Going the distance

 A week ago I received this Garmin Vivosmart 5, fitness tracker. Unlike FitBit, you don't have to pay them a fee to keep track of things. This was on sale and I thought I'd give it a try to see just how active I really might be in my everyday life.

The nice thing about it is that I don't have to always remember to start and stop the walking or stepping part every time I am going to go do something. Before, I was using a MapMyWalk app on the phone. I had to start and stop it to track my hikes or walks that I planned out.

According to my MapMyWalk results, I've walked 143 miles through the 16th of June for this year. These were planned walks when I remembered to put my smart phone in my pocket and turn the app on when I was doing a 'walk' or 'hike'. 

This did not add in my daily routines of fence checking, chores, and other things I did. Just planned 'events'.

My son had given me his old Garmin watch in April to try out and I didn't get along with it and perhaps my non tech savvy was part of the issue.

I was curious, but not obsessed by how or what I do. 

I was pretty surprised by the distance I walked since the 19th. This includes my daily routines. 55 miles. Funny, I never thought that all of my movement around the farm and then doing simple things like changing gates or catching the gals for grooming would amount up like that.

I enjoy walking. I'd say most of my walking is meandering. But with the steep hills on our farm a walk is a bit more than just a meander...below is a screen grab of yesterday afternoon's walk. I was checking to see if any more trees fell down along the creek.

The blue color indicates 'low' land and the orange shows it getting to be an incline and the red is even steeper. 

Now I can tell why my 'walks' just to check fencing could be a workout in itself. I've done it for so many years it is just a routine now. 

I sometimes can just tromp up the hill and other times, I stop to catch my breath.

What does this all mean?

Oh not that much. I do a LOT of walking and I can do a lot of that while the other half is napping and not go that far away. 

There are some interesting things to observe in 'read' out. Since I've only had the watch for 9 days, I can't say much about it. The sleep part gets me laughing. 

I'm using the watch to actually tell time and to also provide entertainment. 

The shocker of it all?

The miles that were logged included two whole days of doing nothing but chores, reading, and taking naps. Those days, the smarty pants watch buzzed me a few times to 'get moving'. I laughed and ignored it.

I too need to recharge and I take advantage of rainy days and easy meals to do that.

I'm flabbergasted. I had no idea I moved and walked so much. 

It reminds me of that joke saying....

Here I am after a cardio workout at our gym. The choices for cardio were: running - rowing - stationary bike - x country ski. Everyone got to choose their 'poison'.

Alyssa and I went for the 200m sprint x 7 with a minute rest in between each 200 meters. She is pregnant and not quite 30. I am ... ahem 38 years her senior. And we both love to run and run together.

[She is the cute one!]

We did it! Next time, I am wearing the very cool sunglasses so I can look awesome.

As long as I am able?

I'll keep going the distance. 

Keeping Track

I find it interesting that the more technologically advanced we get, the more fascinated with tracking things we get.

I had a friend who posted every single day how many 'steps' she took. She wore a fit bit gizmo on her wrist and that told her the information. 
Some of the folks at the gym have watches they wear that can give them heart rate, blood pressure, steps, oxygen, and track your movements.

I am enjoying the fact that I can track my hiking [when I remember to use the app]. But so many folks seem to be over the top with tracking info.

Is it a good thing? Is it a bad thing? Is it really necessary?

I can see where it has benefits in many cases. Say you have a B/P issue, you can track it right? When I visited the doctor's office in December we discussed that very thing. She recommended that I track my B/P no more than twice a day. Too many readings don't really help she said, and they could actually make a person more anxious and increase the B/P. Interesting.

Another time I was sitting in the waiting room while hubby was doing a test. A nurse came out and called a name. She indicated to the patient that she was going to do a 12 lead ECG before his stress test. He absolutely came unglued and shoved his wrist at the nurse and told her not to waste her time. HE had a smart watch and it could tell her all she needed to know.

She rolled her eyes and tried to explain that her test was far more accurate than a watch on a wrist.

Okay. I see the point though. If you can monitor yourself for all of these vitals, it is pretty cool and perhaps a person can see if they are 'in trouble' or not, medically speaking.

When I did distance running, I did keep a little calendar notebook to track my training miles. So I do understand why we keep track.

