One of my favorite little critters is the American Pika (sp. Ochotona princeps). These small yet robust, hard working, unbearably cute little fur balls have fascinated me for years. Unfortunately, they are not found in my region of the country so when I found myself in the high mountains of Colorado, I just HAD to go to looking for them. Typically, American Pika make their home at elevations above tree line. Where’s that? In this case, it was between 11,000 […]
by Deb Tappan “Whether you’re out hiking in the backcountry or sightseeing from your car, having a chance encounter with wildlife is a magnificent and treasured moment. Watching little elk calves speed running zigzag among the herd or glimpsing a bear munching on glacier lilies are sights that captivate and inspire us all.” – Deb For many however, the experience is so overpowering they lose sight of the fact that the subject of their admiration is a wild creature. Yes, […]
We’d like to thank the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics for allowing us to post their Leave No Trace Principles here. To learn more about how you can minimize your impact when visiting wilderness areas, go to: Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. – Cheers, DST Plan Ahead and Prepare: Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use. […]
By Utah (the dog, not the state) Tappan “Hi everyone! My name is Utah. I’m Deb’s “littlest peanut” and all around dog pal! We’re strong proponents of pet adoption from area shelters and rescues and equally strong opponents to “puppy mills” and the like. Was I adopted? You betcha! But did you know that nationally fewer than 50% of the animals in shelters find homes and that the fate of the others is, sadly, euthanasia? That’s why I’m writing this […]
