Peregrinate

 to travel or journey

especially on foot...

That is my word of the day. 

In a sense, it also means Wanderlust except the word specifies journeying on foot.

And I love to journey on foot. I love exploring. I like moving and always have. I used to run distances at one time, then I transferred that love to distance bicycling, then distance riding, and then back to 

Peregrinating.

After spending two weeks stuck indoors and dealing with multiple phone calls to prepare for surgery and after a year of terrible vision...

I shut the door and stepped out.

And the world was a wonder.

Charlie and I just wandered about through our creek bottom and admired the ice. The temperatures were warm but the sun rarely shines in this section of the creek so we were able to enjoy the frozen tundra.

Photo of me, now sporting hubby's fishing shades. Sorry, I'm not so great at selfies. 

Ice formation in the creek:

Hiking the creek:

The meadow:

The Girls, hiding out in the woods, staying in the sun and out of the winds:

The Boss:

Today we are going to traipse about at the Reserve in the areas that no longer have trails on the map.

Charlie and I enjoy being rovers and wandering together. 

I will throw one more word out for fun. 

We will maunder about, just idly exploring, collecting our thoughts, and wandering more or less.

The definition of the word is more explicitly about one who talks on aimlessly or moves about aimlessly...

That fits me also.

Which way?

I do have a habit of wandering sometimes. It is just what I do. I'm happy that Charlie doesn't mind doing it with me. Of course we get into brush-busting and then I have to carry him. 

The map for the trail was simple enough. Out and back. Trail length 1 mile. 

But Charlie and I took a detour and followed an old road bed that was probably a farm road or perhaps an old logging road.

It looked clear enough to follow.
Until it wasn't.

We could have turned around, but we didn't. I was sure I'd find an old trail but I found tall weeds and lots of fallen logs that I couldn't see. At some point in time, someone harvested the pines and left a lot of logs on the old road.
Now they were covered in undergrowth and it made carrying Charlie a bit dicey.

So I turned to the west through the deep forest. Eventually I'd come back to the marked trail.

Huh.

What we found instead was a clear forest floor full of Cancer Root. It made sense as we were in a towering forest of oak trees. Cancer Root or the scientific name: Conopholis americana, is a parasitic plant that grows on the roots of oak trees. Since it has no chlorophyll, it appears a yellowish color and not green.

This forest would have been a perfect set for a Halloween Movie! It looked like dead hands and fuzzy fingers reaching out of the forest everywhere!

These are weird and strange and utterly fantastic. I was hot and tired from climbing out of the valley to the ridgetop so those shots are just snaps with the cell phone.

As predicted, I eventually found the trail. Um.

"Holy Crap Charlie, it looks like this poor hiker has seen better times! I wonder if they went in the wrong direction also?" 
I'm always amused at the trail markers and if they are beat up, I imagine there is a story to it. This hiker looked as if it was on its last legs. I hope the hiker survived.

See the trail?

No, I don't either. However, if you had Charlie along and some sharp eyes, you could find the faint path of dirt.

It suddenly got more interesting.

Is this confusing or what?

I think this sign means: Gosh, we got lost ... so you can go this way or....maybe that way!

I followed the faint footpath that dead ended on a rock outcrop. 

I made a mental note to come back when the leaves had dropped so I could see the incredible landscape that was around me. 

There was no trail that I could find coming off the rock so I back tracked past the trail sign and couldn't find even a whisper of a trail.

Charlie and I sat on a log and shared an apple while I thought about things. I could hear the highway to the west and just below me. I wasn't lost at all. But I was frustrated at not finding a very well marked trail. No one had cleared the huge oaks that had crashed down over the trail either. In places I'd had to brush bust through wood nettles to get back on trail.

What to do.
Simple.
Years ago mules and horses came through here to the rock look out. Knowing the folks that I rode with, there would be a trail near the bottom of the rocks.

And we carefully came off the rock and searched near the base for the old trail. It would be a slight indention in the ground.

There it was.

Charlie was able to follow it easily and seemed to know exactly where he was going. How do dogs do that?

After about 15 minutes of fast walking, we hit the main trail which was an old road. Rich told me that they used to drive their trucks and trailers right up to the top of the ridge and then camp.

Easy peasy. We did it.
The trail description indicates that this trail is a 1 mile lollypop loop.

