Do you wannah?

Do you want to go for a hike?

The reaction.

Immediate.

YES!

It is nice to know that sometimes I can just pick up and go. The scrappers have been absent. I think they just want a few more things and hopefully I am done with trying to guess their schedules.

I'd spent the weekend with Siera and making a campfire ring out in the woods, along with a place to put a tent. I hauled dirt for my washtub flower 'pots' and seeded other small areas.

The yard needed mowing sort of. But since I had the rider back it could wait until I was ready to do it.

I checked the times for travel to Wildcat Mountain with the big detour and was surprised that the detour would add lots of miles and time. I compared it to Wyalusing and found that the time would be equal even if it was 10 more miles of travel one way.

I have not yet hiked at Wyalusing in the spring pre-skeeter season, so I jumped at my chance.

I started down the Immigration Trail which led to the backwaters of the Wisconsin River and saw the sign that said the trail by the river was temporarily closed due to the flood. However the river had receded and I saw a bird photographer further down the trail looking around.

I ended up turning at the sign that said 'Bluff Trail'. The Bluff Trail that comes off the Immigration Trail is steep and difficult with rocks that are like stairs but also about knee high. With two rambunctious dogs on leashes, it was a bit tricky.

There are no pictures of the treacherous spots. I concentrated on footing.

We made the steep climb out of the valley. Miss Garmin said it was about 900 feet of climbing over a mile. But the view from the Bluff Trail was really quite beautiful.

We could see the river below and catch glimpses of Turkey Vultures, Eagles, and Red Tail Hawks.

I found lots of cool looking rocks and bluffs. 

We were actually below a bluff on this trail.

There was a little footbridge over a rock slide that I stopped at to give the dogs a drink of water and a break for me.

They are looking up towards the bluff top where we could hear birds and someone mowing in the campground up on top of the bluff.

There are hazards to having a dog or two along. Sometimes when you find something really cool, you squat down to take a shot of a wild flower...and....

But, I persisted.

Here is a flower that I have never seen in the wild before. A shooting star!

Imagine my surprise to find that this section of the trail was literally lined with them below the cold bluff rocks. I'm not saying a few here and there, but thousands of them.

We finally got to the steps I'd heard about tales about. Steep steps made out of wood up the side of the bluff.

...and doggy entanglement....

The steps were built by the CCC eons ago and still hold up. I doubt most people could walk up this slope without the stairs in place. In the winter, this trail is closed off due to it being steep and the one side having a drop off.

At the top of these stairs was a whole in the rocks that we could fit through. The trail goes beyond the rocks but the stairs built to descend were too steep for us to negotiate safely with leashes and happy bouncy dogs.

The dogs would have been happy to attempt them and I would have, but I'd have had to let the dogs loose to do it. 

I decided ... not this day.

We opted instead for climbing to the top of the bluff and finding one of the lookouts.

I did promise myself to come back without dogs, or maybe bring just one for the ease of investigating more cool plants and an easier hike ... this experience was like herding cats on a steep trail. Eventually we will get this down to a science and the dogs will be on a split lead requiring only one hand. 

But with every adventure, Hannah learns more and so do I.

Until next time...

I thought about the double dog thing and recall having a leash when I trained hound dogs that let me have two dogs clipped to the leash.

I looked that item up and ordered one, guaranteed not to tangle.

Well, there you go!

Maybe there will  be less entanglement and more fun next time!

We finished strong with 4 tough miles under our belt [leashes].  I think the most satisfying feeling was that I wasn't tired at all. 

Siera update.

I put Siera in the pasture in front of the house so I could keep an eye on her.

Siera did 'self - exercising' along the fence line. 

Her reaction was to walk up and down and complain. Below is the view from the porch.

She was a bit better ----> and then this Monday morning with the cold temps a bit worse. 

The issue seems to also be in her leg and shoulder. I guess time will tell. 

Yes, I have someone coming to see her. 

Update on that. 

Best guess is that she is stiff and sore either from some tearing around the pasture, age, or a strained muscle. It isn't like she will tell us anything. Everything is normal with her stats and she is eating and pooping just fine. 

