I figured that it was time to share a funny mountain adventure with you. They happen often to me and I just go with it. Ethel Barrymore said, “You grow up the day you have your first real laugh-at yourself.” That being said-lets laugh together! It’s my hope this finds you on a day when you need a good laugh. It’s a story involving me and a marmot. You might wonder-WHAT IS A MARMOT!? I’m glad you asked. In case you are not familiar with a marmot, a picture above shows you what they look like. They are found in the mountains usually in rocky areas-and thrive in high alpine rocky conditions above tree line. They are usually lazy and like to just lounge around but can get territorial if they feel you are trying to mess with their home.
This adventure finds myself and my husband driving in a jeep on Stony Pass. It’s a 4×4 road only. True to the name, Stony Pass was very rocky and bumpy. On the way up, I drank a lot of water due to high altitude and nerves! I just kept chugging it. It really was a bumpy narrow road! Soon I discovered that I had to pee-REALLY BAD! You know that moment when you have to go so bad its really all you can focus on? And as a girl it’s not as easy for us in these moments when we are in nature! Usually you manage to find a tree to hide behind and do your business. However, the road up is a dead drop off. There are no places to squat behind a tree-as the trees are all off the edge of the road!!!! As we travel higher, it gets worse because we hit tree line and drive out of the trees. Did I mention this road continues to get even bumpier!?! This is not helping things! We finally arrive at the top! YAY! We take pictures and begin the decent.
We round this corner and I see the perfect place to pee! It was an outcropping of boulders that I could hide behind. And at this point, I was quite desperate! All around us is just high alpine tundra in clear view. I could not be happier to see the boulders. My relief was in site! No sooner have we pulled off the road, my hand is on the jeep handle to get out, when this marmot pops up on the top of the rock. He has the meanest look on his face and was showing his teeth and everything. Just google Marmot teeth and you will get the picture! As if he knew what I was going to do and was saying-NOT TODAY SISTER! You are not going to pee on my home! You know that look your mom gave you when you were caught trying to steal a cookie? It was like that, but meaner with more teeth. At first, I thought I was imagining the mean face. I mean seriously its just an animal. Then my husband looks at me and says-I don’t think that marmot wants you to pee here. It’s true! THE MARMOT WOULD NOT HAVE IT! Marmot-1, Me-0
The drive down was ROUGH. And finally at the bottom I found a spot! And thankfully-as luck would have it-there was not a marmot there!
