Surfacing Snails

Snails are one of the creatures I love, but I don't come across them often due to living in Montana. Luckily, a trip to the Hiawatha Trail in June allowed me to see plenty of these fascinating animals. I equated one of them to a blooming flower as it came out of its shell:

I also enjoyed seeing snails slowly meander over the foliage.

P.S. The Hiawatha Trail offers more than snails. Check out their website for a memorable trip: http://www.ridethehiawatha.com

Gems of July

In the beginning of July, fireworks shower the air with iridescent colors so luminous I could stare at them for hours, but the blasts of light only last a few seconds before dissipating into the night. Yet, another type of colored spectacle is visible each July from my front porch. They will pose for pictures and linger for hours.

Hummingbirds visit my house each July around Independence Day and stay for the whole month. We feed them with a regular hummingbird feeder. There is nothing fancy about the spot we have created for them. 

One hummingbird liked our simple hospitality though. So much so that she decided to tap Mom on the arm for a thanks. I wrote a poem about the experience. It's too bad I didn't see it myself!

Gem of July

Buzzing 

Humming 

A gem quite rare 

She came behind and poked me there 

Right on my shirt, mistaken for a flower 

Then flitted away at sunset's hour 

A tiny hummingbird mistook me for a flower! 

by Jessica Herzog

Here are some of the pictures Mom captured of the cute little birds. It's amazing they could be caught on camera at all due to their speed!

The green and brown is my favorite color combination.

I love the way the feathers on his neck look like scales.

Yes, the sugar water is right up there...

Some yoga pose!

* Special thanks to Cindy Herzog for letting me use her awesome pictures! *

Questions of a Wander

Dear Readers,
     I have to apologize for my sporadic posting. My goal was to post every other Sunday, but I got busy. Luckily, I came up with a few ideas to prevent lapses. Maybe I won't stick to such a rigid blogging schedule...

     At least my thoughts flow freely. I came up with a poem today that illustrates how stressed I've felt due to the ever present aura of life not going exactly as planned. I thought schedules prevented chaos, yet I'm proven wrong once again! Regardless, I will work to improve my posting and you all can work on reading about my feelings. Enjoy!
Sincerely,

        Jessica

Questions of a Wander

Why would I spend my time somewhere else if it weren't just to escape myself?

My travels aren't out of hatred, nor a quest for love; it's just that peace is a precious thing found in the clouds above.

If I hide in a forest, could I forget my confusions?

Does the climbing of a mountain bring me closer to igniting changes?

Is the reflection resting in the lake what I can't see sitting on the shore?

If I traveled far enough, would my inner self feel chaotic no more?

by Jessica Herzog

Above a Head

I wish I were an owl so I could fly away.
Stronger than all the others, silent Great Grey.
They'll never genuinely see me whilst I course above down gazing heads.
But somehow they'll know I'm up there, only surfacing to leave mice dead.
I have outright power.
I exist as I please.
The only memory they have of me is my molt spurned feather whose tips caress dead leaves.
My feather falls from my clouded castle but I continually fly.
I wish I were an owl as I solely rule my life and synthesize with the sky.

by Jessica Herzog

Look Closer

Taking a walk is always a good experience. Details easily missed otherwise are put into a new perspective when we slow down and enjoy the view. A typical trail yielded some unique close up pictures the other day when I went hiking. Look closer!

Race Like a Spartan

Obstacle races in my eyes presented themselves as one of the most daunting, amazing physical feats a person could partake in. I saw races on the internet and considered trying one, but I never actually participated until being asked to join a friend's team. The Montana Spartan Sprint in Big Fork, Montana yesterday was the hardest race I've ever done, but I am proud that I took on the challenge.

What a great crowd

From 13 year olds to 70 year olds, couch potato hopefuls to fitness magazine cover candidates; there was a spectacular array of Spartans getting ready to tackle the course. Waves of people were released from the starting line every fifteen minutes and would fight a physical and mental battle for the next few hours. Elite finishers could clock in at 45 minutes, leaving the four hour finishers astounded. Every Spartan dutifully cheered on their fellow Spartans and helped with challenging obstacles though, no matter the level of physical prowess.

Everyone got dirty right from the start

Attune to what Spartan organizers want racers to feel, I didn't entirely know what to expect. The course poured surprises over me with each mile. Hill after hill made my calves burn hotter than the festival bonfire as my oxygen deprived lungs drowned out the sounds of the crowd. Walls posed a threat, but I climbed over them easily, only to face an ominous mud pit on the other side. Spartans carried, climbed, and crawled their way to glory over the four plus mile course. Obstacles I feared proved simple and beginner obstacles made me think twice. By the end of the race, I was more exhausted than after watching a midnight premier of the latest movie.

I climbed over walls like a ninja

Nothing like cool, muddy water on a hot day

Despite the challenges, exhaustion, and filth, I would certainly sign up for a Spartan race again. The event was a wonderful expression of camaraderie, with so many different individuals all working positively toward a common goal. Physical and mental barriers were crossed as people finished the race and felt more accomplished than ever before. As I watched the muddy water swirl down my shower drain that night, I was grateful that became a Spartan and witnessed such an empowering event open to anyone who desires to participate.

I thought barbed wire crawling was by far the hardest obstacle

Finish Spartan strong

Maud S. Canyon

Maud S. is a fantastic trail system due to it's bird's eye views and versatility. Whether you hike Maud S. Loop up the inclined switchbacks or stick to the gently sloping "train tracks" (Maud S. Canyon), Maud S. offers a workout and scenery  you will be glad you came for. The trail I hiked today was the Loop, but both trails start at the parking lot just off the frontage road by Three Bears Alaska store.

Informative signs tell hikers about Butte and the trails.

After hiking up about five minutes, the train track  and Maud S. Loop allow hikers to make a decision. Going straight though the fence will lead up the switchbacks and turning to the right will lead down the train tracks. Both options are great for different reasons.

 The Maud S. Loop trail is steep enough to get a good workout in, but not too challenging to feel impossible.

The trail is surrounded by Aspens and willows.

 At the top of the Loop, hikers can continue on or go back to the parking lot. Don't forget to admire the views from the Vista. That's the best part!

Here you can see the views from the vista and the train track off at the base of the mountain on the left.

The Loop heads back to the parking lot by an easy, downhill trek. As you can see, Maud S. Canyon is a gorgeous trail perfect for a hike any day. The Loop's switchbacks or the train track's long, mildly inclined path provide anyone with a pleasurable outdoor experience. There are plenty of options for challenging yourself with hills or distance. Give Maud S. Canyon a try the next time you want to go take a hike!

P.S. Sorry about the misaligned formatting of this post. My computer was not cooperating well.