Sunday, November 10, 2013

Horses and a Bittersweet Peace


Several days ago, a group of cowboys and stock came for a night to stay as they moved the stock from a high elevation (and thus colder) ranch on the Main Salmon to a ranch on the Middle Fork for the winter. Seeing the horses and mules occupy the normally empty pasture was really beautiful; imagine these beautiful, graceful creatures peacefully grazing with the dramatic backdrop of mountains and the setting sun. I asked the cowboys if I could brush down the horses since they were tired and sweaty from a long day on the trail, and they happily obliged. I spent three hours brushing and talking with the stock, and it reminded me of some of my childhood daydreams of owning a horse. I think my time in the West has made me rediscover this dream, and I hope that one day, I can ride horses frequently! 
Peaceful sunrise view on a ridge that served as a campsite. Can't get much better than learning, 360 degree views, and an amazing community of people, can it?





It's hard to believe that it's already November, and several days ago marked two months of living at Taylor Ranch in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. In less than two weeks, I'll be flying out of here to continue classes for the remainder of the semester, along with a break at Thanksgiving. Thinking about leaving has been consuming some of my time, and the best way I can describe it is bittersweet. I have learned so much about living with a group and in my classes, and spending lots of time just wandering around--on and off trail--has taught me to appreciate even the smallest details in nature. 

Ellen Meloy (one of my favorite authors--you should check out the book The Anthropology of Turquoise) wrote, “The streams and rivers ran with water so clear it pressed against my heart like a hand.” These mountains and rivers are within me, and I know that wherever I go, I will continue to think and write about my time in Idaho.