tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25789246824318882272024-03-16T14:50:30.909-04:00Ramble Timemiscellaneous musings of an adrenaline junkyKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.comBlogger202125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-83681555886272611222023-10-19T21:50:00.000-04:002023-10-19T21:50:25.667-04:00Frustration<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I wish the county would decide if they are going to actually transition to standards based grading (which is what the 50% rule is trying to emulate), or if they are going to continue the farce of the percent based system.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The two systems are incongruent. Either you expect students to master a certain *percentage* of the material and standards, or you expect students to reach a particular level of mastery. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">After years of this travesty, I'm convinced my county doesn't really care about accurate measurement of student achievement, and really only wants to have a measure that puts them in the best, positive light, regardless of the accuracy of the data. </span></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-30007785404465031242023-07-20T02:03:00.008-04:002023-07-20T15:58:20.668-04:00One Week!<p>I've been trying to pre-plan for the road trip (#FünfTrek) stopping points this year, mainly because I'm tired of fighting with the Sturgis attendees for a place to stop anywhere in a 500 miles radius of the rally. I also know that I struggle to get away from the house to even start the trip, ever since 2018, so I made a reservation to kickstart that as well. </p><p>I should be on my way next Thursday, as I made a reservation in <a href="https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm" target="_blank">Shenandoah National Park</a>. </p><p>In the meantime, I'll be going through my gear to make sure I'm prepared for all parts of my trip! I also figured I'd sadly review the state of my <a href="https://camarowrx.blogspot.com/2023/01/wake-up-to-brand-new-day.html" target="_blank">New Year's Resolutions</a>. </p><p>1) This is the one that I have been able to maintain without fail, despite injury, weather or whatever. Most recently, it was <a href="https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/central/soldiersdelight.aspx" target="_blank">Soldiers Delight</a> again. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm7FWSHxN2eRCoMin5sADCIBxupf19yo3FXVN6ZE-04ny9GwXcGdQrQkvLWZPVQs2pf_HUBeDImeAMd_tvDrNPqHR033a3p2Psh1NBV8bMKDK_vHfXVaaUCa2ri72j00yNqVgQL19DLXZIlej_Dm99JZjoroFLCBB1tUUD4Fj1BtJpFGMDU5bqLSrlTL8n" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm7FWSHxN2eRCoMin5sADCIBxupf19yo3FXVN6ZE-04ny9GwXcGdQrQkvLWZPVQs2pf_HUBeDImeAMd_tvDrNPqHR033a3p2Psh1NBV8bMKDK_vHfXVaaUCa2ri72j00yNqVgQL19DLXZIlej_Dm99JZjoroFLCBB1tUUD4Fj1BtJpFGMDU5bqLSrlTL8n=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A swollen stream to traverse at Soldiers Delight</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />2) No, I haven't been blogging once a month. I skipped April which bled into May and June.... I'll go into the <i>why</i> momentarily because it relates to another resolution. <p></p><p>3) Eesh, no, I've fallen off the book reading wagon, and I need to change that. I think with the road trip coming up next week, it will be easier to get back into it... at least with some e-books. I don't want to bring a bunch of physical books with me. </p><p>4) This. This one frustrates me the most because breaking it wasn't due to anything I consciously (or even subconsciously) did. This one stopped on April 5. I know the exact date because that's the day that I unintentionally walked off the tailgate of Pat's truck. No, I don't know what I was doing; I was just trying to unload the storm doors I'd bought, and I apparently forgot that the