More Wet!

 and....

Sunshine is home! 

We got her home just before the rains started. 

Oh and after greetings with her sister, Sunshine settled in as the boss of the tiny herd. I guess the others have been missing her leadership. 

They follow her where ever she goes.

Since it was pouring outside, I thought I'd try something different. I collected some leaves aa few pumpkins and set them on an old mirror I had.

I thought I'd try a reflection-Fall Decoration shot-with reflections.

Not all of the shots turned out, but I did get two that I kept. This was pretty fun to do and I think I could do better but just need to figure that out.

I thought I'd try a Garden Gargoyle with a pumpkin and a red leaf. So I tried two versions.

I made my own 'black box' to try this out also. A light underneath the characters and carboard to keep out the light. Some fallen flower petals from a flower...and...

👇😊

The rain let up and it was a light mist by noon. So I packed up a backpack. I'd been stuck inside for too many days. 

The dogs were not letting me out the door without them, they'd been stuck inside too. So off we went in a drizzle for an adventure.

And we had a good one.

Just as we got to this bluff the rain started coming down hard so I slipped on the poncho which covered my backpack and me all the way to my knees.

We waited out the heavy rain and then ventured out on the bluff.

The view

Here is a shot of the mist coming up out of the woods after the rain. This happens often in our steep valleys and hillsides because of the temperature difference inside the woods vs the air above.

My pals.

We got wet but surprisingly enough we didn't get muddy. We got to see the fall colors in their best light. In my opinion the best light is early morning, late afternoon, or an overcast day. But that is just me.

We got home and dried off. The drizzle kept on off an on. We ended up with about another inch of rain overall. 

This is the new header which replaces the summer view from the bluff.

Today, for the first time in what feels like forever, we have a clear and sunny sky and temps barely in the 40's.

Exploring

I know this trail well, I've done it several times but never in the winter. So after discovering this valley of ice one of my friends who I met through the gym asked if she could go along. She wasn't sure if she could handle a long hike but I told her we could cut it short.

I told Pat that my favorite way to hike was to stop and look at things and not hurry as if we were in a competition.

I found out that she is that way also. When she found Turkey Tail Mushrooms on a log she had to stop and investigate and photo them. We found tiny branches with burls on them and she collected them along with some fascinating Lichen we found on a stick in the trail.

This is Pat's winter Lego person investigating mosses we found on an old white pine stump.

I was 'hunting' ice and we found quite a bit of it.

We stopped here and I was enamored with the ice and the pines. Pat found more fungi and interesting pine cones. She explored mosses and whatever else captured her attention.

We marveled at the Hemlock trees that clung to the small bluffs.

We had a pretty good laugh at one of the little stream crossings that had thin ice and water flowing. 

I tested the ice like a goofball and jumped on it.

I broke through the ice. I fell on my butt with my boots in the water and jumped up and across the stream.

I'm not sure what Pat thought, but I laughed with such joy that she decided join in. My one foot probably got wet but my butt was dry.

I asked her if she thought I was crazy and she just smiled. Then she bent down to take a photo of the tiny stream. She jumped the stream and went on.

When we got back to the parking area, I informed her that we'd done just over 5 miles and I asked her how she felt. She said fine. The point was, we were going on an adventure not on a strict hike. The steps went by as we enjoyed nature and each others quiet company.

I asked if she'd do it again. Affirmative. She enjoyed herself.

Through this past year and the death of my husband, Pat has quietly given me support and listened to me without judgement. She doesn't tell me how to get through it and offers none of the platitudes that others give out. On some days when we meet at the gym and work out with the group, she brings me a 'Care Supper'. 

I am finding that this quiet unassuming southerner is probably one of the best girlfriends I could ever have.

I am looking forward to more exploring with her. They will be trails I've already familiar with, but to take another person with fresh eyes is always a special delight.

 

It can be a solo sport....

I watched the weather and saw that it wasn't supposed to rain Saturday morning. I was excited about that and mentioned at the gym that I was planned to go on a sunrise hike. Another lady said she wanted to go. She knew where to park and when I said...."Um, Okay. I will be there around 5AM."

She blinked and said, "Great! Sounds perfect!"

She lives 15 minutes from that parking spot. I live 30-40 minutes from there...it depends on how fast I can drive on a twisted highway with jumping and running hordes of deer. 

Friday evening I got a text: Sorry, but I need to rest up in the morning.

I wasn't surprised, a gaggle of gym folks were meeting at another coach's house for a campfire, singing, and some fireworks.

