runs between Bear Butte State Park and the Alkali Creek trailheads (this also includes Fort Meade) in the northern Black Hills.

Mild, winter days make great weather for hiking the northern portions of the Black Hills Centennial Trail. Today’s post is going to focus specifically on the sections that run between the Alkali Creek trailhead and Bear Butte State Park (Fort Meade is included in this).

Where can you find the Alkali Creek, Fort Meade, and Bear Butte trailheads of the Centennial Trail?

When hiking the Centennial Trail from these trailheads you can choose to start from whichever one you’d like and can travel northbound or southbound from any of them. All of these are pretty easy to find as they are all close to populated areas (namely I-90 and Sturgis, South Dakota). See below for specific directions to each:

- Alkali Creek trailhead: located adjacent to I-90 across the highway from the Black Hills National Cemetery at Exit 34.
- Bear Butte trailhead: found at Bear Butte State Park which is northeast of Sturgis, SD on Route 79.
- Fort Meade trailhead: located on the eastern edge of the Fort Meade historical site off of Route 34, just east of Sturgis.

What will you see on the Black Hills Centennial Trail in the Northern Hills?

This whole area sits in the shadow of Bear Butte, meaning it offers spectacular views of that unique formation.

Bear Butte is a “sister” volcanic plug to Devils Tower that is located in eastern Wyoming. The American Indians who named this geological formation gave it this name as they thought it resembled a sleeping bear. (I think it more resembles a sleeping stegosaurus or dragon, but the tribal people probably wouldn’t have been familiar with these critters, so I’ll give it to them. 😀)

The idea of the bear plays into the American Indian legend of the giant bear who scored the sides of the Tower with his claws, leaving the large columns of igneous rock behind.

The Centennial Trail between Alkali Creek and Fort Meade trailheads

My favorite of these sections is the portion between Alkali Creek and the Fort Meade historical site in Sturgis. As its name would imply, Fort Meade was originally built as a fort in the late 1800s. It now features a museum, multiple historical buildings, and a VA hospital.

As you venture near the fort you start to see many historical buildings popping up along the hiking route. One was just an old ( but beautiful) stone fireplace and chimney. Another looked to be old, stone barracks.

Brown-grass plain in the foreground leads to tree covered hills in the background — On the Centennial Trail, looking towards Fort Meade from the north

On the Alkali Creek portion, we made a loop of the Centennial Trail and through the Fort Meade Recreation Area. This place is awesome! I had heard about it before but had never been there. We’d definitely like to go back and do more of the trails. They would be perfect for mountain biking or horseback riding, in addition to hiking.

We brought roads 11 and 12 back to the Alkali Creek trailhead to complete our loop. They were much easier and quicker than the way out as they were mostly on old forest roads. Be aware though, that this section has no shade as it traverses the grassland portion of this trail.

Brown-grass plain, green pines and leafless trees in the foreground, a small grouping of houses and other buildings in the background surrounded by trees — The Fort Meade historical site

This section of the Centennial Trail is VERY pretty. It is comprised of forested hills (much like the rest of the Black Hills) and prairie sections. There are lots of different ecosystems and flora represented here, ranging from pine forests to prairie grassland. It made me wonder if this is what Bear Butte looked like, before the fire in 1996?

Brown-grass plain and green pine trees to the horizon where a mountain stands that looks like an animal laying down, all under a clear, blue sky — Bear Butte, the sleeping bear (or sleeping stegosaurus, if you prefer. 😉 )

This portion of the trail is comprised of a bunch of up-and-down sections, but nothing too terribly steep or long. It reminded us of some of the Devils Tower hikes in Wyoming where you are hiking through the trees but can still look out over the plains.

While one portion of this hike is VERY close to I-90 (the highway is maybe half a mile away?) it isn’t very noisy because you’re in the forest on the “other” side of the hill! Yay, science!

The Black Hills Centennial Trail between Fort Meade and Bear Butte trailheads

The rest of this section of trails is comprised mostly of just prairie and prairie dogs. 😊 We did spot a grass fire to the north as we were hiking along. That was a little disconcerting as were surrounded by highly flammable material. 😮

We weren’t too worried as it was quite a ways off, we could see the authorities were already on the scene, and the wind was blowing the fire away from us. It did get us thinking about what we would do if a fire was to come racing across the grassland while we were hiking through it. 😝 There was a farmhouse nearby we could have run to or there were some small cow ponds scattered nearby. These may not have been very clean or nice but they would have sufficed in a pinch! 😂

Take note that these portions of trails could be VERY warm in the summer (which is partially why we enjoyed them in the winter). Much of the Centennial Trail in this region traverses grassland with no shade to speak of ANYWHERE. While the brisk, South Dakota breeze usually accompanies you, you won’t be able to escape the unrelenting sun.

