Lots of Orange and chasing Fall

Can't sleep? 

3AM and the house is silent. Too quiet.

Since nothing else worked, I got up. 

I lit up two candles and then noticed the nice light that shone on the fall decorations. I couldn't help myself but to set up the camera and see if I could capture the orange light tossed off by the candles.

By the time the sun rose, I was ready for something else to do. Charlie and I decided to take a very early morning walk. This is where our driveway meets the ridgetop.

I spent the rest of the morning clearing burdock and making brush piles in the mule's winter pasture. I cannot believe how many burdock plants there are! 

This area can't be mowed as it is full of rocks and logs.

We decided to take a break and hike the Rockton Trail on the Reserve. Bright orange and yellow were the colors of the day. There are some bow hunters in parts of the Reserve, but they are usually not near any well used trails.

However, bright colors are best thing for hiking at this time of the year. 

I parked at the Rockton canoe landing and headed down the Old 131 trail which is paved. Actually, it should be called the Old County P trail. The northern part of the Old 131 trail [as it is named now], was actually a county road that met up with the old highway.

Any time there was a heavy rain the County Road was closed due to it being right next to the Kickapoo.

You can see that the trail had river water on it from Tuesday's rain.

The river. 

I was standing on the paved trail when I took this shot.

One thing most people miss while biking, hiking, or riding horses on this trail are the cold rock vents. These little bluffs have cracks and vents in them. On a warm day you can stand on the trail and feel the cold damp air coming from the rock face. I've walked up to the rocks and cooled off on hot days.

The loop I did stayed mostly on the Ho Chunk land which is open for public use. This covered bridge replaced the county road bridge over a small stream.

After the bridge, I followed the Indian Creek Trail to the second Ho Chunk bridge. This trail leaves the Old 131 Trail and used to be a secondary road also.

Charlie perked up once we got into the woods again.  This section was rather muddy and the little dog really got his little jacket full of mud splatters.

When I got back out on top of the ridge I came across a gent who just loaded up his Spring Spaniel. We talked about Pheasant Hunting, Quail, Deer, and dogs. He was also a Forester who helped people decided what trees should be taken and how to keep a forest producing. He had a lot to say about clear cutting and poor forest practices.

We probably talked for a half hour. 

When we finally got back to the Blue Beast, there was a mom and two grandma's loading kids into strollers for a walk on the paved trail.

I was done chasing colors and leaf peeping for the day. Brush piles waited for me at home as well as a Charlie bath.

Charlie did not like his bath.

Another beautiful fall day completed.

Tainter Hollow and other places

 These were the views traveling along part of the Tainter Hollow roads I've never gone on before. There is Tainter Rd, Tainter Hollow Rd, Tainter East, and Tainter West. If that doesn't confuse you, you are not alone.

However, the drive isvery scenic on gravel back roads that go up and down and twist all around the valleys and hills.

Then I found this truck sitting in a field. 

When I was 22 and pregnant with my first son

I worked on a Potato Farm. 

My job was to sort potatoes as they came up the belt on the harvester I rode on. The ugly misshapen potatoes went into a large bin and the pretty ones continued on the belt to be dumped into the truck like this one below. When that truck was full, the gent driving would drive back to the farm and dump his load.

I often rode with that old fella back and forth to the fields we were working on. He was a hoot. He had a country boy's explanation for everything in the world. 

One of his funniest quips was. "I didn't get much of an education, my parents sent me to school on the second Tuesday of the third week of each month."

He was quiet while I thought about that one and burst out laughing. 

I was paid $1.90 per hour. My work hours started predawn and stayed until midnight if there was going to be a frost. If the weather was good, we'd put in about 12 hours and be done for the day.

The farm owners brought out a snack for us in the field at 10am and at 3pm. We made our own lunches and ate out in the fields also.

I actually enjoyed the job even though it was hard. The family who ran the farm were very good to us. 

When the season was done, I got 100lbs of the ugly potatoes. What can I say? We ate potatoes with all our evening meals. 

We eventually made it to the Mississippi River and admired the river bluffs.

Now that a lot of leaves have fallen and been blown down, I was able to see some of the homes on the bluffs.

Yikes. I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't want to be perched on that bluff, though the view has to be amazing.

Charlie can see out of this car much better than the Outback so he seems more comfortable. It was a good day even if it was overcast and drizzly.

A few things...

I got through another winterizing chore by having 608 Plumbing [and heating] come out and check out my LP wall heater and Mini Split. 

Dan the Heating Man came out and immediately gave his condolences. He and Rich had great discussions while Dan had worked on our wall unit a couple of years ago and when he came back to install the Mini Split. Dan is very kind and personable. 

He isn't just a heating dude. He is a concerned and empathetic tech.

