“Win standoff with a bison” wasn’t even on my bucket list. Nevertheless: check!

About mmmmm, maybe half a mile into our 7-mile hike at Antelope Island State Park today, we encountered a speed bump. It had four legs, a gigantic shaggy head, and likely weighed in at about 2,000 pounds.

Dude. Are ya kididng me? We're trying to hike here!
Dude. Are ya kidding me? We’re trying to hike here!
Bison!

Hundreds of them roam the island. We know not to approach them, not even for selfies (oops — see below), but this guy clearly hadn’t read the signs. And he was in our way. So we made noise, and waved our arms, and begged, and cajoled, and finally seemed to annoy him enough that he wandered off down the hill toward the females, as I suggested.

But first, and since you insist on standing there, lemme take a selfie anyway.
But first, and since you insist on standing there, lemme take a selfie.
(Disclaimer: I do not recommend this strategy. We emerged unscathed, but also aware that things could have gone sideways quickly. But at least we didn’t put him in our car because he looked cold.)

Anyway, after that the hike was far less exciting, but wickedly strenuous. We gained about 2100 feet of elevation in 3.5 miles, and it took nearly 2.5 hours to reach the 6596-foot summit of Frary Peak. Per park signage, the hiking level is “Difficult.”

The last half mile, however, was what I would call treacherous, in that a fall could cause serious bodily harm — if ya live to limp back down the mountain and into an ER. I talked to myself for that whole last stretch, thanking my feet for taking cautious steps, my legs for holding me up, the rocks for providing footholds, and the breeze for providing oxygen so that I didn’t hyperventilate. I also sang songs. “One Singular Sensation,” “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy,” and “Baby Got Back” all made my mental playlist. Don’t judge. I made it to the top because of them.

Island map. From the summit (see the number 6576 about halfway down?), we could see the entire island!
Antelope Island
From the summit, we could see the entire thing, lots of the Great Salt Lake surrounding, and distant mountain ranges I am too lazy to look up on a map.

Going up -- and thinking this rock outcropping slightly resembles a bison head. Also, I'd been hiking in full sun for an hour, so if you don't see it, it's me, not you.
Going up — and thinking this rock outcropping slightly resembles a bison head.
Also, I’d been hiking in full sun for an hour, so if you don’t see it, it’s me, not you.

My guys, ascending.
My guys, ascending.
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Made it! Man, that was a tough climb. And there's no shade or water, so plan carefully if you decide to give this one a try!
Made it!
Man, that was a tough climb. And there’s no shade or water, so plan carefully if you decide to give this one a try.
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Views from the top...
Views from the top…

... south end of the island...
… south end of the island…

... and the reason we didn't spend much time at the top. If you don't move, the flies infest you. I count eight there on my knees, and the SOB's bite.
… and the reason we didn’t spend much time there.
If you don’t move, the flies infest you. I count seven there on my knees, and the SOB’s bite.
After our hike, we took a quick swing through the park’s historic Fielding Garr Ranch, which dates back to 1848 — and bonus, offers running water in the public restrooms instead of the usual state park pit toilet with empty hand sanitizer dispenser.

After our hike, we took a quick swing through the park's historic Fielding Garr Ranch, which dates back to 1848 -- and bonus, has running water in the public restrooms!

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We couldn't resist taking a peek inside the sheep herder's wagon. RV of the times!
We couldn’t resist taking a peek inside the sheep herder’s wagon: RV of the times, with cookstove, bunk, and storage areas!

Final glimpse of the bison -- this time from a safer distance, and with the engine running!
Final glimpse of the bison — this time from a safer distance, and with the engine running!

Malan’s Peak: Haven’t been to Salt Lake, but we can see it from here!

View from Malan's Peak, elev. 6980 feet That's the Great Salt Lake in the distance.
Panoramic view from Malan’s Peak, elev. 6980 feet, with the Great Salt Lake in the distance.

Three generations of men in this family are preparing to hike the 215-mile John Muir Trail together next month.

Two of them are here; the other (Tim’s dad) drives from WA to meet us in CA in about ten days.

I went with Tim and our son yesterday on their first training hike, which took us on a 5.3 mile in-and-out (or 4.8 mile, or 5.8 mile, or 7.8 mile, depending on which web site or whose Health App tracking you believe) from Taylor Canyon to Malan’s Peak, in Ogden, UT.

Normally, a hike of that length — even one as strenuously uphill as this one — would take us 3-4 hours, including long stops for meals and views. But because both boys were testing new backpacks and various pieces of gear, this one took us six. Yeah, ouch.

Preparing to depart. No, they're not related. Why do you ask?
Preparing to depart.
Apple, meet tree.
Beginning: Everyone's so happy and unsweaty and excited!
Beginning:
Everyone’s so happy and unsweaty and excited!
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Our views along the way…
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Charming alternative to the usual rock cairn

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Next six shots: views along the way
The wildflowers were in bloom, treating us to spectacular colors.
Summit! Clearly, we'd had it with packs and poles, dropped them where we arrived, and kept walking to the edge...
Summit!
Clearly, we’d had it with packs and poles, dropped them where we arrived, and kept walking to the edge…
... for this reward
… for this reward

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Don't let the smile fool you. Everything hurt, and my knees were not at all looking forward to the descent.
Don’t let the smile fool you. Everything hurt, and my knees were not at all looking forward to our descent.
On the way back down the mountain, we took breaks to test water filtration equipment...
On the way back down the mountain, we took breaks to test water filtration equipment…
... and cool tired tootsies (downstream from the filtration experiments, of course!)
… and cool tired tootsies (downstream from the filtration experiments, of course!)

Upon our return home, all three of us took advantage of the hot tub here at Century Park, to soothe our aching muscles before going to bed.


Gear switch (because I don’t know where else to put this): We were featured recently on Heartland RV’s Facebook page. Check out the interview here!

Thanks for the publicity, Heartland!
Thanks for the publicity, Heartland!