January 5, 2021   A New Year and a new format, we will experiment in posting the most recent entries at the beginning, rather than the end of our Blog.  We are still enjoying the warm winter weather in Florida, currently at the Peace River Thousand Trails CG in Wauchula.  We spent the day travelling south to Marco Island, Tigertail beach for sea shell hunting.  We found two new shells – Florida fighting conch and the Sunray venus.  We then drove into Naples and spent the late afternoon absorbing the beauty of Naples’ Botanical Garden.

The Botanical Garden included an Orchid garden, a Succulent garden, a Brazilian garden, a Water garden, plus garden art features, bird observatory and more.  If you’re in the area, definitely a worthwhile visit.  I do not know the names of everything pictured except the Silk Cotton tree (with “thorns”) and the Blue Tango Bromelia plant.

Still experimenting with 2021 posting format…January 7, 2021     Ona, FL

Solomon’s Castle, a bit of Americana by Howard Solomon who began construction in 1974 and “finished” in 1995.  He built his restaurant Boat in a Moat in 1993 and a Lighthouse in 2010(?).  The castle is covered with 1000s of discarded aluminum printing plates from a Wauchula local newspaper.  Various art pieces made of metal, wood, glass and ceramics are located inside the castle and available for view.  Unfortunately, no pictures are allowed in the castle, so if interested, you’ll have to see it for yourself.  

January 8, 2021    Sanibel FL

National Shell Museum.  This museum was well worth the drive.  Live mollusk tanks, informative volunteers, beautiful displays of sea shells and land snail shells, and corals.  Afterwards, we drove a short distance to Tarpon Bay Beach Park and walked the shell covered beach.  Ended the day with cocktails, dinner and a beautiful sunset.

A little put-put golf at the Peace River Thousand Trails Campground.

January 10, 2021  Blind Pass beach near Venice, FL.  Stopped in town for a toasted coconut ice cream cone at Kilwin’s Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop.  Then out to hunt for fossilized sharks’ teeth.  The trick to finding sharks’ teeth is NOT to look for shells.  Another lovely day combing the beach with a bounty of 8 teeth.  

January 14, 2021    Silver Springs SP, Ocala FL

We’ve gone inland to be with the manatee who swim to Florida’s interior where warm-water springs abound.  At Silver Springs we rented a tandem kayak and paddled for 2 hours.  Not only did we see 3 manatee, but tri-colored heron, turtles, small alligator, anhinga, ibis.  This was also the site for the filming of the Tarzan movies with Johnny Weissmuller and the famed “Creator from the Black Lagoon”.

January 12, 2021  Lk. Griffin SP, Fruitland Park FL

A little out of order, but worth showing.  At this state park is the 2nd oldest Live Oak tree in Florida.  It was a marvel to behold.

January 13, 2021       The Villages  FL

My cousin turned us on to The Villages, a retirement community near Fruitland Park, FL.  There are several separate villages.  We visited Brownwood.  Steve loved the golf cart mode of transportation.  Within each town center, all of your needs are met with grocery stores, Rx, clothing, gifts, etc.  An outdoor aerobics class was being conducted in the open air town square.  Very clean, well manicured and maintained and fairly reasonably priced.  

January 15-25, 2021    Grand Lake RV and Golf Resort, Citra  FL

Our “home” for 10 days.  Centrally located to at least three manatee springs, we’ve also taken a 4-mile walk through the Orange Creek Restoration Area, and found a wild orange tree.  We each picked oranges, felt like we were Adam and Eve.  Delicious. 

Also visited Micanopy, a town with roots dating back to the late 1880s, it now has a 2010 census population of 60.  It has a great bakery and coffee shop, galleries, gift stores and my favorite, a Local Artists’ Shop.  Purchased a little box with drawers carved out of Arborvitae wood.  

January 19, 2021   Butterfly Rainforest at University of Florida, Gainesville.  The University raises over 500 varieties of butterflies from all over the world.  It was enchanting.  The two species that intrigued me were Florida’s Cootnie Hairstreak and the Leopard Lacewing.  See if you can spot them in the following pictures.

January 20, 2021      Inauguration Day                  Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River FL

It’s been interesting to learn more about manatees, springs and the various ways you can observe these mammals during their “hibernation” months.  At Silver Springs, kayaks and canoes OK, but no human swimming, no motorized boats.  At Three Sisters Springs, no boats allowed period, and no swimming.   But the State Park waters blended with a residential area with drainage canals and motorized boats are allowed for commercial purposes (see snorkelers) as well as private recreational use.  Interesting.  

January 20, 2021,  continued….

Visited Crystal River State Archaeological Site.  The site, dating to AD 50-AD 1050,  has Temple and Burial mounds as well as Middens.  For those who don’t know what a midden is, like myself, it’s the garbage pile which can be excavated to uncover all sorts of interesting clues as to how a society lived. 

Unfortunately, the museum was closed due to COVID.  Next time.

January 20, 2021  continued….

We visited Homosassa Springs.  This is primarily a Wildlife Rehabilitation site which include 3 manatee.  What was interesting was the viewing deck over Homosassa Spring which is over 400 feet deep (the actual depth is still unrecorded).  While we were there a school of Jack Crevalle fish swam in one big circle around the spring vent.  It looked like the fish were coming to Mecca.  It was hypnotizing to watch the shimmering fish swim round and round.

January 20, 2021  continued…

A long day and decided to eat out.  Highly recommended was Dan’s Clam Stand with locations in Homosassa and Crystal Springs.  We opted for CS, and our waitress ended up being a part-time mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs, a road side attraction since 1947.  PS.  That’s alligator bits…tastes like chicken, sorta.

 

January 22, 2021   Salt Springs

Recommended by Vicki and Bill of Crystal Blue Adventures.com, we rented a canoe to see the manatee in Salt Springs.  Here people can swim with the manatee, there were both motorized and non-motor boats, but the highlight for me was seeing a green heron in the glades.  Also saw an osprey and a Great Blue Heron.  The interior of Florida is definitely worth seeing.  It’s real.

January 21, 2021     Panacea  FL

Driving west to the panhandle of Florida.  It is definitely  colder than central or southern coastal FL, and a lot more agriculture and ranching in area.  The Holiday RV Park is along Ochlocknee Bay and the wind can blow.  But the sunsets are beautiful, both looking out to the water as well as looking up into the Live Oak trees.

January 28, 2021    Wakulla Springs SP, Crawfordville FL

The Springs are formed by an underground river that pushes approx. 400 million US gallons of freshwater spring water/day.  The area was inhabited by Paleoindians approx.15,000 years ago and artifacts indicate kill sites, camp and village sites.  In the late 1930s, a lodge was built in the style of Mediterranean Revival and has a beautiful lobby and a classic ice cream parlor.  Hiking trails take you back to pine forests and sink holes.

January 29, 2021     Panacea FL

In this relatively small town, there is a well advertised Gulf Specimen Marine Lab.  The co-founder, and marine biologist, Anne Rudloe PhD created this specimen lab primarily for educational purposes.  One of her focuses of research was the Horseshoe Crab. In another part of the country, Jack Levin was working with Horseshoe Crab blood and studying how it coagulates in the presence of endotoxins.  This discovery helped Pharmaceutical companies better design uncontaminated medical products for the human body.

January 29, 2021  continued…

More sightseeing in Carrabelle FL – the Bottle House and the Smallest Police Station.  And then drove into Tate’s Hell National Forest to see a select grove of miniature cypress trees.  Despite their small size, some of these cypress are over 150 years old.  Keep in mind, this is winter and the trees are bare.  Also, there was no one else at this site, which is always a treat.  

January 30, 2021      Bald Point SP

This beach looks out to the Gulf of Mexico.  There was a school of dolphins feeding while we walked the beach.  They’d chase the fish into shore, toss them in the air, lots of fins, tails and rushing water.  The park also has hikes into the pine and palm forest.  We saw a 3 prong deer during our afternoon walk.  Bald Point beach is nesting grounds (May to October) for a variety of sea turtles – Loggerhead, Green, Leatherback, Kemps Ridley and Hawksbill.

January 31, 2021  Florida Caverns SP, Marianna 

Woke up early to drive to Florida Caverns in Marianna.  According to our guide, Ranger Lu, there were only this and one other terrestrial cave in Florida.  The other, which has Indian artifacts, is closed to the public because of white-nose syndrome, a disease killing many bat species throughout the US.  See if you can identify the following formations: The heart of the cave; pig skin formation, birthday cake.  The colored lights were at the end of the tour and the bat is no bigger than a man’s thumb.

The lodge was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Great Depression (1935).

February 1, 2021    Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou SP, Choctawhatchee Bay,   Niceville, FL

There are over 175 State Parks in Florida that offer campsites for RVs. In our nearly 2 months in Florida, it has proven to be a state more diverse and beautiful than we’d imaged.  Go for slow Florida. 

The picture shows light green deer lichen on the ground.  Reminiscent of Star Trek’s “Trouble with Tribbles” episode.

This property was once used by the War Department to test bombs after Pearl Harbor’s attack.  This is an example of a test concrete bomb still on premises.

February 3, 2021   Fort Walton Beach   FL

Steve’s Dad trained at Eglin Air Force base near Ft. Walton during the Korean War.  Steve took some pictures of the area, including yet another beautiful beach. 

While in area, we came across evidence of 1960s segregation marked at the now open-to-all Beasley Park.  Stumbled upon a prehistoric earthen Temple Mound across the street from the city’s movie theater.  The  museum was closed, but the site resembled earlier mounds and dates to A.D. 1000-1500.  In the Florida Panhandle, it is the Creek Indians that are descended from these mound builders.

 

February 4, 2021   Frank Jackson SP  Opp, AL

We have now crossed the state line into Alabama.  From first appearances, this is a more impoverished state than what we’d seen in Florida.  Time will tell.  

We did have the pleasure of waking up every morning to this cute Eastern Bluebird.  There are some very colorful and sweet singing birds here at the park.  We also came across this 9-banded armadillo, who was busy burrowing the ground for insects.  Did you know armadillos are NOT rodents or marsupials, but are more closely related to anteaters and sloths?

February 7, 2021     Enterprise  AL

Why did we camp at Opp, AL?  Because of Opp’s proximity to Enterprise AL.  and this town’s praise of the Boll Weevil.  Around 1916, the Boll Weevil was decimating cotton crops throughout the South.  Leaders from the area, including Dr. George Washington Carver, a prominent black agricultural scientist who promoted alternative crops, convinced area farmers to grow peanuts instead of cotton.  The town survived and the rest is history.

 

February 9, 2021    Gulf Shores AL

Back to the coast again.  This State Park is huge, offering nearly 500 RV and camping spots and providing a store, Nature Building, bird sanctuary, rental boats, bikes, Interpretive Center, boat launch, restaurant and lodge…some State Parks in the East and South  operated more like commercial resort businesses, rather than like our PNW parks, with limited commercial enterprise. 

We went to Lulu’s restaurant in Gulf Shores(not in the SP), which is owned by Lucy Buffett, sister to Jimmy.  Also listened to live music by local musicians in the park – 3 guitars and 2 mandolins.  Heavenly.

February 11, 2021      Mobile AL

We decided to visit the city of Mobile (moe-BEEL), the first of a long tradition of Mardi Gras Carnivals dating back to the mid-1700s.  Day one was walking the various historic districts including Oakleigh Garden, DeTonti Square, Church Street and Old Dauphin Way Districts.  We loved the antebellum architecture, the huge Live Oak trees, the magnificent Ironworks on balconies, gates and fences.  Also appreciative of neighborhoods bringing the cancelled Mardi Gras parade to their homes, with a whole lot of decorating goin’ on.

February 12, 2021       Mobile AL

Day two was a drizzly day, but not the downpour experienced the night before.  We started by visiting the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, then  to the Mobile Carnival Museum – a must see.  Learned how Mardi Gras started in Mobile by a frolicking group of drunk young men who raided a hardware store and then proceeded to make noise throughout the night.  Over the centuries it’s always retained its love of Folly, but what’s most impressive is the annual costuming for the parades and balls, and the Mystic societies that organize carnival’s events.  But lest you get too serious, there are the Cosmic Cowboys that remind us not to take life too seriously.

February 12   continued….

We visited the Mobile Museum of Art, a 20 minute drive from downtown Mobile and includes a Botanical Garden.  The museum featured Black History Month and a photo expose from Life Magazine writer/photographer Gordon Parks “Segregation Story in Mobile, 1956”.  Steve and I spent time talking with a black 59 yo woman employee who grew up in Mobile.  As a child, she and her father would walk past the museum and he’d tell her they couldn’t go in.   She says he’d be so proud because she is so proud to now be working at the museum.  

The photo of the school setting is titled “Black Classroom, Shady Grove Alabama  1956”.

We finished our day (after eating oysters at Wintzell’s Oyster House) by taking the Art Walk down Dauphin Street.  

Lots of color and colorful people, including Marty Graw.

February 13, 2021  Mobile  AL

Day three and en route to our return to Gulf State Park, we heard that the Cosmic Cowboys were having their own “virtual” Mardi Gras celebration on Pillans Street, Industrial district.   We drove down for a sneak peek.  These are old signs, but nothing is held sacred to these southern boys – from politics, to local government, to sports.

