Over the Hills and Far Away
2January 11, 2015 by Mike Oscar Hotel
Paul Burton has been a friend of mine now for a few years. He’s a good guy with a great family and I was excited when he agreed to accompany us to the High Plains on Saturday. Being that we are stewards of land and not truly owners, I like to share the experience when I can. After working on the stove, the three of us (my boy included) decided to hike the hills. It’s one of my favorite things to do when we are there. I could hike these hills all day for days on end.
Upon arrival, Burton pointed out that there were more dwellings around than he imagined and I said that’s what most people say. By the end of the day, we had stopped several times just to listen to the silence. It really is amazing how quiet is there.
I was pleased to see coyote tracks. There might only be one or two of them, but it is a start.
We saw many rabbit tracks and in one area, we think we saw where a coyote and rabbit met. There was much disturbance.
I can’t wait to get back again. Now that we have the stove, there won’t be as much need to wait for perfect weather. Speaking of weather, it was over 40 degrees and as you can see, we were hiking in our long sleeve shirts. No wind. We could not have asked for a better day in January.
Pax Domini Sit Semper Vobiscum,
Mark Oliver Howes
The Tiny Homesteaders 
Great pics…I love the one looking down onto your land from the high ground…whose little building is that in the right corner of the pic?…yours, too??
Man, I wish! It belongs to the lot beside us. I went into county records and got the address of the guy who owns it. Send him a stamped letter asking if he was interested in selling. The building is in disrepair and he hasn’t been there in 20 or so years (estimating by the trash around the site). Anyhow, he called me and wanted $25,000. I almost choked on my wheaties. I only paid $6,500 for ours. He can keep it. I’ll just “watch over it” while he’s gone.