I had a friend that was not well, she had a smart watch that she could answer calls on, monitor her steps, and all of those other things. She'd been advised to walk each day for a certain length of time. She figured out how to cheat the system by laying on her bed with her knees at the end of the bed. She then would swing her legs up and down and get her steps in. She fooled her smart watch.

I hike, I walk. I used to run distance when I was younger. I switched to bicycling distances, then I switched to riding an equine in distance challenges. Now? I like my two feet. 

For the past couple of years I did the trail challenge at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. For that Challenge I had to keep track of the trails I did. That introduced me to 'keeping track' in a new way.

I didn't just do the 60+ miles of trails, but I also made many many other trips and repeats of trails. 

So how far and how often do I move, walk, hike? Maybe it would be interesting to find out. 

I did track -- mostly -- my hikes since the start of January. It is pretty amazing how far a person can hike or walk within a relatively short amount of time.

For example this is the past week's example from MapMyWalk. Most of these walks were completed during hubby's nap times. It isn't totally accurate as I don't always think to take my phone with me or the phone doesn't have enough battery to take along...or it is raining or frigid.

However I think I get out and move more than what this indicates.

I'm fine with not counting chores, walking to the mailbox, or checking fence lines and all of the other things that are day to day stuff.

To me, the walks-hikes are not Workouts. They are times of seeking calmness and mind clearing pleasure.

This information is a good thing. But tracking your every movement? Is that really necessary?

Are we better off with devices like this?

Now that I am considered retired, the only time I keep track of Time is when I have an appointment to get to.

January stats:

Just Go... Gone to the dogs

Teslin is my son's dog. She is somewhat of a miracle as she suffered a potentially life ending incident a few years ago and spent time in a dog ICU. The vets saved her life and she continues to be the little wonder dog we have all grown so fond of. 

Charlie understands Tes's rather aloof attitude towards him. He is fine with her ignoring his presence. He learned that she was an elder to be respected and not to get in her private dog space.

He could learn a few things from his elderly friend though. Like...don't walk out onto the road!

Saturday's plan was to take the dogs to Petrified Springs Park and take a walk then visit the Biergarten where we could relax with a pint and the dogs could be with us.

Charlie got to meet a LOT of other dogs. And those dogs did not offer to chew his head off or even growl at him. He was in doggy heaven. So many folks also stopped to ask about him. Tes remained her wonderful aloof self and ignored most people and their pets.

My son would politely let folks know that Tes was "A Grumpy Dog."

I was surprised at all of the attention Charlie got. Of course he had gotten a new Bling Collar and a Bow Tie to wear on his Big Day Out.

At the Biergarten, Charlie eventually got mobbed by little girls. [Yes they asked politely if they could pet Charlie!]

To say that Charlie was in heaven is an understatement. He wiggled and behaved SO well! I am glad he had all of that experience at the Nursing Home when he was so young. 

When returning my mug, I stopped and conversed with a couple that had a huge Black Great Dane. That dog had more manners than most people I've ever met.

I think this might speak volumes without any words....

I think it is obvious where my son's heart is. 

Now don't think I don't like cats! I grew up with cats as pets so yes, I do love those aloof creatures that let you know when it is okay to pet them. Tes is like that. She is catlike in her movements and attitude. 

My son says he will do a DNA test on her as he is curious as to what mixed breeds are in her heritage.

Charlie?

He was happy to get home after another day of meandering about the state but in a more direct way. 

He went 'to bed' when we got home and crashed until the next morning.

Our trip was fun. And even Rich enjoyed the time I was away. 

Dam Hike and Forest Wandering

The photo above is the very infamous Dam Tower. Bill was marveling at its construction and how out of place it looked. There is a lot of great history and some NOT so great history of how this reserve came to be.

Local historian Brad Steinmetz has written a book on it. He also updates his blog about LaFarge once in a while. I find it interesting because I know the area fairly intimately now that I've lived here for nearly 30 years. I married a local so that affords me 'local' person status.

The Dam that Never Was is pictured here in a photo around 1975 when the dam project was stopped.

There is no photo of what it looks like now. But the dam tower is where Bill was standing. We are so happy the reserve exists. And on the other hand we keep in mind the heartache of those who lost their homes and farms to eminent domain so many years ago. The dam tower stands as a reminder of this controversy that still exists today.

We looped around the ponds close to the visitor center. Bill had never hiked these trails yet. We were able to see some Sandhill Cranes.

