We've been hiking around the past few weeks. During the past week we have been going out every day. We have found some really neat spots. In particular one has been very neat. It starts off by the road, you walk along and come across several abandoned horse corrals. But they look in good shape. So maybe they aren't abandoned after all. Anyway, cross a small creek and follow a road. Then after about 3/4 mi you come to rise, a small dip and WOW! A nice big open area. Creek running through. And a big hunk of white quartz. Totally out of place. Just sitting there. You can tell lots and lots of people have been breaking that quartz down over the years. Probably looking for gold. But there isn't any. How do I know? It's broken down to probably 1/4 the original size, and it's still there haha.

We started seeing a lot of rattlesnakes the day before yesterday. It looks like they are coming out of hibernation. I did some reading about them. They have winter and summer homes. And their winter homes are with other snakes. In cold areas a winter den can have HUNDREDS of snakes. Warmer areas, DOZENS. I don't know but the mere thought of finding a snake den sends me into a panic. It's scary enough seeing one or two. Anyway, Sean and Leo almost landed on top of one while jumping on a rock. It was coming down while they were going up.

In the same area we have also seen several Horned Toads. Now those are pretty cool looking things. They run fast and it's really hard to see them. My friend said she used to keep them as pets. They're really cute.

We saw a bear at Rock Camp yesterday. It heard us and started up a hill. Sean first saw it and then I did. I don't think the dogs did although maybe Leo could smell it.

I'm pretty well spooked about hiking now due to the snakes. We'll see how the next week goes. They should have finished their migration by then. And hopefully they'll have a few meals in the meantime and not be so ornery.

Toad!

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake