Sidney – Page 2 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 71 – Coulsen Hughes Draw (11-30-13)

Start (9:30 AM, 29°F), 5 miles WSW of Deerfield Reservoir at the junction of USFS Roads No. 294 & 591 at the S end of Coulsen Hughes Draw.

Gray skies and a sub-freezing temperature. Patches of snow covered the dry, dead grass making the dark green of the forest appear even darker. A quiet scene, forlorn and remote. At the S end of Coulsen Hughes Draw, it felt like the start of winter.

Lupe wasn’t concerned. She was ready to go exploring! For her, it was the start of good times on Expedition No. 71. Her friend, Sidney, was along, too. This would be his 5th expedition with Lupe. Big Sid was also enthusiastic about the prospect of a day spent roaming the hills, now that he understood he wasn’t being dog-napped.

Lupe along USFS Road No. 294 at the start of Expedition No. 71. Despite the chill air and gloomy gray sky, Lupe was looking forward to a romp up Coulsen Hughes Draw with her friend Sidney. Photo looks W.

Abandoning the G6, Lupe, Big Sid, and SPHP started N up Coulsen Hughes Draw on USFS Road No. 591. Coulsen Hughes Draw is a moderately wide, shallow, grassy valley between two pine forested ridges. Snow covered much of the ground near the trees on the W side of the valley, but the road was close to the E side and largely snow-free.

On Expedition No. 68, Lupe and Sidney had reached the N end of Coulsen Hughes Draw from a different direction. It was about as far as they had gotten that time. SPHP’s old Black Hills USFS map showed that Crows Nest Peak (7,048 ft.) was only 2 or 3 miles farther NW from there. Lupe had never been to Crow’s Nest Peak. Maybe Lupe and Big Sid could find and climb it today, after exploring the length of Coulsen Hughes Draw?

Loop and Big Sid had only been running around sniffing for 15 or 20 minutes, when suddenly a vehicle could be heard coming down the draw. A pickup truck appeared with 3 guys in it dressed in camouflage and bright orange (the one defeating the other). SPHP chatted with them for a few minutes. They were elk hunters, but had seen nothing. Had SPHP? Nope.

Truth was, even if SPHP had, the hunters wouldn’t have gotten much help. Lupe and SPHP are more on the side of the elk.

The trek up Coulsen Hughes Draw was an easy, scenic, gentle climb. Lupe and Big Sid had a great time roaming at will.

Looking SSE back down Coulsen Hughes Draw.

Lupe on USFS Road No. 591 as it rounds a small hillside. Photo looks W.

Sidney near the forest at the edge of the valley. Looks like he’s spotted something!

A typical scene looking NW up Coulsen Hughes Draw. It was a pretty place for the dogs to run around. After the hunters went by early on, Lupe and Big Sid saw no one other than SPHP the rest of the day.

Lupe comes running back after an exploratory foray up into the forest.

As Lupe and Sidney traveled up the draw, they passed by several stock ponds. The valley was gradually becoming snowier. The ponds were all frozen. By the time they’d gone 2.5 miles, Loop and Big Sid were getting close to the N end of Coulsen Hughes Draw. One more stock pond was up ahead. Beyond it, Coulsen Hughes Draw split in two.

The valley was wider and snowier by the time Lupe and Sidney reached the upper end of Coulsen Hughes Draw. The last stock pond is up ahead hidden behind the earthen dam seen a little R of Center. Here the draw split in two. Beyond the stock pond, Lupe and Sidney took the branch seen on the L. Photo looks NW.

Even before Lupe and Sidney reached this final stock pond, SPHP recognized the larger branch of the draw going N (R) as being the place Lupe and Big Sid had made it to on Expedition No. 68 before starting back for the G6. The smaller branch of the draw going NNW (L) looked more intriguing. This branch was totally new to Lupe, and led more directly toward Crows Nest Peak.

USFS Road No. 591 went up the larger N branch. Lupe and company left the road to explore the smaller NNW branch of the draw. An easy 0.5 mile trek brought Lupe to another dirt road. This had to be USFS Road No. 157, although the only sign present was an old wooden one that didn’t mention No. 157. It said only “Coulsen Hughes Draw” and pointed back the way Lupe had just come.

