Wild Blueberries
Saturday, July 23, 2005
A Walk in the Necedah Wildlife Refuge
This is the evening of Saturday, July 23 (and lots of evenings thereafter . . . as I seem to be having a hard time re-doing this!) This morning I took a very nice walk in the Necedah Wildlife Refuge. The reason for my walk was to go blueberry picking, however, it was also a chance to be alone with my thoughts, and enjoy the morning. I returned home from my walk, took a shower, and then spent about two hours typing up my recollections of the morning. Unfortunately, some error in the transmission of my completed entry erased the entire post. Not only did it erase the updates I had made, but the original post as well! I was so frustrated, I had to shut the computer off, and go upstairs and clean a room that has been needing to be cleaned for a very long time.
It is now many hours after, and I've had time to recover from the lost entry. I've lectured myself to make sure to make a COPY of all posts prior to uploading them, just in case I lost them. This has been a frequent theme with online e-mail services as well. Sometimes you can accidentally navigate off the page prior to sending your message. You then lose the entire message. Very frustrating!
So, I shall post this little blerb . . . and then go work on recreating the "masterpiece" I lost this morning! Maybe in the second version it will be even better!
~~~~~~~~~~
I have always enjoyed spending quiet time in remote, wild places. When growing up in West Texas, this was usually done in a desert setting. Sometimes, I was lucky enough to be able to take trips up to the mountains in New Mexico, where there are pine forests. When I came to Wisconsin I found many places to explore. But during the best times of the year, when it is warm, and not covered in multiple feet of snow, it is also usually very buggy. However, lately it has been very dry, so the insect population has been low. I had heard that there was a particularly good crop of blueberries at the refuge this year. It has been quite a number of years since I have picked berries at the refuge. I stopped by the office on Friday and picked up maps of where they have burned the last several years. The burned areas, or “disturbed” as they call them, are usually where blueberries grow best. But I already knew where I was going to focus my gathering activities. There is a spot off of Hwy. 80 where there is parking, and you can walk into the refuge on access roads that are closed to public vehicles. I’ve had luck here before. And the map indicated it had been burned about two years ago. Not being able to go hawking in several months, I really wanted to take a nice, long walk. To enjoy the refuge, but also, to spend time alone, and think.
I have always considered myself a “morning person”. It is my most favorite time of the day! Even on my days off, I frequently awake before 6:00, and enjoy experiencing the sun rise, and the day begin. I wanted to be at the refuge as the sun came up, to experience it at my most favorite time. Also, it would allow me time to gather blueberries before it became too warm., although it was forecast to not become too uncomfortable. I left my home at 5:30, and arrived at the refuge just a little after 6:00. However, I would not catch the sun as it crest the horizon, as low-laying clouds obscured the view. But the light was in the morning sky – and it was a beautiful morning to be alive, and walking in a wilderness area.
As I exited my vehicle, and began to prepare for my walk, I was greeted by the song of a rufous-sided towhee. ~Drink Your Tea~ he sang! There was also the ever-present sound of field sparrows. Their ping pong ball dropping onto a table sound is very distinctive – rendering precise identification of the songster. I swung my cotton field guide bag over my head and settled it on my shoulder, though it contained no guides for today’s outing – but simply a few items I might need on the walk. A bandana around my neck, and a quick spray of repellant on my arms, grab my stick, and I was ready to go. Make sure the keys are in a very secure location – and constantly check they are still there! Don’t want to be stranded and have to call for help. The bowl I brought for gathering berries was cumbersome, as it was not usual hiking gear. But, I had to bring it along. I set off down the road, past the barrier, and into the refuge. Shawn had offered to go with me the previous night, if I wanted his company for “protection”. But I knew he really didn’t want to be up this early, so refused his offer. Besides, I really did need to spend some time by myself. So many things on my mind of late.
Distance can pass by quickly when you are in a pleasant environment, and your pace allows you to fall into a bit of a meditative state. Geese rose from distant beds of water in the surrounding area, winging their way off to forage for the day. As I walked, several great blue herons took wing from ponds by the road. There was also the odd duck, either taking flight, or diving into the tall grasses, many times with the scurry of ducklings behind them. The occasional trumpet of sandhill cranes would echo across the fields. And though I knew they are in the area, none of the released whooping cranes made any appearances this day. I allowed the stillness of the morning, yet the pleasant sound of the morning chorus, to fill me with the awe of the wilderness, the pulse of this place.
I crossed several small streams, experimentally making short forays into the various fields looking for berry sign. At the last one I crossed I disturbed a beaver who gave several warning splashes with his flat tail. Past his watery home, I made my first discovery of berries. They were growing on very short bushes, and were scattered. But it was a first sign. I made my way further into this field and discovered it was a fairly rich patch. To my experience, the berries in this area grow in two separate forms. On very short, practically herb-length stalks, very close to the ground. And on bushes that reach as high as my waist. You would need a botanist to tell you the difference. However, the taste is pretty much the same. The only difference being that the short variety grows best in combination with another bushy plant that was abundant in this field, protected by it, allowing the berries to grow larger, softer, and more sweet. But you have to push aside this companion bush to get at the berries. But their symbiotic relationship made the blueberries easy to find. Just look for the large bush. There was some other kind of berry ripening at the same time. It was reddish, with a pit, almost like a cherry, but cherry does not grow on the ground. I did not know what they were. A brief taste revealed something not very sweet. I have often used this technique, which might kill me some day, of testing berries with a quick experimental taste. My logic being that something bad for me would most likely taste sour or bitter. These particular berries, whereas they were pretty to look at, did not have a taste worthy of gathering them. However, I would like to know what they are. I should have brought a branch home to ID them, but didn’t want to carry extra things with me.
