December Colors?

What colors does December offer in

the dullest of all the months

of the year?

December is known for being the most overcast and dark month of the year. Well, at least for those of us in this part of the world.

The days are cold, dull, overcast...and the days get shorter and shorter. What beauty can be found outdoors in this month? Last month I challenged myself with November. Now? Maybe I'll challenge myself with December.

At least that will be easy for moment. There have been some great morning and evening skies to admire.

A long time friend that used to be a neighbor and I went with her son on Thursday evening just after sunset for a night hike along old 131 trail in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.

When we dropped from the ridge to the valley, the temperatures dropped at least 10 degrees. My friends commented on that and I suggested we walk up and out of the valley. We did. As we walked, we were able to catch glimpses of meteors streaking across the sky. This was at 6PM when the meteor shower was not supposed to be at its peak. 

We were able to find the Milky Way and searched for any other stars or constellations we could recognize. I'm not very good at that at all. We found the Big Dipper on the northern horizon and the Milky Way stretched overhead from East to West.  I wanted to take a couple of shots, but that takes time to do.

I asked Briar who will be turning 12 next week to be my model. He was cold but he agreed to stand still and look up into the sky with a headlamp on.

This was a one shot deal and thankfully, I got it!

Those guys were chilled, so we hiked back to the car and drove to their house where we visited for a while before I left.

I got up early the next morning to continue my early morning walks with Charlie. I normally hike across the fields so I can watch the sun come up and enjoy the quiet sounds of the rest of the world waking up.

I was not disappointed at all. The skies lit up like fire. 

I set the camera in the cornfield and put it on a timer. I trotted out a little distance so I could capture myself enjoying the show.

It sure was incredible. And it seemed as if it were never ending.

Charlie and I walked back towards home and noticed that the only sounds we heard were a few birds and some dogs barking off in the distance.

We had the whole world to ourselves.

Tonight we are supposed to have patchy fog and rain. Sunrise on the ridge tomorrow morning might be worth looking into. Fog always makes things much more interesting.

The colors aren't just in the sky for December. I hope to find something exciting in the forest also.

Looking for colors in December.

A good challenge.

Afternoon Adventures!

I got a chance to get out with young friend, Briar, who is the son of my ex-neighbor.

We decided to get adventurous and explore uncharted territory in the Reserve. I say uncharted because this area doesn't have marked trails anymore. 

Did it matter that there is a 55 year difference in our ages? Nah, well. Sort of. I can drive. I'm supposed to be the adult. But the both of us were eager to explore some uncharted territory.

Once we got to our destination, Briar informed me that his class had been there two years ago in the winter. They'd gotten to climb up and down and ice formation and explore the rocks.

The area is unique in that the cliffs and the river combined with a heavy forest canopy create a special environment for cold weather plants that generally are not found south of Canada. This I learned from my young friend.

Just below this bluff on a deer trail, we found Mother Nature's version of the Lily of the Valley. Not an invasive species! However it loves damp cool forests near water. 

We went on to discover more incredible rock formations and incredible tree roots!

The rock ledge with Briar on it for comparison:

We spent a long time in this area so Briar could explore only in the way a lithe and nimble young person can do. We did some crevasse climbing and exploring. Charlie checked out tiny rock 'shelters' that were like miniature caves.

Both Briar and I marveled in the beauty of it all. 

While climbing, Briar often stopped and looked at me and said, "Don't worry, I am being careful." 

When we return, we will hike up from the bottom of these bluffs and explore the little rock caves and crevasses.

As we headed out along another trail that took us to the highway, we stopped to say hello to a woman who was picking garlic mustard and stuffing it into a bag. 

We talked a bit and then she asked how we got on this trail as it wasn't on any map. She emphasized THIS trail and NOT on a MAP.

I smiled and answered simply that I used to hike here 25 years ago and I knew the old trails.

Briar piped up and told her that his class had taken a field trip here two years ago in the winter. 

There is a reason the trail is not used any more and not on any map. I'm pretty sure that there are some plants that are pretty rare that grow in that area. It wouldn't do to have bicycle and horse traffic tromping all around on sensitive soils and plants.

The location of area is safe with me. It is hard to get to and the trails are so faint in most of the area that it takes a sharp eye and knowledge of the land to find it.

I may go back in a week or so to see if those rare plants are blooming. That surely would be a site.

Charlie and Briar dozed off on the way back home. 

Some things never change.

What a great afternoon.