tailgate was down or something. I legitimately thought I was stepping down to the bumper of the truck. You ever have that sensation of stepping down, thinking you are going to contact the next step at a certain point, and it doesn't happen when you think it will? Yeah, now, imagine that you <i>never</i> make contact with that step. <i>That</i> is what happened. I stepped down.... and my leg kept going down.... Pat said it looked like I just walked off the end of the tailgate. <br /><br />I landed on my left forearm and hip, <i>hard</i>. I don't know how I didn't break something, though the pain was so intense, all I could do was writhe there in the driveway, crying in pain. Pat looked helpless. I hurt so bad. After over ten minutes, I staggered-crawled with Pat's help to the bathroom to try to clean up the wounds and assess the damage. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_CDfA-n2akDN_bu6hS8-G1OPQr4WMLjc6T69xkZ43G973jbtJ_yhQl0gajr6IE0cj3SbS9iN6a6yDGydY4oEzDmdisW5_GSK-CBiRLk0kKT_ijif6M26e4EEJWCWcyGz39_YxMP8jVODHDJXo_RMkVix6VCGTQgNmvivT7CeVMwhGvq9BhkWTHtJowxBy" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1644" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_CDfA-n2akDN_bu6hS8-G1OPQr4WMLjc6T69xkZ43G973jbtJ_yhQl0gajr6IE0cj3SbS9iN6a6yDGydY4oEzDmdisW5_GSK-CBiRLk0kKT_ijif6M26e4EEJWCWcyGz39_YxMP8jVODHDJXo_RMkVix6VCGTQgNmvivT7CeVMwhGvq9BhkWTHtJowxBy=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It only took minutes to bleed through the wrapping</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I could move my wrist and my elbow up/down (flex/extend), but any hyperextension of the wrist, attempts to support something with my wrist extended, or twisting (pronation/supination) of the elbow resulted in extreme pain. I went to urgent care the next day, and they sent me to the radiologist for X-rays. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmHtmdrB9Kpueh9gMjpQqFXVUbPZEsPNlhq_G8b0qg0JIvQOuVyXeR2rgG_7goe9JyrypkaIeL34aI6GCEHTINkrQvnKtiSoXxF2EGg96rotORwzf7cgDHGIfxFUMNwxxuAD147f9eov500L95hf0rEbWNS6-yn-QfVEMiJNsS-TtMGR760wSZ3ke_gaLl" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="647" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmHtmdrB9Kpueh9gMjpQqFXVUbPZEsPNlhq_G8b0qg0JIvQOuVyXeR2rgG_7goe9JyrypkaIeL34aI6GCEHTINkrQvnKtiSoXxF2EGg96rotORwzf7cgDHGIfxFUMNwxxuAD147f9eov500L95hf0rEbWNS6-yn-QfVEMiJNsS-TtMGR760wSZ3ke_gaLl=w215-h400" width="215" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My elbow</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Nothing showed up on the X-rays, so it was all soft-tissue damage. And it hurt. It hurt so bad. I was taking Advil like candy, and ultimately was prescribed 800mg tablets. <div><br /></div><div><i style="font-weight: bold;">It still hurts</i>. <p></p><p>Yeah, you read that correctly. Almost four months later, my wrist and elbow <i>still</i> hurt, though it's not nearly as debilitating it was the first two months. Now, kinesiology tape or a wrist brace will allow me to do things, including exercises that involve the wrist. My left hip still has a sore spot. </p><p>It took three months before I could put enough weight on my left wrist/elbow to do planks or bear crawls or anything else that involved body weight on it. I tried a few times over the course of those three months to pick up where I'd left off (I'd just restarted the <a href="https://centr.com/">Centr</a> Sculpted program again), and while I could many of the moves, I became horribly depressed over the pain and the inability to do simple stuff, like open a door or carry stuff with my left hand/arm. </p><p>That depression was hard to overcome. I'd wanted to do so much during my spring break, and the injury derailed everything. I didn't get to camp, I couldn't exercise, I couldn't tie my shoes, I couldn't even <i>drive. </i>As it was, when I returned to work, I probably shouldn't have been driving those