Mini Road Trip

Well. Saturday morning I wanted to get out and go to the ponds where I'd seen the Swans. I brought my long lens along and a different one in case things didn't quite work out.

They didn't.

The Kickapoo River Valley had decided to fill with fog.

I could see this from our ridgetop when I got to it. The valley and low areas were filling in with fog. I decided to go and explore anyway.

The drive along the highway in the valley was slow because of the fog. Well, the fog and the deer. 

Taking that drive near dawn on a Saturday morning meant that I wouldn't see a lot of traffic. I could take my time and stop if the mood overcame me.

I pulled over in the low lands. I've always wanted to stop and 'shoot' as it looks like something out of a movie. It reminds me of the Swamp of Sorrows in the Never Ending Story movie.

I couldn't decide if this should be in color or black and white. I am actually leaning towards the color version which shows the bright yellow grasses as they are fading. But the black and white version is the mood I get from passing this wetland on foggy mornings.

I hoped that I could get above the fog at Warner Creek and look down from the small bluff that overlooked it. Maybe if I waited a half hour or so I could have.

For fun I tried out my ND built in filter to take a 1 second exposure of the creek. I set the camera on the bridge railing and held it still. In the fog and rising sun, the colors in the weeds and brush along the creek shone with colors of fall.

Charlie was happy to get out of the car and take a little walk with me. 

My inner clock of 10 years said it was time to turn around and get going. I got in the car and we started back down the road. Fog had cleared in parts of the area, but when I went over Jug Creek Bridge, I saw something amazing with fog and light.

I was going to pull over but thought better of it with a truck that had come racing up my tail. So at the next road, I signaled and pulled off to go back. I'm glad I did.

Jug Creek was the winner of the amazing views of the day.

This shot was looking east on top of the bridge and down at the creek.

I walked across the bridge and took this shot. The shadow of the bridge darkens the bottom of the photo.

In the distance are the hills and bluffs that I have climbed to watch the sun come up.

I looked down at the creek and took this next shot. There used to be an equine trail that crossed the creek so that no equine had to come up on the bridge and deal with motor traffic. I'll never forget the time we rode with a group and a gent's horse decided that the creek was a great place to cool off.

The horse laid down in the creek and the fella jumped off. His boots still had water in them when we got back to camp. There are fond memories way down...there....

By this time the traffic was picking up and I decided to find another spot to turn around. I went down Jug Creek road and was presented with some more glorious fog opportunities.

I drove up to the next intersection and turned around. The fog was lifting.

Oddly enough, the fog remained pretty thick on the drive back home along the river. 

But I didn't stop or take any more detours as it felt odd to be away from home. Plus I had chores to get done, a cabinet to finish, and paperwork to fill out.

Early Mornings

Friday morning was incredible. Although I wish everyone had planted soybeans instead of corn. Corn gets to be sOOOO tall! And I am SOOOO short! Getting a good shot of the ridge is hard.

This was pre dawn. 

Charlie and I wandered up our gravel road and pretty much did a daydream walk. I dreamt about life, possibilities and ...well, how hot is was and how many skeeters wanted to EAT me even on the road.

I'd lie if I said that Covid B*tch Delta wasn't on my mind and how would IT affect us through this next fall and winter. Last year it was a challenge to be met and to be dealt with. This year, it feels like a real drag. 

Having a spouse that would be negatively affected by any virus or bacteria makes things feel a bit more concerning.

But on to other things. Fog.
It is that time of year.

I missed getting out for the full moon rise but managed to grab a not so interesting shot of it on Saturday night.

I couldn't sleep past 3:30 am, so I got up made some coffee, filled a bottle of water, and headed off into the night by 4:30. 

The drive was super foggy and a few times I stopped for deer in the road. The drive during the day is about 30 minutes. Add night time fog and there is another dimension of s..l..o..w... . But it was actually better to drive that twisted river road on a Sunday morning because there was absolutely no traffic to contend with.

The hike and climb take about 15 minutes in the dark. Slowing down for the deer put me behind schedule and I just about missed the moon setting over the bluff to the west. 

The view from the bluff was amazing. 

Yes, I brought coffee and Rabbit and Bear.

Sometimes you just have to share these magical moments.

Remember Bear

I am always 

Here for you

And then the magic happened all at once.

I made it home before the other half woke up. 

I really cherish those few hours in the morning I have to myself. It seems like it is the only time I get to regroup and face the oncoming challenges of the day.

 

Meanwhile Fall is Glorious!

A cool foggy morning. The sun begins to come over the horizon and the fog turns orange.

Fog and hills plus sunlight = amazing.

Sidie Hollow County Park on a rainy Saturday.

Under the sugar maples on a sunny afternoon.

Ridge road to the creek in *Van Gogh* style.

Even just walking up to get the mail is amazing.

The hickory tree has turned golden and will be brown in a few days.
We had over 2 inches of rain last night and everything is misty looking and very sodden.

The cloudy overcast light has a certain way of enhancing the colors. Perhaps I'll be able to get out and enjoy some more color before entering the 'brown' season.