The insects, what there were of them, were very kind to me. I was not bothered by mosquitoes at all. There were some biting flies, who mostly just buzzed around me, occasionally bumping into me. The odd one who decided to bite would be swatted. It was an extremely pleasant day to be out gathering wild blueberries.
As I worked the field I moved off further into it, and out into the center, where very deep grass grew. Moving in the very deep grass, up to my chest sometimes, makes me very nervous. I’m not sure if it is simply that I can’t see very well where I’m going, and what the surface at my feet is like. I don’t want to come suddenly upon mud, and become mired. I’m an awful long way from help . . . and how in the world would I describe to someone how to find me. But I also wonder if the fear is some deep subconscious one. That of not wanting to be out in deep grass, where you can’t see any predators sneaking up on you. It’s not that I myself was afraid on this day of predators. About the only thing on the refuge that could go after a human are wolves, and black bears, neither of which would be out or would do just such to me. However, perhaps it is an ancient fear that manifests in the subconscious. It made my skin crawl. Regardless, blueberries don’t grow in the deep grass, so I moved away from it. But as I worked I joined in an activity practiced by countless women through the millennia. That of bending to the gathering task of berries and roots and herbs. The work did not bother me, and the experience peaceful. However, I wouldn’t want to depend on my sustenance to this task. And my plant knowledge is limited.
Before long I had a goodly collection of berries. I knew there were taller bushes further up the path I had diverged off, and could add to my haul there. However, I wanted to take a break, and had found a nice location to do just that. Next to the canal/creek that ran alongside this field there was a sandy short grass area. It was perfect. There was the comforting gurgle of the water. The light breeze stirred the aspens, waved the long grass. The sky was lightly clouded, the sun not too hot. And the ground inviting. I sat down, and eventually layed down in the grass. It was so peaceful, so very tranquil. The road was a couple miles away. And what few cars travel down it could not be heard by me at this distance. I knew, with a sense that cannot be analyzed, cannot be explained, that I was the only human in a several mile radius. I was safe. No harm would befall me. I closed my eyes and allowed a meditative state to overtake me. I'm not sure exactly how long I was there.
So many thoughts in my mind. A tangled web of ideas and interpersonal relationships I've been trying to sort through. I came to this place to gather berries, but in truth, to gather focus and perspective. Answers to questions that have been weighing heavy on my mind. How to sort through them? How to navigate the path?
In this remote and wild place, I sought the quiet voice of Deity . . . as I understand it. And the peace of this place allowed the wisdom to flow into my heart, and to guide my decisions.
Time passes . . . and with no watch, I had no idea how long I had been at this place. But time did pass, and finally, I felt renewed and decided it was indeed time to go. Not to leave, not yet, but I did get up and work my way out of this field, finding a few more rich patches of ground berries, adding to my bowl, before I returned to the path and continued further down the path. There is a rich patch of tall bush berries off to the right, a couple miles into the park. I found them, and they were ripe! And so much easier to harvest, as you don't have to bend over to get them. I spent the next half hour or so picking these, and eating a good many, before I decided that truly it was time to go. I was some distance from my car, and it would take a bit of a walk to get back. The return trip was also a blur of repetitive steps, taking in the beauty around me, and flushing the same blue herons who probably returned to their pools after I had passed a few hours before.
I got back to my car and found that only four hours had passed. I thought it had been much longer than that. But, the morning was still young! On my way home I stopped by the observation deck by the refuge office, to see if any of the whooping cranes could be seen in the large field that the deck oversees. There were none. But I was surprised to find lots of blueberry bushes all around, and just loaded with berries. People visiting the deck must not have known what they were, because they were right along the path!
Later in the week, during a particularly stressful day, I took a drive on my lunch break, and came to this deck, which is not too far from where I work. I overlooked the marsh . . . no, still no cranes. But I spent a few minutes and picked a couple handfulls of berries. Dessert!
Such a wonderful place to live . . . Central Wisconsin! I am glad at whatever circumstances have brought me here. And my life that includes friends, falconry, and the forests of Central Wisconsin.
It is now many hours after, and I've had time to recover from the lost entry. I've lectured myself to make sure to make a COPY of all posts prior to uploading them, just in case I lost them. This has been a frequent theme with online e-mail services as well. Sometimes you can accidentally navigate off the page prior to sending your message. You then lose the entire message. Very frustrating!
So, I shall post this little blerb . . . and then go work on recreating the "masterpiece" I lost this morning! Maybe in the second version it will be even better!
~~~~~~~~~~
I have always enjoyed spending quiet time in remote, wild places. When growing up in West Texas, this was usually done in a desert setting. Sometimes, I was lucky enough to be able to take trips up to the mountains in New Mexico, where there are pine forests. When I came to Wisconsin I found many places to explore. But during the best times of the year, when it is warm, and not covered in multiple feet of snow, it is also usually very buggy. However, lately it has been very dry, so the insect population has been low. I had heard that there was a particularly good crop of blueberries at the refuge this year. It has been quite a number of years since I have picked berries at the refuge. I stopped by the office on Friday and picked up maps of where they have burned the last several years. The burned areas, or “disturbed” as they call them, are usually where blueberries grow best. But I already knew where I was going to focus my gathering activities. There is a spot off of Hwy. 80 where there is parking, and you can walk into the refuge on access roads that are closed to public vehicles. I’ve had luck here before. And the map indicated it had been burned about two years ago. Not being able to go hawking in several months, I really wanted to take a nice, long walk. To enjoy the refuge, but also, to spend time alone, and think.
I have always considered myself a “morning person”. It is my most favorite time of the day! Even on my days off, I frequently awake before 6:00, and enjoy experiencing the sun rise, and the day begin. I wanted to be at the refuge as the sun came up, to experience it at my most favorite time. Also, it would allow me time to gather blueberries before it became too warm., although it was forecast to not become too uncomfortable. I left my home at 5:30, and arrived at the refuge just a little after 6:00. However, I would not catch the sun as it crest the horizon, as low-laying clouds obscured the view. But the light was in the morning sky – and it was a beautiful morning to be alive, and walking in a wilderness area.
As I exited my vehicle, and began to prepare for my walk, I was greeted by the song of a rufous-sided towhee. ~Drink Your Tea~ he sang! There was also the ever-present sound of field sparrows. Their ping pong ball dropping onto a table sound is very distinctive – rendering precise identification of the songster. I swung my cotton field guide bag over my head and settled it on my shoulder, though it contained no guides for today’s outing – but simply a few items I might need on the walk. A bandana around my neck, and a quick spray of repellant on my arms, grab my stick, and I was ready to go. Make sure the keys are in a very secure location – and constantly check they are still there! Don’t want to be stranded and have to call for help. The bowl I brought for gathering berries was cumbersome, as it was not usual hiking gear. But, I had to bring it along. I set off down the road, past the barrier, and into the refuge. Shawn had offered to go with me the previous night, if I wanted his company for “protection”. But I knew he really didn’t want to be up this early, so refused his offer. Besides, I really did need to spend some time by myself. So many things on my mind of late.
Distance can pass by quickly when you are in a pleasant environment, and your pace allows you to fall into a bit of a meditative state. Geese rose from distant beds of water in the surrounding area, winging their way off to forage for the day. As I walked, several great blue herons took wing from ponds by the road. There was also the odd duck, either taking flight, or diving into the tall grasses, many times with the scurry of ducklings behind them. The occasional trumpet of sandhill cranes would echo across the fields. And though I knew they are in the area, none of the released whooping cranes made any appearances this day. I allowed the stillness of the morning, yet the pleasant sound of the morning chorus, to fill me with the awe of the wilderness, the pulse of this place.
I crossed several small streams, experimentally making short forays into the various fields looking for berry sign. At the last one I crossed I disturbed a beaver who gave several warning splashes with his flat tail. Past his watery home, I made my first discovery of berries. They were growing on very short bushes, and were scattered. But it was a first sign. I made my way further into this field and discovered it was a fairly rich patch. To my experience, the berries in this area grow in two separate forms. On very short, practically herb-length stalks, very close to the ground. And on bushes that reach as high as my waist. You would need a botanist to tell you the difference. However, the taste is pretty much the same. The only difference being that the short variety grows best in combination with another bushy plant that was abundant in this field, protected by it, allowing the berries to grow larger, softer, and more sweet. But you have to push aside this companion bush to get at the berries. But their symbiotic relationship made the blueberries easy to find. Just look for the large bush. There was some other kind of berry ripening at the same time. It was reddish, with a pit, almost like a cherry, but cherry does not grow on the ground. I did not know what they were. A brief taste revealed something not very sweet. I have often used this technique, which might kill me some day, of testing berries with a quick experimental taste. My logic being that something bad for me would most likely taste sour or bitter. These particular berries, whereas they were pretty to look at, did not have a taste worthy of gathering them. However, I would like to know what they are. I should have brought a branch home to ID them, but didn’t want to carry extra things with me.
The insects, what there were of them, were very kind to me. I was not bothered by mosquitoes at all. There were some biting flies, who mostly just buzzed around me, occasionally bumping into me. The odd one who decided to bite would be swatted. It was an extremely pleasant day to be out gathering wild blueberries.
