I have for many years been searching for the essence of summer. Tonight I think that I found it. We had not yet, this year, ridden to Grizzly Camp; in fact, it had slipped off my radar. Very strange for me not to think about it.

It could have been that I hesitated to think about it because what I envisioned was riding a trail that the ATVs had made unsafe for horseback riders. Also, running into them out there, or worse yet, their dirtbike counterparts, was what came to mind.

Tonight Pete suggested that we ride part way to Grizzly Camp, his rationalization was that there would be less grass for Hrimmi to chow down on.

I said to him that I’d do whatever he decided and follow suit. And this is what I did. We ended up riding all the way to Grizzly Camp. Yes, the trails have been trashed but the horses remained sure footed and did not slip or sink into the muck.

Pete surmised that the trails had dried out during the recent spate of good weather and that we could have ridden the Moose Range Loop. Hearing this, I felt considerable remorse because I realized I missed some good riding opportunities. No more, no more, I say.

It was the essence of summer. On the way to Grizzly Camp, on our left, we had an incredible view of the Chugach Range, and specifically Pioneer Peak. The evening sun shone through the low lying clouds, on the peaks in a patchwork fashion, illuminating some parts of the still snow covered mountains.

On our right was the Talkeetna Range. The tops of the peaks were not visible because of the much lower cloud cover. However, the lower areas were a brilliant dark green, and appeared much like velvet.

On the ground, the wild geraniums and wild roses are now in full bloom – and the fireweed, not yet topped out, is giving evidence that this is going to be a good fireweed year. Soon the trail leading to Grizzly Camp, and the hill going up it, will be awash in purple.

We rode half way up the hill, to the treehouse. Beyond, the trail is now really trashed, and I thought slippery, so we turned back.

I saw a handful of robins and heard a thrush. We didn’t see any moose or bear, a good thing. But this does not mean that they were not within sight.

It would be unwise for us to do this ride again on the Fourth of July because if the weather is good, the ATVers will be out in force. It’s supposed to rain, so maybe not.

This was a nice respite from my workaday life with all of its drama and intrigue. I return home and am glad that I live where I do. And Pete now has most of the garden in. This, because the project, takes so much time and requires single minded intensity of focus.

Next: 180.7/3/26: Slowing Down Time