February 14, 2021  Bay St. Louis  MS

While you all in the PNW were dealing with 12+ inches of snow, we were walking the shores of the Gulf of Mexico.  And while New Orleans got most of the press when Hurricane Katrina ripped through the Gulf in 2005, the eye of the storm, Ground Zero occurred in Waveland MS.  Steve and I visited the Ground Zero museum and also observed two of the 5 Angel Trees carved by Dayle Lewis from Live Oak trees that survived the hurricane.  Take the time to read the plaque called Angel Tree.  While Steve and I were reading the history, we had a chance to meet Miss Nikki who’s life was saved by one of the Angel Trees.

February 18, 2021     New Orleans  LA

Left the trailer in MS and drove into New Orleans LA (NOLA).  Fat Tuesday is coming up on February 23 and this place should be hoppin’, but there is hardly anyone in the streets, only saw three bands performing during our 3-day stay and it’s one of the coldest winters ever, with most Southerners not liking the cold.  So we wandered the famous streets of the French Quarter, saw the huge Mississippi River, and then took a street car into the historic residential Garden District.  What tour is complete without seeing the raised tombs, in this case, at Lafayette Cemetery #1?

February 19, 2021     New Orleans LA (NOLA)

Steve and I stayed at the 125+ year old Roosevelt Hotel (save those Hilton points!) just outside the French Quarter in the Central Business District.  The hotel was damaged during Hurricane Katrina (2005) and it took 4 years to repair and restore the hotel, including the Sazerac Bar which serves a splendid namesake.  Also, the architecture along Dauphine Street, including the Immaculate Conception Church, is stunning.

February 20, 2021     New Orleans  NOLA

I don’t know why these shops caught my eye, but the elegance of the chandeliers struck me as being so Southern – warmth and elegance.  There had to have been a dozen antique shops featuring these gorgeous works of art.  

And just to keep it real, on our way back to MS, on Tom Bennett’s recommendation, we stopped at Casamentos restaurant.  Been around since 1919, the fourth generation daughter waited on us.  They were fixing dozen and half-dozen plates of raw oysters with a wedge of lemon, from the time we arrived till we left.  Good local beers to go with the oysters.  Great send off.

February 21, 2021  Bay St. Louis  MS

Last full day in state of Mississippi, and decided to go for a walk along the Heritage Trail/Possum Walk.  I don’t know all the facts, but NASA owns a rocket engine testing facility nearby, Stennis Space Center and back in the 1950-60s purchased 13,500 acres along the Pearl River.  NASA had to relocate 5 existing communities, including, according to some locals we met on trail, a small community called the Possum Community.  We just saw a real opossum.

Keep in mind, most land in coastal LA is about 10 feet above sea level.

February 23, 2021     Abbeville, LA

Cute little town in SW Louisiana, Cajun country.  Steen’s Pure Cane syrup operating since 1910,  Konriko (formally Conrad) Rice is the oldest Operating Rice Mill in the country, St. Mary Magdalen Church  built in 1911, a building mural featuring oysters, crawfish and shrimp on a back-drop of an accordion featured in Cajun music, and the historic 1894 train Depot at Magdalen Place. 

February 23, 2021  Palmetto Island State Park LA

The rarest species of Louisiana iris is the Abbeville red iris. Three parent iris species were involved with the Abbeville red’s creation – the copper iris, the large blue-flag iris and the short-stem iris.  The Abbeville red prefers the cypress-tupelo swamps, where as the the other irises prefer hardwood forests and coastal marshes.  The isolation prevents the Abbeville red from trading genetic material, keeping it on its own evolutionary course. 

While walking the shell graveled trails, we came across these bones.  Can you identify what animal they belong to? 

February 26, 2021     New Iberia, LA

The Bayou Teche (Chitimacha Indian word for snake) in New Iberia, and the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site in St. Martinsville,  helped put history and cultural events into perspective.  At the Teche, which is housed in the old Evangeline Theater, we were reminded that segregation was very much the norm.  The docent, who was in her mid-50s, reminded us that as a girl, Blacks had to use the Colored Only entrance (pictured far right) into the theater; the phenomenal basket weaving of the Chitimacha tribe, the 1500′ deep salt caverns in the area, jazz to swamp music musicians, Avery Island’s TABASCO dating back 150 years and a Cajun original George Rodrigue, prolific artist of LA. 

February 28, 2021      Cypremort State Park, LA

FYI – Cajun and Acadian often refer to the same cultural group of people, from Canada, who now live in south (west) Louisiana.  Whereas Creoles are generally from the New Orleans area and have older roots dating back to the 1600s and early 1700s. 

This picture was taken along the shores of Vermillion Bay LA.   Dark, peat deposits layered on top of lighter colored sand. 

February 28, 2021  Lake Peigneur on Jefferson Island LA

Back in 1980, an oil drilling company (Texaco was mentioned) was drilling in the lake for oil deposits.  The drilling crew became concerned when their tower started to list to one side in the 10 foot deep lake.  They got to shore in time to see their tower be swallowed up by the lake.  The company had drilled through the bottom of the lake and into an open salt cavern below.  65 acres of land, homes, trailers, drilling rigs all were swallowed by the funnel of water.  Miraculously, all the miners below escaped without injury.  

Steve and I enjoyed a delicious lunch at Cafe Jefferson, under the oak trees.

March 3, 2021  Galveston TX

Walked along East Beach and saw the ocean vessels going in and out of Galveston Bay to the North and the shrimp boats along the coastline to the south.

March 4, 2021     Galveston TX

Visited the Moody Mansion.  Built in 1895, the Richardsonian Romanesque styled home features the following design features: Arcade arches, Recessed Entry, Rusticated trim, Towers with conical rooftops, Rounded arches and Thick walls.  Inside included 8 different types of wood from black walnut to Bird’s-eye maple.

March 6, 2021    Galveston TX

The Bishop’s Palace.  Built in 1892 by the Greshem family, the home was later donated to the Catholic Church’s Galveston Archdiocese for use as the Bishop’s residence.  The marble, woodwork, stain glass windows, tilework, metal and plaster moldings takes your breath away.   A second story bedroom was remodeled, replacing clear for stained glass windows with biblical themes and installing a white marble altar for use by the Bishop.  

March 7, 2021  Galveston  TX

Lots of people outside enjoying the beach and tourist attractions along Seawall Boulevard.  The seawall was constructed in phases, the first section in 1902-1904,  after the 1900 Galveston Hurricane which killed 8,000+ people.  Prior to the wall, Galveston was at sea level.  The wall was built 17′ high and sloped down going inland.  Consequently, many of the homes in Galveston had to be restructured on stilts or blocks to prevent flooding of ground level rooms.

March 7, 2021  High Island, near Galveston TX

Steve found the Audubon’s Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary on High Island, named such because the island is atop a salt dome at 35′ above sea level.  We took a ferry across Galveston Bay.  Ferries are much smaller than in Puget Sound, there were 5 operating ferries, 3 loading docks, 20 minute crossing, no fees and operated 24/7.  At the sanctuary, great walking paths and viewing areas throughout the island.  Saw Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Neotropic Cormorants, and Roseate Spoonbills.  It was nesting and mating time.  Very noisy and busy.

March 7, 2021   Highway 84, Galveston  TX

Talked to a local who’s been  fishing this beach for 20 – 30 years.  Decades ago,  there were beach cabins on the water side of the Hwy 84.  Now there’s not even a beach or parts of Hwy 84, which were redirected inland.  Rising water levels, high tides and strong waves from the Gulf of Mexico are contributing to the erosion.  

 

March 8, 2021  Rockport TX, near Corpus Christi

Driving west along Texas’s Gulfshore, there are are more and more oil and gas drill pumps and related manufacturing facilities, like petrochemical plants and refineries.

March 10, 2021  Aransas National Wildlife Reserve, near Rockport  TX

This was touted as one of the best viewing sites of the Whopping Crane, which winters in Texas and then in mid-March, starts to migrate to northern Canada for nesting and raising chicks.  We were only able to see two adults (male & female mate for life) off in the tidal marshlands.  But we saw plenty of BIG alligators, some with their young, lounging in the water.  We also saw the Common Moorhen, another first sighting for us amateur birders.

March 10, 2021     Goose Island, TX

Like so many of these Live Oaks, the branches spread out for many feet.  This 1000 year old oak had wires holding some of the branches to the trunk.  There were several cars that visited the Big Tree while we were there.  Like Texans say, “Everything’s BIG in Texas”!

March 11, 2021   Rockport  TX

We visited the Texas Maritime Museum where exhibits discussed everything from pirates (my favorite is Capt. Jean LaFitte, and brother Phillip) to river commerce, and oil and gas exploration.

March 13, 2021     San Jose Island, TX

Took the Aransas Pass state ferry to Port Aransas, and then took a private Jetty Boat from Fisherman’s Wharf to San Jose Island TX.  The island is privately owned, originally by the Richardson family and currently by the Bass family.  However, the beach is public and that’s where we spent our day.  Fun sea shell collecting, including hundreds of tiny sand dollars.  Also saw the Blue Button Jellyfish, which isn’t a jelly fish at all, but is more closely related to the Portuguese Man o’ war, and is actually a collection of polyps.  Irritates the skin, but not poisonous.

March 17, 2021     Brownsville TX

Driving around the Historic District of Brownsville, (pop. approx. 183,000), Steve and I saw the official border crossing from Mexico into Texas and the USA.  There was very little traffic going into Mexico and we contemplated going into another country on our trip.  We’ll see.

We also visited the Gladys Porter Zoo.  It was Spring Break and the zoo was a very popular destination for families.  My focus was flamingos and the zoo had two species: the more orange American Flamingo (2) whose range is South and Central America, West Indies, Yucatan and Galapagos Islands, and the Chilean Flamingo (3) who’s range is Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina.  Note: NO flamingos native to Florida.  This presents a problem, because unless the species is native to the US, federal funding is difficult to secure for its protection.  

March 18, 2021     Boca Chica State Park

This get’s a little complicated, but that’s life on the road…We set out to find Boca Chica State Park.  We initially ended up on a dead end road, but off to our right in a grove of mesquite trees, we found this beautiful grotto and shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Turning around, we discovered there is only the road-end of Texas Hwy 4 that marks the entrance to Boca Chica “State Park”, part of the 88,800 acre Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR.  Oh, and en route to the park, Elon Musk has constructed StarGate/UTRGV, his rocket assembly and launch site for exploration and living stations on planet Mars.

March 19, 2021    South Padre Island  TX

This last week was Spring Break for surrounding colleges, and we were warned that the S. Padre Island beaches would be packed.  We probably saw more families on vacation, than college students, or maybe we weren’t looking in the right places??  We drove North on Padre Island through some huge sand dunes, beautiful beaches now with cacti replacing palmettos.  Unfortunately, many of the beaches and dunes are heavily trashed with garbage.  That seems to be a constant with the beaches we’ve seen in Texas.  Unfortunate.

March 20, 2021     Brownsville  TX

Saturday’s local Farmer’s Market, held on the grounds of the Cultural Center in the Historic District.  This is a border town, so the majority of attendees were Hispanic.  Also note that masks were required at the event and as far as I could see, everyone was in compliance.  Lots of fresh vegetables – carrots, cilantro, sweet beets, home made chocolates from Mexican cocoa beans, sourdough breads from Los Chapuline’s Farm.  Note to SHD FOOD, the following label appeared on several items for sale:  “This food is made in a home kitchen and is not inspected by the DSHS or a local health department.”

March 20, 2021    Palo Alto Battlefield NHS

May 1846 was the first battle of the 2-year long US-Mexican War.  The territories at stake including present day CA, parts of AZ and NM.  The US won this war because of superior cannon capabilities – their cannons were smaller and more maneuverable, and their range was longer.  Standing on theses battleground sites, you can’t help but feel the confusion, anguish and futility of wars.  I know wars were/are necessary, but as the park signs indicated, there are still the bones of dead soldiers under our feet.

March 23, 2021       Resaca de la Palma SP

This was a great state park.  Plenty of trails, good signage, a variety of shaded and open spaces, plus BIRDS!  Steve is becoming quite the Audubon-er.  We saw the Green Jay with its bright yellow tail and either a Red Cardinal or the Vermillion Flycatcher.  

Caution about rattle snakes replaces warnings about alligators.

March 24, 2021  Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, and Estero Llano Grande SP and World Birding Center, Weslaco TX.  

Saw more of the Green Jays (previous pic) near bird feeders, and a short walk through the Reserve.  Then spent the remainder of the day visiting new friends David & Robin Knupp at World Birding Center.  With the help of Interpreter Huck, we saw a lot of birds: Common Pauraque, Mexican Eastern Screech Owl, Horned Owl, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Black-necked Stilt, White Iberia, Yellow-throated warbler, Hooded Oriole, Golden fronted woodpecker, Inca Dove, Northern Cardinal (m&f), Yellow-rumped warbler, and my favorite, the Chachalaca.  Also saw a Black Witch Moth (superstition the moth is a herald of death) and a 5-6′ Texas Indigo snake in the parking lot.  A great nature day!!

Elbow Cactus to the left and a series of totem poles created from downed palm trees shown below.

March 25, 2021  Falfurrias TX

An Harvest Host property owned by Larry Boykin, 3rd generation farmer and great story teller, who currently grows 1500 pecan trees that average 20,000 lbs. nuts annually.  Drove to town, and with the generous time of curator, “Lou” Trevino-Cantu, toured the Falfurrias Heritage Museum, featuring the Texas Ranger Room. Later visited the Don Pedro Jaramillo Shrine.  Ended the day in the pecan fields with feral hogs, but that’s another story.