My MapMyHike app showed that Charlie and I did 2 3/4 miles. I have to admit that we may have missed the so many cool things had we just stuck to the trail in the first place.

We sat in the back of the 'Ru while the interior cooled off. Charlie sat in the shade and gave me this look after I asked him: What did you think of that hike?

In the end. We figured it out and I definitely think this trail would be prettier in the fall and winter. I will have a do-over later this year.

Another fantastic afternoon of exploring and wandering...and not getting lost.

Get Lost

 

Get lost

in the world of tiny things...in the rain....

I mean look at this beautiful scenery!
See? Brown Season!

Hubby thought I was nuts.

I decided to do a bit of wandering under the oaks and maples in the meadow before heading down to explore.

Who am I kidding? I was randomly following the dog who was randomly following his nose.

I should say that I was practicing DayDream Walking. You know, a way to get into that Zen World of Photography. Be aware of things but be nowhere in your head unless a pattern catches your eye.

I guess I was doing that in a way. Just slowly walking between multiflora rose thorns, blackberry thorns, and small trees mixed in with the detritus of the forest floor.

I stopped and watched the woods for a while. I saw a doe far off leap up the opposite bank of the creek and head into the prickly ash area. I thought she picked a good place to disappear.

We stopped at a favorite log of mine on the forest floor. It has three different mosses on it and some Common Powderhorn Lichen. 

All summer I worried as the moss and Lichen dried out and looked as if it was dying. However with the fall moisture from drastic day/night temperature changes, and the rains, it has come back strong and beautiful.

I am in love with the bright cheery colors, it looks as though the mosses are decorating with Christmas colors of red and green.

Here is a close up of the Lichen with raindrops balanced on the edges. The second is a crop so you can see the forest above reflected in the drop.

30mm macro lens
f 3.5
800 ISO

The macro world is so full of surprises. I sat on the log as Charlie sniffed around near me. That is, until the dampness seeped through my coveralls. 

I couldn't believe my luck when I got to the creek.

Droplets of water were everywhere. The log below ....

gave me this!

I walked down the creek a bit further looking for some more Lichen.

I got lost in a maze of logs with amazing droplets perching on the capsules. Well, I used to call them Moss Flowers but that isn't technically correct.

It wasn't until the rain started up again that I seemed to come out the spell of Enchantment the moss had on me.

So much to see! I was enthralled by the way the droplets hung on the moss capsules. I didn't want to leave at all. 

I wanted to stay lost in logs and mosses and see if the Forest Fairy I'd disturbed would come back and eat his/her fungi!

Forest Pasture and Wandering

My wild red heads. That is Sunshine in the front, she is 23 years old and some days acts like her young sister behind her. They are always ready for some fun. Which in Mule Terms means Bucking and Farting.

It was time to move them to the Forest/Meadow pasture. Without our regular rainfall, our pastures have really not recovered well. But the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, right?

I have a rotation that generally works fairly well. Mules love the grass. The photo below is where I concentrated an area for them to graze as they usually pass by this section and it gets tall and uneaten.

Turning them out to the forest means they have a meadow but will have to forage in the woods for more grass and nibble on briers which they will do. Often they are lazy and don't bother with the woods.

So far so good. They have all been put back together. Old Fred looks a bit rough but he is happy he is grazing with his girls. I have a lot of grooming to do to everyone who are shedding like crazy. The horse is just about shed out already. Mules generally start to shine around the first of June. Must be the donkey in them!

Sundance inspects an inner fence. She is looking into the Buckthorn Woods. Grass grows in there and I have some Burdock to clean up before they can enjoy that area. 

After 24 hours the little mule herd seemed to be at peace. They are back to being one unit. 

I decided to take a nice long wander about in PeeWee's. Rich wanted me to hunt morels and it was a good enough excuse to pack snacks and water in my little backpack and take off. It was Mother's Day and that meant I got to choose what I wanted to do ... sort of. 

I walked the south hillside of the first valley and found an old cow trail to follow. Weirdly enough I noted that someone had walked along the same route and marked some trees. Curious, I followed the trail to the fenceline and then headed up the steep hill we once called Mule Killer Hill. There was a steep and long hill that would take the piss and vinegar out of our young mules. 

I followed a narrow deer trail near the top.

I started thinking about the fact I hadn't seen or heard of the 4 wheelers in weeks. Then I thought about how much easier it would be getting around while riding Sunshine. 