I texted back: No problem.

Because, really, it wasn't. I'm often surprised if anyone wants to meet me and go hiking. I'm generally a bit skeptical. Mainly because I am perceived as a hard core hiker. But I am not. I hike to anyone else's ability because it is fun to have company.

Except when it isn't.

When I am going solo, I can hike hard and fast as if I were in a race with myself. I know I do. One can't cover the miles going slow and get back home in time to make lunch for hubby. The things that slow me down considerably are amazing views and cool things I see. I always stop for that.

---

I had packed up my camera and backpack the night before so all I had to do in the morning was grab a cuppa decafe and head out.

The fog was intense so my drive took longer.

On the trip there, I counted deer just for fun. Too many.

From the parking spot to the top of the bluff is an elevation of nearly 300 feet. Over the years this has been considered a tough hike. I've taken a few folks here and I have to admit, it is a tough one.

However.
This time it didn't feel hard or even difficult. Charlie knows the way so he led.

I took the next 2 shots with my cell phone which has Nightsite. It was predawn and light enough that I didn't need my headlamp. Even most of the forest was fogged in.

When we reached the trail on the top, Charlie trotted out to the end of the bluff. He knew where we were going and I didn't even have to say anything to him. He is a good hiker.

The view is stunning even if when it is obscured by heavy fog. It literally takes your breath away [that is, if you weren't breathing hard from the climb itself].

And the first views of the sun were glorious. In the shot below you can see the shadow of the bluff I'm on in the fog.
I've never witnessed that before.

Charlie and I sat on the rock for a while and listened to the sounds of a Hoot Owl along with Sandhill Cranes somewhere down in the valley.

I settled down and watched the sunlight reflect off the fog. The fog moved slowly as if it had its own intentions.

I felt an inner peace that is hard to describe. I was only there in the moment. Breathing, watching, and listening. That was the only important thing on my mind.

I didn't want to be anywhere else.

Solo worked for me on this day.

Sometimes the smallest things can take up the most room in your heart.
~Winnie the Pooh

Exploring...

 

The photos above are some of what is left from the farms that used to exist on the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. In some dry runs you find car parts, tractor parts and things that the previous farmers tossed out on their farms. I have yet to find an old vehicle that still has an engine in it. I imagine recycling wasn't a thing in the 1960's and early 1970's.

149 farms were purchased to make way for a flood control project. What is not mentioned are the farms that were condemned for the project. I've heard from those whose families who were left with almost nothing for their land and homes. They are quite bitter still. The flood control project was halted in 1973.

That said, Kickapoo Valley Reserve has become a popular place for hiking, bicycling [no E-bikes allowed], trout fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and equine riding. 

In a way, it has actually benefitted the region more than the flood control project would have done. It took time, but local businesses are flourishing with the draw of the Reserve and Wildcat Mountain State Park not far away.

My reason for going was twofold. I needed some 'quiet' mental time, I wanted to look for Morels, and I had one more set of steep valleys to explore before the undergrowth got too thick.

I knocked off the Mule Trail Section 15 while I was at it. The Mule Trail joins Mule Camp also known as camp J [Mule Camp to the old timers] to old 131. From old 131 you can head off north, south or west towards Little Canada and the Ice Cave Trail.

I wanted to stay on the east side of the river. 

So I searched along the south side of the valley and enjoyed meandering along a stream that flowed into the Kickapoo.

The land varies. Pines dotted a section of the hillside, no doubt planted for harvest at some point by the original owners of the land.

The stream had a variety of trees in it. It was tangled with fallen trees and very wet.

I eventually came to this place of rocks and boulders. The north side of the valley was full of river birches and fallen boulders. 

Then I started the climb to the top.

...
I feel my boots
trying to leave the ground
I feel my heart
pumping hard.
I want to think
again of dangerous
and 
noble things.
I want to be 

frivolous and frolicsome.
I want to be improbable beautiful

and
afraid of 
nothing,

as though

I had

wings.

~Mary Oliver

I sat here and rested. It was a great place to watch the cliff swallows flying low over the wet lands and the river.

Views from the bluff.

Watching swallows.

I climbed back down and took a shot from the base of the bluff. I was standing in a wetland.

The red arrow points to where I think the 'hole in the rock is'. I guess I may have to get wet to actually walk up to it!

The bottom of the bluff where I was sitting and had lunch.