March 29-30, 2021    Visiting San Antonio TX 

Staying in Spring Branch RV Park gives us close access to both San Antonio and Austin TX.  In San Antonio, visited The Alamo; centuries of history including the early inhabitants from the Canary Islands; David Crockett who fought as a Texian soldier, but in defeat was shot in front of the mission church and burned; the continuous restoration of the Alamo.   Walked around town and saw statue of the city’s patron saint San Antonio de Padua, the San Fernando Cathedral and the Bexar County Building.

 

Visiting San Antonio…the River Walk.

So impressed by the design of the acclaimed River Walk, two-sided walkways along the San Antonio River in the middle of downtown.  The architects preserved 200 year old Bald Cypress trees, added sculpture, provided living space for birds (non-native Egyptian Geese pictured), access to hotels, businesses and restaurants and created an avenue for scenic river boat cruises.

Visiting San Antonio…Pearl Brewery District

While looking for morning pastries, we opted for the Culinary Institute of America’s Savor Bakery in the (2009) renovated Pearl Brewery District.  The architects Lake Flato and Associate Architects Durand-Hollis Rupe created a green urban masterpiece, mixing old and new in a healthy, spacious, planted urban center.  Its an inspiration to mindful architects.  And the pastries were delicious!!

April 1 – 3, 2021   Austin TX

Very fun, young, artsy city.  Reminded us a lot of Seattle.  So there’s definitely the music scene.  We saw JD Casper, guitarist, performing outside next to the Austin City Limits venue.  Statues of Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan. There’s the art in the city – murals, sculpture and glass.  And then there’s the architecture.  The modern building is the Frost Bank Building.  The other two pics show the positioning of old and new architecture throughout downtown.  Definitely recommend visits to both San Antonio and Austin.  Fun!! 

Texas Capital – Austin TX

The Texas capital building was built from 1882 to1888, and made from local red granite.  The star of Texas seen in the dome’s roof measures 8′ in diameter.  The 6 emblems that appear on the front of the building as well as tiled in the floor of the rotunda acknowledge the 6 different “sovereignties” in Texas’s history: Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States of America and the United States of America.  A major renovation and preservation of the building took place 8/1992-1/1995.  A must-see.

Austin  TX, continued…

Up and down Congress Avenue which leads to the state capital were these banners that featured former (1991-95) Texas Governor, Ann Richards. 

Also, from late March through late October, at twilight, 1000s of Mexico live-tailed bats fly out from under the Congress Avenue bridge to hunt for insects.  We were there, but only saw about 15 bats.  You can’t always get what you want…

Austin  TX, continued…

Broken Spoke Honky Tonk/Dance Hall.  Recommended by brother Tom Bennett, and owned by James White, this place has seen some of the best in country music – Jerry Jeff Walker, George Strait and Garth Brooks.  We went to hear Dale Watson, but by 6:00 it was getting crowded with no masking.  So, you can’t always get what you want…But funky and worth a visit for dancing and great live music. 

Easter Sunday 4/4/21 – Spring Branch TX

Last day at Spring Branch, and decided to do some sight-seeing.  Drove through Boerne (burn-EE), cute town with fair number of folks eating at outdoor venues and walking the covered sidewalks, looking at shops.  Spotting this statue of Wild Bill Hickok sculpted by Austin artist Erik Christianson.  Drove into Fredericksburg and met friends Robin and David Knupp for lunch.  Visited Japanese Garden, Nat’l Museum of the Pacific War and strolled through Wild seed Farms, with fields of Texas Bluebonnet wild flowers.  A quick stop at Luckenbach TX (pop. 3) and learned about Hondo Crouch.  Life is never dull.

April 6, 2021  Fort Davis  TX

Spent one night in Fort Stockton and then 2 hour drive to Fort Davis.  Went on a short walk at Davis Mountain SP.  Topography and scenery is changing from the flat Gulf of Mexico delta to the more familiar open spaces and rock outcrops of the SW.  We did not see the Montezuma quail, but we did see our first flowering cactus.  It’s been interesting to see the vegetation change from Palms to Prickly Pear cacti to Yucca trees.

April 8 – 9, 2021     Big Bend National Park

800,000 acres of mountains, desert and river ecosystems.  Steve arranged for us to spend the night at the NP’s honeymoon cabin, so we had 2 days to explore.  We started on the Chisos Mntn Loop trail, and through the day watched the temperature go from 57-93 degrees F.   Went to Window View lookout for sunset and met some very nice people and fellow travelers.  The next day explored the desert and lucked out with the Prickly pear and Pitaya cacti just starting to bloom.  A fire had started Thursday afternoon in the park, and by Friday had spread to over 250 acres.  We finished our tour by dipping into the Rio Grande River at Santa Elena Canyon. 

April 9, 2021     Terlingua TX

On the way home to the RV park, we stopped at the Terlingua Ghost Town, once a flourishing mercury mining town in the early 1900s.  We chose not to take the rough dirt road up to the town center, so y’all will have to explore those remains.  But we did visit the Terlingua Cemetery where residents and visitors gather each November 2nd to celebrate the Day of the Dead.  Also Terlingua’s International Chili Cookoff occurs the 1st Saturday of November, since 1967!!

April 10, 2021      Alpine TX

Steve and I each got the Johnson & Johnson COVID 19 vaccination.  What a relief!

April 10, 2021      McDonald Observatory

Texas Gov. Abbot gave permission for McDonald Observatory to increase seating capacity from 50 to 100 visitors, so we received confirmation Saturday morning that we had seats at the outside amphitheater for the 11:30 pm Star Party.  Great presentation discussing constellations, North Star, meteorites.  Fascinating field of science with lots going on up in the Milky Way and beyond.  If you visit, I’d recommend going both for the daytime tour as well as for the night show.

Iron/Nickle meteorite weighing 1530 lbs discovered near Observatory in 1903 by 7-yr old George Duncan.

April 11, 2021     Marfa TX

The small outlying towns of Mara, Alpine, Marathon, Terlingua and Prada Marfa all have a funky vibe to them.  Marfa especially seems to attract very artsy, young, creative 20-somethings.  In Marfa, we had dinner with David and Kathleen Blakey at Jett’s Grill in the historic Hotel Paisano (jalapeno margaritas!!) and then drove to the Marfa Lights Viewing area at dusk.  Colored lights have been recorded seen here since the 1800s.  Unfortunately, not on our night, although we had great laughs and conversation.  The next day, we were driving too fast to stop, but check out the Marfa Prada Shoes art installation on google.  Funky!!

April 12, 2021     Guadalupe Mountains NP

This is a first come-first serve camp ground, so Steve and I were very happy to get a slot.  Within the Guadalupe Mtns is Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at 8751 ft.  We hiked about 1.5 miles up the Peak trail and also along the Devil’s Hall trail and saw the Madrone and Yucca trees.  The next day we hiked into McKittrick Canyon and were impressed by the contrast of vegetation against the white creek bed rocks.  Also saw Pratt’s Cabin, constructed in 1930s.  Note flat rock roof.  Even had a bathtub!!

April 15, 2021      Alamogordo  NM

Did you know that 98% of pistachios are grown in CA and the remaining 2% are shared between AZ and NM?  Did you know that there are male and female pistachio trees, and one male can fertilize eight females?  And did you know that for pistachio trees to survive in American soil, they have to be grafted with native trees?  In these McGinn Orchards, the trees are grafted with Live Oak and Mesquite trees to insure survival from fungi and bacteria in the native soils.  Male on the left, female on the right.  Best pistachio shakes ever!!

April 16, 2021     White Sands NP, NM

275 acres of gypsum sand dunes to walk over, slide on and fly kites in.  Amidst all the sand was the color of a Desert Verbena plant and a young couple with their token NM alien.

April 18, 2021     Socorro NM

Visited the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.  I have a greater appreciation for avian photographers.  It is difficult to get close enough to most birds to get a solid picture.  Believe it or not, this is a wild turkey.  We saw another one that was as big as an ostrich!!  The seed pod shown is from a Tornillo tree.  Also known as screwbean  mesquite, this seed pod is eaten by resident javelina and mule deer.

 

April 18, 2021   Truth or Consequences, NM

Not the game show, but the legit town of Truth or Consequences.  A small town, with not much acclaim for its unusual name.  However, their claim to fame might be the town’s proximity to the NM Spaceport Authority’s Spaceport America.  In 2011, the facility was built to support the anticipated rocket flights of Virgin Galactic, UP Aerospace and Exos Aerospace.  Not much happening at present and the only access to the hub is via arranged tours for NM residents only.

April 19, 2021    Socorro NM

Visited the NM Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources.  Great displays of NM petrified wood (pictured), minerals, gold and silver mining history, agates, gems, turquoise, geodes, etc. and florescent rocks.  Great exhibit and the museum had rock specimens for sale.  We picked up a pale green chunk of fluorite crystal.

April 21, 2021      Sedillo Springs  NM  

This was a bit of an adventure for a tiny little critter, the Socorro Isopod.  Basically this nearly extinct crustacean has found a very specific habitat in which to live – the thermal (80 degrees F) springs at the base of the Socorro Mountains.  Right now the Isopod lives in the Sedillo Springs and as the pictures show, these are not significant bodies of water.  Also, the springs are on private property, so you do need to check in at Evergreen Ranch.  And there’s a bit of bushwhacking involved to find the pools.  But once found, these isopods are soooo cute!  They’re basically an underwater-breathing potato bug and are more closely related to lobsters and crayfish than to insects.

April 22, 2021       Continental Divide NM

Travelled a beautiful stretch of HWY 60 west through canyons, rock formations and high plateaus.  This is the area of the Magdalena Mntns and the Rio Grande Rift, so geologically interesting.  Passed over the continental divide at 7796 feet, and arrived at PieTown, NM.  (If any of you know Steve’s family history regarding pies, you know this was a significant stop).  Where once there were 3 pie shops, there is now only one.  Ms. Sarah served up a delicious NM apple, pine nut and green chili pie a la mode and we were in heaven.

April 24, 2021  Springerville  AZ

This is one of 12 Madonna of the Prairie statues dedicated to the pioneer women and families that negotiated coming out west. The remaining 11 statues are along the National Old Trails from Maryland to California.

April 24, 2021     Wenima Wildlife Area

Some of the last riparian habitat in SW Arizona, donated by a local rancher and along the Little Colorado River.  Wenima translates to “coming home” in the Hopi language.  The old barn and stables were fun to explore.  Heard birds and frogs and saw this beaver dam, but not much more in terms of wildlife.  Nice walk.

April 25, 2021       Lyman Lake SP

We came here for a day hike and ended up staying here to camp.  Very nice park, with a reservoir lake, petroglyphs and pueblo ruins dating back to AD 1325 – 1390.  The older petroglyphs dated to the Achaic period (AD 500-1300) and the newer to the Anasazi (AD 1325-1390).  At the pueblo ruins, there were pieces of pottery and chards of sharp rock that you could examine.  A great place to explore.

April 27, 2021        Winslow AZ

It’s amazing what art can do for a town.  Peter Toth sculpted the totem pole dedicated to the original citizens of AZ; the bronze sculpture of a young man and his guitar “standing on a corner in Winslow AZ…” attracts alot of visitors, and the plaque regarding the Harvey Girls… they were generally young women from the east coast hired by Fred Harvey, to work in the restaurants and hotels he owned (1880-1950’s) along the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railway lines.  If you have a chance to visit the La Posada Hotel, GO! 

April 27, 2021      Petrified Forest NP

We spent a day exploring the 28 miles of road that runs vertically through the park.  Not only lots of examples of petrified wood and beautiful vistas, but also petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock, and pueblo ruins at Puerco Pueblo. The petrified wood trees are formed when the fallen tree is covered with layers of mud, volcanic ash and minerials in the soil.  Over millions of years, the minerals crystallize within the wood’s cellular structure and form petrified wood.  Yellow, red, purple, orange from Iron oxide; black and grey from Manganese oxides and white from pure quartz.  Yes, that’s hail on the ground!

April 29, 2021  Gouldings Campground in Monument Valley UT

Although Monument Valley Tribal Park was closed to the public by the Navajo Tribal Council due to concerns of COVID, we were in a beautiful spot to take several day excursions, as well as a “weekend” away at Vermillion Cliffs.  Our first night at Gouldings we met Don and Donna and we all told travel stories over guava juice and rum.  A great start to our 10 day stay.

April 30, 2021  Mexican Hat, Valley of the Gods and Goosenecks.  Can you identify what rock formation is pictured based on the Valley of the Gods’ map?

May 1, 2021  Driving Utah Hwy 261 to Natural Bridges National Monument was an experience.  It reminded us of the roads we encountered in Turkey, twisty, dirt roads with steep drop offs.  But it was the most direct route to Natural Bridges and it’s a state highway, right??

But we did make it to Natural Bridges NM.  The bridges are named Sipapu, Kachina and Owachomo.  

And then a less trecherous drive up to Bears Ears National Monument, which was designated by President Obama, retracted by President Trump and reinstated by President Biden.

May 3 – 5, 2021  Took our “weekend away” to Vermillion Cliffs, staying at Cliff Dwellers*.  We drove into Grand Staircase – Escalande, visited the Navajo Bridge, seeing 5 California Condors doing some incredible aerial acrobatics at Glen Canyon and the Colorado River.  We also hiked down a portion of Cathedral Wash, until footing became too precarious.  It was soooo cool to walk through geologic layers of rock.  We hope to come back to this area and get a permit for “The Wave”.  

*Remember Avocado Pie?

May 6, 2021  Hovenweep National Monument at Little Ruin Canyon.