I finally decided I'd had enough 'hunting' around. The only fungi I found was near the creek and those were pheasant backs. 

I toured the side of the hill and crossed the fence onto our land. Something caught my eye and I stood still.

An owl!

I only had my little red camera hanging from my side. 

The owl wasn't interested in me. But I watched it. I took pictures. It never turned its head to look at me until I made a kissing noise. Then it gave me the once over and continued to chirp.

I left the owl to its business and headed home.

Back in the woods I heard:

Who...who who...who cooks for you!

Of this and that

I have no absolute wisdom to offer on this Covid-19 issue, other than I wish to keep my husband from getting it. Is it getting it an eventuality? I don't know. But for now, we are able to isolate ourselves fairly well.

I am the only one that leaves the house. I'll go grocery shopping on Sunday morning.
It has been 3 weeks since I went to town. That is incredible. I don't think I can claim that I've ever done that before.
I did a hike with a friend last Friday and we stayed distanced, arrived in separate vehicles and enjoyed a spring day.

I've finally started to plan to extend my east garden. I'm hoping to get the dirt moved from the compost pile soon.

It sure doesn't look like much now does it?
From the downspout to the pail in the distance is all I am going to expand by. While mowing, this is always a pain to do, so I thought I'd make this a straight edge more or less.
Who knows what it will end up looking like?

I've gathered log chunks and odd looking roots to put in the garden. I intend on making a path down the middle of it and using these odd shaped items to decorate in some sort of Fairy Garden style. I tried drawing out plans but in reality, I really fly by the seat of my pants.

Everything will be moved around and changed anyway. I'm looking at what I have available from seeds last year that I gathered and some low growing sedum along with hen and chicks to add to the funky logs.

This will involve using the skid steer to move the dirt. I think I have Rich convinced that he can do the dirt work! I said I'd start and bring it out to him.
He seemed rather interested in that. He even talked about putting dirt in a few other spots.

I just have to get him on a good day when the weather is perfect!

To keep from going stir crazy...er, I do daily hikes. Sven has really been a good hiking pal. Yesterday I let Charlie be the leader and he followed a deer trail.

Along the trail I found Dutchman's Breeches just beginning to poke through the leaves!

After hiking for a while, I sat down on a log and enjoyed having a snack.

Note.
When hiking with a goat and a dog. Anything YOU eat must be good goat food or good dog food!

I did carry treats for both Sven and Charlie.

Yesterday I did turn off my smartphone and left it at home. I spent the rest of the day unplugged.

I think that is a great thing to do right now. Limit the news and limit the exposure to the Talking Heads.

Stay Safe.

Mr. Morris scares the crap out of me

In the interest of not struggling through my 'point' trail with friends on a night hike, I set out yesterday with my machete and some trail tacks that are simply tacks with a reflective coating on their heads.

Mr. Morris was nagging me and it was about time for his new routine of the 3pm walk. I grabbed a leash and decided to see if he'd come along.
Indeed he did.
The cold air didn't seem to bother him a bit. He ran around the meadow, sniffing everything he could. I'd have to call and wave to him so he could catch up. He bounded past me and down an old mule trail avoiding the long grasses.

The meadow can be pretty even in its winter doldrums.

The Mr. Morris sure enjoyed it.

He hesitated when I dove into the woods on the old cow path that is mostly used by deer now. In places trees have come down and multi flora rose bushes have grown up.

Over the years the deer and I adjust to different obstacles to get up and down the steep hillside. Last winter the first time I used this 'trail' at night to bring along my hiking buddy, I got sidetracked. There wasn't enough snow to show a good trail and everything looked similar in the headlamp.

Where the trail went straight, it now zagged around a nasty deadfall.  So I marked the tree with a little tack and used the machete to clear the debris above my head. I normally just duck while going through, but I know that one of the hikers that will go with me later this month is much taller than I am.
Mr. Morris stopped and then backed away. I stopped what I was doing and explained to him what was going on.

He was not impressed, but he gave me a glance and walked past me. He eyed the machete.

I marked the next tree where the path made a 90 degree turn. I freshened the small marks I'd made a couple of years ago.
Morris either walked ahead or followed, stopping to smell things and be just like the normal Morris I've always known.

I stopped marking just above the creek. I could see the Mountain Dew can that hung on a branch further down. I wouldn't mark all the way down to there but set a reflective tack up on a stump so a headlamp would catch it from the Dew Can.

