I was taking a hike up a centennial 13er in the San Juans on Tuesday morning and was, uh, surprised to meet up with a couple of female moose on my path up.

We had a stand off for about 5 minutes when it was clear at least one of them was NOT getting off the path. I had to bushwhack up the side of the mountain about 30 yards and make my way by them. THEN, as I was coming home late that afternoon? I met HIM about a mile from my car. How lucky can one guy get? It’s a spooky feeling when there’s nothing between you and them except empty space. The moon was so bright that morning. And I ran into this cabin on the way up and down. Someone has put some money into it because the roof is metal and newish. The rafters and main beams inside are also newish. Heck, one of the joist hangers even has price tag on it. I just happened to be sitting in the cabin on my way back to my car when I heard what sounded like an explosion and a lot of rockfall. I ran outside the cabin in time to see dust clouds by one of the mountains I had just walked by. I decided THAT was a good time to grab my pack and continue walking back to my car. Thankfully, no rocks ever made it down by the cabin. And finally a truck? Really? I know it was a rough road up there, but I think it must have belonged to revenuers…either that or someone really didn’t like that truck, judging by all the bullet holes.