The vet recommended to leave her in the pasture with her buddies. She can lay down when she wants, move when she wants. She is definitely off, but the vet wants her to move and not be confined. He feels that she will self regulate until she feels better. So it is a watch and wait deal.

I will probably then take Sunshine at the end of May to my friend's farm to ride instead of Siera. 

In 2010 Sunshine had a pretty radical injury which involved tendons and her shoulder and knee. We did put her in confinement as she was a 3 legged mule. X-rays didn't show anything, but the vet thought she'd injured her collateral ligament.

The vet didn't think she'd come out of it but we gave her the chance. After she was able to hobble around we put her out with the foals and she started moving and improving, slow but sure. She self regulated and did her own PT with her little 6 month old half sister.

In 6 months after that, she was riding [gently] once more. 

She is sound as ever right now 16 years later.

The mule pictured below is Sunshine who is 29 years old. 

I will be giving them all mule haircuts and riding Sunshine. She is not frail or even achy. When she and her sister decide to chase and buck in the pasture, it is a wonder to see. She is still the quickest and most athletic mule I have.

 

She still has it. This shot is from last year when they all got crazy going to the summer meadow. Sunshine is on the left.

I guess I should say that I'm pretty close to her as I pulled the birth sack off her face when she was born as her mom was exhausted.

Photos of Sunshine:

The little mule that could and always has done a good job.

She is tolerant of almost everything. One of the reasons I love her. Even kids who have no idea of what they are doing.

So the Siera Saga continues and I need to give her time to heal and recover. The progress is slow, just think of how we feel when we pull a muscle and how we recover. Siera is good with kids also, she is gentle and quiet.

Yet one more reason to make sure she gets back to good health with lots of tenderness and care.

Well there you go...

Well, I thought that Saturday would be boring with planting seeds, moving some rocks, and perhaps mowing the yard. None of that was going to happen.

My Peruvian Paso Mule, Siera, looked gimpy and didn't want to lead at all when I groomed her early in the morning. Her walk was off or she refused to walk which is odd for her since she is very good on a lead rope.

I noticed yesterday that she'd spent time standing quietly or laying down. I checked for colic and her gut sounds were perfect as well as her vitals.

I texted Danny who has taken over doing the farrier work for us. His dad used to come with Danny when Danny was apprenticing with him. Danny has done farrier and blacksmith work since he was able to pick up the tools.

He learned from a very skilled AFA Certified Journeyman Farrier, his father. He can make specialized shoes right out of the back of his truck and pretty much diagnose leg/foot issues faster than a vet. He and his father are recommended by vets quite often in our area.

So my text went to him and he said he'd come out in a few hours.

One thing for sure, in the 4 weeks since her last trim she'd 'Toed out' meaning her toes grew fast and long [which is typical for her]...but never this fast! So she was walking rather stiffly and ouchy. 

Danny saw that right away and worked on her hooves. He felt a bit of swelling in her lower legs and I commented that she hadn't been moving much for the past few days. Maybe she was 'stocking up' from standing and not moving.

Well, we hoped so.

Here is Danny trimming and also doing a hoof test for any possible abscesses. None were found and nothing was 'ouchy' in her feet.

One thing to recall about mules especially Siera. When some mules have an owie, they get overly dramatic.

Let's face it, this gal is The Diva of Mules.

 

Just as we finished up with her, the 'kid' who purchased the 1992 Toyota 4X4 straight truck showed up with a buddy. They had come to claim their prize.

His hunting buddy came along to help and they borrowed Frank's [plow guy] trailer to put the little truck on and haul it.

I cannot say this enough. This generation of hardworking farm men [in their 20's] are so polite. I keep hearing how entitled and rotten this generation is and so far I haven't met one in my community. Let's say this is the way they have been to my face. These young guys are mechanics and farmers, they work hard and play hard.

Matthew's friend took a look at our old Country Clipper and offered me $100 for it. I started to laugh and replied that, no it was not for sale. He really admired it.