first few days. The pain was still intense, and if I had to move the steering wheel even moderately quickly, the pain took my breath away. That's why I wasn't blogging. That's why my exercising ground to a halt. </p><p>Anyway, over the last two weeks, I've been able to pick back up and recover. I lost some of my gains, but I'm back in the saddle. I was still hiking as much as I could (my first post-injury hike was at Soldiers Delight right after there was a massive wildfire there, and it hurt my hip but I had my hiking poles so I was able to push through). </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpxOszauJyiQkPhnmHOuC_0RjMaps0GKT1Rvm5tARyIaCBa1bdmgFfHgAnO61mMXiUAFjHs6khynFLerzj2IkiL30YF-BHi0r-UM6zN58bMs-0SkCn66eGI5AuNqfSWgsYCuVVdt5J_AZyKEuibqKDVCvfjDlMIrLCTFQxfuRN4WQqfDaoOw2e4nu1391X" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="694" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpxOszauJyiQkPhnmHOuC_0RjMaps0GKT1Rvm5tARyIaCBa1bdmgFfHgAnO61mMXiUAFjHs6khynFLerzj2IkiL30YF-BHi0r-UM6zN58bMs-0SkCn66eGI5AuNqfSWgsYCuVVdt5J_AZyKEuibqKDVCvfjDlMIrLCTFQxfuRN4WQqfDaoOw2e4nu1391X=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Three days after the injury</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdZr0fTFFBH_ZH_Wxp639RVHlNUbZN7pBTkJ2-jFrnnEq2rg_Lgx4DfnNqt67kmoJoMsapeesBx0HL1yrmZBupFv_0ozaLV7-hUcpr3AGm2ZRWM9UZmuE0s6B-VHAeNZMFcl2Ged7YvhA1wSEqdLwqeiOpFghjFZQuoAS7TVswnmrRgzjhIEJJ255lMn-7" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1644" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdZr0fTFFBH_ZH_Wxp639RVHlNUbZN7pBTkJ2-jFrnnEq2rg_Lgx4DfnNqt67kmoJoMsapeesBx0HL1yrmZBupFv_0ozaLV7-hUcpr3AGm2ZRWM9UZmuE0s6B-VHAeNZMFcl2Ged7YvhA1wSEqdLwqeiOpFghjFZQuoAS7TVswnmrRgzjhIEJJ255lMn-7=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Soldiers Delight after the fire</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />So, yeah, over the past two weeks, I've gotten back into the 4+ days of at least 20min of exercise. I plan to continue this.<div><br /></div><div>5) Let's not talk about this one. Depression takes a hell of a toll. </div><div><br /></div><div>6) The WRX is currently languishing in the garage and serving as a shelf. Maybe I'll look at this before I leave next week so that I can at least get it through emissions, if not drive it to <a href="https://www.boxerfest.com/" target="_blank">Boxerfest</a>, which is the Sunday after I return from <a href="https://www.expeditionsineducation.org/steaminthepark.html" target="_blank">STEAM in the Park Voyageurs</a> and the road trip. <br /><br />In the meantime, I do have the Camaro back after the engine install. Just one bent rod, but I guess that's also because I shut it down immediately when the damage occurred. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhP9_9hMcRenHsFwveRqq8c9qTktIJ2ZemSQZH-pJhR6ho69Wdn4oc-qaZFf6N7R7ASrsdqlRBMVP_UfU34dxIRdn5pNjzlIe5sLSduP7GdLm7Q3w0h1Ojtr9Ajc3UCliCo0c6D7zj-1k_jNYmtoKEd2g1V7tfXMybSdvhr34iMqoA0CbDG2V4GclT7YH2j" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1644" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhP9_9hMcRenHsFwveRqq8c9qTktIJ2ZemSQZH-pJhR6ho69Wdn4oc-qaZFf6N7R7ASrsdqlRBMVP_UfU34dxIRdn5pNjzlIe5sLSduP7GdLm7Q3w0h1Ojtr9Ajc3UCliCo0c6D7zj-1k_jNYmtoKEd2g1V7tfXMybSdvhr34iMqoA0CbDG2V4GclT7YH2j=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Don't use cheap parts or mechanics. It will cost you more in the long run. Those lifters have 10K on them.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9o9VDx_PvryDxQjoX8aTj5MKGRKouhA7bRdF-7DN3oha0gn2JAG2bEYHHpCIEDqdEc8qOGkypN1d5X096LBfY4-7rBrHbJoggPlQMXtqQHKdnGOr854JxMHql4J50lJkLUhkAK3qD4BNOQ4QFE37FQ2T_GVVOPBqfKrdytta8VO5ntnjszexZJBGeE_YM" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1644" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9o9VDx_PvryDxQjoX8aTj5MKGRKouhA7bRdF-7DN3oha0gn2JAG2bEYHHpCIEDqdEc8qOGkypN1d5X096LBfY4-7rBrHbJoggPlQMXtqQHKdnGOr854JxMHql4J50lJkLUhkAK3qD4BNOQ4QFE37FQ2T_GVVOPBqfKrdytta8VO5ntnjszexZJBGeE_YM=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Happy Camaro</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I do need to get it tuned, though that will likely not be able to happen until after I return from the road trip. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, that's where things stand, more than seven months into 2023! </div><div><p></p></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-12264623440872509362023-07-18T19:55:00.005-04:002023-07-18T19:56:59.343-04:00Planning<p>It's just about that time of year. </p><p>The road trip is coming. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiE4G__eoLbTJF2A4AEutU0zCLKxtm0U7nonjR-JDg1QQ-rNyqVmzrnzLku-550AJMtNSJCkkKkj97VaQzs7QyjULdNLK7ymWLl97_ShJb7zkLKvJcCA5l7BuedRnJtZz2LC3aw0LiXmyOGS38V7RRvoKOB6mFHIKTiH351P4aMPXN0SyD5OA6A5kLdae5e" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="931" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiE4G__eoLbTJF2A4AEutU0zCLKxtm0U7nonjR-JDg1QQ-rNyqVmzrnzLku-550AJMtNSJCkkKkj97VaQzs7QyjULdNLK7ymWLl97_ShJb7zkLKvJcCA5l7BuedRnJtZz2LC3aw0LiXmyOGS38V7RRvoKOB6mFHIKTiH351P4aMPXN0SyD5OA6A5kLdae5e=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3XXgQSF" target="_blank">An atlas</a> is the best friend of a road tripper</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />So far, Pat has booked a flight into Denver, and a flight out of Minneapolis-St. Paul, plus arranged for fishing with <a href="https://rainydazeoutdoors.com/website_2018/" target="_blank">RainyDaze Guide Service</a>. Our plan so far is to go to Pikes Peak, maybe <a href="https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm" target="_blank">Rocky Mountain National Park</a>, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/wica/index.htm" target="_blank">Wind Cave National Park</a> and....??? before <a href="https://www.nps.gov/voya/index.htm" target="_blank">Voyageurs</a>, where Pat's part of the trip will end. <p></p><p>Why is Pat flying home on this trip?</p><p>Because I'll finish up the trip at Voyageurs at the second <a href="https://www.expeditionsineducation.org/steaminthepark.html" target="_blank">STEAM in the Park</a> camp that I'll do this summer!</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdFfmViHrXkyEORyzKigPiKrBxKB1K-OJma8iKogXPu7GJ_BqPILxe7iBeSjRR064YmdKVH0sFdv2hlwz159l8Qua-5ke4SBIrqUdhxDyvPeMtGvlCqwjnOkWnOzlNMejowK8q6MQ-OH2xhhGocH_MtpPxEXq3VIUWUfif2jQpllQ29A6RGx--rQOGizIq" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1659" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdFfmViHrXkyEORyzKigPiKrBxKB1K-OJma8iKogXPu7GJ_BqPILxe7iBeSjRR064YmdKVH0sFdv2hlwz159l8Qua-5ke4SBIrqUdhxDyvPeMtGvlCqwjnOkWnOzlNMejowK8q6MQ-OH2xhhGocH_MtpPxEXq3VIUWUfif2jQpllQ29A6RGx--rQOGizIq=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>New River was the first STEAMinthePark camp I attended, and I touched something weird<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />In preparation for the trip, I've been going through our gear and cleaning, replacing and adding to it as appropriate. I did an "introduction to backpacking" session at <a href="https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/PatapscoValley/McKeldin/McKeldin-Area.aspx" target="_blank">Patapsco Valley State Park</a> last month, and learned that backpacking backpacks need to be properly sized to avoid back injury. Since I've been looking at doing an overnight backpacking trip somewhere, this was important information!<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis9HDXC_987Do6t0HpFPwAArfocbaSMOpD81v07zb8vXv0lbEmOxGvkzrqjhToGbTAfs47nzktfi4QcFGRPG2g2S_tuw51VioYmPebJEoz9JMZix_xT2b6-h52MZO1SeYFuGW2v9Iu_xS-IA9vnQwCGUTyeE2K71FGaEy_Ph6g3x7R5FgTaEBFnQyzj7LL" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1655" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis9HDXC_987Do6t0HpFPwAArfocbaSMOpD81v07zb8vXv0lbEmOxGvkzrqjhToGbTAfs47nzktfi4QcFGRPG2g2S_tuw51VioYmPebJEoz9JMZix_xT2b6-h52MZO1SeYFuGW2v9Iu_xS-IA9vnQwCGUTyeE2K71FGaEy_Ph6g3x7R5FgTaEBFnQyzj7LL" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This backpack was </i>way<i> too long for me.