Between the hot sun and that breeze–plus the fact that the air is usually quite dry here–you can dehydrate quickly and easily. Not only do they dry you out, but the constant breeze and dryness can make it so that you don’t even realize how much you are sweating.

That being said, this portion of the Centennial Trail is a great hike! It offers some amazing views and it is easier than many portions of the trail that are further south. This is because the altitude is lower here and the elevation changes are far more minimal. So if you’re looking for something fun to do, check out the Centennial Trail in the Northern Black Hills!

Have you tried out any of these routes? What did you think? Tell me about your hike in the comments!

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Willow Creek Trail Black Hills

In this post, I review the Willow Creek loop trail!

One shorter trail the Trekkers really enjoy in the Black Hills is the Willow Creek Trail (trail #8)! I like this route so much because it isn’t super difficult. Anyone can reach the trailhead with any vehicle (in good conditions). It’s also fairly short with no lengthy or super-difficult climbs, so anyone in decent condition should be able to manage it. This trail is appropriate for all ages, children, adults, and four-legged friends!

Related posts: Hiking the Boulder Hill Trail; “Secret” Hiking Trails off Sheridan Lake Road; Coon Hollow Trail; Little Elk Creek Trail; Flume Loop Trail; Stratobowl near Rapid City

The Willow Creek trail also sticks to the lower altitudes in the Black Hills and doesn’t offer any major elevation changes, which makes it easier. This route allows you to get out into the Hills, to experience their beauty, to view some of the more rugged parts of the Hills, and to really experience getting out into the wilderness, on an easily accessible and hike-able trail. It’s almost perfect!

Rear view of a dog standing on a snowy, hiking trail in a forest. A low sun shines through the trees. — This trail is Puppers approved!

Where in the Black Hills is the Willow Creek Trailhead?

You will find the trailhead at the Willow Creek Horse Camp which is off of Route 244, almost directly across from the Mt. Rushmore KOA Resort at Palmer Gulch. It sits about 6 miles to the west of Mount Rushmore and around 3.5 miles east of the junction of US 385 and Route 244. There is a short lane to reach the trailhead that is dirt, but it is well-graded and appropriate for any type of vehicle (in good conditions. It may be impassable in deep snow.) There is also a large parking area with plenty of room for numerous vehicles.

This trail doesn’t “go anywhere” per se. It does connect to the Black Elk Peak trail (trail #9–the hard way!) which is the northern route up the tallest mountain in the Black Hills. It also connects to the Lost Cabin Trail which is another fun hike in this local part of the Harney Range.

How long is the Willow Creek Trail?

This trail is a 2.5-mile loop, that you can take in either direction. I recommend trekking it counterclockwise. This means you will face the two steepest, uphill climbs earlier on in the hike when you are most fresh. Also, if conditions are iffy at all–wet, snowy, or icy–it is usually easier to handle these while climbing rather than on the downhill. (It is better to work against gravity in these situations.) This left (or east branch) of the trail does have a lesser amount of shade. When the weather is cool this means it’s more likely to be warmer, though in the hotter months, the sun can beat down on you in this section.

What you will see on the Willow Creek Trail

While the entire trail is fun, the prettiest portion of it is on the right (or western) arm of the loop. This area is one of the lowest and flattest parts of the trail. It comprises mostly a riparian habitat (or one that is near a creek). It’s lush, vibrant, fairly cool, and shaded during the summer months.

A narrow, icy creek flows through a snowy forest. — Willow Creek!

One of the prettiest parts of this section of the trail is a small waterfall that is formed by the creek. A short side path will lead you to it. It is especially pretty when it is frozen in the winter, though use care when walking on and around the ice.

Below is a video Mr. Trekker took of the frozen waterfall:

If you’re looking for a fun trail to hike in the Black Hills that is easy to reach and appropriate for almost anyone, check out the Willow Creek Trail!

Have you hiked the Willow Creek Trail? Did you enjoy it? Tell me about your experience in the comments!

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Give Wildlife Room to Roam

In this post, I discuss the need to respect wildlife and give them their space.

Public Service Announcement! I apologize in advance, this post is going to be a bit of a rant. 😇

Every year tourists come to our beautiful corner of South Dakota. They visit some of our amazing locations like Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park. Many of these visitors aren’t used to some of the exotic wildlife we have here.

Many of them have only seen domesticated animals in their pens, or have only seen wild animals if it’s been behind the safety of cages or other dividers in places like zoos. Out West, we have national and state parks where there’s nothing between you and the MASSIVE, POWERFUL, and VERY WILD animals except a little bit of oxygen. So let’s talk about giving wildlife room to roam!