I never got Matthew's friend's name, but we enjoyed some time talking about hunting dogs. He has a Blue English pup, a Plott, and a Black and Tan hound. He showed me some of the training videos he has done with them. Ohhh, how I miss the sounds of hounds. I almost asked him if I could come over and see his hounds, but held my tongue. Old crazy lady!

Below is a screenshot from the security camera in the shed. Matthew is using a come-a-long to bring the Toyota onto the tipping platform. Once loaded and tied into place, they pulled out of the shed.

I'm glad that Matthew is experienced in hauling. He pulled out and backed up the driveway to the field where he could turn the whole mess around and head up the driveway.

One more piece of 'stuff' gone!

As for the shed? I'm almost ready for a dumpster to be delivered. But now that I am looking around at the equipment and tools I have left, it would be a good idea to organize everything first.

I may even look into learning how to make some shelving for putting things up instead of piled in buckets.

Could be a summer job for me when I am not doing anything else.

Hopefully the rest of the weekend goes quietly. No rest for a farm lady.

A bit of the week

This has been a week.

One of the scrapper dudes showed up without calling. The 'security' cameras alerted me while I was making coffee.

Generally the dogs hear anything coming or going in the driveway. They missed Jim's quiet old truck.

I went out and talked with him for a bit and asked that I get notified before anyone shows up please.

Jim is super nice and quiet mannered [not at all like his fast talking brother]. He worked in the crushed garage seen in the shot below. He neatly stacked a bunch of fencing supplies in some bins and placed them outside by the driveway while he sorted items to take.

Below... frontal shot of the crushed garage. 
Soon to be torn down finally!

He then asked if he could pick up the aluminum cans that were piled next to the little shed. 

[Note: Rich piled them there years ago with the intent that he...and only HE could take them to be recycled! 
I picked my battles with him over the years and his 'stuff' was hands off otherwise there was a war.]

Jim picked up ALL of the cans by hand. He worked quietly. I don't mind him being around really. 

Here is a screen shot of Jim leaving with his goodies. I'm quite grateful for his persistence in a really grubby job.

We had some amazing skies this past week, we've had 3 nights of frost. I had to cover my petunias on the porch and some of the young plants that had reseeded themselves. 

Hurray hurray hurray! 

The hummingbirds showed up on April 30th. That seems early to me, but I could be wrong.

The Orioles made their appearance May 8th. Which is interesting in itself. Last year, they were here on May 5th.


 

Below is a one of my all time favorite shots of Mayapples. I need to get back out and check out their flowers which should be open by now.

I did a thing yesterday!  I want to put it down in writing and remind myself of how I am slowly adjusting to be an independent old cuss.

My garden cart that I pull behind the 4 wheeler had a tire that came apart. The tube was intact but the tire was ripping apart. My neighbor fixed the flat last year.

I am a determined person. [No pictures]
I took the tire off [something I had to figure out-->it was pretty simple]. I recalled Jim putting an old tire out in front of the crushed garage. I took the wrecked tire over and ... holy cow! They were the same!

I filled the old tire with air and it held just fine. I changed the tire and figured out how to do the cotter pin thingy.

My hands were greasy and black and I sat in the dirt pleased as punch. I felt like I'd won the lottery by solving the issue myself.

I'm slowly trying to organize things that are left in the shed. I found these instructions for the ancient drill press.

I told my Lego workers to figure out how to work it. I'm sure I'll never use it.

This weekend is going to be filled with at home work. Pretty boring stuff.

Gathering rocks for a fire pit, garden work, mowing [I got the rider back!].

Work never ends around here it seems.

Dreaming about

I am....
Dreaming of my vacation place.

It is among trees,

far from any roads,

far from any lights,

and far from the internet

and cell service.

Imagine a spot with so much beauty.
A place where Fireflies dance the 
night away.

A place with
glorious sunrises.

Steps away from this dream vacation spot are 

morning views that would make one 

sigh.

The night sky is more amazing than any television show
and it feels like the stars are performing just for you.

My goal for this summer was to do some travelling and camping at various State Parks.

I wanted to go to places I've never visited, the waterfalls of northern WI. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan. State Parks in Iowa that have interesting rock formations.

