Butterflies, Cows, and Imaginations

On our camping trip up Hobble Creek Canyon, we went hiking and exploring along the Wardsworth Creek Trail. It was kind of weird because it was a Saturday, and there were several other cars parked at the trail head, yet for the majority of the hike we saw almost no one. At first it wasn't a big deal, but after a while, it started to feel more eerie. 

When we got to this area of the trail, we were greeted by tons of butterflies! They were so pretty, I couldn't help but take some pictures. 

At first they seemed scared of us and flew a few feet away, but after I got settled down in the midst of them, they slowly came back. It was almost as if they knew I was there to admire them because they had no problem showing off their pretty colors and designs as they flapped their wings open and shut for me.

The longer we continued on with our hike, the more we started wondering where everyone else was. At one point we passed a canopy and gear in the middle of a field, looking as if someone had JUST left it there. It was strange. Not that we don't like hiking all by ourselves, but I have a very wild imagination, and by this time, the thought of a rattlesnake biting the occasional passerby or the the idea of a huge bear (which are known to be in the area) eating all the other people was making me a little uneasy.

Worlds biggest spider web

A few miles in, we saw a family of 5 camping along the creek. This made me feel a little better, and gave me the motivation to continue past them as they waved and smiled at us. Another mile or so in was a different story. I kept thinking I heard weird animals sounds that I didn't recognize. Every time I heard a noise I would ask Jon if he heard it too. Most of the time he didn't. We stopped for a water and sandwich break, and I told Jon about my angry, man-eating bear fears. 

Either I'm a good story teller and I never realized it, or Jon has just as vivid of an imagination as I do because after I told him my fears, he became a little uneasy himself. As we packed up and got ready to keep moving, we heard what was definitely an animal noise, but we couldn't tell what it was! It was almost like a half growl, half moose sounding.....thing. So, feeling very skittish and creeped out, we decided not to take any chances and we turned around.

As we passed the little camping family a short time later, the mother asked us, "Did you see the cows?" 

"Cows?" We asked

"Yes, a bunch of men herded hundreds of cows up this trail not too long ago. There have been stragglers coming down this trail all morning."

Feeling very foolish at realizing that the scary sound we had just heard was, in fact, most likely a cow, and not wanting to make idiots of ourselves by turning around yet again to continue down the trail, we sheepishly returned to our car.

The trail was so dusty! Our shoes were filthy by the end.

Of course, we saw SEVERAL people heading up the trail on our way back. That's just how our luck tends to work.

Jon skipping a rather large rock on a dare. He did it!

Exploring under a bridge

Next time we will take our chances with the bear.