Geese and Turtles

We really enjoyed the casual walk along the river bottom. It was warm yet because it is so dry here now, there were no bugs! Charlie had a tough time with the heat and the tall grass. He did ask for a 'lift' and I obliged. 

We took a rest at covered bridge #18 and ate apples which we both shared chunks with Charlie. He is foodie dog. He will eat whatever a human eats that includes lettuce and tomatoes!

We found blood roots and a variety of wildflowers growing in the shadier areas. 

When I got home Rich asked me if I'd go out and look for Morel mushrooms. There probably wouldn't be any, it is early and it is very dry. Dry enough to have a Red Flag Warning for Saturday.

However, who am I to turn down a chance to muck around in the forest? I put my macro lens on my camera and filled a water bottle. The best things in life are being able to wander about the creek and the land without any chore that needs doing. 

No watch...
and I left my cell phone at home. 

I really didn't want to be checking the time anyway.
Within ten feet on either side of the creek, things are bright green from the moisture in the air. Away from the creek the forest looks pretty dry and the dominant color is still brownish. 

Ferns are beginning to uncurl and seek sunlight using the moisture trapped under the heavy layers of dead leaves that cover the soil.

At least there is that.

On the ridges and fields dust devils are whirling about.

But on the rocks in the creek I found some moss preparing to spread its spores.

I found Bishop's Caps but no Morels. 

Near the top of the ridge the wild strawberries were blossoming.

In the summer pasture I found so many things going on with insects. I waited forever for this ant to pull up his/her head but it was so busy collecting pollen!

And then...

Hello Bee !
I took a lot of shots to get one I liked.

And a side view of this little creature.

I never paid much attention to insects until the last few years when I decided that it would be a fun challenge to photograph them. I have been inspired by some incredible work I've seen others do.

There it is.

Being curious again.

I liked wandering. I found nothing but neat little things.

 

It rained today...all day!

...and I cleaned the house already and got supper stuff ready...
Laundry is put away...

So... Time to get out the toys and play. Here is "Creepy Baby" with his Funky Frogs imitating the Pinky and the Brain Show:

Frogs:
Whaddya wanna do tonight Creepy?
Creepy:
What we do every night! Take over the World!

[Some won't recall this show, but my kids loved it and so did I.]

....And they said Social Distancing Did NOT matter!!!

Think about it.

And this Dragon is practicing...Safe at Home.

The Unicorns didn't listen once before...but they are now.

These were shots from yesterday before I headed down the valley to look for skunk cabbage and marsh marigolds with Charlie.

 How it sometimes feels....

And lastly? I'll get around to working on my next set of Infrared Shots. I used a different filter this time and am finally getting the 'hang' of it.

Here is a teaser:

Good night all...

The never ending farm job

I know that it seems that I am always doing something to the electric fence. It seems that it is a never ending job sometimes. However, spring clean up is always a must.

I use endurosoft electric fencing. Sometimes when the deer jump the fences during the winter months they stretch a wire or pull it off an insulator. I generally walk the fences once a day anyway in the summer to check on them. 
Yesterday I had both Charlie and Dixie helping me out in the woods.

The temperatures were quite warm and the 'kids' helped me by just being there. I talked to them asking them to inspect and of course they did. Dixie stuck her wet nose on my glasses while I was hooking up a wire and Charlie crawled up onto my legs.

When we were finished with a section of the fencing, I took them back to the porch so we could all have some water.

The kids started to play with a raccoon squeaky toy.

Dixie would take it and Charlie would try to get it back.

What really surprised me was how gentle Dixie was about the whole thing.
Neither dog growled, but played for quite a while together.

Eventually Charlie laid down on the rug I'd put on the porch and Dixie sat near him. I think eventually they will be an inseparable pair.

I let each dog rest and gathered my things to do some more fence touch ups.

I had a venison roast in the oven and garden veggies ready to eat with it after chores. It is nice to eat a whole meal gathered on your own land.

I guess that is why I keep up with this never ending job.

After the Rains and a Micro Lens

I have a Nikkor 40mm Micro/Macro lens. I had put it aside for a while and decided to just shoot with the nifty 50 and the 85mm prime lenses. Now I don't have the pro lenses, but these nice primes are my go to lenses.
I tried shooting again with the 18-55mm lens but I just wasn't happy with the clarity compared to the primes.

