Do you wanna go out for coffee?

 ~~ and see an incredible sunrise?

Olive replied ~~ Coffee? Sunrise? I'm down with that!

I picked her up at 4 am and drove  through thick fog.  I parked on a dead end gravel road.

We snapped on our headlamps and I led the way. We chatted and hiked up and up and up the steep trail. When we got to another section, I turned through some trees. I found the footpath and said to Olive, "there you go, we just did the easy part."

She laughed.

15 minutes later, the sky had a predawn glow to it and we walked out on the bluff.

Behind me, Olive gasped. 

Yes. I do too, each time I go to this place.

You can't help it.

The sun began to come over the horizon and we watched a sun pillar. It remained in the sky for a long time.

And..

we sat and had coffee and just listened to the Barred Owls calling and the birds awakening in the foggy forest below us.

We spent about an hour just watching the fog move and reflect the currents of air over the river and through the forests.

And here is a shot of the two of us...yeah, I look like a dork. But who cares???

I feel very odd without my signature baseball cap...

We parked at 900 feet according to the topo map. We had coffee at 1200 feet.

I asked Olive if it was worth getting up at that time.

Her answer: Totally.

Beware if I ever ask you to go 'out' for coffee to watch a sunrise!

We were back home before anyone in either of our households were awake!

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.

 

Valley Fog

 

Sometimes I just wake up so darned early. I checked the forecast and saw a little car icon where it looked like the car was disappearing into fog. The first time I saw that icon I thought it meant "Disappearing cars".
I wish I had the icon to show you, it is pretty funny.

The sun was beginning to rise so I hopped in the 'Ru to take a drive to the ridge and see if we had fog on the ridge or in the valley.

The fog would be in the river valley from the looks of things. So I headed to the highway that follows the Kickapoo. Highway 131 is a twisted curvy road that is in the valley. During floods parts of the highway generally have water over it. On the ridges the sun would be shining, but in the bottom, it would be fog.

There are very few safe places to pull off on this road. But there is one spot that is wide because the road has been repaired so many times. They put a black top coating on the side of the curve so the water wouldn't wash the shoulder gravel away when it overflowed from the backwaters.

I have always wanted to stop and 'shoot' this particular spot in Infrared during the day and also during the fog times or as the fog was dissipating. 

And there I was.

So...yeah, I really dig this old tree that lays on its side!

...and it was amazing.

The Sandhill Cranes were just casually walking about looking for food.

I pulled out my Infrared Camera and decided to try a few shots.

The cranes walked around and into the frame!

The peace and quiet in the fog was fantastic. The only thing I heard was the occasional vehicle on the highway. 
I suppose they glanced at me and just shook their heads. I noted a gravel road not far off that I could park in next time.

I'm looking forward to it.

Wake up early

I wasn't going to go, but the Rooster alarm on my Smarty Phone woke me up. Fumbling to shut it off, I knocked my glasses off the stand and they landed somewhere in the dark with a clunk.

Oh great, I thought, now my glasses are trapped by the Dust Bison under the bed. Ah, well I'd rounded up those bad little Bison the other day so maybe not. I slid out of bed to try and find the glasses. 

Damn that Rooster. But it was pretty funny. I located the glasses and grabbed the phone finally silenced the Rooster. Well. 

Now I was awake. I hit the button on the coffee maker while I checked the weather in the valley. Cold with warmer air on the ridge. The little icon showed a car with foggy headlights.

Perfect!

That was exactly what I was hoping for a bit of valley fog and no winds to blow it away. The coffee burbled while I grabbed a pair of leggings to put on under my cargo pants. Charlie peered at me from under the blanket on the couch. I patted him on the head as I passed by to grab my to go cup and shut off the coffee maker.

And there I was. Off on a predawn adventure. I was glad I'd done a trial run in the daylight and knew about how long it would take me to drive there and park. 

I was feeling pretty optimistic I halfway there my dashboard computer dinged and gave me a message that I had a 'low' tire. Well, if that didn't beat all! I pulled over and checked the tire pressure dashboard gauge and the tire was down 3 pounds. I looked at the rear tire and decided I was safe to drive.

That icon on the dash board was irritating as all get out. I find the new sensors wonderful tools but almost too sensitive.

I parked, grabbed my over the shoulder bag and turned on the headlamp. I was glad I'd also brought a small but bright flash light. The start of the trail is wide but it was nice to see more of what I was getting into than less. 

It was an 8 minute cardio pounding hike to the final trail. I stopped there and caught my breath. The forest was still silent around me. No bird calls, just the sound of the trees and rocks. I know ... trees and rocks don't make noises. 
But they do.

And then I reached my goal and I was stunned. I sat down on the rock and pulled out my gear. I took a drink of water and waited and watched.

The lighting was tricky looking northeast but the shadows and light were amazing.
I turned southwest, the predawn light lit up the valley below...

I sat and watched the valley fog rise and move. It looked as if it were alive with a mind of its own. 

I had the whole place to myself and I felt as if Mother Nature was putting on a show just for me. Oh I know that is not true, but it felt like I was the only person in the universe to see this. 