At this point, Lupe and Sidney were at least halfway to Crows Nest Peak, which was still another 2.5 or 3 miles to the NNW. However, SPHP’s USFS map showed no roads at all leading any farther in that direction. Going NE on No. 157 would only take Lupe away from Crows Nest Peak. Going W, the road disappeared into a dense forest. It would eventually lead to Miller and Procunier Springs, which were at least a little closer to Crows Nest Peak.

The last day of November is short. Time would be an issue. SPHP decided on a more direct route. Lupe and Big Sid crossed No. 157, covered the last of the open ground at the end of Coulsen Hughes Draw, and plunged into the forest traveling NNW straight for still unseen Crows Nest Peak.

There was considerably more snow in the forest than on the open ground in Coulsen Hughes Draw, but it wasn’t too bad. Before long, the terrain leveled off and looked like it was about to start descending. SPHP thought it best for Lupe to stay high. Off to the W was a higher ridge, so Lupe, Big Sid, and SPHP turned that way to gain as much elevation as possible.

The top of the ridge was all forested with no views in any direction. Lupe and Sidney turned N again and continued onward, picking a way forward through the snow, low juniper bushes, and scattered deadfall timber. Although the terrain went up and down a little, SPHP thought Lupe was still gaining net elevation, and hoped to get a glimpse of even higher ground toward Crows Nest Peak at some point.

Lupe started coming to little-used logging roads. Since travel was easier on the roads, Loop and Big Sid followed them for short stretches when they seemed to be going the right direction. Along one of these roads, suddenly Sidney was staring straight ahead. Movement in the trees! Sidney had spotted 3 of Lupe’s “giant deers”! Lupe hadn’t seen them yet, but the elk had seen Sidney. They were already disappearing into the forest.

The giant deers made another appearance 10 or 15 minutes later. This time both Sidney and Lupe saw them and took off after them. The elk had a huge lead, however. Within a couple minutes, both Loop and Sid gave up and returned, the elk long gone.

The logging road Lupe was on ended in the forest. Although it seemed like Lupe was quite high, no views existed in any direction. SPHP led on through the forest trying to head NNW while staying on the highest ground possible. Presently, open ground could be see ahead between the trees. Before reaching it, Lupe came to another logging road. The logging road took her to the edge of a long, wide field.

After leaving Coulsen Hughes Draw and USFS Road No. 157 behind, SPHP tried to lead Lupe and Sidney through the forest NNW toward Crow’s Nest Peak. Lupe ultimately arrived at this long, wide field. Photo looks S(?)

Intrepid American Dingo explorer Lupe on her Expedition No. 71 search for Crow’s Nest Peak.

The new road divided almost immediately upon entering the field. Lupe had her choice of going S while gradually losing elevation, or going NW gradually gaining elevation.

Lupe and Sidney followed the road going NW up a hill. Soon the land leveled out on top. A few inches of snow were on the ground. Another group of 4 or 5 giant deers disappeared NE into the forest, but this time only SPHP saw them.

Near a stand of aspens, the road divided again. Lupe had her choice of going W or N. A marker was at the intersection. SPHP eagerly anticipated this possible clue to how close Lupe was now to Crows Nest Peak.

At the top of the hill, the road leveled out and passed by this stand of aspens. Beyond the aspens, the road divided again. Approaching the intersection SPHP could see a marker ahead, and looked forward to this possible clue as to how close Lupe and Big Sid were to Crows Nest Peak. Photo looks NW.

What the marker said came as a complete shock. No. 157! The same road Lupe and Sidney had left at the N end of Coulsen Hughes Draw! How was that possible? Lupe and Sidney scarfed up Taste of the Wild, taking a lunch break while SPHP sat on a log staring dumbfounded at the USFS map while pondering the implication of this news.

The map didn’t show No. 157 coming anywhere near Crow’s Nest Peak. Of course, the USFS map wasn’t very detailed. It was possible unshown minor side roads branching off No. 157 did. However, side roads would normally have an additional designation after the “157”, and this marker didn’t. Hmmm. SPHP shared a cheese stick with Looper and Sidney. The cheese was much appreciated.