With these fixed lenses, you can't just zoom in or out to 'get that shot'. You have to move your feet. I've found that I enjoy the challenge and now have a hard time going back to any other type of lens. I do however lust after a nice zoom.  I bought the Tamron 18-200mm last year thinking I had the bomb. Nope cheap lens, ... it does the trick in bright light but should only be used in mid range. And it is heavy. --- Edit on 10 17 17...eeks gads I took it out today and was able to make the Tamron work very well! ... Samples later!]

All right, with all of that garbeldy gook out of the way. What did I do? I put the 40mm on my Nikon and packed up my little old backpack and decided to go enjoy the fall colors. I planned on just hiking the 'bowl' up to the pine trees. This means a bit of brush busting through some deer trails.

Now as the name of the lens implies, it is great for close up work. And yes, you have to get 'close' up. Not so great when or if you are trying to shoot a bee for example.
However, it is great for the following.

Water droplets, leaves, and fungi. All such tiny things. I did have to kneel on the ground for the maidenhair fern. I had to get down close to the maple leaf and I got close and personal for the coral fungi. [That was a pure bonus!]

I kept walking down the trail wondering if I was going to regret this self challenge.

The woods were so incredibly beautiful. The colors were popping in the subtle light. The skies were overcast and letting in just enough diffused light to make the yellow leaves appear to glow.

I decided to explore this stump on the trail. Wow, I am glad I did.

I got a few of these droplets. All shots were hand held. I did get damp from kneeling and scrunching down in the leaves or leaning against the stump itself.

The light kept changing as there were breaks in the clouds once in a while.
I kept walking.

I cursed myself for not having a 'landscape' lens and then thought. Well, here is the challenge.
Go for it.

And I did.

Did I do okay? I think so. Did I satisfy my challenge? Yes I believe so.

It was a beautiful day to challenge myself. No tripod, nothing extra. Just a backpack with extra water and a pair of gloves.

I ended the hike at the soybean field at the top of the 'bowl'. I thought I'd try a hand held panoramic shot of the trees below me. The lone red tree was blazing away.

Yes, this worked! I can say with confidence that I can get landscape and micro/macro out of the same lens with nothing fancy.
Color me happy.
Color me satisfied.

Oh. And for the rest of the week the sun will shine brightly so I look forward to some fall adventures with Morris on some well groomed trails as well as a visit to the winter ice cave.
Fall is glorious.

Hopefully you can go out and enjoy it.

Chores with Siera

When I got home from work on Tuesday the weather was still pretty nice.
Chores needed to be done and I changed out of my uniform and into work clothes.

I walked down to the paddock and took Siera out. She was going to spend some time with me and it might as well be while I did chores.  Morris accompanied us running around Siera and through her legs.
She just sighed and watched him.

I led her into the shed where the hay was kept and put enough flakes of hay in the snow sled to feed the cattle.  I wondered how she'd react to the sled being pulled at the same time I was leading her.  
She smelled the hay and stole a bite.

Well now, she was associating the sled as a food source and not as a monster.
Funny that when I pulled the larger sled with hay in it to feed her in the paddock with Fred she'd eyed it as a Mule Eating Monster.

I walked up the hill to the calves and dragged the noisy sled through the gravel and over the grass.  A wheel barrow would have worked better but that takes two hands.  I had Siera in one hand and the sled rope in the other.

I walked over to the yard hydrant and hooked up the hose to water the cattle.  When I turned it on Siera's eyes widened and then she watched.  She is a very observant mule.

I turned the hose onto her hooves and sprayed her feet.  She picked up one foot and then set it down.  That was her reaction.
I praised her and then told her to 'stand' while I watered.  I dropped the rope to hook up the hose to another line and then straightened up.

She hadn't moved a muscle. She waited until I picked up her lead rope and then she heeled me back to the hydrant where I hooked up the hose for the large stock tank. 
We moved on to where our three cows were and I hooked Siera's lead over a tree branch.
She grazed as I forked hay to the 3 gals.
Annie was quite content and came to the fence line to look Siera over.

Morris ran about and did his Jack Russell thing.  

When I lifted the black plastic cover to put over the round bale, Siera gave it an eye and then curiously watched it.

It is interesting that sometimes under saddle these things seem to be monsters to her and while on halter and lead, they are not.
I've been working with Siera for almost 6 years now and she is broke, or trained quite well.  She has some most amusing quirks and one of them is her spring time ritual of being annoyed and upset about riding the woods trail away from the farm.