This was our first viewing of the famed rock houses that are scattered throughout the Four Corners (AZ, NM, UT, CO) area.  The Towers of Hovenweep were constructed by Ancestral Pueblo people around  AD 1230 to 1275, and are rather unique because of the many circular towers at the site.  Twin towers, Hovenweep Castle and Hovenweep House were just a few of the 10 or so structures visible on a 1.5 mile loop trail.

 

 

May 7, 2021  Goulding’s Tour of Monument Valley

Our Navajo tour guide, Leo showed us many things.  He explained the construction of the Hogan, the legends and stories behind naming of the various rock formations in Monument Valley,  (including the pictured Elephant Rock), the sign where Forrest Gump ended his cross-country running journey, and the relationship between the Navajos and the Anasazi Indians, plus more.  It was a fun morning.

May 8, 2021  Last day at Gouldings Park UT

For our last morning we went on a short hike up to The Arch.  We sat and looked around us at the red rock and the simple beauty of stone.  A very beautiful place.

May 9, 2021  Drove through Four Corners area.  The 4 Corners Monument is on Navajo Tribal property, so closed to the public.  But we caught a picture on our truck’s navigation system and successfully ended the day at Ancient Cedars RV park, located directly across from the Mesa Verde National Park.

Kachinas drawn on the campground store walls and a snapshot looking down at  the Square Tower House in Mesa Verde NP. 

Three phases of construction – pit house, pueblos, tower and rock houses from AD 600 – 1200.

May 11, 2021  Mug House tour, Mesa Verde

Steve and I signed up for a National Park Ranger tour of the Mug House ruins, currently not available for general public viewing.  A 1.5 mile hike over some rocks and down a dirt path, led us to cave walls with a pictograph pattern,  (AD 600), and then hiking a little further to the rock Mug House.  The site was named such for the pair of mugs found hanging in one of the rooms.  Note the three doors, each approx. 2.5′ x 3.5 feet.  The adults stood about 5’5″ tall.  Note the four “lanes” where women would ground blue corn from a course to a fine flour; note the circular kivas, a place of ceremony and gathering found in every rock house.  This house had 90 rooms, 8 kivas and archeologists estimated housed 8 families.  Most of the ancestral Puebloans left the rock houses and migrated to the Rio Grande River area by AD 13000.

Step House named for the stairs installed by the Puebloans that took residents from under the rock house to the Mesa above where they would grow crops.  The round clay covered house dates  to AD 500-600, whereas the rock house dates to AD 1200s.  This house was probably home to 30 – 40 people.  Up until the 1970s (?), the descendants of these ancient Puebloans would return and draw hunting scenes and other decorations on the clay covered walls of the kiva.  Pictures of Spring flowers end this session.  

May 14, 2021  Durango  CO

Drove into Durango to catch the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rail Road to Cascade Canyon, following the Animas River through the San Juan Mountains.  Really beautiful scenery with a relaxing lunch break at the river’s headwaters.  After the locomotive train ride, did the tourist thing and found the Ton-Atin Native American and Southwest Arts Gallery.  We will definitely be back before returning to the NW.  Also had a nice dinner at Ken & Sue’s restaurant in downtown Durango.

May 15, 2021 Montrose  CO

Enroute to Montrose CO, we drove over Lizard Head Pass (10,222′) and saw snow alongside the highway.  These are the San Juan Mountains, and close to Telluride Ski Resort.  Next day we walked to the Ute Indian museum.  A great little museum built with cooperation of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the State Historical Society of Colorado.  The museum is locate close to the farm of former (1880s) Ute Chief Ouray and his wife Chipeta.  Of all the Native American arts, Ute Indians are noted for bead work and pottery.  This is also the area visited by two Franciscan monks – Dominquez and Escalante who, in 1776, explored nearly 2,000 miles of the Southwest 4 corners area to trying to locate a direct route to California.  

May 18, 2021     Ouray,  CO

Drove to the mountain mining town of Ouray CO.  Walked UP to Cascade Falls and then did the tourist thing through town.  Lots of late 1880s architecture in really good condition, including stores along Main Street, saloons, theater, hotels.  Fun day until the rain started.  

May 20-something, 2021    Black Canyon NP

Steve and I hadn’t heard of this National Park.  The park has some spectacular 2000′ elevation drops from cliffs composed of gneiss and shale into canyons where the Green River flows.  Took a short and enjoyable hike through old  and twisty Juniper trees and Pinyon Pines.  Also standing at Painted Wall and having the Swifts and Swallows dive bomb around us.  Could hear the wind under their wings.  A real treat.

May 21, 2021       Helper UT

Mark and Barb Colter drove out to Helper UT for a rendezvous and to explore 9 Mile Canyon with us.   Nine Mile has some of the most abundant displays of petroglyphs and pictographs in the world.  The town of Helper was established in 1881 by Teancum Pratt and his plural wives.  Polygamy Porter beer (Park City UT) boasts on the label “Why have just one?”.  I digress.  The town promotes its early coal and uranium mining heritage where 27 different languages were spoken in the 1920s.  Helper got its name from the train engines that helped trains over the passes.

May 23-24, 2021  Ghost towns, Coke Ovens and Nine Mile Canyon

There are several abandoned mining towns up Price Canyon Road.  Most of these towns started in the late 1880s, active in the 1920s, but abandoned by the 1940s.  We did meet the owner of the property of the abandoned Mutual Mine.  He directed us to Bolshevick Mike’s rock hut (no picture).  We also visited the Coke Ovens near Sunnyside UT, (no pictures).  But plenty of pictures of the petroglyphs (chipped images) and pictographs (painted images) that we found along Nine Mile Canyon.

A 70 mile road that provides access to rock art done by Ancestral Puebloans, Fremont Culture and Utes Indians.  Some of the titles of the art include: Great Hunt, Big Buffalo.  Lots of speculation on the meaning of the art figures.  See if you notice repeated characters or themes. 

May 25, 2021   Price, UT

So today, the four of us explored the Prehistoric Museum in anticipation of a possible Colter grandchild expedition in the near future.  The Allosaurus dinosaurs,  carnivore/meat eaters, were the predominant dinosaurs found in this area of UT.  Long necked mammals, like dinosaurs are often found with their necks turned back, due to tendons and ligaments tightening.  Also this area of Utah was under the Mancas Sea and the museum has a 4 foot diameter Giant Clam on display.

May 27, 2021  Jurassic National Monument (formerly Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry).

Today was a mega-tourist day, in that we visited Jurassic National Monument and took a 2.2 mile walking tour, then drove through the San Rafael Swell to see Buckhorn Wash Pictographs, then down to the bottom of the valley to see the San Rafael River and Swinging Bridge, then to The Wedge/Little Grand Canyon, and the final push to Rochester Rock Art.  The Pictographs at Buckhorn estimated at 6,000 – 2,000 years old and the Rochester Art Panel is believed from the Fremont Period (2,000 – 700 years old).  The Rochester Rock is often referred to as the birthing rock.   The site had a feeling of significance.

 

May 30, 2021    Fantasy Canyon  Vernal  UT

Said goodbye to the Colters Friday morning, and left Helper to drive north to Vernal UT.  Fantasy Canyon is on Bureau of Land Management Land.  The formations are comprised of sandstone, siltstone and shale.  I’ve included the Native American Indian legend for reference.  You decide if it’s strictly geologic forces, or not, that created these rock formations.

May 31, 2021  Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, Vernal  UT

I have great appreciation for wildlife photographers.  Not only is it difficult to get close enough to animals, especially birds, to take a detailed picture, but just to spot animals in the wild can be difficult.  That shadow in the tree is a Great Horned Owl, and the blob napping in the Cottonwood tree is a porcupine.  That’s its leg dangling off the branch.  Believe it or not.

June 1, 2021  Dinosaur National Monument, near Vernal  UT

If you have dinosaur enthusiasts, this is a great place to visit.  Like so many of the national parks and monuments, there is timed entry to visit the Dinosaur Exhibit Hall.  But there is a driving tour along Cub Creek Road that takes you to more petroglyphs, hiking trails and Josie Morris’s Cabin, that you can do at your leisure.  The Dinosaur Exhibit Hall is kid-friendly, with many of the display cases at kid level, also with dinosaur bones visible, AND AVAILABLE TO TOUCH, in the rock matrix.  Dinosaur NM butts up to spectacular Split Mountain, and the car tour takes you out to Harpers Corner where you can take a 2-mile hike to see where John Wesley Powell portaged by Steamboat Rock and Echo Park as they made their water journey along the Green River to the Grand Canyon.  There is a lot to see and do in this area.

June 3, 2021  Rocky Mountain NP, Grand Lake CO

Two things:  getting a strong enough WiFi signal is very difficult, as stated multiple times before, and we are now caught up with the travel blog after nearly 2 weeks – Yeah!!!  We are staying at Winding River Resort and Campground, just outside of Rocky Mountain NP.  This NP is using timed entry to limit the number of visitors.  The limitation is not so much COVID related, as it is to limit the impact of human visitors to nature-sensitive areas.  Not a popular practice based on some conversations overheard in visitors’ centers.  The East Troublesome fire occurred in October 2020, destroying 31 miles of trails in western side of the park.  

June 6, 2021     Rocky Mountain NP

Steve and I spent 7.5 hours driving, hiking and exploring this gorgeous park.  This is a Timed-Entry NP, but if you get to the entrance before 9:00 am, you do not need a pass.  Trail Ridge Road switch-backed along snow and tundra covered slopes with peaks, like Mt. Julian at 12, 927′, stark against the blue sky.  We stood at the Continental Divide where the Colorado River (west) winds its way eventually to the Pacific Ocean, and the Platte River (east) eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean.   We saw Mountain Sheep, Elk and Moose.  Also saw the Tundra ecosystem at Rock Cut with tall granite/schist rock mushrooms and flat rocks pushed to the surface from the constant freezing-thawing at this >10,000′ elevation.

June 8, 2021      Adam’s Falls w/in RMNP

We tried to get a Timed Entry pass for access into RMNP’s Bear Lake Road, but they were all taken by 5:01 pm.  So today, we hiked to Adam’s Falls and towards Lone Pine Lake.  We followed the East Inlet waterway up to Adam’s Falls.  According to NP Ranger, this area is about 1 week from maximum run-off, so there was plenty of water.  We also saw the red Columbine flower (Colorado’s state flower) and the creeping Oregon Grape in bloom. Huge walls of gneiss rock and the grand finale of a Moose cow grazing in the meadow.  Did you know that there is the 13.1 mile Alva B. Adams tunnel that runs UNDERNEATH the RMNP, bringing water from Grand Lake to the Boulder, Frt. Collins area?  

Early June 2021     Wildlife “Rump” Series

Despite taking many shots of each of these animals, my best picture remain focused on their rumps.  So please enjoy my “Rump Series” featuring a marmot, deer and a black bear.

 

 

 

June 12, 2021  Destination Pawnee Buttes, near Sterling Lake SP, CO 

We are now in northeastern Colorado and the landscape is changing from the Rocky Mountains and trees to the flatter, rolling hills of the National Grasslands.  The weather is high 90s, and can be humid at times.  Visited the town of Sterling CO and saw wood and bronze sculptures by local artist Bradford Rhea.  Went for a hike to Pawnee Buttes.  Cliffs were off limits due to nesting of Prairie Falcon, but saw lots of wildflowers including Wild Begonia, Musk Thistle and Rocky Mountain Beeplant (?).

Saw at least 20 US Air Force missile silos as we were driving in northern Colorado.  Little spooky.

June 14, 2021     Gering, NEBRASKA

Steve and I are now in a state we’ve never been to before!  I expected NE to be flat.  Not really.  There are rolling hills, grasslands, lots of healthy looking cows grazing, beautiful horses, but not too many people.  We’re in Gering for Scotts Bluff National Monument, which we’ll visit Wednesday.  Weather is unseasonably hot – 103 degrees!!  Court House (tall) and Jail (flat) Rocks are made of Brule clay and Gering Sandstone.  Note the relative flatness of NE farmland in the distance.  Quite the cloud show!

June 16, 2021    Scotts Bluff National Monument

The clay and sandstone geology is not that spectacular, compared to Monument Valley or Rocky Mountain, but the importance of this Monument is its historical significance for the estimated 500,000 emigrants in early to mid-1800s that travelled along the Oregon Trail, Gold Rush Trail and the Mormons’ trail to the Promised Land of Salt Lake City.  Scotts Bluffs represented success in completing about 1/3 of their journey west.  Pictured is a Studebaker Wagon generally drawn by oxen, not horses, and the actual Oregon Trail with Dome Rock in the background.  Also pictured is the modern tunnel through the Bluffs, rather the the pioneer’s route around the bluffs, following the North Platte River.

Same day…We are in the midst of a heat wave through the central states and have experienced 100-103 degree F temperatures.  But, we decided to go onto Agate Fossil NM.  In the early 1900s, a Mr. James Cook discovered vertebrate bones in a sandstone outcrop on his ranch.  Paleontologists from Nebraska University, and Carnegie Museum sent crews to excavate fossil bones dating to the Miocene Period (19-23 million YO).  Unfortunately, there were no fossils left in situ, but walking up to the site made for an interesting, if not hot, hike in the rolling grasslands of Nebraska.

June 17, 2021  Daemonelix Trail, Agate Fossil NM

A late afternoon hike to the fossilized, spiral burrows of the ancient Paleocastor, related to the beaver, but more like an ancient prairie dog.  First thought to be an ancient tree root, paleontologists discovered a Paleocastor skull nearby and figured out these spirals were burrows.