And I felt very humbled.

Before the sun came over the horizon, I packed up and left. If I timed everything right, I'd be back home before Rich even woke up.

One more glance over my shoulder.

Amazing.

I didn't need a light to negotiate the trail back down and some birds started to rustle in the forest.

I hurried to the main trail but stopped by the huge oak tree.

The sun was making its appearance through the leaves. I thought perhaps that one time I would have enough time on my hands to stay and watch the light change in the forest below.

I felt I could have stayed for hours.

Perhaps some day I can.

Back to the car and that damned tire icon. 

I got home safely and finished making coffee. 

How calm yet excited and renewed I felt after seeing something so incredible.

And that is why I like to wake up early.

The Moon and the Ponds

Tuesday morning I woke up with a start and suddenly I was wide awake. I warmed up some coffee and looked outside. The moon was so bright it lit up the yard and front pasture.

Most of the mules were laying down sleeping. I sipped the coffee and then checked the clock and sunrise time.

It was a split second decision. I scribbled a note on a sticky note, set up the coffee maker and headed outdoors with my Kurgo dog pack/camera bag. Time to take it for a test run. 

I've wanted to go to the Reserve and hike to the ponds by the river for more than a year now. This morning, it was time.

I felt a bit like I was indulging in a guilty pleasure by going. And I was. I was doing something I really wanted to experience and it would be a test run.

I shouldered the backpack into place and hit the lock button. The headlamp I chose lit up the way but I turned it off rather quickly.

This photo above was taken hand 
held at 2 seconds. Part of 
why I love this Olympus
brand so much.
Image Stabilization!

By the time I got to the Old 131 trail, it was light enough by the moon and predawn to walk without a light.

I stopped here and there to take some shots. Wow. I sure love my Olympus camera, the image stabilization along with an incredibly fast 25mm 1.8 lens allowed me to take most shots quite easily along the trail. Thank goodness too, it saved me from having to set up a tripod and take the shot.

I hurried down Old 131 trail and listened as the birds sleeping in the brush along the trail fluttered as I walked by. Most of the world was still asleep. I felt calm, energized, and fully alive.

The first shot is more true to the colors of the morning. Absolutely not much to go 'Wow!' over, but it was amazing anyway.
The water had a mist flowing and ebbing over its surface. I could barely make out a gaggle of Canada Geese slowly gliding through the fog on the far side of the pond.

Next I heard a loud splash and then another. I wasn't sure what it could be. Fish? Surely no huge fish like that were in these ponds!

Finally I could make out what was either a beaver or muskrat swimming. I tried getting a photo of it, but alas, it came out as a blob. So there was a blob swimming around!

I took the above shot and used a program called SilverEfexPro to create a black and white version. I really like this version better. 

I wanted to wait around for the sun to actually peep over the horizon and for the fog to turn that magical orange color. But my time was limited. I had done this on the spur of the moment and worried that Rich would wake up and not find me home.

I decided right then and there, that I'd set things up so I could spend an hour or so just watching the pond and sky change colors and take my time. I just had to plan it.

It is just amazing how the light and clouds change.

I turned away but kept my camera out for a bit.

As I left I grabbed a few more shots.

Looking back and down the trail towards the pond....

Heading back up towards Star Valley Trail and looking down the valley.

Walking up Star Valley Trail and glancing across the corn field towards Black Hawk Rock.

It hit me then that two trips would be in order. One back to the ponds and more time. And another ... 

Watch the sun come up from atop Black Hawk Rock.

To be above the fog by predawn and watch as the valley shifts and changes would be something to see.

To stand up there ... I'd be about 400 feet above the Valley floor.

How did the backpack preform? Excellent! It held my cameras in their special insert easily. I carried water and some other supplies. It fit comfortably.

So without a dog, I can carry equipment and supplies. With a dog? I can carry my pocket camera and supplies. 

Today...Friday, I'm taking Charlie and the backpack on a long hike with my friend Bill. I'll see how Charlie's 12 to 15 lbs are to carry!

Valley Fog this morning...

Well that is what the weather site said when I got up yesterday.

I fed Charlie, let him out, and then headed to the ridge.

Indeed, there was valley fog.

My only beef with the mornings now is that cell towers have been erupting on the ridges.

If the angle were just a bit wider here there would be another tower just to the left of the one in the upper left corner.
I'm finding that I have to get creative with compositions to avoid them on this sky line.
However, I guess that is the way of our world now. Cell towers are being built in this area like wildfire.
Our hills and valleys are so steep that we need many towers to provide coverage.
I used to have to drive to the ridge to get a tower, now I can get it from my home. However we maintain a land line.

Okay, I am off my soap box now.
Just enjoy the rest of my morning.

And then the sun tried to peek out...

and to the east...over the neighbor's cattle pasture....

...and then I headed back towards home and took one last shot of the orange fog over Riley Road.

...and one more of my other neighbor's round bales in the field waiting to get picked up and stored in her shed.

I had a busy day lined up.
Perhaps that is why I love early mornings, I get some peace and quiet time before the rest of the responsibilities kick in.