The 2022 Utah Adventure

 Partly cloudy day with highs in the mid 50s. Heading up to Antelope Island this morning for a dry hike. Because of recent snowfall, the once dry locals trails are muddy - hate mud! Hiking White Rock today -- not even driving to the Ranch. There were bison on the ridge on Saturday and I'm hoping they moved into the meadow - just looking for babies. When I arrive, there is one bison near the intersection with the road to the west. Crossing over the ridge, there is a herd bison scattered in the meadow behind the Visitor's Center. I arrive at the White Rock trail head, there is a lone bison grazing thru the campsite area but none in the White Rock meadow -- clear sailing this morning. It's around 42 degrees when I start. Still pretty quiet bird was -- they'll soon be singing. The Bisquitroot is in bloom now  as are the little pink flowers. Those 5 bison I ran into by the fence line a few weeks back are still there. And I have to take a detour around them again. Approaching...

 After a snowstorm (6+ inches) and super cold weather, it's a sunny day with temps near 50. Heading up to Antelope Island to (hopefully) hike the Sentry Trail. It's already in the low 30s when I leave my house. It's sunny and slightly warmer when I arrive on the causeway. Along the causeway is snow-free but the island has plenty of snow -- could be trek thru some snow today! I arrive on the island and there's a herd of bison right behind the Visitor's Center - it's been along time since I've seen them there. And that's all the wildlife until I'm about 1 from the Ranch where there are 2 bison on the side of a little hill. Could there be more bison behind them - can't tell. But the herds have to be somewhere as it's "baby red" season!!! I park at the Ranch, gear up and head up the road to the trail. I'm not too happy that there are 2 guys ahead of me but I'm far enough back so I can't hear them talk (and with the turns in ...

 Sunny day near 70 degrees. I was supposed to have today off (it's my birthday) but I'm in the hot seat at work (I "drafted"). :( Anyway, I got a birthday present, my code is sufficient to start formal testing, so I did out around 12:30. At that point, my desire for pizza one out and I chose a shorter option - Lambs Canyon. I arrived and there's no jacket.  Shockingly, the road only has a few inches of snow left; it's only the 1st March - Wow! I'm hoping to see a butterfly today; it's been warm for a few now. Unfortunately no luck butterflies. I did go up the actual trail.  Much more snow in the forest - probably 3 feet still. My goal was to reach the 1st switchback but with the warm temps the snow was soft spots and after ending up knee deep in snow the second, I decided to turn back - where I ended up knee deep a third time. Did spot a squirrel on the way back to the trailhead! Definitely not the hike I was hoping for but at least I got to hike and r...

 Sunny day with highs near 40 degrees but it's a cold morning - just 20 degrees. Heading up to Antelope Island for a hike of Sentry Peak -- if its ok with the bison. I arrive just after 8am - it's sunny and 21 degrees. The ducks are huddling again just before reaching the island but they're safe as I do not see any Bald Eagles. On the drive south to the Ranch, I see zero, yes zero, animals! It's a first for me! The bison that have been hanging out under White Rock ridge are gone. Wow, the several days of snow have really moved the critters around. At the Ranch, the Sentry Trail is clear - those bison have also moved on - but I decide not to hike as I'm really tired - physically, mentally, emotionally have 14 straight days of working on a program I know nothing about. I think I just go looking for the owls. When I reach the woods, I don't find any owls but I do see a Northern Flicker and hey, 2 bison! They are outside the fence! So I didn't strike out today! ...