June 18, 2021  Chimney Rock,  Scotts Bluff range

As we leave Gering and head towards North Platte NE, we pass Chimney Rock, one of several rock formations of the Scotts Bluff range used by early explorers and pioneers to navigate through the North Platte River valley.  Because Chimney Rock has lost its sandstone capstone and is now more susceptible to erosion, geologists estimate it will be indistinguishable against the landscape within a decade.

June 19, 2021, daytime     North Platte, NE

Visited Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard – World’s largest Rail Yard where 10,000 cars are handled each day and the facility stretches out over 2,850 acres and 8 miles.  Terms like Locomotive repair, Sand Tower, West and East Hump Yard, Bowl tracks and Pull tracks are the vernacular.  Two very engaging videos describe the town’s World War II effort (N. Platte Canteen) when soldiers heading cross country by train had a 10 minute stop-over in N. Platte and were treated to coffee, baked goods and fresh fruit provided by volunteers in the town and surrounding farms.  The other video is the documentary of the many orphans from the east coast who rode trains west, stopping in various towns and being selected by foster parents.  “Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline is a good book on this subject.

June 19, 2021, evening      North Platte  NE

An Harvest Host stay at Pals Brewery.  The owners sponsored a Pole Vault competition, not uncommon in Nebraska, but right next to the brewery, so rather unique.  Understand those drinking alcohol were spectators only, because the athletes, ranging in age from high school to 80s, were strictly competitors.  One National champion beat his own record of 16 feet! Rain and wind started about 6:30, but the live band went on at 7:00 and Mother Nature provided a double rainbow before the night was over.   A damn Good Time!!!

June 24, 2021       Atwood KS

We’ve now visited 25 of the lower 48 states.  Atwood KS is a small town with plenty of community spirit.  The city RV park (often used by harvesters throughout the summer/fall) abuts Atwood Lake.  There’s volleyball and basketball courts, golf nearby and a baseball field that fills up with cheering crowds on Wednesday evenings.  And lots of friendly people!!

We visited the Arikaree Breaks, a 3 x 36 mile swath of ravines and cliffs in an otherwise flat landscape.  Indians as well as horse thieves used the “canyons” and caves for refuge.  The geology includes a top layer of loess, then a thin layer of Ogallala formation and the lowest formation is Pierre Shale.  There’re 2 species of sage that grow only in The Breaks, and no where else in Kansas.

June 27, 2021   Kirwin Wildlife Area,    Kirwin KS

We headed out to the reservoir for a walk, and hoping to see some of the birds and insects, especially the Hummingbird Moth, mentioned on the reader board.  We were a little late in the day to see wildlife, but as we’re walking outside, a very familiar aroma met our nostrils – yes, wild marijuana.  Transported by birds, especially the peace, love & joy doves, the seeds are scattered throughout KS and NE.  Surprisingly both recreational and medical marijuana are illegal in KS.

June 27, 2021  continued….

Drove to Nicodemus KS, the first black community west of the Mississippi River, established in 1877, and is the only predominantly black community west of the Mississippi that remains a living community today.  We visited the Township building and the recently restored AME Church, buildings taken under wing by the National Park system.  Nicodemus has recently been designated a National Historic Site.  The NP is negotiating with the owner of the Schoolhouse property to see if it  can be added to the National Historic Registry. Pictured is one of the dugouts used by blacks when Sundown laws prohibited blacks from being in neighboring towns after 5:00 pm.  

June 27, 2021  continued….

Last, but not least, the Center of the Continental United States, near Lebanon KS.  Note this center is different than the  Geographic Center of the US near Belle Fourche SD, which factors in Hawaii and Alaska.

June 28, 2021  Home on the Range, near Smith Center KS

In 1871 Dr. Brewster Higley wrote a poem titled “My Western Home” .  He placed the poem in a book and forgot about it.   While doctoring a patient, the man took out the book, read the poem and encouraged Higley to have it printed in the paper.  In 1872, the poem was presented to Dan Kelly who set it to music and later John Harlan who added a refrain.  The final product is the KS state song (1947) and a favorite song sung around the campfire.

(Cabin restored in 2013)

June 30, 2021      Manhattan, KS

Took a mini-vacation to the KSU college town of Manhattan.  Great stop if you’re passing through, with some phenomenal good eateries – Radina’s Bakehouse, Bourbon n Baker, and Wine Dive + Kitchen.  We hiked at Konza Prairie Nature Trail, a Nature Conservancy property with on-going research projects from KSU.  Studies pertain to long-term effects of Climate, Fire and Grazing (Bison and Cattle) on the Tall Prairie Grasses.  Short visit at Wabaunsee KS Beecher Bible and Rifle Church, established in 1862.  The name came from the New Haven CT organizers who donated money for rifles and a parishioner added 25 bibles as a donation.

June 30, 2021  continued….

You can’t go to Kansas without seeing the Oz Museum, in the town of Wamego.  Along with themed restaurants, a Yellow Brick Road leading to colorful murals, and OZtoberFest, there is the museum itself.  An introduction to the Oz book series by L. Frank Baum, and insider information about the Ruby Slippers.  There’s an in-house theater featuring the Judy Garland movie running continuously during hours of operation.  Steve’s favorite character – Wicked Witch of the West, played by Margaret Hamilton, and my favorite, the Lion by Bert Lahr.  Enjoy.

July 3, 2021         Republic and Concordia KS

In the morning visited the Pawnee Indian Museum, featuring the only major preserved Pawnee village site in central plains area.  The museum is built over the scientifically excavated floor of a large Pawnee earth lodge built early 1770s.  The Pawnee consist of four distinct bands: Chaui (Grand), Pitahauerat (Tappage), Kitkehahki (Republic)*, and Skidi (Wolf).  We later visited the POW camp in Concordia where 4000 German soldiers, (primarily officers) and 1000 US soldiers lived.  The POW museum is in the former mess hall.

July 3, 2021  continued…

Ending the day by viewing the statue dedicated to Anna Laura Hill and Orphan Train rider Anna Louis Doherty Simpson.  The statue is placed in front of the Whole Wall Mural, an 140 foot long, longest sculpted brick mural in the US, featuring a life size train.  The statue and mural wall are across the street from the National Orphan Train Complex, downtown Concordia KS.

Had a great Fourth of July in Athol KS, celebrating with friends met in Home on the Range RV park.  Brats on the Bar-B, playing corn hole while the fireflies came out, and watched a fantastic fireworks show.  

July 5, 2021       Beatrice NE

Back in Nebraska en route to Wayne NE for Chicken Days July 9-11, 2021.  On the 7th, woke early to walk the Chief Standing Bear trail.  Chief Standing Bear was a Ponca chief who, like many other Native Americans, ended up leading his tribe to the Oklahoma Indian Teriitory reservation.  During that trip, his son, Bear Shield died.  The chief made a promise to his son to bury him in their ancestral home.  Chief Standing Bear and several followers were arrested when they returned to NE.  But Standing Bear fought in court and in 1879, the US District court recognized Native Americans as “persons within the meaning of the law” and having the right of habeas corpus, thus becoming the first Native American judicially granted civil rights under American Law.

July 9 – 10, 2021  Wayne NE,   Chicken Show

Cousin Larry, upon recommendation from Lyle George, Wayne  native and idea person behind painting Wayne America on local water tower….oh, but I digress.  Steve and I made considerable effort to be in Wayne NE for Chicken Show Days, and gladly so.  The community effort, the mid-west quirky humor, the creativity and hospitality made the effort worthwhile.  Unfortunately a 3 day event was cut short by Mother Nature, who held out until after Saturday’s parade, and then let loose with lightening, thunder and rain.  While it rained outside, we talked with Blue Cat Gallery patrons and visited Wayne State College’s Planetarium.  

Chicken Show Days included activities such as Chalk Walk, World’s Largest Chicken Dance, Water Balloon Wars, Quilt Show, Cement Chicken Auction, Saucy Hot Wing Eating contest, Fireworks, the Parade, Chicken Run, Omelet Feed, Crowing contest, Rural Life art exhibit, Live Chicken Flying, Best Chicken Legs, Hard Boiled Egg Eating contest, Chicken Cluck, Egg Toss and Egg drop from a cherry picker.

July 13, 2021       Nebraska City NE

I visited Arbor Lodge State Historical Park.  Julius and Caroline Morton moved to area in 1855, built a 4-room cabin that was eventually replaced with a mansion that grew to 52 rooms.  There were 4 boys in the family, and Joy Morton, eldest, who was to eventually own Morton Salt, added a basement bowling alley in early 1900s.  In 1923, Joy donated the mansion, furnishings and grounds to the State of NE.  Julius Sterling Morton, father, and president of (NE) State Board of Agriculture is credited with legislating the  creation of Arbor Day in 1872, with the result of NE citizens planting over 1 million trees throughout the state on Arbor Day.  While Julius planted trees, his wife Caroline planted fruit trees and flowers throughout their property.

July 14, 2021      Nebraska City NE

In the morning, visited  the Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure Village – hiking trails, tree houses and boardwalks through the trees.  Both Steve and my knees wobbled for hours afterwards.  Wild purple cornflowers scattered throughout the grounds; also Bee Balm, Blazing Stars, Balloon flowers.  In the afternoon, visited the Kregel Windmill factory museum.  Begun in 1879 by cousins Louis and George Kregel, the factory produced Eli Windmills until 1991.

Nebraska City NE has many colorful murals painted on sides of buildings.   This one caught my eye because on of the younger Morton sons eventually owned Argo Corn Starch Company.  This big (2.5″) green bug is a Katydid, part of the grasshopper family.  They make quite a chorus at dust and nightfall.

July 16, 2021      Moberly MO

We’ve visited our 27th state!!  In the evening, went for a walk and heard an auctioneer’s voice.  Followed the sound to an open air pavilion where a Randolph County 4-H club was auctioning off some of the pigs and sheep youth members had been raising over the year, as well as cured hams and bacon.  (I had flashbacks to memories of Hannah in Dog 4-H, and competing with Vegas in confirmation and agility at the Monroe State Fair).  Intended to benefit the 4-H club, hams were selling at $700.00 while live pigs sold for between $7000-10,000.00.  Fun family event.

July 18, 2021 Pinnacle Youth Park, Boone Co. MO

A privately owned park is dedicated to providing the youth of Boone County with an area where they can attain the enjoyment and skills of outdoor living and to appreciate the beauties of nature.  The  Burlington limestone Pinnacles are 75′ high and run 1,000 ‘ long. It is the Silver Fork Creek that meanders at the base of the pinnacles.  Today, Steve and I saw our first poisonous snake, an Eastern Copperhead.  These snakes do not have rattles, so I came within a minute of stepping on it, as we traversed the Pinnacles’ ridge.  Lots of trees, and mushrooms of all shapes and colors.

July 18, 2021 Moberly MO continued…

Every Sunday afternoon, the volunteer group Moberly Friends of the Park, coordinates railroad rides on a 1.5 mile track through Rothwell Park.  Moberly Parks and Recreation, Lions Club, the aforementioned volunteers and the Rotary Club who handed out free popcorn to the kids, were all involved.  That’s 80 yo Carl as the Caboose Conductor.

July 20, 2021     Hannibal MO

We visited the boyhood home of Sam Clemens, pen name Mark Twain.  In the town of Hannibal,  you can see the restored homes of Twain’s characters, like Becky Thatcher (Laura Hawkins), Tom Sawyer (Sam Clemens) and Huck Finn (Tom Blankenship).  There’s the white picket fence, the riverboats floating on the Mississippi, and Grant’s Drug Store.  There’s also a great museum that chronicles the myriad of “lives” Sam Clemens had before becoming an author in his forties.  Sam Clemens was born in Florida MO, about 25 miles from Hannibal MO.

July 22, 2021      near Park Hills, MO

We visited the Missouri Mine State Historic Site and discovered that MO has a significant lead mining history dating back to 1720s and French explorers.  For most of the 19th century and early 20th century, Southeast MO was the global leader in lead production.  Also mined in the area was galena (Pb is extracted), Zinc, Barite, Lime, Coal.  The museum is located in a restored building of the Federal Mill #3 established in 1907.  At the entrance is a giant Thrombolite, a fossilized colony of bacteria, which miners used as an indicator of lead ore deposits.  Mozarkite is MO state Rock.  

July 24, 2021       St. James MO

Went for a walk at Forest City Mountain Bike Trail.  About an hour into the 2 hour walk, Steve looked up and said “I think it’s going to rain”.  Within seconds, pitter patter turned into RAIN. We were drenched, but warm and before the craziness, got some good pictures of interesting flora and fauna.

Indigo milk cap, orange chanterelle, tiger saw gill and 3-toed box turtle.

July 25, 2021     Trail of Tears  MO

It just so happens that MO Hwy 8, which runs near Pleasant Acres RV Park where we’re staying, is roughly the same Northern Route of the Trail of Tears.  Today we visited some of the landmarks of that Route at Laughlin Park in Waynesville, and Massey Iron Works in Maramec Park.  The Trail of Tears is a National Historic Trail that stretches over 9 states from roughly South Carolina to Oklahoma.

July 25, 2021, continued…  Massey Iron Works at Maramec Springs Park

The iron works was established by Thomas James in ~ 1826 and made metal goods including wagon wheels, pots, pans, tresses, plows until 1878, when the company declared bankruptcy.   Today the  1,856- acre property is a wildlife refuge and park operated by the James Family Foundation.  Within the park is Maramec Springs, the 5th largest spring in MO.  