The most likely conclusion SPHP could come up with was that Lupe and company had not been going N, but W. SPHP must have become disoriented somewhere along the way. With no landmarks or views, and the sun hidden all day by clouds, it could have easily happened. Oh, well. Now what? SPHP was no longer certain where Lupe was, or which direction was which.

Snack time was over! Lupe was still going to find Crow’s Nest Peak! SPHP led Loop and Big Sid along the road that supposedly went W. That lasted only a couple of minutes. Peering through the forest N of the road, it looked like the terrain was about to start losing elevation in that direction. Maybe there would be a view from the hillside? Lupe, Sidney and SPHP abandoned the road. Back into the forest! Onward!

Soon a view did appear. A noticeably higher ridge could be seen farther N. Crow’s Nest Peak? It looked like it was still 2 miles away, about right if Lupe had been going W earlier instead of N. Even though it meant losing elevation, SPHP decided to head straight for that ridge.

Lupe and Sidney were still having a great time! They enjoyed the march down the forested hillside. Lupe came to two large water tanks. Water was pouring into one of them from a pipe. A small overflow stream trickled down the hillside below the water tanks forming an ice flow.

Lupe followed the ice flow as far as it went, proceeding down into a valley. As soon as she got to the bottom, she regained lost elevation climbing up the other side. At the top she made a turn to the W, and once again emerged from the forest at the edge of another long, wide field.

About this time, the cloud cover started breaking up. It became possible to discern the position of the sun. SPHP thought Lupe had been going NW. The sun said she had been going SW, or maybe even straight S. Crazy! Simply crazy! One thing was certain, though. There’s no arguing with the sun.

A period of wandering through big fields and pastures began. Lupe started off heading first NW then N according to the sun, though it all felt wrong to SPHP. As near as SPHP could figure out, Loop was somewhere N of Miller and Procunier Springs. If true, Crow’s Nest Peak (7,048 ft.) was still as much as 2 miles N. However, from none of this territory could Lupe see the high ridge she had seen earlier.

The Carolina Dog came to a number of roads (all unmarked) and fences. After traveling N and circumnavigating a wooded area in the middle of an enormous field, Lupe made a foray into a forest even farther N. Traveling E near the forest’s edge, she came to another long stretch of open land extending NE from the enormous field. This area looked promising, but the sun was now clearly past its zenith. Lupe retreated S across the enormous field again.

Near the S edge of the field, Lupe and Big Sid found another road. This road was marked No. 157.2C. A short journey E on it led to a fallen log, suitable as a rest area. Lupe and Sidney finished off the Taste of the Wild. SPHP shared another cheese stick with them, while consulting the map.

Looking N back across the enormous field. SPHP remains convinced that Lupe and Sidney had come within almost a mile of Crow’s Nest Peak while on the far side.

Sidney on USFS Road No. 157.2C. Photo looks ESE.

Lupe relaxes in the sun on dry ground next to the rest spot log.

Big Sid relaxes, too, wondering what’s next?

*Say, SPHP, I realize this is just crazy talk, but have you ever considered investing in a GPS device, or even just a decent compass? Maybe then we could actually get to where we’re going!*

*I second that motion! Also, how about putting some more supplies in that pack? A bite of cheese stick every 3 hours just ain’t cutting it for me!*

The map still didn’t show USFS Road No. 157.2C. It wasn’t any more enlightening than it had been earlier. Sigh.

Turning S and crossing the enormous field again had been an admission of defeat as far as reaching Crow’s Nest Peak was concerned. It wasn’t going to happen. Not today, anyway. Way out in the western high country of the Black Hills on the last day of November with the sun starting to slide toward the horizon, the only thing that made sense was to figure out where Lupe was, and begin the journey back to the G6.

SPHP decided Lupe should head W on No. 157.2C staying near the big fields. Sooner or later, the road would lead back to No. 157, probably right to that intersection near the grove of aspens where Loop and Sidney had taken their first rest break.

Even if one measly bite of cheese stick was inadequate, the second rest break was over. Onward! Big Sid seemed a little tired, but Lupe was still full of energy as they headed W on No. 157.2C.

A last look NNW across the enormous field. Somewhere out there, not too far away, was Crow’s Nest Peak. Lupe and Sidney weren’t going to reach it today.