Everything checked out with the LP heater and he found no leaks in the pipes or anywhere there shouldn't be.

It was worth the price [not much] for him to put my mind at ease for this winter's heat.

Olive texted me that she made some homemade chili and bread if I'd come and have lunch with her and her little boy Orson.  

I felt restless when I got home so Charlie and I went for a color --> leaf peeping walk in the neighbor's forest. I could see colors but getting to those trees was a challenge because of the logging.

This was the view from our land.

The overcast sky and slight drizzle made the colors seem more brilliant. We crossed the meadow and eventually made some headway into the logged area.

Some of the brilliant trees were impossible to get to or photograph because of all the downed stuff on the ground and hang ups of tree tops.

I did manage to get some nice shots. 

These three were in the rain.

I did get to see one of the brilliant red trees and the sun poked out briefly when I shot this one.

I eventually found the old trail which used to be absolutely stunning in the fall. I took a photo.

I can't wait to take a shot of this spot again in the winter with a fresh snowfall. It will be interesting to see how it changes. You can see through this forest now to another section of the hillside about a quarter mile away that hasn't been logged yet.

However, here is a shot from 2 years ago in approximately the same spot. The forest was so thick, you cannot see past the trail bend.

The forest regrowth could take up to 30 to 50 years to replace some of the trees. With the onslaught of invasive species of trees and weeds, it may never attain this beauty again. 

Careful and considerate logging would have provided a better result for the future of the forest. Anyway, that is my opinion.

It was still a beautiful walk and I think winter will bring more adventures as long as the loggers have moved on to the next section. 

To give you an idea of how large this section of land is, one of my walks that takes me in a large circle and back to my land is a 3 mile hike through two valleys.

My last note for this Friday.

Charlie and I went on another adventure to the Subaru Dealership. We had an issue and noise with my Outback which needed to be checked out.

When I turned in my keys with Charlie on leash at the service desk, the service people recognized Charlie and hollered out....

CHARLIE!!!!

then asked my name so they could look up my reason for being there.

I don't want to brag, but dang it, this little dog is SO personable that no one forgets him!

Charlie received a gift from the manager. It is called a Suba-Chew Dog Toy. Charlie was so smitten with it! 

it is supposed to look like an Outback, but Charlie quickly made it look 

like a horrid wreck had occurred.

There is a funny story about my visit to the dealership. The issue was taken care of which was covered under the warranty we'd purchased in 2018.

I'd hate to say it, but Subaru has treated me like royalty for the past 10 years that I've dealt with them.

Colors & Mojo

Fall is an amazing colorful time to be out and about if the weather is good. Through the fall, the sunrise decorates my eating area with unbelievable colors. I can't help but look at it in wonder.

Charlie and I took a drive to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve for a nice quiet afternoon walk. Note to self. Sunday afternoons are the busy times at the Reserve. 

However, there are enough trails that one can find a peaceful one to trek and not be bothered by others. On the main path, we encountered a lot of dog walkers, bicyclists, and a few horses. We kept to ourselves and found the trailhead to the Blackhawk Trail.

As expected, we didn't see anyone when we got on this trail.

Charlie got hot walking on the mowed path with no breeze, so I gave him a lift up and he enjoyed sniffing the air while I did the walking.

I really didn't pick the right time of day to go on this trail, but I felt the need to get out and get some fresh air after cleaning in the spare room most of the morning. I was making headway, but got stuck in a decision on how to pack things up or toss them out.

A hike would change my focus and then I could get back to the issue.

I've taken so many shots of this trail over the years I've hiked it, yet each time it seems new and refreshing to me. I didn't hike it hard as I had all the time I wanted. I could walk and pause when I saw something interesting.

With the winds we'd had a couple of weeks ago, so many trees have already lost their leaves. But deep in the forest I found a beautiful canopy of maples and other trees. The colors were just beginning to pop and glow.

Count me lucky. I found some glorious colors.

 

With the past two days being rainy and cold, I finished a purge and clean project. 

I identified the medals and ribbons on Rich's uniform and put the uniforms back in the bag so I can explain them to his grandchildren and even perhaps his daughter if she'd want to hear it. She might be impressed, though her father never talked about it.

I finished the table project and have given it a place of honor. Right away, I decided to use it for a fall Still Life.

I then couldn't help but set up another spot. This one is a planter, but I love the face on it. I use it mostly as a vase when I can.

This is the first time in ... a very long time that I've actually worked on something like Still Life or even Lego Photography. 

It felt good to goof off a bit. 

That table hosts my haunted mansion right at the moment. The Vampire Lady says, "Come on in, all are welcome!"

This is the first time in a long time that I've felt like having a bit of creative fun. I was afraid it had left me for good, but phew, there it is.