I wanted to take the dogs camping with me in a tent and see how we got along. 

But then this economical thing happened. With a fairly strict budget, with the thought of the cost of gas cutting into my budget for a long drive is becoming less and less appealing.

I'm going to still try and do some day trips to some other areas. But the thought of driving far distances with the pups and I to camp? Hmmm.

I want peace. I want quiet. I want no one else to listen to while in my camping spot. I want clear views of the night skies and the morning sunrises.

I want the dogs to feel free to run out of the tent with me in the morning and pee where ever they wish. 

Maybe I'll have a spot to cook a simple supper or have a little campfire.

And after all of those points I wish to have. 

BAM

I realized I have it right here without leaving home.

Well, for at least now. I will learn how to camp with my dogs and figure out what I need for that time I DO take a long trip and explore other places.

Hannah is standing in the area where I will be putting down some stall mats so that the vacation spot will have a 'floor' for a table and a couple of old chairs.

A fire ring of native rocks will grace the site along with a spot for a tent.

Facing the other way I can see an open meadow just footsteps away. A place I can watch the night sky and see the stars and the Milky Way.

Soon, the fireflies will begin to appear here and there across the meadow and in the forest. Night life will be amazing. 

So for now,

why dream about the perfect place to camp, when it is on my own land.

Exploring may have to wait. But I am patient.

Yard work...uffdah

Here is an update on the shed! 

Getting there!

I'm going to toss some good dirt down in the spot below as soon as they pick up those last pieces. Then I'll add some wild flower seeds to the soil. It will be interesting to see what pops up.

I can't mow that spot anyway and I hate week whacking.

Here is a shot of the old wash tub I saved from the crushed garage. It was NOT crushed! The scrap dudes got it out for me. That was the only thing I wanted from the garage.

I put this tub on the area I have to dig up every three years for a septic inspection.

I'll put showy begonias in the tub for some early bright colors.
 

One of the shops that sells, liquor, vape stuff, tobacco, fireworks, tools, clothes, and other odds and ends put up a little greenhouse this year.

I like their little store. I can get soil, mulch, and most of my garden needs within 3 miles from home. Their prices beat everyone else.

In our area, there seems to be an Amish greenhouse or a pop up greenhouse all over the countryside.

Forgive the shot of the crushed garage in the background. But it is THERE! My hopes are to have it demolished and graded out before spring is done! It will improve the view out my back door and bedroom 100%. 

With Hannah as the new helper extra-ordinaire, I have ended up needing to fence off the little gardens. 

She thinks they are great places to do her business or to dig for moles and voles.

I have light fencing that I cut up with wire cutters and surrounded the area. It does the job for now. 

I ordered some pretty fence pieces to put around the gardens to remind Miss Hannah to stay out of those areas.

I stopped in to check on the Country Clipper to see what the hold up was and...whoopsie! The guys hadn't done it yet. Mark looked shocked and his co-manager found the mower and came back saying somehow they never made up a work ticket. 

Well, I've done business with these guys for 30 years, so I just shrugged. Mark said I must be cussing them out when I mowed with the little mower.  I'm sure they have many customers that get all "Karen" on them. I'm not one of those. They'll have to me shortly.

After all, I did the mowing now twice with the little mower. I go at it for two to three hours at a time in the afternoon. I get it done and it looks nice. I think it takes about the same amount of gas to do it with either mower. 

However...

Gas prices jumped 20 cents over night here. I wonder if I will end up fencing off the yard in sections for some rotational grazing. Then I'd just mow the weeds they don't eat. Work less, mow less.

I hesitate to see what the gas without ethanol is going for. Last I got any, it was 5 1/2 bucks. 

I am planting mostly seeds this year. I'm trying to keep the costs for gardening down. 

After a long day working, I dragged out the camp cot and invited the 'kids' to chill out with me.

We ended up sleeping on the porch to test out how warm the sleeping bag would do for a chilly night. 

It did great along with two canine heaters.

Next week I'm going to try putting up the tent and maybe we'll try that out!