Time to start for home! Big Sid heads W on USFS Road No. 157.2C, seemingly a bit tired. Lupe still had energy to bound around. Here she’s standing at the edge of the forest. Photo looks WSW.

No. 157.2C went W only far enough to sweep around the W end of the forested hill to the S. Upon reaching the other side, it wound E and SE all the way back to the intersection with No. 157 near the grove of aspens. At least that had worked!

It would have been easy to simply follow No. 157 all the way back to Coulsen Hughes Draw, but now that SPHP was certain where Lupe was again, there wasn’t as much urgency as before. Lupe and company took a snowy road heading S from the aspen grove. Lupe could explore a different valley W of Coulsen Hughes Draw this way.

This route was beautiful and a pleasant trek. Lupe found a squirrel to bark at. Her excitement revived Sidney’s spirits as he got into the act, too. Another adventure was ahead. Lupe and Sidney saw 6 or 7 giant deers, the biggest herd yet! Oddly, they had been congregated near a large skeleton. As the live elk ran off, Lupe and Big Sid carefully investigated this most interesting find.

Lupe and Big Sid cautiously sniff an old skeleton. For some odd reason, 6 or 7 live elk had been congregated near it.

Lupe reached USFS Road No. 294 again a couple miles WNW of where the G6 was parked. SPHP was pretty certain she had come down the Dowell Spring drainage after passing E of Dowell Spring itself.

Instead of staying on No. 294 the rest of the way, Lupe and Sidney traveled through the grassy valley just to the S of it. More to sniff! More to explore! Although the sun was still shining on the ridges, all was in shadow down here.

After going a mile E, another road left No. 294 going first SW, but curving SE as it went up a side valley. SPHP was seized with a desire to see the sunset. Lupe and Sidney started up this side valley, eventually climbing the W side of it. Everyone reached the top of the ridge to the W, but there was no view due to the thick forest. All that could be seen was a final, filtered, glimmering between the trees.

With the last of the sunlight gone, a feeling of solitude descended. The sky was clear. No colorful sunset could develop. Still, quiet, remote. That was this place, this moment.

Still, quiet, remote, cold and dark was coming. Better get going!

Sidney was done. Filled with joy when he finally saw the G6, he trotted ahead of Lupe and SPHP as fast as tired paws would take him. He stood waiting for SPHP to arrive to open the door. Big Sid jumped in without the slightest hesitation the instant the door opened. Home, James!

It was nearly dark, but Lupe wasn’t in such a hurry. She was used to long days exploring. The Carolina Dog paused for several minutes, still sniffing the light breeze. Maybe she knew winter really was coming, and she wouldn’t be back in the high western hills again for a long time.

Lupe hadn’t made it to Crow’s Nest Peak, but Coulsen Hughes Draw had still been an adventure. Together with Big Sid, the Carolina Dog had out-hunted the hunters, and seen the giant deers. No one was shot dead or wounded as a result. Everyone, including the giant deers, would live to see more adventures in the days to come. End (4:44 PM, 27°F)

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 78 – The Experimental Forest & Minnesota Ridge (3-9-14)

After 3 weeks of very cold weather, suddenly the forecast was for 70°F! Lupe couldn’t have been happier. An expedition was in the works! Lupe ran over to Dog Heaven and got permission for her buddy, Sidney, to come along, too. Big Sid was equally thrilled with this turn of events. It had been nearly 3 months since the last time he’d joined Lupe on Expedition No. 72 back on her 3rd birthday in December. This would be his 7th Black Hills expedition with her.

Before long, SPHP was parking the G6 along USFS Road No. 616 (9:36 AM, 48°F), a little N of its junction with Rochford Road. This was in the SE part of a roughly 5 square mile area shown on the old USFS map as the “Black Hills Experimental Forest”. What was experimental about it was never clear. The whole area was ponderosa pine forest with a few aspens mixed in, indistinguishable from the rest of the Black Hills.

Snow was melting in the forest, as Lupe and Sidney set out on No. 616 going N. The road was still hard snow-packed and icy. Loop and Big Sid spent most of the time roaming the forest nearby having a blast, while SPHP trudged along the slick surface. After 0.25 mile, a junction with USFS Road No. 660 was reached. No 660 was clearly less traveled and looked more interesting, so Lupe and company took it.