As I worked the field I moved off further into it, and out into the center, where very deep grass grew. Moving in the very deep grass, up to my chest sometimes, makes me very nervous. I’m not sure if it is simply that I can’t see very well where I’m going, and what the surface at my feet is like. I don’t want to come suddenly upon mud, and become mired. I’m an awful long way from help . . . and how in the world would I describe to someone how to find me. But I also wonder if the fear is some deep subconscious one. That of not wanting to be out in deep grass, where you can’t see any predators sneaking up on you. It’s not that I myself was afraid on this day of predators. About the only thing on the refuge that could go after a human are wolves, and black bears, neither of which would be out or would do just such to me. However, perhaps it is an ancient fear that manifests in the subconscious. It made my skin crawl. Regardless, blueberries don’t grow in the deep grass, so I moved away from it. But as I worked I joined in an activity practiced by countless women through the millennia. That of bending to the gathering task of berries and roots and herbs. The work did not bother me, and the experience peaceful. However, I wouldn’t want to depend on my sustenance to this task. And my plant knowledge is limited.
Before long I had a goodly collection of berries. I knew there were taller bushes further up the path I had diverged off, and could add to my haul there. However, I wanted to take a break, and had found a nice location to do just that. Next to the canal/creek that ran alongside this field there was a sandy short grass area. It was perfect. There was the comforting gurgle of the water. The light breeze stirred the aspens, waved the long grass. The sky was lightly clouded, the sun not too hot. And the ground inviting. I sat down, and eventually layed down in the grass. It was so peaceful, so very tranquil. The road was a couple miles away. And what few cars travel down it could not be heard by me at this distance. I knew, with a sense that cannot be analyzed, cannot be explained, that I was the only human in a several mile radius. I was safe. No harm would befall me. I closed my eyes and allowed a meditative state to overtake me. I'm not sure exactly how long I was there.
So many thoughts in my mind. A tangled web of ideas and interpersonal relationships I've been trying to sort through. I came to this place to gather berries, but in truth, to gather focus and perspective. Answers to questions that have been weighing heavy on my mind. How to sort through them? How to navigate the path?
In this remote and wild place, I sought the quiet voice of Deity . . . as I understand it. And the peace of this place allowed the wisdom to flow into my heart, and to guide my decisions.
Time passes . . . and with no watch, I had no idea how long I had been at this place. But time did pass, and finally, I felt renewed and decided it was indeed time to go. Not to leave, not yet, but I did get up and work my way out of this field, finding a few more rich patches of ground berries, adding to my bowl, before I returned to the path and continued further down the path. There is a rich patch of tall bush berries off to the right, a couple miles into the park. I found them, and they were ripe! And so much easier to harvest, as you don't have to bend over to get them. I spent the next half hour or so picking these, and eating a good many, before I decided that truly it was time to go. I was some distance from my car, and it would take a bit of a walk to get back. The return trip was also a blur of repetitive steps, taking in the beauty around me, and flushing the same blue herons who probably returned to their pools after I had passed a few hours before.
I got back to my car and found that only four hours had passed. I thought it had been much longer than that. But, the morning was still young! On my way home I stopped by the observation deck by the refuge office, to see if any of the whooping cranes could be seen in the large field that the deck oversees. There were none. But I was surprised to find lots of blueberry bushes all around, and just loaded with berries. People visiting the deck must not have known what they were, because they were right along the path!
Later in the week, during a particularly stressful day, I took a drive on my lunch break, and came to this deck, which is not too far from where I work. I overlooked the marsh . . . no, still no cranes. But I spent a few minutes and picked a couple handfulls of berries. Dessert!
Such a wonderful place to live . . . Central Wisconsin! I am glad at whatever circumstances have brought me here. And my life that includes friends, falconry, and the forests of Central Wisconsin.
Friday, July 22, 2005
Hawk Tidbits
Post vacation, and everything is getting back to normal. But I have had a couple of events, a couple of hawk "tidbits" that I can report on.
On Wednesday night I got a call from a fellow falconer's wife. She's "hawk sitting" while he's out of town on business. Fortunately, his bird is being kept in a mews, because she managed to break free of her jesses. It was also fortunate that there were not two birds in the mews, as she might have attacked her mews-mate, and done some damage. I was called in to help re-jess her up. However, I had to catch her first. And she was free inside this rather roomy mews. It's summertime, so she's not too keen to come to the fist. And she also doesn't know me. But rather than try to get away from me, she tried to attack my extended fist. Which made it easy to catch her. She did get a scrape or two on me as I had ahold of only one leg for a short bit, with one leg free and ready to strike. And during this process one of her talons poked through a seam in my glove and got my hand. But I was able to secure her, and change out all her equipment. She was returned to the security of being tied inside her mews.
Yesterday I experienced a UFO . . . that is, an Unidentified Feathered Object. And it is quite possible that it was Abby that I saw. I was on my way home from work. Coming around a forested corner near my house, I flushed a hawk, who flew from the ground up to a nearby tree. She was a partial juvenile, with two red deck feathers (those are the two in the middle of her tail). If Abby had stayed in the area, this would be at about the stage of molt that she would be. So, maybe, just maybe it was her! I ran home and got my gauntlet and my lure, and a mouse, and went back and did a lure call. But no response! Oh well! I'll never know!
And another possible sighting . . . my best friend, Jill, tells me she saw a kestrel land on a telephone line by Volk Field recently. When it landed, it flaired its tail, and there were many broken tail tips. When Rigel was released he had a lot of broken tail tips. So, maybe he's still in the area too.
Just a few Hawk Tidbits . . . as summer goes on, and I wait for trapping season to arrive.
I miss having a bird to take care of.
On Wednesday night I got a call from a fellow falconer's wife. She's "hawk sitting" while he's out of town on business. Fortunately, his bird is being kept in a mews, because she managed to break free of her jesses. It was also fortunate that there were not two birds in the mews, as she might have attacked her mews-mate, and done some damage. I was called in to help re-jess her up. However, I had to catch her first. And she was free inside this rather roomy mews. It's summertime, so she's not too keen to come to the fist. And she also doesn't know me. But rather than try to get away from me, she tried to attack my extended fist. Which made it easy to catch her. She did get a scrape or two on me as I had ahold of only one leg for a short bit, with one leg free and ready to strike. And during this process one of her talons poked through a seam in my glove and got my hand. But I was able to secure her, and change out all her equipment. She was returned to the security of being tied inside her mews.
Yesterday I experienced a UFO . . . that is, an Unidentified Feathered Object. And it is quite possible that it was Abby that I saw. I was on my way home from work. Coming around a forested corner near my house, I flushed a hawk, who flew from the ground up to a nearby tree. She was a partial juvenile, with two red deck feathers (those are the two in the middle of her tail). If Abby had stayed in the area, this would be at about the stage of molt that she would be. So, maybe, just maybe it was her! I ran home and got my gauntlet and my lure, and a mouse, and went back and did a lure call. But no response! Oh well! I'll never know!
And another possible sighting . . . my best friend, Jill, tells me she saw a kestrel land on a telephone line by Volk Field recently. When it landed, it flaired its tail, and there were many broken tail tips. When Rigel was released he had a lot of broken tail tips. So, maybe he's still in the area too.
Just a few Hawk Tidbits . . . as summer goes on, and I wait for trapping season to arrive.
I miss having a bird to take care of.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Goodbye to Colorado - and the Return Home
We awoke the next day and went back to the home of Joan and Jerry. More of Neta's family had arrived and were visiting. We spent a couple days with them, wrapping up our trip. I did take the opportunity to visit a couple stores and buy some dresses. We also went along a road called the Scenic Skyline, as it traces the top of a mountain. Our plans to go into the south mountains had to be cancelled, as there was a very bad fire in the Pueblo area. At the time we were leaving much land had been burned, but so far no houses. The entire area is terribly dry, and a storm the previous week had ignited the blaze. It was impressive to see it from a distance, in the dark.
We were able to leave just a little earlier than planned, as Neta decided to stay an additional week with her children. So we headed out back on the road in the very early morning of Tuesday. Shawn and I took turns driving an otherwise unmemorable trip. Our dogs were overjoyed to greet us at our arrival. It was a very pleasant couple weeks off . . . but I was happy to return home, and to get back to a normal routine.
To all the wonderful people who opened their homes to us. Thank You! For family, it was good to see everyone! But I think we'll visit in the fall or winter. Summer in Texas is just almost too hot to withstand! For friends who watched all our beasties while we were gone . . . THANK YOU! Vacations are nice, but truly, there is No Place Like Home!!
Now, very soon . . . back to work, and a normal routine!
We were able to leave just a little earlier than planned, as Neta decided to stay an additional week with her children. So we headed out back on the road in the very early morning of Tuesday. Shawn and I took turns driving an otherwise unmemorable trip. Our dogs were overjoyed to greet us at our arrival. It was a very pleasant couple weeks off . . . but I was happy to return home, and to get back to a normal routine.
To all the wonderful people who opened their homes to us. Thank You! For family, it was good to see everyone! But I think we'll visit in the fall or winter. Summer in Texas is just almost too hot to withstand! For friends who watched all our beasties while we were gone . . . THANK YOU! Vacations are nice, but truly, there is No Place Like Home!!
Now, very soon . . . back to work, and a normal routine!
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Saturday in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Saturday was spent in the company of my husband’s sister, Dawn, and her family. We spent the day seeing some of the scenic sites in Colorado Springs, having a picnic, and going to the zoo.
We started our adventures for the day going to the Helen Hunt Falls. This is a part of the same complex of waterfalls known as Seven Falls. However, this portion of the falls is free to see, unlike Seven Falls, that you have to pay for. We drove up the canyon, and then parked, and walked over the edge of the parking lot, down to the stream. We decided to go ahead and have our lunch, as there were thunderstorms in the area, so we would wait before we hiked up to the top of the falls. As we ate our lunch, and enjoyed the sounds of the stream, a Stellar’s Jay flew in to see if we had anything to share. Knowing that most corvids that frequent camping and picnicking areas love cheetos, I threw some out. True to form, he happily helped himself to them. It was rather shady by the spring, so my pictures did not come out very good, but I’ll post them anyway. It was fun to watch this bird, as I’ve never seen a Stellar’s Jay before, it being a Western bird. After the storm, we walked the trail up to the top of the falls, and enjoyed the view. It was a nice hike, despite the fact that the high altitude, and my lack of physical fitness, made the hike up a little difficult. My calves are sore today from the hike!