The rest of the hike was just not very interesting. I mean it was...but not like the feeling of sitting on the bluff eating an apple and having an orange.

I drove home feeling complete once again and vowing to go back to watch the river flow and the swallows fly.

Like a Rock

The hike to the top of this bluff is always a bit tough and last night I had two 30 somethings accompanying me. Teri was my ex neighbor and we've been friends for about 12 years and her pal came along also.

We thought it would be fun to hike and sweat and get a cardio work out hiking to the Rock. Once there we shed our extra shirts and took up spots to watch the valley below us.

I have to admit, I kept crawling around the rock taking photos and chatting. 
Duh. I'd ID a bird call or point out the obvious. I guess it must have been  obvious that I don't get out often with others. Generally I just mumble to myself and answer myself.

We fell into silence for a long time and just enjoyed the view. [I think I was quiet for about 3 minutes.] I really need to shut up.

I've never been to this rock in the evening. I'm so glad I did. The skies were rather bland but as the sun sank lower, the oranges came out brighter.

There were no clouds but the river and valley moisture was becoming apparent. 

A two shot pano looking east to south.

I commented that I could sleep up on the rock so I could watch the night sky and listen to the night sounds. My friends said I was nuts and I'd fall off the bluff. I laughed. 
Can you imagine what an adventure that would be?

It was time to freak my friends out. I crawled to the edge of the rock as twilight came and took a shot straight down over the edge. You may be able to make out the trail below.

I think the elevation from the trail head to the bluff is about 200 feet.

There is not a lot of room to maneuver around but I sure enjoyed seeing the sights.

We headed down as darkness descended. 

We got into the forest and turned off our lights to listen to the night creatures. There was what we decided could be some kind of bird making some really odd noises.

I said it had to be a baby Sasquatch.

When we got back to where we parked we were amazed at the sheer volume of fireflies. They danced and whirled silently, lighting up and glowing, then darting here and there.

I set up my tripod and entertained my friends by showing them how to 'catch' a photo of them.

We parted after discussing another adventure we hoped to do this summer. Stars or moon watching from the KVR Dam site.

I talked about light painting and had shown them on the bluff how fun it was...example below...

We thought it might be fun to engage in some light painting on one of the covered bridges.

They took off and I started to leave but something made me stop.

20 years now
Where'd they go?
20 years now
I don't know
I sit and I wonder sometimes
Where they've gone
And sometimes late at night
Oh, when I'm bathed in the firelight
The moon comes callin' a ghostly white
And I recall
I recall....

Bob Seger [Like a Rock 1986]

I didn't linger long because I knew Teri would be watching for my headlights to make sure I was coming down the road too.

Like

a

Rock...

My hands were steady
My eyes were clear and bright
My walk had purpose
My steps were quick and light
And I held firmly 
To what I felt was right
Like a rock...

The Wintergreen Trail

When the weather is crappy or I just need a nice trail that goes out and back, I like to hike the Wintergreen Trail. In every season it has something to offer that is interesting.

Summer provides cool fungi and hoardes of skeeters if it is damp. Winter can provide hidden Ice Falls and a frozen river along with colored ice from places where water seeps across the trail.

Fall can provide stunning views of the river before the green grasses turn brown. The oak and maples leaves cover the trail in a reddish hue which makes you gasp as you walk along.

Red and green. Nature's own way of decorating! Friend Bill and our fearless leader, Charlie took us on this hike. Charlie hangs out with Bill on a bench because when Bill eats an apple, Charlie always gets more than one piece of apple.

We had a conversation about this hiking sign. I told Bill that it was a warning to hikers that there were Carnivorous Trees in the area. 

I always make up some silly story regarding trail markers in the KVR. I can't help it. Bill kept trying to figure out what I meant. But that is Bill. 

He had a laugh when we reached the end of the bluff and I said "This is where the Little Ponies wanted to stop and look around!"
I dumped some My Little Ponies out of my back pack and started to arrange them in the unique ferns.

Bill just smiles and shakes his head when I do the toy thing.

Hey, MLP like to go on adventures too!

I climbed down to the prepiece of the bluff and studied the variety of moss and lichen I found there. There were so many colors and kinds.

I guess I'll need to get my Moss and Lichen books out to see if I can even find something that look similar.

We ambled back to the parking area and parted ways. Charlie was more than ready to take a nap in his car seat. 

Tonight I may have a chance to see the Northern Lights. I need to brush up on any sort of photo skills I could try to get a picture of them. If not. I will just enjoy the experience.