This is understandable since I don't get to ride much in the winter.  There are things that bother her under saddle that don't bother her when I am leading her.
Perhaps she thinks I am protecting her by being on the ground?
I don't know.

She does love to be with me in this fashion.  And I have trained her much like one trains a dog for obedience.  However, she doesn't 'sit stay', but she will 'stand stay' when I ask.

We did as much as I could while having a mule 'in hand' and then I groomed her and put her back in the paddock with Fred and Mica.  She stood at the gate and let out a soft nicker as if to say.
"What? Are you not going to keep playing with me?"

Another week or so of this kind of treatment and we will be good to go off on the trails.  


Siera came out with me for a while yesterday.  We walked in a rain shower to go get the mail.  She walked away from her 'buddies' willingly until Fred started to bray like crazy.  It took us much longer to get the mail and I got wet, but there you go.

I am trying to do something little with her everyday.  Rich told me that time with her would only make her 'a better mule' and since she was attached emotionally to me, it would solidify our relationship.

And yes, mules do get preferences in people.  Sometimes extremely strong preferences.  Badger was one such mule, and Siera is one also.

Let's Hike ! By Morris

I am a very observant dog.  I knew when SHE went to the drawer and pulled out her belt and ... and her pistol that my chances of going for a walk would increase if I did certain things.

Bounce.
Look charming.
Look silly.
Look sadly at my crate.
Wag my stub furiously.
Get underfoot.
Bounce some more.
Help tie her boots.  [Really, just get in the way and pant heavily while wagging stub tail.]

Bounce some more and add a bit of whine to it.
Jump at the door.
Spin around a few times, maybe SHE will get dizzy and fall down.
Oh, that wouldn't work well.
Okay calmly put my front paws on her knees and look intensely at her.

Yep.  That worked.
Out the door we went and through the Merry Meadow.
I ran and ran and then trotted.
Wow was it ever hot!  I wandered around looking for plants to 'water' and kept an eye on HER.  We were going down towards the creek!

Of course She found some nice pretty things to take photos of while I busied myself by smelling things and marking my territory.  Boy that can be one big job for one small Jack Russell!

Every once in a while She would have to call my name and being the ever obediant dog that I am, I trotted up for a pat on the head and a "That is a good boy!"
I like it when she tells me I am good.  I'm always good.
Well, sometimes I sneak up on the bed and lay down and old Grumpy yells at me.  I suppose that is being 'bad'.

We found some berries.  I love black berries.
After a while though we were far beyond the creek and to the place where She said the snowmobile trail was.  I don't know, there was a sign with an orange marker on it.  I peed on it.  One would hate to get turned around and not be able to smell their way back home, right?
Besides, I saw NO snowmobiles.

She was thirsty and so was I.  I am glad She has learned her manners and shares well.

I tasted great.  She can be useful for things like carrying the water...and

...carrying ME.
From her hip I can get a better view of the lay of the land.  Don't you think?

When I have to walk in the grass I can't see very far.

We didn't spend too much time at the berry place as it was so over grown and thorny.  In a couple of spots She used her machete to clear the thorns out of our way.

We headed towards home finally!  Whew!
We got back to the creek.  This summer the creek is overgrown with weeds.  I like it when there are flash floods and it cleans all the weeds out of the bottom.

I stepped into the water and took another big drink. Time for some cooling off.

I even think She was happy to be at the creek.

We ducked under the apple tree and around a great big bunch of golden rod plants then She hacked her way through some briers and viola...we were at the trail that led straight up the hill towards the Merry Meadow.

I know this trail very well and kept running up ahead of her and then waiting.  She said that I was getting old!  Harrumph!  She sure took Her time coming up the hill!  In dog years She would be...
um...
well...
Gee, I don't think there has ever been a dog that has lived THAT long.  I mean She'd be more than Ancient.

Anyway, I know She was happy that I had come along.  After all, I know these trails by heart and could guide her to the Meadow.

Once we climbed the steep hill and crawled under the electric fence, we both walked rather slowly towards home.
I don't know if it was because we were so hot and tired or was it because we didn't want our walk to end?

I don't know, I'm a dog.  I don't really think much.
I know I was interested in 'marking' anything any more.  I just wanted to get home and lay in the cool air on MY couch.