At first, No. 660 lost elevation gradually. It wound around near the S and then the W border of the Experimental Forest. By the time it turned N, the road was gaining elevation steadily. After a little while, Lupe was starting to get glimpses of views off to the SW. However, along a fairly level section of road, she and Sidney saw something of much greater interest. Off to the NE, something was moving in the trees!

Giant deer! Lupe and Sidney were enthralled. SPHP counted 17 elk for certain, and there were probably more. It was the biggest herd of giant deers Lupe had ever seen. The elk ran off as soon as they realized they had company, quickly disappearing from view. So cool!

Continuing N, the road started gaining elevation again. Lupe came to an opening in the forest with an unobstructed view to the SW. The views were getting better. Beyond the viewpoint, No. 660 angled NE re-entering the forest. Lupe passed by a couple of big puddles on the NW side of the road. The first one was an interesting yellow-orange color.

This first big meltwater puddle on the NW side of USFS Road No. 660 was an unusual yellow-orange color. Photo looks NW.

By the time Lupe passed the second puddle, she was approaching a ridge to the N. No. 660 would soon turn E to rejoin No. 616 again, but the plan was to go NW toward Minnesota Ridge. Shortly after passing the second puddle, Lupe, Big Sid and SPHP all left the road heading NW. The dogs discovered a small meadow with the best view yet.

This small meadow was a little NW of where Lupe and Sidney left USFS Road No. 660. It had the best distant view yet. Photo looks WSW.

After enjoying the view from the meadow, Lupe and Big Sid continued NW, leaving the Experimental Forest. The top of the ridge to the N was now only a little higher than where they were, so they climbed up on it. The ridgeline was rather rocky and narrower than SPHP expected. Lupe and Sidney followed it WSW a short distance before SPHP called a halt to check the map.

During the break, both dogs were extraordinarily helpful at reducing SPHP’s chocolate chip and oatmeal cookie burden.

Lupe and Sidney at the break point on the ridge. Here they proved most helpful at reducing SPHP’s chocolate chip and oatmeal cookie burden. Photo looks WSW.

*So, SPHP, that pack looks kind of heavy. Are you quite certain there aren’t any more cookies in there I could help you with?* Looking back ENE along the ridgeline. Although this ridge was fairly high, the views were nothing to write home about.

The map had shown that the S end of Minnesota Ridge was still more than a mile W. When the cookie break was over, Lupe and Big Sid continued WSW along the rocky ridgeline. The high rocky part soon ended, and everyone started down a slope going SW. Lupe emerged from the forest at a big sunny open area where the forest appeared to have been clear cut. From here, a logging trail led down to USFS Road No. 204.

Lupe and Sidney reached No. 204 at its high point at a minor pass. They didn’t follow the road. Instead, they crossed it heading W into forest and started climbing Minnesota Ridge. As they gained elevation, the amount of snow and deadfall timber around increased rapidly. Lupe expended a tremendous amount of energy leaping over deadfall and 2 foot high snowdrifts.

Eventually, a tall rock ledge appeared ahead. Lupe, Big Sid and SPHP climbed up on it for a look around. The former views to the S and SW were blocked by trees, but now snowy Custer Peak (6804 ft.) could be seen off to the NNW. After admiring the view, SPHP led Lupe and Sidney NW picking a way along the ledge.

SPHP expected the ledge to slowly sink back into the easier surrounding terrain. Instead, the ledge became even higher. 20 foot cliffs were on both sides. Deep fissures in the rocks, combined with snow and small trees growing up in the cracks made traversing the ledge slow and tricky. At a particularly wide crack in the rocks, Lupe and Sidney finally found a way down through a 40 foot long passage.

Looking back up the deep crack in the rocks that Lupe and Sidney used to get off the rock ledge.

Once off the rock ledge, Lupe and Sidney resumed a steady climb going NW through the forest. Snow was everywhere now, perhaps 1.5 to 2 feet deep on average, with drifts up to 3 feet deep. Lupe didn’t complain, but SPHP began to worry she was going to wear herself out and get cold. Big Sid was well insulated, and being considerably larger, had far less trouble.

