Don't Give Up!!

Searching for antlers on May 15, 2022. I found several, & stashed them to be picked up later, as it's too heavy to carry them all day. I ventured back into a new canyon, ground I had never walked before. Hours later, and very tired, I was about to turn back as I still had miles to go before I was done..... but then I turned around again, and decided to push on a little farther. A mere 200 yards more, and there is a beautiful 6 point elk antler, just waiting to be found. It turned out to be my best day ever; 12 elk antlers, 4 deer antlers, 20 hours hiking with two naps, three quarts of water, six tangerines, some fish jerky, and one almond butter sandwich. Lots of deer and elk, plenty of bear sign, and surprisingly no lion tracks. Hiked the last two hours under a full moon after the eclipse had passed. A day I will never forget.