Leap Day!

12 years ago today, my friends got engaged. It happened on our college campus at the statue of our mascot and his best friend arranged to have the moment photographed.

They go back every Leap Day and take a picture of the family as it expands and grows up.

I tell this story often….or whenever I pass the statue….

Why?

Besides the fact that it is sweet, adorable, etc……How can a story and a tradition like that not be shared?

Smatterings....

Smatterings That I Meant to Blog About….But Didn’t…

Weeklong celebration of my birthday - dinner with TGP's parents, 16 megapixels of fun, Ren Faire, my family get together and presents!

Hurricane flooding aftershocks – have to wonder if the people are panicking every time it rains

The memories that pumpkin spice coffee pulls from the far reaches of my mind.

My adventurer spirit – just pack up and go. I do like to plan ahead but the logistics do not drive me crazy for a spur of the moment road trip.

Fourth Letter…

I am trying not to worry…

Or think about what could happen….

Or how this could fundamentally change you as a person…

I have a package ready to go….

I wish that I could include a live hug in it….

Be safe.

************************************************************
That was meant to be posted after I mailed the package…then life got in the way and it was never sent.

So much for being supportive....but the sentiment is true.

Even though we do not see each other that often, my world would not be the same without you.

Welcome home my friend.

You were missed.

Raptors...

This past Sunday, we headed out on a Raptor Watch…not velociraptors but actual birds of prey. There was a promise of owls but the group had about 25 people so there was no chance of stealth…. And yes, even though I am usually the loudest thing in the woods, I can make jokes about stealth!

Turned out that the expected all day hike was a “drive to a location, spot the bird, debate about what it really is, then drive another 20 minutes to another site, watch people try to park and do the cycle all over again” type of an event. Not what we had been expecting but we did have fun.


I got to see a few birds that I have never seen before – Northern Harriers, Eastern Bluebirds and Pin Tail Ducks (they have nifty blue beaks!) Bonus find was a muskrat! (I thought it was a mangy cat)

It was really neat to spend time with a large group of people can ID on the fly – it was like having a live version of the Audobon app! Talk about instant gratification!!

The amusing part was also spending time with a large group of people who can ID on the fly…..”Look, it’s a wood duck!”….it wasn’t….”It’s a mink!”…it wasn’t…..and so on…

By the way, these are Cedar Waxwings...

I learned a lot and would definitely do it again – just with a bit more hiking!

Feed Me Seymour...

A "simple" amaryllis...



Something extra in there...two buds?

Yeah, two!

But wait...there's more!

The second bloom actually had four flowers - The fourth came out after these three were done!

When Pony Met Freya....

There was an instant connection....

More Beeps!

These cars were not visible from the trail - I only saw them in the distance after I got down to the level of the first car I spotted...

Remnants in the distance...

And then I turn and see this one....Not as old as the others but still worth mentioning....and it also brings up the question that I ask every time I see one along the trail - how did it get there??

Beep!

I had heard that there was another car in the woods and happened upon it during my hike to see the mine opening.

But wait! What is that in the distance??

Trail Find!

Hmm....





It ended up in a new location....

Mining....

I live near what used to be a substantial mining region and one of the things on my hiking wish list is visit all the former mine shafts that can be found. I took advantage of the fanstastic weather Sunday afternoon and visited the one that is easiest to find.

Batman? (It's a hibernation location for bats now)

I also trekked up the trail and checked out some of the foundations from the buildings that used to stand and discovered this pit too (probably not a pit).



The mines were full of iron ore and resulted in a rather large village near the mine. So, as you hike along, you come across a cemetary seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The storm that we had in October really did a number up here - sad to see and to also know that it is low on the priority list for cleanup.