SPHP wondered why Lupe hadn’t reached USFS Road No. 203 yet? If she went too far N, she would miss the road entirely. Even though it meant losing elevation, it was time to change course and head SW to find the road. It proved to be farther away than SPHP expected, but Lupe did come to it. She turned N on No. 203, resuming her climb of Minnesota Ridge.

A side road heading W with a sign saying Green Gulch Loop appeared. SPHP remembered this place. Lupe had passed by here on a prior expedition. At the time, Green Gulch Loop had looked like an interesting place to explore. SPHP expected it would take Lupe up and over the ridge to the W then down into Green Gulch.

Not true, as it turned out. The road began promisingly enough going W while gaining elevation, but before long Green Gulch Loop made a big curve back to the S. Lupe and Sid started coming to a number of hillbilly cabins and old campers up on a relatively narrow ridge. Signs at each property said “Private Property”, “Beware of Dog” or “No Trespassing”. The fanciest home featured a big tattered Confederate flag flying on a tall flagpole at an exposed part of the ridge.

Lupe reached a place where it looked like the road ended. A house and garage were practically right on Green Gulch Loop. A sign said “Smile You’re On Camera”. Another sign mentioned a dog. SPHP hesitated, unsure if this was the end or not. Although there were plenty of tire tracks in the snow, none of them were fresh. No people or dogs were evident anywhere. Deep valleys were to the E and W.

After a couple minutes, SPHP decided to see if Lupe and Big Sid could go around this property. Everyone left the road skirting around to the W, away from the house and garage. The maneuver succeeded. Surprisingly, Green Gulch Loop did continue S beyond the home. Lupe and Sid passed by a couple more decaying shacks along the way before they were completely beyond the strange hillbilly camp.

Green Gulch Loop stayed up high until the narrow ridge petered out. Near the end, Lupe and Big Sid lost considerable elevation before arriving at an intersection where several USFS roads headed off in different directions. Lupe had been here before on Expedition No. 51 nearly a year ago on 3-14-13. Since it was time to start thinking about working back toward the G6, Lupe and Sidney took USFS Road No. 204 going E. In about 0.75 mile, it would link up with No. 203.

By now the ice on the road was getting soft and slushy. Wherever there wasn’t ice and slush, there was mud. Fortunately, ice still prevailed. Lupe and Sid were losing elevation, so it was a pleasant stroll. The road turned NE and the intersection with No. 203 came into view ahead. Surprisingly, another intersection was closer. A road led S into a shallow valley with nice open ground. A sign said this was Killoern Springs Road. This road wasn’t shown on the USFS map, but the shallow valley looked appealing. Lupe and Big Sid made the turn S.

After only a short distance, Killoern Springs Road turned W and climbed up out of the shallow valley. However, SPHP recognized this place from Expedition No. 51, too. A pole fence running E/W partially blocked the way farther S down the shallow valley, but an ATV trail could be seen continuing beyond the fence. That was the way to go! Lupe, Sidney and SPHP left Killoern Springs Road, went around the pole fence, and followed the ATV trail.

Lupe and Sidney had a great time in the shallow valley. The ground was nearly level and open. Snow was still present, but far less than had been up on Minnesota Ridge. Both dogs ran around as they pleased. Lupe was excited by several large birds which flew down the valley not very far above her. A small stream appeared, a western tributary of Gimlet Creek. Several times the ATV trail forded the stream, but the creek was so small even SPHP could leap across it.

The ATV trail forded this western tributary of Gimlet Creek several times, but the stream was so small even SPHP could simply leap over it. Photo looks SSW.

Due to the melting snow, the tiny stream had good flow.

Loopster and Sidney had a great time in the shallow valley leading to Gimlet Creek.

The shallow valley had been slowly turning SE. After nearly a mile, it broadened out and turned directly E. Another 0.25 mile brought Lupe to a small pond she had seen before on Expedition No. 51. A nice bridge crossed the stream again at the dam. Everyone went over the bridge. Gimlet Creek could now be seen off to the E. It flowed down another valley from the N on its way to its confluence with the tributary Lupe and Sid had been following.