July 26, 2021    Ozark National Scenic Riverway

Steve and I rented a canoe and travelled 10 miles down the Current River located within the Ozark National Scenic Riverway.  It was beautiful.  Two separate sightings of Belted Kingfishers, otters, turtles, dragonflies and butterflies, the pretty American water willow flower and a type of rock formation called Karst, which made unique rock wall formations.  Also, there were about four springs that fed into the Current River.  It was a great trip.

July 29, 2021        St. Louis MO

Drove from Whittington, Illinois back to St. Louis to see the Gateway Arch NP.  Strongly recommend this experience for peoples’ bucket lists.  In 1959, Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen was commissioned to design the Arch and surrounding landscape along the Mississippi river.  But who I think deserves many accolades is Dick Bowser, the second generation elevator company owner from St. Louis who designed the 8-capsule tram that takes visitors up each arm of the arch to the 630′ apex of the stainless steel arch.  I can’t explained the engineering, but he designed the tram system in 2 weeks.  Genius, and a testament to American ingenuity.

July 29, 2021 continued…

Drove about 20 minutes from St. Louis to the mound remains of Cahokia , City of the Sun, AD 900 – 1200.  This was the largest prehistoric Indian community in N. America covering an area of 6 sq. miles, 120 mounds, and had a population exceeding many European cities of the time.  Similar to the rock houses we saw in NM, AZ and UT, the Cahokias left the area by AD 1350-1400.  The museum’s dioramas were great, and depicted a very sophisticated civilization, such as casted statue of mother and child.  Steve and I walked to top of Monk’s Mound.  You can see Gateway Arch in distance.

August 2, 2021      Springfield  IL

Springfield, land of Lincoln.  Springfield also featured our first seen Frank Lloyd Wright house – the Dana Thomas home.   First the house, then everything Lincoln.  From 1901-1904, Susan Dana watched the relatively young FLW design a 16-floor house that featured stained glass windows incorporating butterflies and sumac trees from the surrounding prairie landscape, as well as 3 balconies for live musicians to serenade guests before, during and after dinner. Unfortunately, no inside pictures were allowed, so you’ll only see the exterior which originally included green plaster, horsehair and hemp friezes, but were replaced by State of Illinois with a fiberglass and resin substitute in the 1980s.

 

August 4, 2021  Springfield  IL

Visited the Lincoln Museum which takes the visitor from Abe’s boyhood home in Kentucky to his lawyer years in Springfield at the IL state capital, to his courting Mary Todd, their growing family of 4 boys (only Robert survived to adulthood), Lincoln family’s move to Washington DC as the country’s 16th president in 1860, the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, and his assassination in 1865 , just a few months into his 2nd presidential term.  A great way to learn American history.

Springfield IL, Land of Lincoln, continued…Same day saw the Old Capital Building where Lincoln worked as a lawyer.  Building is currently under renovation.  And the current Capital Building.  We were late to arrive at the National Park’s guided tours of the Lincoln Home, but walked the 4 blocks of the preserved old neighborhood filled with renovated homes, gravel roads and wooden sidewalks.

August 5, 2021  Springfield  IL

Today we visited Lincoln’s Tomb and Lincoln’s Memorial Gardens.  Yes, we rubbed Lincoln’s nose for good luck.  Much of the construction materials, like the Arkansas red-veined marble found in the interior atrium, was donated.  Lincoln was first laid to rest at a mausoleum located downhill from the present day tomb site. 

The Lincoln Memorial Garden, 100-acres woodland park, was designed by landscape architect Jen Jensen, and the brainchild of Springfield resident Harriet Knudson.  Jensen wanted large granite stones at the three entrances to the garden.  Harriot did the research and had the boulders trucked in from Montana (?), one boulder per truck in the 1930s. 

August 6, 2021    Cascade IA

About 20 minute drive from our RV park is the movie set of the 1989  “Field of Dreams”.  We visited the site and walked into the corn fields and around the baseball diamond.  As we left, talked to a fellow who explained that starting tomorrow, the field will be closed to the public for a week in preparation of a REAL baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees on August 12th, sponsored by the Baseball Major League.  There are 8,000 bleacher seats with ticket prices ranging between $350- $12,000.  FOX Sports channel will be covering the game.  Steve and I plan to go to the nearest sports bar on Thursday, order a beer and hotdog and enjoy!

A little game of guess the flora and the fauna, sorta fauna.  For the flora, the best clue is the tree leaves.  For the fauna, think VERY small.

August 8, 2021  Effigy Mounds National Monument near Prairie de Chien, WI

OK, these pictures do not look like much.  They are basically un-mowed mounds in different shapes.  But what makes this site special, is that the burial mounds date back 1200 – 2400 years ago, and are unique because their creators made the mounds in specific shapes – conical, linear, compound, bear and birds.  Archeologists have excavated spears, rock tools and pottery shards from the sites.   If nothing else, it made for a beautiful day walking around in the woods.

August 12, 2021  Britt, IA

Steve seems to have an allergic reaction to something (corn pollen?) and decided to stay home, so I drove to Britt IA to see the Hobo Museum.  Got there and discovered that the 121st annual Hobo Convention in Britt IA was underway.  While in the lobby of the museum, met Red Bird Express from PA who was named Hobo King in 2002.  Talked briefly about the ethos of hobo life, how there are fewer hobos today and how technology (drones) is making hitching a ride both more dangerous and more litigious.  The museum is small, charges a minimal fee and relies on volunteers, but was filled with great information, art and crafts, and a fantastic hour long documentary about hobos from the Depression, Dust Bowl and their incorporation into the Civilian Conservation Corps.  Also visited the Hobo Jungle, very safe.

August 11, 2021 (out of sequence)  Austin MN

Steve and I drove into MN in order to see the SPAM Museum.  A surprisingly informative and interactive museum, with a great staff that will answer ALL your questions.  If you’ve ever  wondered, SPAM is made of 6 ingredients – pork, salt, water, potato starch, sugar and sodium nitrate.  It’s creator was George M. Hormel who in 1937 created SPAM.  It became a protein favorite of Depression era families, and was eaten by Allied soldiers during WW II.  Hormel has manufacturing plants throughout the world including Japan, S. Korea, Philippines, Great Britain and Latin America.  Check out Hormel’s current efforts with a poultry product called “Spammy”, being offered at Guatemalan Chispa centers to help offset low protein diets in children.

August 13, 2021  Pipestone National Monument

The red rock traditionally used by Native American for pipes is called catlinite.  It is a metamorphic mudstone and has the properties of being relatively soft, heat tolerant and polishes to a beautiful smoky red when exposed to oxygen.  There is a seam of catlinite under a much thicker seam of Sioux Quartzite, also another beautiful rock used extensively in the early 1900s architecture in Pipeline MN.  The National Monument takes the visitor to these quarries, and to Winnewissa Falls and to the rock formation “The Oracle”., which strongly resembles the Bennett nose.  Only American Indians from federally recognized tribes can obtain a claim to mine the red pipestone in the National Monument.

August 19, 2021      Sauk Center MN

We chose to camp in Sauk Center because author Sinclair Lewis lived here during his younger years.  Yes, there is a Main Street, of which he named one of his novels.  And now that I’ve learned more about his books, I’ll be adding “Babbitt” to the reading list.  Unfortunately, the boyhood home and museum were closed for all of 2021 for remodeling.  So , Steve and I had a restful few days before heading north to Parker’s Prairie MN.

August 20, 2021  Alexandia  MN

The Runestone Museum features the controversial Rune Stone.  Legend has it that Goths and Norwegians wrote message on stone in 1362.  The stone was found by farmer Olof Ohman in 1898, purchased by a researcher in 1928 and eventually purchased by the Museum in 1958.  Plenty of anthropological research to indicate stone is authentic and the Vikings were established in northern America well before Columbus in 1492.

August 20, 2021  L’Etoile du Nord Winery,  Parkers Prairie,  MN  Harvest Host

An idyllic setting along Lake Irene, hosted by Polly and David.  We enjoyed sipping wines and nibbling on award winning brie cheese while rain poured down on roof overhead during a random thunder shower.  Quietest evening ever.  

August 22-23, 2021  Governor Knowles State Forest and Sandrock Cliffs, Grantsburg  WI

Travelled to our 31st state of Wisconsin.  Steve and I took a pleasant walk through Knowles State Forest,  seeing the St. Croix River for the first time, beautiful rock-lined shorelines, and being surprised to find an old wishing well hidden in woods.  Highlight was meeting up with Harvey and Ruth Halvorsen, from New Richmond WI,  and hiking along the Sandrock Cliffs.  My only regret was not getting a picture of the two of them as we explored the dried river bed of the St. Croix River.   

August 23, 2021  Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area,  Grantsburg  WI

Crex Meadows is located within the 1500 square miles of Northwest Wisconsin Pine Barrens.  It is named such after the Crex Carpet Company that collected wire grasses for carpet making from about 1910 to 1930s.  We saw Trumpeter Swans and Sandhill Cranes while we drove around the Wildlife Refuge.

August 27, 2021    Wood’s River, WI 

Met our very good friends, the Ericksons at Burkett’s Dairy Cooperative.  Their eldest and our Hannah were pre-Kindergarten buddies, until the family moved to MN, to be closer to Cherie’s family.  It was a great visit and Steve and I were introduced to their ever-moving, laughing, hugging and happy 4 year old granddaughter.  What a treat for us to share this time with friends after too many years.  

August 28, 2021     Boulder Junction WI

Leaving Grantsburg with fond memories of valued friends, we drove into the northern woods of WI.  So very beautiful with conifer and deciduous trees, that are just starting to change colors, and lakes, lots and lots of lakes.  It was a long drive, so selected Guide’s Inn in Boulder Junction for an early dinner.  What a meal!  We both had the pan-fried walleye, shared a bottle of French wine and were happy campers.  Sunday went for a 5 mile walk along the Lumberjack Trail, looking for the herd of Albino Deer in the area, but no luck.  We did see the headwaters of the Manitowish River at Fishtrap Dam.  

August 30. 2021     Boulder Junction WI

Visited the Ojibwe Museum and Cultural Center.  A rather small museum, that included 4 life size dioramas depicting roughly the 4 seasons, and the Ojibwe’s activities during each season.  Winter and ice fishing with elaborately carved and painted lures, used for catching BIG musky fish.  Or Fall when the rice grass is harvested – a one canoe and two person operation.  Beautiful hand crafted birch bark baskets.  The Ojibwe is one clan of a larger group of Indigenous people in North America called the Anishinaabe.  I think the Seven Teachings apply to all peoples.

August 31, 2021     Boulder Junction WI

Another glorious hike in WI northwoods, visiting Escanaba Lake.  Walking along the shore, into the forest, into a meadow filled with splashes of the Orange jeweled touch-me-nots, but also seeing interesting new fungi, burls on trees and a berry shrub called American Spikenard.  The trail system in the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest is impressive as it accommodates multiple uses including hiking, biking, cross country skiing, with clear trail markers and this shelter with a fire ring and matches in case you’re stuck in the woods during a snow storm.

September 1, 2021    Little Bohemia Lodge, WI

As suggested by a Wisconsin native, we ventured down Hwy 51 to the Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters, WI.  Back on 4/10/1934, the John Dillinger Gang, with Baby-face Nelson were staying at the lodge.  During a child’s birthday party, one of the woman let slip that the gang was at the lodge.  That night the Division of Investigation (soon named the FBI) attempted capture.  Both Dillinger and Nelson escaped, civilians and a FBI agent killed.  However, the lodge has retained the bullet holes in both down and upstairs rooms.

September 2 & 3, 2021    Wausau  WI

Steve and I did a short hotel break in Wausau.  We visited a former co-worker’s butcher shop, Zillman’s Meats.  The guys behind the counter shared stories and rummaged down in the basement to recover the “115% effort” hard hat worn by a now employed SHD food inspector.  Picked up our cheese curds, and some great steaks.  Friday night was the local fish fry at Neuske’s Gulliver’s Landing, complete with Old Fashioned made with brandy, bitters and sour soda(?), Spotted Cow beer with Haddock fish dinner, slaw and rye bread.  Good times!

Saturday 9/4/21  Labor Day weekend   Bailey’s Harbor, Door County  WI

Gorgeous weather and beautiful countryside with cherry and apple orchards, cute villages up and down the peninsula which is surrounded by Lake Michigan.  Door County is described as the Midwest’s Cape Cod.  We headed out to Cave Point Park, but way too crowded, so found Logan Creek Property for a few miles of walking in meadows, Eastern Hemlock and White Pine forest, creek and lake views.  Last picture is of an infected beech tree.  A combination of both a sap-feeding scale insect and the Neonectria fungus are a serious threat to these trees.

September 6, 2021  Ferry rides from Door County to Washington Island and Rock Island State Park, in Lake Michigan

Labor Day continued….

Washington Island.  This island reminds me so much of the Whidbey Island vibe from 15-20 years ago.  There’s cherry orchards and fresh sweet corn stands on family farms.  There’s cute shops and local breweries and wineries.  The water is clear, and then there’s the locals.  Between 1991 – 1995, local craftspersons constructed this Stavkirke as an act of love.  It is open daily throughout the year as a place of spiritual meditation and worship.  It’s style is Norwegian medieval architecture, and is a tribute to Washington Island’s Scandinavian heritage.

Labor Day continued…..

Rock Island State Park.  912 acres of park land which is the site of Wisconsin’s first lighthouse constructed in 1836,  a dream of Chester Thordarson (wealthy electrical inventor) as a vacation resort destination in 1920-30s, and now a destination park for kayakers, hikers, campers, and cross country skiers.  There are beautiful stone structures from Thordarson’s day, plus tours of the lighthouse.  Steve and I climbed to the top of the lighthouse.    

