We had hiked our bikes up here. Through drifts and deep snow. And it was hard enough for me to give up on the idea that we were going to be able to do any biking this weekend. Previous plans were dependent on snowmobiles but there were none up here. In fact there was no one. Just us. And lots of wind blown snow.

“I know …”, I waited for my partner’s attention. “Lets just walk through the snow and try to gain that ridge”. I motioned out the back window.

“OK”

First order of business was to explore around the Guard Station.

But we never made the ridge. The best we could do was use some recent moose tracks to go up the road a pace.

On the way back we got a chance to get a overview of the valley. The cabin sitting about 600 feet from the valley floor was just enough to give it great commanding views over it.

We imagined the old days when native americans picked their way through these parts trying to avoid the murderous calvary. What has changed really? I fear for the people at Standing Rock.

It is ever increasingly hard to live in a place and watch the injustices. These retreats bring it all to a different perspective. Could we break free and find a place like this to live. Get off the grid. Be free. And just watch every sunrise and set? Would’t that be nice.