After our trip to the falls, we went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. This zoo is situated on the mountainside, so required further walking up and down the slopes. It was quite a workout hanging out with Dawn’s family. We checked out all the exhibits. They did have a new baby giraffe, born the previous day. It was quite cute! They also have an arrangement where you can feed the other adult giraffes. So I along with everyone in our group gave special crackers to the giraffes. There is also a special visiting exhibit, a white lion. However, he is paired up with his brother, a normal lion, and both were snoozing on a rock in the middle of their exhibit, and all you could see was the normal lion. But I did get a good picture of the normal one!
We went back to their home, and had a really nice cookout. The night was finished off by playing a word game with the entire family. Lots of fun! At the end of the evening we took our leave of their family, as we had decided to spend an evening in a hotel. We did have to drive a distance from Colorado Springs to find a hotel that had vacancies, as there must have been some kind of event going on in the city. We eventually found a nice place in Pueblo.
The next two days are to be spent with Joan and Jerry, and then we head home. I’m told that we might take a scenic drive into another set of mountains on Monday. If we do, I’ll take pictures, and write about it.
We started our adventures for the day going to the Helen Hunt Falls. This is a part of the same complex of waterfalls known as Seven Falls. However, this portion of the falls is free to see, unlike Seven Falls, that you have to pay for. We drove up the canyon, and then parked, and walked over the edge of the parking lot, down to the stream. We decided to go ahead and have our lunch, as there were thunderstorms in the area, so we would wait before we hiked up to the top of the falls. As we ate our lunch, and enjoyed the sounds of the stream, a Stellar’s Jay flew in to see if we had anything to share. Knowing that most corvids that frequent camping and picnicking areas love cheetos, I threw some out. True to form, he happily helped himself to them. It was rather shady by the spring, so my pictures did not come out very good, but I’ll post them anyway. It was fun to watch this bird, as I’ve never seen a Stellar’s Jay before, it being a Western bird. After the storm, we walked the trail up to the top of the falls, and enjoyed the view. It was a nice hike, despite the fact that the high altitude, and my lack of physical fitness, made the hike up a little difficult. My calves are sore today from the hike!
After our trip to the falls, we went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. This zoo is situated on the mountainside, so required further walking up and down the slopes. It was quite a workout hanging out with Dawn’s family. We checked out all the exhibits. They did have a new baby giraffe, born the previous day. It was quite cute! They also have an arrangement where you can feed the other adult giraffes. So I along with everyone in our group gave special crackers to the giraffes. There is also a special visiting exhibit, a white lion. However, he is paired up with his brother, a normal lion, and both were snoozing on a rock in the middle of their exhibit, and all you could see was the normal lion. But I did get a good picture of the normal one!
We went back to their home, and had a really nice cookout. The night was finished off by playing a word game with the entire family. Lots of fun! At the end of the evening we took our leave of their family, as we had decided to spend an evening in a hotel. We did have to drive a distance from Colorado Springs to find a hotel that had vacancies, as there must have been some kind of event going on in the city. We eventually found a nice place in Pueblo.
The next two days are to be spent with Joan and Jerry, and then we head home. I’m told that we might take a scenic drive into another set of mountains on Monday. If we do, I’ll take pictures, and write about it.
Friday, July 08, 2005
On the road back to Colorado
It is now Friday, July 8th. At the time of this writing, 10:30 am Mountain Daylight Time, we just recently crossed over into Colorado from New Mexico. We left last night at 2:30 am, beginning the round-about trip home. We wanted to drive through the New Mexican desert in the night. It’s easiest on the car, and on us! I just about melted during our time in El Paso. It got up to 103 to 105 each day. We visited during a heat wave. Our poor car couldn’t keep up with the heat, so the air conditioner simply did not work very well. It was nice to see all our family, but next time I think we should do it during winter time. That way we miss the heat of Texas, and as a bonus, get a break from the cold of Wisconsin.
We managed to find the same disgusting gas station as on our trip out. It’s the only one for a great distance that we can use our gas card. No improvements to the bathroom! Ick!
We stopped about two hours into our trip last night to get out and look at the night sky. Desert skies away from city lights offer some very nice viewing. The MilkyWay stretched from horizon to horizon. So very quiet! So very still! It would make a nice picture for the blog, except my camera wouldn’t capture the image. Oh well! You’ll just have to believe me. I think it would be nice to spend a night in such a remote place, and to lay out and watch the night sky rotate above. To let the silence soak into your soul.
We continued on, and the sun came up. I did take a picture of the rising sun, however as soon as the sun crested the horizon, in typical desert fashion, it was already too bright to allow for further pictures. Because there is very little moisture in the atmosphere, there is very little distortion. The sun is very bright very fast! As we drove on, we saw the change out of the evening crew of animals for the daytime. All night there were an abundance of jackrabbits and cottontails on the side of the road. But with the morning light we saw mule deer, and pronghorn antelope. At one point, a bobcat raced across the road. We also stopped to nudge a very large (at least 5 feet) bull or king snake off the road. Without my guidebook I can’t be sure which. I just knew it wasn’t a rattlesnake. He was probably laying out to warm up in the morning light. But, we nudged him off the road before someone else came by and ran over him, for spite. Some people will do that simply because they hate snakes. Sad! He was very beautiful, and healthy looking.