It's a wild life

Another doggy day...of sorts. I am still watching the neighbor's dogs and taking them for morning and evening walks. I took all of these shots with my cell phone. It is a Google Pixel and while it isn't too bad of a camera, I just decided to use it instead of my other one.

When walking the dogs mornings and evenings, it is easier to stuff a tiny phone into my pocket. I asked the camera to enhance the two shots. It added brilliance and colors. I think the shots are more brilliant and colorful than I saw it with my eyes. 
But I'm not going to change it. It is prettier than it was to the naked eye.

 I had a meeting at the bank with one of their financial people, got help from a teller for doing an auto deposit, got a few items from the store. Interestingly enough, I have not been shopping except for milk and cereal since the week before Rich passed away.

He was the ferocious eater in our house. Steaks and potatoes were the meals he requested for the last 6 months of his life along with many special requests. I honored all of them. Now I have frozen meat packages that I can't imagine cooking -- unless my grandkids come up and want steak with their supper.

I probably have a couple of years' worth of food stored in the freezer for myself.  My neighbor gets a CSA box throughout the growing season. CSA= Community Supported Agriculture. The box contains fresh produce each week from local home grown farms. I've had zucchini, squash, onions, peppers, tomatoes, fennel, kale, broccoli, and more stuffed in the boxes from the past two Thursdays from doing my dog sitting.

So my meals come about like this. I cut a bunch of stuff up that is fresh, toss it in a pan with some Olive Oil and sauté it. I eat it like that or make some rice to put it on. In a pinch for some protein, I grab some fresh farm eggs from Olive and mix it in with the rice and veggies.

Viola! I eat!

Anyway.......................

When I got done with my errands, I loaded my bicycle up along with Charlie's pet carrier and decided to try out the trail I'd done two weeks ago. 

Charlie did not seem excited or even happy about being stuffed in the trailer at the trail head, but he didn't whine or cry while I cycled. 

We stopped once in a while so he could get out and look around.

About 3 miles in some ladies were walking and asked if they could see my little dog. Charlie got out and charmed the heck out of them. I learned that one lady had just lost her husband a few weeks ago too. The other lady was also named Valerie, she'd just lost her doggy buddy of 14 years. We chatted on the trial about all the good things in life. 

It really lifted me up to meet them.

By the end of 7 miles, Charlie was feeling quite comfortable in his chauffeured carrier.  I did feel the extra 15 lbs of Charlie and the 15 lbs of the carrier by the time I finished the ride. Not so I'd be sore, but it was a nice workout. We'll do it again as long as I can find good flat trails. Charlie didn't even seem to mind the bumpy trail.

Views along the Pine River Bike Trail.

I will definitely come back in the spring during migration and walk this trail with my camera. I saw Kingfisher birds along with so many cool insects and dragonflies. I'll be heading to LaCrosse to get some things at a craft store and start to explore all of the nature trails that that city has to offer on Wednesday.

We ended the day with another dog walk along with packing up all the old stuff from Rich's sock/undie drawer. It made me sad to see that drawer so empty. So I filled it with my workout clothes. 

Meanwhile... a hike with Aurora!

 There it was, our annual date for our fall walk at KVR! Last year we did our fall hike at Wildcat Mtn State Park. 

Last year, our hike was in mid November. 

This year we were back at the Reserve. I was hoping to find brilliant and beautiful fall scenery, but depending on the type of trees, the colors were mostly gone. However that doesn't take away from the beauty of hiking with a friend and just having a nice conversation as we went.

A few shots of the trail on Big Valley. 

A section of Maples....

Poplars and birch, I think. 

Looking down on Big Valley from a high point
on the trail. The colors are muted but
still there.

Looking back through the trees...
I used an Orton Effect on this shot.
In my head I wanted this to have a warm fuzzy Autumn
feeling...

And...of course, I had to play a bit on the trail...

Mini-me and Charlie spot Big Foot!!!! How exciting!

After we finished off Big Valley, we headed over to the 9-10 trail which runs along the Kickapoo River. I wished that the trail to the little out of the way lookout had an easier access, I wanted to get Aurora up on the bluff by the pine tree I like so much.

But the thorny Prickly Ash barred the way. If you don't know Prickly Ash, it will tear at clothes if you are not wearing tough clothing like Carhartt.

I get to this spot each spring if possible because of all the bluebell flowers along with the hepatica...not to mention the skunk cabbage and rock formations. [ 9-10 trail in the spring ]

Last spring the same view...sort of... the spot I go to is on top of that bluff pictured there. The view down on the river is beyond stunning. Alas...not this day!

I sure had a whirlwind-ish week. 

But our hike was such so fun!