I dropped the box of tacks and bent down to pick them up. I realized that I didn't hear Morris's jingling tags.

I turned around.
He was gone.
I called.
Nothing.
I called louder and heard my voice echo off the valley walls.

Okay. Either Morris wandered off, or decided he'd had enough of hiking. We were actually pretty far from home and it was getting colder down near the creek.
Damn.
"MORRISSSSSS"
Yes, there was a bit of panic in my voice.
I should have leashed him.
Dang it.
I called and called.

Then I stopped. I looked down in the dusting of snow and found some tracks. They were his, but they went in circles and back and forth then off into the leaves on the forest floor.

I stood for a moment.  Did he go home? It would only get colder, so I turned and climbed quickly up the hillside trail. My clearing and marking sure made it much easier, plus my feet had disturbed the leaves and the light dusting of snow.

I got to the meadow. Tall grass. Morris doesn't like tall grass. He'd follow a trail. Those trails had a dusting of snow.
I searched and found his tracks heading towards home. At least I hoped they were. I lost them several times and found them again.

Then they were gone.
However I know that Morris has traveled this way for nearly 14 years and he seemed to know the way home better than I did!

Please Morris. Be home.
Be home so I can be angry with you for causing me this anxiety.

Because if you are not.
I had a headlamp with new batteries in it. I would search and call. I couldn't bear the thought of him being out in 'the wild' on his own. Not with all of the coyotes that hunted at night.
Coyotes. Little dog, nasty coyotes.

I hurried and then ran.

When I walked towards the house Mr. Morris was sitting in the sun behind Rich's truck. He finally noticed me and casually trotted up to me and then walked over to the porch, as if to say.
"My how I had to wait for you! You are so slow! Please let me in so you can feed me."

Did I ever say how punctual he has gotten lately for his feed times??

Morris. He wagged his tail as if our hike was just another successful journey

I was happy. He was happy.
The old dog does know his way home. But he won't be going with me on any hikes again soon.
We will be back to leashes and trails, not wild wood hikes.

I am a Wander-er

Yesterday I had to go and change the SD card in the trail camera and put new batteries in it.

So Morris and I decided to just wander around a bit. I brought some snacks and we took a nice long hike through our creek bottom.

I found some huge coyote tracks. Rich said they could have been the 'wolf' that had been seen earlier this year. I'm not worried much about a wolf except when I have Morris with me. I'll bring a tape measure and see exactly how large the prints are and photograph it next time.

Then there was some quiet time where Morris wandered around close and watched me stack some rocks.

Rock Stacking. Rock Balancing. 

It isn't something I'd do on another person's property, but it is a nice calming thing to do. Plus it is fun. 

Or you can use it to mark a trail or spot you want to visit again.

My visitors last 2 weeks ago left some stacks for me. I enjoyed it and it made me smile when I came across it yesterday.

This stack left by my friends. It makes me smile!

Eventually I took Morris back home and deposited the SD card near the computer to look at. I went back out to explore the area in the back of our property and check out the deer stand back there.

A word about these deer stands. I think someone crazy invented them.

However, I went way way back to the second deer stand on our property.

Hmmm. I made sure my back pack was secured properly and then checked to see how secure the ladder felt.

Not too bad!

Once I was seated I took a look around. I really felt that I should have been facing the north, but then I suppose if I were sitting up there and a cold north wind was blowing, it may not be a good idea.

I thought that this was a new and interesting perspective. I'd have to keep this place in mind this winter. It would be neat to climb up, get safely seated and take some interesting shots.

I sat and listened to the woods. I really wished I could see one of those large bucks walk through. That would be fun to 'shoot' with the camera.

A squirrel ran up and down the trees close by and was too quick for me to actually grab a shot of him. However some gold finches were kind enough to alight on some berry briers.

The shot isn't great, but it was fun trying to 'capture' them.

I decided about an hour before sunset to go back home. The air was cooling off and I needed to check on all of the stock tanks. Hubby had gone to get a check up for his upcoming surgery on his eye lids, so I was 'in charge'.

Some girls met me on the way through the summer Dexter pasture.

My camera battery was dying so I whipped out my cell phone and took a shot.

One mule, one horse and lots of sky.

Belle and her gang were lazing around in their bedding. 

I noticed their water tank was low.

My day of Wandering was done.

Time to get to work.