Every year you hear of people getting attacked by deer, elk, or bear (especially in places like Yellowstone National Park.) Oftentimes they’ll get charged or gored by buffalo which especially, seem to be problematic and tempting for visitors. They look like domesticated cows…note to self, THEY AREN’T! They are strong, they have INCREDIBLY HARD AND POWERFUL heads, and oh yeah, they have SHARP HORNS!…even the females.

It’s pretty well known that Mommas of any species can get quite aggressive when defending their babies. (I’m not a human Momma but Puppers is my baby and I will go into full Momma Grizzly mode if someone or something tries to hurt her. 😝 ) Oftentimes, mother animals are the ones that can pose the greatest risk to us, or our dogs. Even neighborhood deer have been known to act aggressively when they think their young are in danger.

We all need to remember that when we go out in the wild, we are invading the animals’ homes. Let’s be courteous guests and treat this natural beauty with the respect it deserves! If an animal reacts to you in any way, YOU ARE TOO CLOSE! It doesn’t matter if you think you’re giving them plenty of space or if you “aren’t even doing anything”. If the animal reacts to you that’s his way of telling you that you need to back off, and that should be the end of the story.

So the next time you’re visiting one of these amazing locations or interacting with wild animals in any setting, take it from a local (and heed the advice of the MANY signs that are posted ALL OVER these types of parks)…#dontpetthefluffycows! 🙄 We are supposed to be the superior species in regards to mental prowess, after all, so let’s act like it, please! 😝

Do you have any suggestions for enjoying the beauty of wild animals while also giving them space? Let me know what they are in the comments!

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Microadventures: Fun Close to Home!

In this post, I review a recent adventure the Trekkers pursued, “chasing” the Neowise comet!

I’m going on a Microadventure!

What is a Microadventure?

“Microadventure” is a term that’s come about in recent years. It basically means you’re going on an adventure that’s close to home, easily accessible, and can be completed in as little as a few hours. It can range from anything from a Saturday picnic in the woods to a several-day long camping trip. It can be enjoyed at any time, though it became increasingly popular during Covid when many people were choosing to save some money, and to not venture too far from home.

Microadventures are a great way to find the hidden gems to enjoy in your local community and region. They’re especially helpful as an escape from everyday stress and burnout when you may not have the time, funds or vacation days for a lengthy trip.

The Trekkers live for microadventures, be those outdoor activities in the Black Hills, or storm chases in the nearby plains!

One of our favorites was several years ago when we “chased” Neowise, the comet that made a surprise appearance in the skies above us!

This wasn’t the first comet I’ve seen in my life. I’m old enough to remember standing outside my childhood home, in the 1990s, with my mom one night, checking out the Hale-Bopp comet through the binoculars.

How do I find a microadventure near me?

It helps that we live in a beautiful place that makes these opportunities many and easy to find, though you can enjoy these types of activities in most places if you know where to look. Go to your local community park or just take a drive in the country outside the city lights. So many places have walking paths and greenways now, even in more urban areas. There are also museums, historical and natural sites, and additional recreational activities, such as ropes courses to explore.

We actually started our chasing adventure on Skyline Drive, which traverses the ridgeback that splits the town of Rapid City in two. Unfortunately, the light pollution from town made it difficult to see the comet. A few evenings later we visited Badlands National Park, with MommaTrekker and Puppers in tow.

Badlands National Park, by-the-way, is one of the best places to view the night sky that I’ve ever seen. As the park’s location is the epitome of the “middle-of-nowhere” and being that this area is more arid, where clear skies are a common occurrence, this is a place with very little light pollution where you can view the night sky in all its grandeur. It helped that the night we went, the moon wasn’t up yet.

My mom agreed that she had never seen so many stars, and she’d spent the last 40 years living on a farm in Indiana! Several different constellations, planets, and the Milky Way were also easily visible to the naked eye. I can also attest, from previous experience, that this is a GREAT place to view meteor showers! 😮

Several days later, we finished our adventure with a short drive to Pactola Lake which is about a half-hour to the west of Rapid City.

Whether you don’t have much spare time, you prefer sticking closer to home, or if you’re trying to save a little on expenses, try out a microadventure. See what you can discover near you!

What sorts of activities do you enjoy on your microadventures? Tell me about them in the comments!

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Spring Forward: Daylight Saving Time

In this post, I discuss how my SAD symptoms decrease with the time change.

It’s that time of year again! We push our clocks forward one hour this weekend (in the US at least)! I know people hate the time change and I know many people have good reasons for feeling that way. (It has even been proven to mess up your sleep.) I actually love time change day (in the spring)! It is the day my SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) dies ya’ll!

