solitude monitoring
Hiking/Backpacking Laura Kay Young Hiking/Backpacking Laura Kay Young

solitude monitoring

I joined Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation for a weekend of solitude monitoring on a loop in the Beartooths. What is solitude monitoring, you ask? I’m glad you did! Let’s hike through the details and views together.

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foray into the crazies
Hiking Laura Kay Young Hiking Laura Kay Young

foray into the crazies

Wolverine Whisperer planned a jaw-dropping-views kind of hike on the way to a night out with another friend, which is precisely the type of adventure I like to squeeze in too. We ended up looping an easy hike closer to the dinner and concert venues, allowing time for a quick shower, but we finalized the deal on our way back home. 24-hours of shenanigans to remind me how good it is to be alive.

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updates & breakdowns
Laura Kay Young Laura Kay Young

updates & breakdowns

Recall my tirade on not seeing any hummingbirds yet? If only I had waited a week or so you wouldn’t have received my frustration in your inbox. Ironically, hummingbirds represent resilience. Since that splurt of a blog post, I refill my feeder every few days in anticipation of migration. Well, maybe anticipation for the birds and not for me. Their frenzy in the Fall-esque weather the other week sent me reeling. I’m never prepared to lose Summer, especially not now.

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where art thou hummingbird?
Mind wanderings Laura Kay Young Mind wanderings Laura Kay Young

where art thou hummingbird?

Hummingbirds are sure sign of summer in the Rockies. From my front porch, as I observe the robins, meadowlarks, sparrows, and swallows bicker and play I wonder where the hummingbirds are. Summer in the mountains isn’t complete without them flitting around feeders and hanging planters. The following is an ode, a calling, for their presence.

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unreal views
Hiking Laura Kay Young Hiking Laura Kay Young

unreal views

Another short and sweet note since this week it’s all about the views! Sprite checks a local hike off her Summer 2025 list and shares it with you.

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dancin’ in the rain
Nostalgia Laura Kay Young Nostalgia Laura Kay Young

dancin’ in the rain

Often, I’m asked either “Do you miss the South?” or “What do you miss about the South?” My immediate response is dancing to live music at bars every weekend, the food, and summers. Out West, the awkwardness of sitting down to watch live music feels incongruous with how we are meant to experience music and I’ve always thought it was a Seattle quirk but am discovering the absurdity of it is more widespread. How can one sit? I wonder. So when I think about my young adulthood, what I’m most nostalgic for is dancin’. In the rain, in the bars, down the street, on stages, with friends. I didn’t realize this phenomenon was part of my culture! Apparently, it’s a rarity outside of the South and oh how I miss it.

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Wydaho
Adventures with friends Laura Kay Young Adventures with friends Laura Kay Young

Wydaho

Michaela and I chatted over the phone to solidify our plans a few long weeks before the culminating holiday weekend of the summer. We were determined to trek across the Tetons. Ok, I was determined and Michaela willingly supported that dream. After discussing shared gear, food, timing, and routing, I lined up other close friends to drop us off in the park. I couldn’t believe my luck, Michaela was finally coming up for a visit and we were going BIG!

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walking with purpose
healing journey Laura Kay Young healing journey Laura Kay Young

walking with purpose

My close friend from college, Craig, and I often walked around campus together in the evenings. Despite my short stature, I kept up with his long-legged stride. And he fully appreciated this factor. Even complimented me. He phrased it as such, “you walk with purpose.”

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mud season
healing journey Laura Kay Young healing journey Laura Kay Young

mud season

When the snow melts and the brown of the ground fools you into believing in elapsed time warps. Is it Fall again or simply Winter hanging on for dear life? Will Spring erupt soon or are we destined for unsightly mud for another two months? All of it seems to ring true.

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how i plan adventuring
Adventure Laura Kay Young Adventure Laura Kay Young

how i plan adventuring

Are you of the plan-n-organize all my summer adventures out in detail by January variety or more of the last-minute off the cuff morning of adventurer type? Possibly a hybrid of the two styles? If you’re in the market for a Spring planning and prep guide, you are very welcome to use my framework.

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