There were ravens everywhere! And as it became warmer, the occasional hawk sitting out, sunning, warming up and watching for the first morning opportunity for breakfast. Such small scrawny Western red tailed hawks . . . when compared to our Eastern raptors. But in the heat of the desert, they don’t need quite as much body mass to conserve heat in the winter. At one of our stops I spied a Western scrub jay.
A nice morning for a drive. We are a couple hours out of our destination. Colorado Springs, and visiting tonight one of Shawn’s sisters. After that visit, we’ll return to Joan and Jerry’s for a couple days, to wind up our trip, and pick Neta up.
We’ve spent many nice hours in each other’s company. Talking, listening to music, making jokes. And we’ve seen some nice landscapes. We’ve visited family, and renewed ties. But, I’m ready to go home. A part of me would like to bypass Colorado all together, and simply head on north to Wisconsin. But, soon enough we’ll be back on the road home. To return to work (sigh), and the usual routine. To friends we’ve missed. And to our poor dogs . . . who I hear are really beginning to wonder where we went. They’ve not been acting normal, and are getting worse. One of them, Sam, ran away a couple days ago, and traced the path we normally take when we take the dogs out for a walk. Maybe he was going out, trying to see if we got lost or something. Well, we did go for a very long walk . . . far longer than Sam could follow. But soon, we’ll turn the car towards home.
Very soon!
* * *
We arrived at our destination earlier than expected at my husband's sister's house. So we took the opportunity to visit Manitou Springs, and do some shopping. Lots of very nice, quaint shops filled with expensive art, books, and junk. We did lay down some money for a few items. But mostly, a nice chance to get out and stretch our legs.
After 5:00 we came to our relatives home. And now I should go visit! I think a visit to the zoo is in order for tomorrow, and maybe a scenic waterfall. I'll take pictures, and upload any of interest as soon as I can!
We managed to find the same disgusting gas station as on our trip out. It’s the only one for a great distance that we can use our gas card. No improvements to the bathroom! Ick!
We stopped about two hours into our trip last night to get out and look at the night sky. Desert skies away from city lights offer some very nice viewing. The MilkyWay stretched from horizon to horizon. So very quiet! So very still! It would make a nice picture for the blog, except my camera wouldn’t capture the image. Oh well! You’ll just have to believe me. I think it would be nice to spend a night in such a remote place, and to lay out and watch the night sky rotate above. To let the silence soak into your soul.
We continued on, and the sun came up. I did take a picture of the rising sun, however as soon as the sun crested the horizon, in typical desert fashion, it was already too bright to allow for further pictures. Because there is very little moisture in the atmosphere, there is very little distortion. The sun is very bright very fast! As we drove on, we saw the change out of the evening crew of animals for the daytime. All night there were an abundance of jackrabbits and cottontails on the side of the road. But with the morning light we saw mule deer, and pronghorn antelope. At one point, a bobcat raced across the road. We also stopped to nudge a very large (at least 5 feet) bull or king snake off the road. Without my guidebook I can’t be sure which. I just knew it wasn’t a rattlesnake. He was probably laying out to warm up in the morning light. But, we nudged him off the road before someone else came by and ran over him, for spite. Some people will do that simply because they hate snakes. Sad! He was very beautiful, and healthy looking.
There were ravens everywhere! And as it became warmer, the occasional hawk sitting out, sunning, warming up and watching for the first morning opportunity for breakfast. Such small scrawny Western red tailed hawks . . . when compared to our Eastern raptors. But in the heat of the desert, they don’t need quite as much body mass to conserve heat in the winter. At one of our stops I spied a Western scrub jay.
A nice morning for a drive. We are a couple hours out of our destination. Colorado Springs, and visiting tonight one of Shawn’s sisters. After that visit, we’ll return to Joan and Jerry’s for a couple days, to wind up our trip, and pick Neta up.
We’ve spent many nice hours in each other’s company. Talking, listening to music, making jokes. And we’ve seen some nice landscapes. We’ve visited family, and renewed ties. But, I’m ready to go home. A part of me would like to bypass Colorado all together, and simply head on north to Wisconsin. But, soon enough we’ll be back on the road home. To return to work (sigh), and the usual routine. To friends we’ve missed. And to our poor dogs . . . who I hear are really beginning to wonder where we went. They’ve not been acting normal, and are getting worse. One of them, Sam, ran away a couple days ago, and traced the path we normally take when we take the dogs out for a walk. Maybe he was going out, trying to see if we got lost or something. Well, we did go for a very long walk . . . far longer than Sam could follow. But soon, we’ll turn the car towards home.
Very soon!
