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.

Meanwhile some fun Fungi and Rain

During the recent rains, it appears that the Squatch family got out for some well needed showers. Too bad they didn't see each other and reunite!

Perhaps they are just like they are rumored to be...

very

secretive.

 The rains were great for finding mushrooms and fungi too!

The things you can find in the woods! 

Slimly mushrooms and little flies!

More Deadman's Fingers!

They are tiny!

You have to love rain and humid weather
time to enjoy Oyster Mushrooms!

OH they were SOOO yummy with Steak!

Do Something

Instead I decided to take a morning drive and a morning walk into the deep woods.

Charlie came with me to supervise. We went down and walked along Readscreek which is known to the locals as Black Bottom not Readscreek.

I shot it in Infrared Chrome. 

The sunrise was not exactly spectacular however the light across the cropland was amazing. The low light accentuated the landscape.

The sunlight highlighted the land's gentle undulations.

I was simply stunned by the beauty of the land. I turned the Subaru off and got out of the car with Charlie. He thought the deer scents were more awesome than the scenery. I just took it all in.

I had this part of the day to myself. 

The landscape was taking my breath away...

Since Monday I'd been having a rough time with 'things'. That is all I will say.

I looked down at Charlie and said, "Two wrongs don't make a right, but three do."

He tipped his head at me and then I said. 

"If nothing is going right, let's go Left."

I dropped him off at home and headed down into the forest valley.  I dropped down through the thick woods and stood near the creek. It was steeped in darkness still. The sun was just beginning to shine down through the canopy through the creek fog.

I noticed some golden oyster mushrooms and decided to walk around the back of the tree to take a close look at them.

What I didn't expect was to see this...

The oyster mushrooms were releasing spores. And it was like watching a slow moving ballet of particles.

I was stunned. 
I couldn't move [other than to take some photos that is. I should have videoed it...].

Wow. Just.

Incredible.

This was what it was like to be

Alive

and then...

all felt right again.

Free entertainment

It is fun to have coffee and be able to peer out at the neighbor's land where they used to have goats and see this occurring. Two fawns had been staying where their moms had put them. 

The moms would feed them then the fawns would lay still in the tall grasses near some brush and stay until their moms came to get them.

For the first week, all we could see was just the tips of their ears when the twitched them. 

Since the goats left we see the deer making good use of the woods and field. 

I was cleaning out some weeds next to the outhouse when I got buzzed by a hummingbird. So I decided to take a break and sit on the back step with my camera and Charlie in the shade.

Hummingbird in my Siberian Iris? 

There was the friendly wren flitting about and alternating between scolding and singing! 

 

Here is a mule pile up under a box elder tree. They adore standing in the shade under the tree using the low branches as fly deterrent.

Fly season has arrived as well as bot bees that get the mules running and diving into underbrush to get the biting insects off from them.

Our not so brilliant horse that is named 15, came into raging heat. The red headed molly mules decided it would be fun to nibble her flanks and get her to squeal. 

Imagine horse squeals echoing in the woods. It almost sounds like something bizarre is happening. Thank goodness it only lasts about one day.

Sven, the goat loves to be with his pal Little Richard. The goat stands with his head under Little Richard's tail to keep flies off his head.

I thought the goat was really taking a chance of getting his head dumped on by pony poo. Apparently, he darts out before the pony drops a load.

So when the Firestick TV remote died a severe and unfixable death for the 3rd time, hubby had a melt down.

I tried to explain to him that he could find all sorts of free entertainment out doors.

Alas. 

Poor hubby. Did you know there was an app for a smartphone just for these emergencies? Oh yes! Firestick TV Remote app. Thank goodness, the world will not fall apart while waiting on a replacement.

However, since I am the only one who can operate the smartphone, it seems I need to be present any time he wants to watch the TV.

Come on new Remote!

Personal Training

So, why would anyone pay for personal training. I mean, come on. We all know that moving and exercising is clearly the way to better health.

I walk, hike, and bike so I should be excellent right? 

I don't need any training, I know what I should be doing.

Huh.

Well. Not really. I had a talk with one of the coaches at the gym and I signed up for a half hour session. She contacted me with several questions regarding my diagnosis.

When I got to the gym, I felt silly. Here I was paying someone to tell me what to do and how to do it. Dumb idea. 

I warmed up on a bicycle while she finished up with a class. Then she waved me over.

There was no hesitation. Angie said, "Let's get to it."

I went through a series of exercises that I'd received from Physical Therapy last year. While I was doing them and she was making sure that I kept my core tight [and she explained that these particular muscles guard the lower back]...
I kept thinking. 

Well duh, I know this stuff. I can do it at home. Why am I paying someone to tell me to do this? 

Do you want to know the answer? Easy. She making me do it. She made sure that I did it correctly. 

We did a lot of core exercises and then moved to lifting. Whether you want to believe it or not, we lift all the time and we lift wrong especially as we age and become less mobile.

Strengthening and mobility go hand in hand to prevent injuries.

It has been nearly a year since I have been to CrossFit. After receiving that diagnosis that blew my mental world apart, I did make an attempt at doing my exercises that PT gave me. But with no one standing there and making me do it, I put it off. 

It was so easy just to say to myself: Well I walked a lot today and I mowed grass, gardened, and did chores. That should be enough.

Most days in the last several months ended with me having sore back muscles. They constantly ached and if I sat for a bit, I felt like I was 100 years old when I stood up to go get a drink of water.

What did I learn? 

One thing.
I felt good afterwards but wondered if this would really make a difference.

I got home and mowed the yard, weeded the shade garden and did other normal everyday things.

I sat down to watch TV. When I got up a little later to walk out and watch the sunset...

It ... hit...

me.

There was NO low back muscle pain. The muscles were not tight, the muscles didn't hurt. 

For the first time in months my back muscles didn't hurt. 

It sounds like I am one of those annoying 'fitness' people doesn't it?

Here is my conclusion. I could do nothing and take pricey medications with lots of side effects that make me sick and see the doctor more often. I could follow my physical therapy exercises... OH, wait, I tried that already. 

My PT exercises I got are on the frig. I don't know if they help the frig or not.

But that was not working for me. I actually feel like a huge weight was lifted from me this week. 

Fingers crossed that I can keep up the good work. 

The motivation from my 'coach' is great. Positive vibes do work.

I'm pleased and I guess that is all that matters.

 

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.