Labor Day continued…..

Schoolhouse Beach on Washington Island.  Given the ferry schedule, we had to catch the last ferry off Washington Island by 6:00 pm.  But one last thing to visit was Schoolhouse Beach which has these phenomenal white dolomite limestone rocks.  The state parks has had to post signs telling people not to take the rocks, because they are beautiful.  Steve made steaks, fresh corn and cherry juice cocktails for the end of a great weekend.

September 9, 2021  Cave Point County Park, and Whitefish Dunes State Park,  Door County  WI

Another beautiful spot along the Lake Michigan shore.  Cave Point is named so due to wave action carving out caves in the dolomite limestone rock bluffs referred to as the Niagara Escarpment.  This same stone is found at Niagara Falls in the state of New York.  Same day we drove to Whitefish Dunes State Park, which is home to the highest dunes in the state at 93 feet above lake level (on top of Old Baldy).  There are some rare flora and fauna living within this unique ecosystem – the Dune Thistle which can live up to 13 years (which we saw), and the Red-eyed Vireo (which we hope to see someday).  

September 10, 2021  Peninsula State Park

Our last day in WI, and I’m going to miss this state.  Door County in particular reminded me of Whidbey Island from 15-20 years ago.  Today we hiked around the peninsula, touring the functioning Eagle Bluff Lighthouse and the newly constructed Eagle Tower Lookout which looks out to Eagle Harbor and Green Bay.  Tomorrow, head into Michigan state.

September 12, 2021     Ishpeming MI

We’re in Michigan, our 32nd state!!  Entering the state from the Upper Peninsula or “The UP” according to local vernacular.  We visited the Michigan Iron Industry Museum today, and I as I try and do, I’ve included reference to Native American history as well as early European settlers.  Please read plaque about Chief Marji-Gesick (also spelled Mah-je-ge-zhik) that rests outside the museum, and his picture next to Philo Everett, who in 1845, founded the Jackson Mining Company near the Carp River.  Iron mining, forging, transporting, technical research and advances, and the risks are all displayed in this museum.  Also note contemporary 47 mile Iron Ore Heritage Bike/Hike Trail.

September 13, 2021  Ishpeming  MI

Along with Iron ore mining, Ishpeming is the site of the National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.  We visited Suicide Hill, where Nordic ski jumpers have been competing since 1888, and also visited the Luge training site (you have to use your imagination to visualize the track with snow).  Ishpeming is a little funky, not to be too political, but lots of 2020 Trump/Pence signs displayed in yards.  Yet the UP (Upper Peninsula) is beautiful and the” Yoopers” are a hearty bunch.

September 13-14, 2021 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness SP, Bond Falls near Paulding  MI

Spent the day sightseeing.  First stop was Porcupine Mntns, where the interpretive signage explains the eight types of Pre-Cambrian rock found in this part of the UP – Freda Sandstone, Nonesuch Shale, Copper Harbor Conglomerate, Lakeshore Traps Basalt, Copper Harbor Sandstone, Porcupine Volcanic Andesite, Porcupine Volcanic Rhyolite, and Native Copper.  Walked through the woods to the 1958′ high scenic lookout, and then drove to Paulding to see the Ontaganon River flow over Bond Falls.  An especially beautiful spot.  Ralph’s Italian Delicatessen, for dinner fixin’s, was a gourmet’s delight.  

September 15, 2021  Copper Harbor, Fort Wilkens SP, Mohawk, mining towns of Calumet & Hecla, Bishop Baraga Shrine, the UP in MI.

Another day of sightseeing.  The weather is sunny and mild, and there’s so much history along with nature’s beauty in the UP.  We visited Copper Harbor, unfortunately the lighthouse was not available to the public at this time.  We visited a beach where the schooner Astor was shipwrecked in 1844, and walked  along the Copper Harbor conglomerate beaches.  A unique stop was to the Catholic Monastery of the Byzantine Rite, and their Jampot Bakery, that makes delicious gingerbread cupcakes.  Also visited the Shrine to Bishop Baraga, who served many of the UP Native Americans in mid-1800s, and admired the architecture of the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company’s buildings which showcase the jigsaw patterning of local granite and sandstone rocks.. 

September 17, 2021  Newberry  MI

Drove up to Whitefish Point lighthouse and their Shipwreck Museum.  Have to say there’s not alot of masking going on here, so we spent the majority of our time on the sandy beach.  Talked to a fun retired couple from PA, who educated us on the Petoskey Stone – MI’s state stone.  We’ll be looking for them when we visit Sleeping Bear Dunes near Traverse City MI.  

September 18, 2021  Munising  MI

We took the National Park Concessionaire boat cruise along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.   A 2.5 hour tour along Lake Superior’s shore to see the various mineral (Fe, Cu, Mg, Limonite) staining and formations of the sandstone rock.  Miners Castle, Lover’s Leap, Chapel Rocks and Spray Falls.

Also walked to Miners Falls.

September 19, 2021  Tahquamenon Falls SP

Tahquamenon (sounds like phenomenon) Falls is another set of falls with lots of water, second in volume to Niagara Falls.  The Tahquamenon Falls are divided into the Upper and Lower falls.  As we’re touring the lower falls, we start talking with another couple to discover that they too were celebrating their wedding anniversary – they’d been married 52 years and ourselves celebrating 34 years.  Her name was Kathy.  And guess what his name was??  Stephen!  We all got a chuckle and had to get our picture taken in front of the falls.  Cheers to this and many more happy coincidences.

September 21, 2021 St. Ignace  MI, still in Upper Peninsula

We set up the trailer and then drove to Mackinac (pronounced mackinaw) City.  This means driving over the nearly 5 mile, Mackinac (Mighty Mac) Suspension Bridge which opened in 1957, and connects the Upper and Lower peninsulas.

Sunset on Lake Michigan.

Friday 9/24/21  Mackinac Island  MI

Steve and I took the early ferry ride in order to be driven under the Mackinac Bridge.  On the west side of the bridge, you’re in Lake Michigan, on the east side of the bridge, you’re in Lake Huron.  Mackinac Island is in Lake Huron, a rather small island of 8-mile circumference.  

Arriving on Mackinac Island is like stepping back in time.  No cars are allowed on the island, just horse drawn carriages.  Turn of the 20th century homes line Lake Shore Boulevard, and there are fudge shops everywhere!!  We visited Fort Mackinac which was originally built by the British in 1780 and traded flags under American and British rule until after the War of 1812.  We saw a cannon firing demonstration.  Then walked up to the Grand Hotel.  The fourth floor Capolo and bar, the world’s longest patio, Ester William’s swimming pool, the formal dining room, Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor and ending in the Secret Garden.  Oh, I was in my happy place.

Upper Peninsula  MI

We’re always checking out rocks, and in this part of MI, we wanted to find the state rock called the Petoskey Stone.  The picture on the left shows some fossil imprints, the center picture shows the corral fossils, but in a fragile crystalline form, but the last picture shows the Petoskey Stone.  Pictured below are scenes from the Mission Peninsula, and Sand Dunes National Lakeshore from 9/28/2021.

October 1 – 9, 2021  Detroit MI   A Mass, a Mind’s Year Celebration for Mom, and a Reunion for family.  (See note in “Other” page on our Blog).  Below are pictures from our 10/4/21 visit to the Henry Ford Museum and Innovation Center.  Despite the ominous smokestacks at Ford’s Truck Paint plant, there’s technology there recovering VOCs from paint and using the recovered hydrogen to run battery cells powering the building.

10/11/21  Cuyahoga National Park  OH

Back to our travels, and now in our 33rd state, Steve and I visited the Cuyahoga NP, a forested valley along the Cuyahoga (Crooked) River that connects Akron OH to Lake Erie.  Unbeknownst to me, this was the river that was afire back in 1969 and what led to regional and national attention to protection of waterways from chemical pollution.  It was a pleasure to return to 2-3 hour walks in the woods, including Brandywine Falls and The Ledges.

Stairs constructed by Civilian Conservation Corps and an early Halloween surprise inside the tree trunk!

OH Highway 39, Amish Country October 13, 2021

Took a day trip to explore Amish Country, going through small towns of Sugarcreek (World’s largest Cuckoo Clock), Berlin and Walnut Creek with large stores selling delicious cheese and chocolates, and Millersburg with the copper domed county courthouse built in 1885.  Also saw Amish horse-drawn buggies on the roads, the Amish Kettle Corn maker and the 760 pound pumpkin, probably Amish bred.

Cleveland OH 10/14/21  Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

They were all there from Steve and my “formative” youth – Janis Joplin, Joan Baez, Louis Armstrong, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Grateful Dead, James Brown, Billie Holiday, B.B. King, Elvis, Roy Orbison, Kurt Cobain, Lady Gaga and more.  Depending upon your degree of interest,  you could spend days exploring the multi-faceted floors of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.  Read the history of how Cleveland was selected as the Rock n Roll center of the country.  We also discovered Gennett Records in Richmond IN and a great mura at a VERY funky Happy Day’s Record store in Green Forks IN.  We’re just scratching the surface.

Anderson IN  October 17, 2021  Mounds SP

We travelled into Indiana on 10/15/21, Steve’s birthday.  Last birthday we were in Amarillo TX on Route 66 for his 66th birthday.  Some of the recognized Native American tribes from this area include: Potawatomi, Shawnee, Kickapoo, Delaware, Winnebago, Wea, Wyandotte, Ottawa, Chippewa, Menominee, Fox, Sauk and Creek.  Today we visited Mounds State Park, site of the Adena and Hopewell Peoples that preceeded all of the aforementioned tribes.  The 10 mounds and earthworks within the park date to around 160 BC.  The mounds, like others we observed in Illinois and Florida were used in burials, ceremonies and observation of celestial events, like solstices and equinoxes.  Also note the local Shaggy Bark Hickory tree.

10/17/21 continued….

Abbott’s Candies in Hagerstown IN.  Started by William Clay (W.C.) Abbott in 1890s,  its specialties are caramels and chocolate creams.  They also have a gizmo (turtle) in both milk and dark chocolate that is very good.  The candy store is in an old Presbyterian Church which was built in 1852.  And to burn off those delicious calories, went on a walk at our Richmond IN campsite  and saw a Milkweed seed pod, a big puffball mushroom and a pile of the osage oranges. 

10/21/21  Cave City KY, Mammoth Cave NP     We had planned a few excursions into the area, including several caves near Mammoth Cave NP, but sightseeing soon became a low priority.  It all started with a toilet that was refilling very slowly, and ended with new anode rod and a new toilet.  Little did Steve and I realize, that as we’d been travelling through states that exist above limestone deposits, calcium minerals  were eroding the metal anode rod in the hot water heater and depositing mineral salts throughout our water system.  So, now we’re not only looking at the surrounding geology for its beauty, but also in how it applies to our trailer.  Applied science, love it! 

10/23/21  Mammoth Cave NP

We weren’t able to schedule a cave tour, still in high demand in late October.  So we decided to avoid the crowds and do some hiking in the NW corner of the park, by First Creek Trailhead.  It was a beautiful Fall day, saw some gorgeous Kentucky trail horses and their accomplish riders along the trail, as well as two hikers from Chicago, out for a 5-6 day backpack trip.  Hiked with them a few miles, and it was great to share time with kindred spirits.  

It was definitely muddy in some areas, and this tree trunk was like sculpture art in the woods.

10/24/21  Bowling Green         

The National Corvette Museum.  It’s all good to be out in nature and breathing the fresh air and seeing the beauty, but every once in a while, you just gotta go fast!!  And what a dream to walk through the Corvette Museum.  Production started on the  Corvette convertible in 1953, and the 300 hand assembled cars were only available with a white exterior and a red leather interior.  Learned about engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov, a Belgium-born Russian, who’s innovations brought high performance (speed) to the corvette, changing it from a coup to a racing car.  Later visited the NCM Motorsports Racetrack.  Vroom!

October 27, 2021  Cumberland Gap NHP

The Cumberland Gap, named after an English Earl who never set foot in America, was the preferred passage over the Appalachian Mountains which allowed passage from Virginia to Kentucky.  Daniel Boone was one of the famous frontiersmen that led hundred of thousands of mid-18th century settlers west into the Ohio Valley.  Steve and I hiked to Cumberland Gap, and to Tri-State Park where you can stand at the corner boundaries of the states of TN, KY and VA.  We also visited Pinnacle Overlook and views of Cherokee Lake, near Tazewell TN.  

October 29, 2021  Great Smokey Mountains NP

There’s been a lot more rain these last two weeks, so when we found a day of good weather, we jumped on it.  A road closure to Cades Cove delayed our start a bit, but once toppled trees were cleared, we got outside to grab pictures of the Fall foliage.  These are pictures along the Cades Cove loop road, and along the Middle Prong Little River.   What a way to spend a day!

I like the contrast between the bold and the delicate colors.

                                                                     HAPPY  HALLOWEEN!!

November 1, 2021 Blacksburg SC 

Cowpens National Battlefield Park.  We’ve returned to SC, but this time further inland, and making a point to visit our first National Park Battlefield.  The significance of (Hannah’s) Cowpens battle during the Revolutionary War was that Daniel Morgan and his army from the states of GA, NC, SC, DE, MD and VA successfully executed a Double Envelopment against the British Army.  Ultimately, Morgan’s Army lost about 750 men while the British lost over a thousand. Morgan’s Army recovered ammunition, cannons, horses and slaves from the defeated British. 