Lupe, Sidney and SPHP headed E to Gimlet Creek, then turned N to explore part of this new valley, too. Several more creek crossings were required, but it was still fairly easy to find ways across. At the last crossing, a few boards helped SPHP get over the creek. After going 100 yards farther, SPHP suddenly realized Lupe and Sidney weren’t here! Where were they? Turning around, SPHP saw them back near the last creek crossing. Big Sid was watching Lupe.

Lupe came running toward SPHP. She was carrying something in her mouth – a piece of deer leg! Lupe had occasionally found pieces of deer legs and carcasses in the forest on prior expeditions, but none like this one. This deer leg was red with blood! Fur, a little meat, and sinewy membranes still clung to the bone.

Lupe considered this deer leg the find of a century! She couldn’t have been happier if she had come across an ancient Egyptian tomb full of golden treasures. To her the deer leg was a treasure! She growled menacing warnings at Sidney whenever he got close. Sidney had the good sense to stay away and show no interest.

Lupe was crazy for the deer leg. She tore at it, cutting pieces of fur and sinew off using her molars like scissors. She devoured what little meat and sinew there was, even though she wound up swallowing a lot of fur in the process. Lupe didn’t care. She acted like a ravenous wolf. It all came very naturally to her. She knew exactly what to do!

It was the find of a century! Lupe was crazy for this deer leg she found in the Gimlet Creek valley. She growled warnings at Sidney whenever he got close.

Lupe wasn’t about to abandon her deer leg, so SPHP watched while Loop did her best to consume every last morsel of meat or gristle she could tear off it.

Finally, after 20 or 30 minutes, hardly anything was left of the deer leg other than fur and bone. SPHP persuaded Lupe that it was time to press on. She agreed with great reluctance. Several times she ran back for her precious deer leg, picking it up and carrying it a bit farther. At last, she finally dropped the deer leg for good.

The valley split into two valleys just ahead to the N. Gimlet Creek flowed down from the valley that went straight N. The other valley was dry and came down from the NE. It was time to try to find USFS Road No. 660 in the Experimental Forest again, which couldn’t be much farther away to the E. Lupe, Sidney and SPHP left Gimlet Creek going up the dry NE valley.

Lupe hadn’t gone very far when suddenly there was gunfire! One shot, then another. It was coming from the direction Lupe was headed. The ferocious, deer-devouring Dingo vanished in an instant. Lupe begged for SPHP’s help. Hide me! Hide me! Hold me! Protect me! Sidney was completely unfazed. He paid no more attention to the gunfire than he had to the rotten deer leg.

Several more gunshots rang out. Lupe was desperate to get away. Sadly, the Carolina Dog wasn’t far from where she and Sidney had earlier seen the herd of 17 elk. SPHP was afraid the beautiful elk were being slaughtered. It was a most depressing thought.

Sidney and SPHP turned SE to flee up and out of the valley, while Lupe kept begging SPHP to stop and protect her. The valley wasn’t all that deep, but an anxious Dingo constantly leaping in the way didn’t make for a quick escape. SPHP gave in and carried the concerned Carolina Dog partway up the hillside.

Shortly after the terrain started leveling out, Big Sid found USFS road No. 660 again. By now a total of 5 or 6 gunshots had been heard. SPHP put Lupe down again. Everyone took off down No. 660 racing away to the S. To Lupe’s enormous relief, no more gunfire was heard. The rest of the way back to USFS Road No. 616 and the G6 was uneventful (5:06 PM, 50°F).

Lupe’s day with Big Sid in the Experimental Forest and on Minnesota Ridge was over, but her Expedition No. 78 adventures were not! A little after midnight, SPHP woke to the sound of a Carolina Dog puking up her spaghetti dinner. Oh, joy! SPHP got up, cleaned up the mess, and snuggled in again with the queasy companion.

Ten minutes later, Lupe gave a repeat performance. This time she threw up fur and grimy deer leg sinews. Another cleanup ensued. Lupe felt much better and slept soundly after that. Expedition No. 78 officially ended in the morning when clean sheets and bedding were restored to the bed after a thorough cleaning in the washer and dryer.

Could there be any doubt, though, that given the chance to do it all over again Lupe would relish devouring the next deer leg she finds in the forest? Of all the treasures Lupe has found on her many adventures, that spoiled rotten deer leg was the most wonderful, glittering prize of all!

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