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.

Easter on the Copperway

Happy Easter everyone! Today in Butte, Montana, we had sunny weather that was perfect for taking a walk. I headed up to the Copperway trail, one of my favorite trails in town due to the views and historical feel.

The trail is full of benches that offer great views and historical facts.

The first look of the trail. The Anselmo Mine is at the start of the trail.

To reach the very start of the trail, drive up Excelsior Street. Near the top, there is a parking lot and the Anselmo mine. From there, the trail continues. Parking lots near the Mountain Con Mine shorten the trail.

The trail is a bit bleak in the beginning, but after the first tunnel, the trail starts to display Butte from above as it climbs higher and higher towards the Mountain Con Mine.

There are 2 neat tunnels to walk under. 

Butte and the iconic "M".

The upper middle part of the trail features the Mountain Con Mine. People love this mine because the "mile high and a mile deep" is a geographical slogan of Butte.

Near the top of the trail is a rest area and a scenic lookout.

Seeing Butte from above on a sunny day makes me appreciate this town. It has such rich history that is still visible today.

The lookout is the "you are here" arrow. Butte looked like this picture in the past, yet many of those buildings and gallows frames are still visible today.

Mining damage still exists from Butte's past and is seen from the trail in places, but extensive restoration work has been done to clean up Butte.

If you ever want to take a walk through history on a nice day, try the Copperway Trail. This trail has pretty views, is paved, and is a unique example of past and present being incorporated together. I appreciate Butte when I enjoy its trails and remember Butte's history.

Happy Earth Month

I should've posted this in the beginning of April to kick off Earth Month. Spring also shouldn't be the busiest time of year for me! Anyway, this is the first poem I wrote about the environment. It was for a sixth grade project. We wrote a little storybook filled with pictures and whatever we wanted to say about ourselves. Sixth grade was when I started to care about the environment after hearing all the big news about global warming. This poem has and still does describe the way I feel about earth. It didn't have a title back then, but I suppose I'll call it "World" now.

World

The blue and green gem that is our world,

too large for any ring,

to small to be left alone,

but just big enough for us to hold it in our hands,

as long as we are willing to share it with the good,

and protect it from the evil,

and love it always...

no matter what

by Jessica Herzog

P.S. I'll keep up with the posting since spring break starts tomorrow. It's about time for some free time!

Scenes of the Week

Monday-Wake up to a Choteau, Montana sunrise day.

Tuesday-Winter blues day. Complain to the trees.

Wednesday- Time to watch those wonderful Upper Seymour Lake waves glisten in the sun.

Thursday-Slide down a canyon's throat for fun.

Friday-Fields of flowers in Glacier National Park brighten the day.

Saturday-The day of sun and sand on a beach in Hawaii.

The last day is Sunday-Let your choice of view impress you!