For those of us in the Northern Plains, the time change really does make the best use of our daylight hours that fluctuate wildly throughout the year. If we stayed on Standard Time all year, it would start getting light at 3:30 am in the summer (no joke). Whereas if we stayed on Daylight Time all year, it wouldn’t get light till after 8 am in the winter. I’m not ok with either of these options.😝 So, I will firmly remain #teamtimechange.

Winter passed quickly

I am always amazed at how quickly the dark winter actually flies by. It always goes more quickly than I think (worry) it will. I’ve been VERY fortunate that my SAD has been super mild for the past few years. I’ve hardly been noticing it at all! It may be a fortunate side effect of my taking high doses of Vitamin D3 for the last several years (due to another medical issue). It helps that we’ve had fairly mild winters in recent years, too.

Other Vitamin D3 options: Nature’s Bounty, Nature Made 2000 IU tablets, NOW softgels

SAD symptoms end with the time change

I am always amazed at how much better I feel once my SAD symptoms start to ebb. It really gives you an appreciation for how strongly they affect your life. You don’t always notice it while you’re experiencing them. You know that everyone seems to be keen to IRRITATE THE HEL* OUT OF YOU! (must they swallow so loudly?! 😂) And you can’t help the tears that come when EVERYTHING YOU TRY TO DO FAILS MISERABLY!!! (Why am I the only one whose life is so difficult?! 🙄😉)

I hope it’s obvious that I’m being sarcastic with these statements. In all seriousness though, I find it amazing how my SAD symptoms cast a shadow on every other aspect of my life. Even though I personally experience it, it’s hard to believe it can cloud your judgment so much on whatever thing you’re dealing with at any given moment. Every problem seems 10x worse when SAD is already weighing you down. Any other stressor you feel is amplified.

As someone who struggles with anxiety throughout the year, the SAD worsens those symptoms, as well. I am a master champion at catastrophizing future events that I’m worried about on a good day. When I’m dealing with SAD, as well, that ability becomes a superpower. 🙄😝

Every fall I swear, I’m not going to let SAD affect me as much this year. I know what’s coming, I know how to deal with it, I know it WILL END, I just have to get through it…and then every spring I’m back to, “Wow! Was all that extra angst I was feeling JUST from my SAD?” Maybe someday I will learn. 😐

Related posts: Summer Solstice: The Longest Day; Therapy Lamp and Calm App Reviews; I HATE Seasonal Depression!; Enjoying the Winter Solstice; Increasing Daylight as Winter Wains

Take back your power from SAD

Our brains are powerful tools, and they can allow our imaginations to run away with themselves if we permit them. While its important to always be patient and understanding with ourselves, it’s also important to try to reign in the negative thoughts, especially when we can speak the name of the demon they come from (“SAD”). By doing so we can help to lessen its control over us. Fortunately, we CAN control that demon, and it’s time to take our power back!

Do you find the time change affects your mood? Tell me about it in the comments!

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Being humbled by your body’s limitations

Uncertainty and lack of control

Weird stuff happens to you in the hospital!

Frustration with medical staff/billing:

Be present, seize the moment, and embrace your downtime!

In Conclusion:

Metaphorically old

Delayed adulthood?

Hoping for a great decade to come

Our Dreams for the Future

Final Takeaways from my 30s…

What does “getting older” mean for me?

Another birthday means being hopeful about the future!

Getting older means energy!

I pray our 40s are blessed

Where is the Misty Moon trail?

What is the trail to Lake Helen like?

Let’s talk about Bomber Mountain and Cloud Peak

West Ten Sleep Lake Campground

James T. Saban Fire Lookout

Compartmentalize your Work Devices

Multitasking Makes you Less Productive

Prioritize Downtime

Find Unique Places to Work

To Conclude:

Where are the Little Devils Tower and Cathedral Spires trailheads?

Little Devils Tower Trailhead

Cathedral Spires Trailhead

What will you see on the Cathedral Spires/Little Devils Tower/Needles Highway loop?

Little Devils Tower Trail

Cathedral Spires Trail

Needles Highway

Where can you find the Alkali Creek, Fort Meade, and Bear Butte trailheads of the Centennial Trail?

What will you see on the Black Hills Centennial Trail in the Northern Hills?

The Centennial Trail between Alkali Creek and Fort Meade trailheads

The Black Hills Centennial Trail between Fort Meade and Bear Butte trailheads

Where in the Black Hills is the Willow Creek Trailhead?

How long is the Willow Creek Trail?

What you will see on the Willow Creek Trail

What is a Microadventure?

How do I find a microadventure near me?

Winter passed quickly

SAD symptoms end with the time change

Take back your power from SAD