The Elk Country Hideaway is a home away from home. Ginny has anything and everything you could think of there at the house. It is modern accommodations, big screen TV, A/C, dishwasher, washer dryer, hot tub, and wrap around deck. All you need to take are your toiletries, food and clothes. But the best part is the wildlife that is on parade here at the house at all times. Deer, bears, turkeys, foxes, raccoons, and of course the Elk. There is even a journal that they ask you to write in while staying to tell about what you saw during your visit. The book is full of elk and wildlife sightings.
Don had to work Thursday and Friday so Jimmy and I headed up to Benezette. Once arriving we put out my trail camera near a tree where Ginny puts out bird seed for the squirrels, birds, deer and whatever else wants to dine. We figure this would be a good way to see what we miss when out riding around looking for elk, or at night when we are sleeping. Jimmy and I weren’t at the house and hour; we just got settled in and were sitting on the deck, when we saw 2 gobblers walking up the path by the house. Shortly after some deer arrived in the yard. We took a short ride and saw one cow elk down the road from the house.
The next morning we awoke and I went out and changed SD cards in the trail camera. We had over 140 pictures and to our surprise…just minutes after we went to bed, we had a huge black bear at the bird feeder.
The rest of the pictures were deer and raccoons and a pesky skunk. Jimmy and I decided to eat our breakfast out on the table on the deck. So after cooking up a hearty breakfast I delivered Jimmy’s plate and walked back inside. A few seconds later I hear Jimmy in a loud whisper, “MOM, MOM” Upon looking outside I see a black bear approaching the yard on one of the paths. So I told Jimmy it may be best we eat inside buddy. He came in and we watched a smaller black bear different than the one that was on the trail camera the night before, come in and eat at the bird feeder and walk around the yard.
The rest of the day was spent playing cards, watching a movie, time in the hot tub and taking a ride to the local shops.
Jimmy relaxing watching a movie.
Jimmy and I saw a young elk feeding right beside the road right in front of a house.
Later in the evening when Don arrived we took a ride and saw over 30 elk in a field near by. We also saw a few cows and calves in a field with a beautiful sunset behind them.
Upon returning to the house we pulled up to see deer in the yard. Two small bucks and a doe. Then shortly after a gray fox came in to join them. Not long again appeared the bear. Needless to say the other wildlife scattered. About an hour later he left and then shortly after a whole family of raccoons visited. This is one of the reasons we love this place so much. The never ending wildlife sightings right out the kitchen window.
Saturday was spent again just relaxing, watching wildlife and our evening ride. We took a different Route towards Hicks Run and saw plenty of deer and elk feeding. We even were fortunate enough to witness right alongside the road a doe nursing a fawn. Upon driving back to the house 15 yards off the road was a majestic trophy 7 by 6 bull elk. He was awesome! Another 6 by 6 Bull was down the road from the house with a few cows feeding in a field.
Unfortunately this year we did not see any elk in our yard as we did last year. I think it may have been because of the all too frequent visits from the bear, but we saw plenty of elk and wildlife. The vacation was so peaceful and relaxing. My kind of vacation, no phones, no interruptions, just family and nature. Every year Jimmy says when leaving, “I can’t wait until we come back.” We always hate to leave and while driving home we are planning when we can come back again. I know this is a true vacation that I hope we can make for many years to come!
Teresa
Don and Jimmy enjoying the campfire.
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