11/1/2021  continued…On our walk through the park we saw this colorful creature – a black and yellow flat millipede.  Two interesting facts: a millipede has legs that come from the underside of the insect, whereas a centipede has legs coming from the sides of the insect, AND this particular millipede can emit cyanide gas!  Not enough to harm a human, but enough to kill a small bird.  Plus a little Americana with the town of Gaffney’s water tower called “the Peachoid”.

November 2, 2021     Spartanburg SC

Called the Hub City, Spartanburg was a nice city to visit (pop. 37,500).  Steve played golf at the Creek Golf Club, I visited the Spartanburg Art Museum, Art Guild and took a quick pic of the city’s 2016 campaign to “Lighten up Spartanburg”.   The arboretum/garden was the brain child of Harold Hatcher (1907-2003), and it warmed my heart to see kids exploring the koi ponds and rustling through the woods.

November 4, 2021   Columbus NC   Today we did some Foodie shopping, buying some delicious Standing Stone Bakery bread and then visiting the Looking Glass Creamery in Columbus NC.  This little (formerly goat, now cow) dairy had all sorts of yummy cheeses and European* wines for sale.  Plus a little restaurant upstairs, all squeezed into an old farmhouse.  The store was featured in Williams and Sonoma magazine, and is a supplier for their catalogue.  *Family connections in Italy.

11/5/21  Kings Mountain National Military Park

Another first, a national military park.  I wish we could have the National Park Ranger who provided us her succinct narrative on the historical importance of this park.  But, instead I’ll quote from the brochure: “By 1780 the northern campaign of the American Revolutionary War had been fought to a stalemate., and England turned its military strategy toward the South.  The tactic seemed simple: re-establish the southern royal colonies, march north to join loyalist troops at the Chesapeake Bay, and claim the seabord.  But a sudden battle in the wilderness exposed the folly of England’s scheme and changed the course of this nation.”

11/7/21        Elijah State Park, Lincolnton GA

I like Georgia, especially the two state parks we’ve visited.  The parks have spacious sites, are well maintained, and in the case of Elijah Clark SP, situated on the Savannah River which is the natural border between NC and GA.  Aside from some beautiful weather, restful sunsets at the park, we also visited the cute town of Athens, GA, college town of University of Georgia (UGA), and visited the nearby State Botanical Gardens of Georgia/UGA.  Not too much growing in the gardens, but lots of mint for the southern hospitality of the Mint Julep.

11/10/21  Graves Mountain Mine, Lincolnton, GA

Fifteen minutes from the Elijah Clark SP, is the Graves Mountain Mine.  The mine is unique because it has an abundance of different and distinct minerals, including Rulite which Tiffanys mined in the 1920s for use in polishing diamonds.  Steve and I had a blast crawling over rock faces, chipping away at stone and discovering lots of rocks that we HAD to have, including iridescent botryoidal hematite, Lazulite, Rutile, quartz crystals, mica and native Sulphur covering the inside of a quartzite-filled cave.

November 13, 2021  Congaree NP  Gadson, SC

As Steve and I were walking up to the Congaree NP visitor’s center, we realized, we’d been here before.  There were far fewer people in November 2020, the Visitor’s Center was closed, but we had walked the boardwalk over the Bald Cypress tree swamp, and marveled at the Cypress knees.  This time, we noticed that within a few inches, the ecology changes dramatically from the swampy Cypress trees, to the drier switch cane and hardwood trees.  After the boardwalk, we hiked across the street into the long leaf and loblolly pine forest, and watched the wind send maples leaves swirling to the ground.

November 14, 202     Cheraw, SC

Staying at the Cheraw State Park, next to Lake Juniper.  Very pleasant.  And it was on the way to the park’s golf course, that we saw 3 fox squirrels!  These are rather big squirrels (size of a cat), with grey or black bodies, white patched nose, and very long, full tails.  You’d think they’d be easy to spot, but they are rare and we’d been looking for about a year.  

While Steve golfed, I walked the Cheraw historic tour.  The town is named after the Cheraw Indians, a branch of the Cherokees.  The area has Revolutionary War significance, because British troops, including the famed Scottish Fraser Highlander fighters buried 2 officers in graves capped with bricks, and “several” infantry men buried in an unmarked mass grave at Old St. David’s Church cemetery.  The historic tour is self-guided, and you obtain the key for the museum and church from the Chamber of Commerce.  Also, famous trumpeter John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie is a native son to Cheraw, SC.

November 17, 2021    Cheraw State Park

The 6,000 acre park includes mature long-leaf pine trees as habitat for the endangered Red-Cockaded woodpecker (currently about 16,000 living in the USA).  We hiked through the forest and observed at least five red-cockaded woodpeckers high in the pine trees.  Also observed a grove of Cypress trees, and this last bit of summer color with a Prairie Blue-eyed grass flower, also known as a Star flower.  A very pleasant day in the woods.

November 21, 2021     Holden Beach NC

This is the first of two campgrounds we will be revisiting on our round two to Florida for the winter months.  Last year we were introduced to shell hunting by part-owners/Holden Beach RV Campground, Bambi and John Teates.  We had such a great stay, decided to return this Fall.  This year, it’s about 20 degrees colder, so we’re looking for treats, rather than shells.  Cinnamon rolls, scones and hot coffee at Aunt Irene’s and the BEST homemade ice cream with seasonal flavors like Winter Bourbon at Saltwater Shanty.  Delicious!!!

Thanksgiving Day    November 25, 2021

Oak Island is one of the 4 island beaches in Brunswick County NC, as well as home to the Oak Island Lighthouse (1958).  The beach was a beautiful place to walk and shell hunt on Thanksgiving Day.  Lots of copper- colored jingles, cockle shells and Atlantic scallop shells.  We also had a bit of deja vu, looking across the bay and seeing Old Baldy Lighthouse on Bald Head Island which we visited last year.  This year’s featured jelly fish was the Moon Jelly, while last year we observed the beached Cannonball Jelly fish.  

11/27/21  Holden Beach, Fort Fisher SP, NC

We were intrigued by an area called “The Rocks” located between North Carolina’s Atlantic coast and the Cape Fear River.  The river had long been a valuable water way for colonial commerce and transporting armaments during the Civil War.  In 1870, the American Society of Civil Engineers began “The Rocks” project of building a rock wall between the Cape Fear River and the tidal waters of the Atlantic (New Inlet) to prevent sand from silting up the river.  Multiple efforts over the past 100+ years has left this 3-mile-long wall of asphalt-covered rocks as testament to mankind’s efforts to overcome the forces of Mother Nature. 

11/27/21  continued…

Walking further down the beach, we spotted this monument to all those North and South Carolina soldiers who fought and died in the “Lost Cause”.  Note this monument was erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC).  And if you read the dedication, the Civil War/Lost Cause was not fought over the institution of slavery, but for defending the constitutionality of state’s rights.  Is this sounding vaguely familiar?  As mentioned before, a book both Steve and I read which helped us better understand the southern states’ mindset is “Confederates in the Attic” by Tony Horwitz.

11/27/21  continued….North Carolina Aquarium

The Aquarium advertised decorated Christmas trees, and that seemed appropriate a few days after Thanksgiving.  So off to the aquarium we went and even though the Seattle Aquarium is better, it was a fun place to visit and learn about local marine life. The pictures include moon jellies, the skeleton of a green moray eel, and the recently acquired sea otters – Asta, Ray and Triton.

11/29/21  Murrell’s Inlet/Huntington Beach SC

Steve likes the beaches of South Carolina, so we’re trying to spend time at various beaches.  This week we’re camping at Huntington Beach SP – beautiful.  The park itself has 8 miles of beachfront and convenient access to multiple public beaches to the north and south.  While walking north to the Jetty on Huntington Beach, we observed all sorts of Plovers, a Sanderling, Willets and what we, as amateur birders, identified as a Ruddy Turnstone.  Also found a shark’s vertebrae and this stack of 3 Slipper limpets.  Doing a bit of research, discovered that Slipper limpets can be female (generally the largest in size), male and juveniles are hermaphrodite – they can morph to whichever sex is needed.  Nature is amazing!!

11/30/2021  Pawley’s Island  SC

Another beach to explore.  Both Steve and I liked this small-town community with well planned residential areas, adequate setbacks to the beach, and multiple public accesses.  However, in researching real estate, a small beach front property, no house, started at $600,000.00.  Did notice these red starfish with their red-orange bumps.  The bumps are called madreporites and regulate sea water throughout the starfish’s body.

12/1/21     Huntington Beach, SC

Last day in South Carolin.  Walked to the Atalaya Castle which was built by Archer and Anna Huntington in the early 1930’s as their summer get-a-way from New York city.  A 30-room structure built in the Spanish/Moorish style with an artesian fed water tower which provided water throughout the compound.  Brick and cement were the predominant building materials.  Archer was a philanthropist, scholar and poet, and Anna an accomplished sculptress.  At nearby Brook Green Gardens, 90 of her life-size sculptures are displayed.  

12/4/21   Savannah GA

We are back in Savannah Georgia, and once again enjoying the weather, sites and southern food.  This visit we signed up for the Underground Tour’s Slaves in the City tour, led by Sistah Pat/Gullah Geechee Master Truth-Teller.  What was to be 90 minutes morphed to a 2.5 hour tour of the Savannah Riverfront where slaves were brought in from West Africa, were held in brick cells for days, then brought up 2 blocks and sold at the auction block (now covered by a monument dedicated to Nathanael Greene, a soldier in the Revolutionary War).  Sistah Pat discussed the economies of slavery, the religion biases promoting the blessings of slavery, the current politics between the city of Savannah and the National Park Service in telling the story of the Slaves in the City.

December 7, 2021     St. Mary’s GA

Crooked River SP,  Palmetto Trail.  Took a nice day hike in a new GA state park, and saw the long-leaf pine trees and palmetto plants.  Also learned that the Gopher Tortoise is GA state’s reptile.  We visited the tortoise nesting site, and saw some sand burrows, but no tortoises.  Georgia has some of the nicest state parks in the country – well planned, maintained, and beautiful locations.

December 10, 2021  Cumberland Island National Seashore, St. Mary’s, GA

An early start to catch the 45-minute ferry to Cumberland Island.  We met our tour guide, Judy, who drove ourselves and 8 others up the 18-mile island.  There is only one road, sandy and bumpy.  Also, confirm that the air conditioning works BEFORE departing.  But then sit back and listen to the history of the island dating back to 1803 when Catherine Greene, widow of Revolutionary war hero Nathanial Greene (remember Savannah auction block?) built Tabby House, the foundation of which was later built upon by Lucy and Thomas Carnegie for their 9 children family. In 1996, John and Carolyn Kennedy were married at the small First African Baptist Church on island’s north end.  There are wild horses on the island, as well as the very interesting Sego Palm which has separate male and female plants.  The picture is of the female plant with nuts, not fruit.

Got into Brunswick GA in the dark.  Followed the lights and live music to a 2-man band called The Pine Box Dwellers, and to Tipsy McSway’s Bar & Grill.  Great day, great night.  We’ll miss Georgia.

 

Mid-December, 2021    Titusville, FL

Our second winter in Florida, but this year we are travelling back to visit family for the Christmas holidays.  So, before leaving, a few pictures of the Playalinda Beach, part of the Canaveral National Seashore.  This year we observed lots of 1-2 inch sized blue jellyfish washed up on the beach. The other siting was the remnants of sea turtle nests and the rubbery pieces of turtle egg casings.  We saw three turtle nests all snugged up close to the dunes.  We’ve seen turtles in aquariums, seen documentaries about hatching turtles, but seeing the nests and eggshell casings, made the wonder of it more real.  Turtles hatch May through October in Florida.

December 23, 2021  Seattle, WA   We are so happy/grateful/excited to be back in Seattle to see family and friends.  It’ll only be for a week but looking forward to sharing eggnog and ginger cookies (thank you Steve) on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with family, as well as just hanging out with daughter, Hannah.  For those folks who read our Blog, a Very Merry Christmas and a Better 2022!!

December 28-30, 2021  Titusville, FL

We had the perfect Christmas in Seattle, celebrating with friends and family.  And then came snow Christmas evening, plus freezing temperatures.  Normally, I love the snow – snuggle up with a book or watching movies.  But, this year with having to catch a Delta flight to Orlando in three days, Snow + Seattle = Chaos.  Fortunately, with Steve’s extensive travel experience, we were able to bypass hours’ worth of lines and did check-in at a kiosk.  We used outside baggage claim for ticketing our bags and got to our gate with 30 minutes to spare.  By 12/30/21, we’re ready to meet our friends Tim and Maria Lefler at Sebastian Inlet near Vero Beach FL for a day at the beach, see their new building lot and finally join them and Maria’s sister for a Mahi Mahi fish dinner, complete with a delicious cocktail of fresh (from the tree) coconut water and rum (or whiskey).  Life does not get much better than that, my friends.

December 31, 2021     Titusville FL

In our last hoorah to NASA, Kennedy Space Center, Space X and the rich history of aeronautics in the Cape Canaveral area, we visited the Valiant Air Command (VAC) and its Warbird Air Museum.  Our tour guide Gordon, not only gave us history of the predominantly WW II fighter planes, but also explained the principles of applied physics that led to the evolution of the wings, intake manifolds and body shape.   Pictured are the DC-3, Blue Angel and an unknown.  Last two pictures are of the Twin Mustang XP-82, completely restored at VAC Warbird Museum, and still in flight.