Rebecca M. Douglass, Author

Last weekend I posted photos from the first two days of a backpack trip into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Today we're doing a couple more days, and next week I'll finish the trip. Day 3: Jordan Lake to Ouzel Lake It was a chilly morning--I was up before sunrise for photography, and the plants down by the lake (the coldest spot) were frosted. It was worth it. Sunrise reflected in Jordan Lake. Sunrise reflections at Jordan Lake. Despite the chill, we were on the trail before 8 a.m., for a day that would range from easy walking on excellent trail to tedious route-finding through a giant talus field.  The first part, over a small rise to Otter Lake, was easy, and we were still enjoying the early light. A mountain tarn with some fun clouds, just above Jordan Lake. At Otter Lake the trail is a bit hit-and-miss as you walk alongside the lake (I think the official trail ends at the east end of the lake, where we started). We had to pick our way around the lake, then around the s...

After a long absence (on my part), I'm posting this morning with the Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays blog hop, and a review of an enjoyable book I won in a giveaway. The hop is sponsored by  Greg Pattridge of Always in the Middle . Check out Greg's blog for a list of additional middle grade reviews.   The beautiful cover of Three Blue Hearts Title: 
 Three Blue Hearts Author: Lynne Kelly 
Publication Info: Delacorte Press 2025. 279 pages 
Source: 

Won in a giveaway Publisher’s Blurb (from Goodreads): 
 Max can’t seem to escape the big, looming shadow of his politician dad. But for the next few months, Max and his mom are going away to a quiet Texas beach town where Max can be someone else. Someone who doesn’t make dumb mistakes that embarrass his father—someone who knows how to be strong. He stumbles on his fresh start right away, when he finds an injured octopus washed up onshore after a storm. With the help of a local wildlife center and a couple of new friend...

Way back last August, I joined a couple of friends (Craig and Alex) to do a 7-day backpack trip through the Absaroka-Beartooth wilderness on the Montana-Wyoming border (just north of Yellowstone). The landscape exceeded expectations by a wide margin, and I'll be going back. Way back last fall I shared photos of the dayhikes I did while acclimatizing. The night before the backpack was to start, we three met up at a campground in the area, to finish packing and planning, and hit the road early. We had to set up our car shuttle (for a one-way hike) before we could start walking. Since our exit trailhead was kind of 4WD, I wouldn't be going there, and so took my time on the drive to the put-in and enjoyed the amazing Beartooth Pass highway. Some of the twisty bits climbing the east side of the pass. The pass is more like a summit, and when you get there, you are definitely in the alpine, at 11,000'. One of many scenic lakes along the west side of the pass.   What with all the ...