* * *
We arrived at our destination earlier than expected at my husband's sister's house. So we took the opportunity to visit Manitou Springs, and do some shopping. Lots of very nice, quaint shops filled with expensive art, books, and junk. We did lay down some money for a few items. But mostly, a nice chance to get out and stretch our legs.
After 5:00 we came to our relatives home. And now I should go visit! I think a visit to the zoo is in order for tomorrow, and maybe a scenic waterfall. I'll take pictures, and upload any of interest as soon as I can!
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Visiting Family
Several days have gone by, and we’ve simply been doing the “family visiting” thing. I try very hard to not melt in this Texas heat. It has been getting up into the 100s every day. I’ve lost all ability to withstand the heat, as I am cold adapted now. My relatives, especially my nieces and nephews, think we are wimps, Shawn and I, because we complain of the heat. But, I simply return the comment with a smile, and invite them to come to Wisconsin in January, and see how they like 10 degrees. No one seems willing to accept my offer as of yet.
So each day goes by, and we try to coordinate our time to see everyone. We are doing an incredible amount of eating!! The food is good, but there is just too much of it. I don’t know why this is, but El Paso seems to have the greatest number and variety of restaurants I’ve ever seen. We have nothing quite like it in Wisconsin. Sure, there is Madison, but that is some distance away. We visited with Wayne and his family yesterday. This is Shawn’s oldest brother. Talking after a full Mexican meal he told us about other places in the city where he and his family have eaten. Too bad we don’t have several weeks to stay here and try some of them. But then we’d probably put on 20 lbs.!
For now, it is a desert morning. I’m sitting in my mother’s back yard typing out a few lines to load up onto the blog this morning. It is already 78 degrees in the shade. My mom has come outside to join me, and brought coffee. The white-winged doves coo all around us. Boat-tailed grackles occasionally fly by and perch and squawk out their varied songs. Ruby Throated Hummingbirds vie for space with each other and the wasps at the nectar feeder. The ever present house sparrows move in and out of the cedars. Ants have found my coffee cup and have swarmed it. My mother’s new puppy, Puddin, romps in the yard. She is a Pomeranian . . . and she is very cute! It is amazing that humans have been able to breed down the wolf to such a tiny little creature. Puddin is more like a kitten than a puppy. A hawk could pick this little fluff up and fly off with it. But for all of her lack of size, she’s as fierce as can be, and she doesn’t seem to know she only weighs a pound. My Mom’s other dog, Trinka, also a Pom, patiently tolerates the puppy’s antics.
A quiet pleasant morning spent where I grew up. Soon, very soon the sun will get high enough in the sky to shine into the yard, and it will become too hot to stay outside. We are going shopping today, my mom and I. Time spent with family!
So each day goes by, and we try to coordinate our time to see everyone. We are doing an incredible amount of eating!! The food is good, but there is just too much of it. I don’t know why this is, but El Paso seems to have the greatest number and variety of restaurants I’ve ever seen. We have nothing quite like it in Wisconsin. Sure, there is Madison, but that is some distance away. We visited with Wayne and his family yesterday. This is Shawn’s oldest brother. Talking after a full Mexican meal he told us about other places in the city where he and his family have eaten. Too bad we don’t have several weeks to stay here and try some of them. But then we’d probably put on 20 lbs.!
For now, it is a desert morning. I’m sitting in my mother’s back yard typing out a few lines to load up onto the blog this morning. It is already 78 degrees in the shade. My mom has come outside to join me, and brought coffee. The white-winged doves coo all around us. Boat-tailed grackles occasionally fly by and perch and squawk out their varied songs. Ruby Throated Hummingbirds vie for space with each other and the wasps at the nectar feeder. The ever present house sparrows move in and out of the cedars. Ants have found my coffee cup and have swarmed it. My mother’s new puppy, Puddin, romps in the yard. She is a Pomeranian . . . and she is very cute! It is amazing that humans have been able to breed down the wolf to such a tiny little creature. Puddin is more like a kitten than a puppy. A hawk could pick this little fluff up and fly off with it. But for all of her lack of size, she’s as fierce as can be, and she doesn’t seem to know she only weighs a pound. My Mom’s other dog, Trinka, also a Pom, patiently tolerates the puppy’s antics.
A quiet pleasant morning spent where I grew up. Soon, very soon the sun will get high enough in the sky to shine into the yard, and it will become too hot to stay outside. We are going shopping today, my mom and I. Time spent with family!
Sharon and Tony
(Hmmm . . . somehow these posted out of order . . . put this picture below the text below!) 
On to Texas
Our travels have now taken us to our ultimate destination, Texas. El Paso specifically. Here my parents live, and Shawn’s father and a couple of brothers, and lots of neices and nephews. We’ll spend the next few days visiting family. Most likely, nothing too exciting will be going on. But, if anything of note happens, I’ll be sure to make note of it! And share!
My thanks again to Sharon and Tony for the hospitality of their home. I’ll have to visit again sometime during hawking season, and bring a hawk and try for some of those New Mexico bunnies.
My thanks again to Sharon and Tony for the hospitality of their home. I’ll have to visit again sometime during hawking season, and bring a hawk and try for some of those New Mexico bunnies.