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />After the session, I went to <a href="https://www.rei.com/" target="_blank">REI</a> in Columbia to get sized and to try out various backpacks. Partly due to Naturalist Sam's recommendation on how well his Osprey packs had worked, I settled on a <a href="https://amzn.to/3Dl0kCI" target="_blank">65L Osprey Aura AG</a>, then came home to order it since I had my REI Coop coupons and several gift cards from last Yule. <p></p><p>I've also been streamlining other gear by cleaning up and <a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/166224984829" target="_blank">listing our older Rhinowolf modular tents</a>. We really don't use the original ones any more, since the version 2.0 is easier to set up and take down due to the center pole being outside the tent rather than inside. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFMyo7BTg6QIgGzvXVujrMn8Mc-V8CicIErZ6qSZ_HW6-72S2ob4pR1ZGBxS5qZK09OmzIB_9frv3tbgse6bLODE88DxKorebRPmhdy7sTsS0CI31Fe-XDksOTYnXTL5GpNiuuy4NAC7qb_uiboxcv-wbNKhn9At7FPxlnP7PGx9lD7ePnPrAmUou4zRMr" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1655" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFMyo7BTg6QIgGzvXVujrMn8Mc-V8CicIErZ6qSZ_HW6-72S2ob4pR1ZGBxS5qZK09OmzIB_9frv3tbgse6bLODE88DxKorebRPmhdy7sTsS0CI31Fe-XDksOTYnXTL5GpNiuuy4NAC7qb_uiboxcv-wbNKhn9At7FPxlnP7PGx9lD7ePnPrAmUou4zRMr=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rhinowolf tents are cool because they can zip together and have integrated sleeping pads and down blankets.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Beyond all that, I've already made reservations to camp in <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cure/index.htm" target="_blank">Curecanti NRA</a> the night before I pick up Pat from the airport in Denver. Curecanti is essentially next door to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm" target="_blank">Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park</a>, so I'll finally check both of those off my Passports list! I figure that will be on the way "back" from the Bonneville Salt Flats, where I won't see Speed Week this time around. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNe4QzyDcjXTnaFaWlKcSA1fikknnkAhfnzOeDg6D4nIQ5p_K7VPNy82S_7Q8g3dZT20sBZjrbUWYR2r1a_rqlpQ7xO3t0aH7ATBumWxs1XGSIVrZ6rUBxe5NABi5Q194B6qDqAQVzWsmnuTC-nRN5cv3_MuwjketpxMTNuyBt-tEG0qhzmux_4jvTK5n_" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1397" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNe4QzyDcjXTnaFaWlKcSA1fikknnkAhfnzOeDg6D4nIQ5p_K7VPNy82S_7Q8g3dZT20sBZjrbUWYR2r1a_rqlpQ7xO3t0aH7ATBumWxs1XGSIVrZ6rUBxe5NABi5Q194B6qDqAQVzWsmnuTC-nRN5cv3_MuwjketpxMTNuyBt-tEG0qhzmux_4jvTK5n_=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Crosstrek looks at home on the Salt Flats</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I'm getting antsy to head out. This'll be the fifth year of adventuring in the Crosstrek, so the hashtag we'll use is #FünfTrek (fünf is German for 5). Follow along if you want! <p></p><p><i>note that links to Amazon are associate links and if you buy something through that link, I may receive nominal compensation. </i><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-91819416255234034942023-03-18T22:51:00.005-04:002023-03-18T23:31:44.796-04:00Marching<p> This is the worst time of year for me. It's March. It's a march towards the worst day of my life. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVhdhYWKYtil0v3LVnWYb7fJpUYib8qFnqhWpa4XE4SMEgoTcN90ckPRxtkyays6c64mfE8RHCWfUHzScaDxlCHRlUD_CTxch4-sVmjJqbDeO_8QeSmiil7n2wre7sx8Jv259DTDgD4N2JKWyICTEfMs1nM6jbJ4eopZxWNb3p1CVUDBIjRt8M8vs9PA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1552" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVhdhYWKYtil0v3LVnWYb7fJpUYib8qFnqhWpa4XE4SMEgoTcN90ckPRxtkyays6c64mfE8RHCWfUHzScaDxlCHRlUD_CTxch4-sVmjJqbDeO_8QeSmiil7n2wre7sx8Jv259DTDgD4N2JKWyICTEfMs1nM6jbJ4eopZxWNb3p1CVUDBIjRt8M8vs9PA" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mom and Dad on that fateful day.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I can't help it. </p><p>A lot of it is because I feel so much unresolved guilt. There was so much I wanted to ask, so much I wanted to know. </p><p>I also knew how depressed my dad was at the constant hospitalizations. He was so tired. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioVifURbF43QVe6bPOqW142gPU9l7q3Mx3ycpuiqKokFDOEDq80DdmMhcKWXoNWwCd0DLnWoDbLyk8_DZ5JPu2GB1qWGMtcKsOLaUpCo73X5VRt2TYQWOXiGKdgQ1wMJ7GTYpWQogPwCjj2R6hUwkRyTHx4zAL1TmvGhvKMBd_IfsywjMoXWPsXAfOOQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1311" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioVifURbF43QVe6bPOqW142gPU9l7q3Mx3ycpuiqKokFDOEDq80DdmMhcKWXoNWwCd0DLnWoDbLyk8_DZ5JPu2GB1qWGMtcKsOLaUpCo73X5VRt2TYQWOXiGKdgQ1wMJ7GTYpWQogPwCjj2R6hUwkRyTHx4zAL1TmvGhvKMBd_IfsywjMoXWPsXAfOOQ" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dad and Allison (in Jessica's arms) a few days after Alli's birth in 2014 </i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I remember arguing with him about this. I hated hearing words out of my mouth from him. One of the last times... the last time I had this conversation with him was when I was visiting him at the hospital in January 2015. We had the Capitals game on. They lost to Montreal. <p></p><p>It would be the last time I got to interact with him in person, but I didn't know that then. He called me on my birthday. He wasn't at home yet, but he wasn't at that terrible place in Reisterstown that had my brother ready to fight someone for how the staff was treating him. </p><p>The next two weeks are just me going through the motions these days, as I remember the lost opportunities and the horror of the text messages I was receiving those final days. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3n-_VL1ecD0U8wJ8ZdvkDXfWjoBTLdycVJ4IcplsjiAqTvyeIKFfofEAMUqvypycEdwhKmvDfqWpbWSmr3MmpzaMPOxArCK2w91vwEsi5Vocf0rOxxa7oA9a1g1OZMgmotkc5iCBn51FQaZARwmjB-f-rkpXXncQYrTdjedSNnlRPPi_aRhOi8FMdqg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3n-_VL1ecD0U8wJ8ZdvkDXfWjoBTLdycVJ4IcplsjiAqTvyeIKFfofEAMUqvypycEdwhKmvDfqWpbWSmr3MmpzaMPOxArCK2w91vwEsi5Vocf0rOxxa7oA9a1g1OZMgmotkc5iCBn51FQaZARwmjB-f-rkpXXncQYrTdjedSNnlRPPi_aRhOi8FMdqg" width="235" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Somewhere in a pile of rubber and steel</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />One day, April 2 will dawn, and I won't feel the dread and sadness that I've felt since 2015, when I awoke that morning knowing that was the day Dad would die. I don't know why we chose that day. I wish we hadn't chosen that day to turn off the ventilator; it's the day my beloved Camaro rolled off the assembly line, and now the joy of that car is forever tied to the anguish of losing my dad. <p></p><p>So bear with me. Pat told me that day 8 years ago that the pain never goes away, that it just gets easier to manage. I guess I usually manage it okay, except for this time of year. But yeah, the pain is still there. </p><p>It always will be. </p><p>I love you, Daddy. <br /><br /></p><br /><p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-46956680852933158542023-02-26T21:57:00.004-05:002023-02-26T21:57:40.177-05:00Checking In<p>I can't believe it's almost the end of February. It's been two years since I was able to finally snag my first COVID vaccine and almost three years since the start of the whole disaster that is COVID-19. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXNZhSqdelM39abveHbG2_QuFI6jg2MKzi3Cu_JoXuufPAJi5eO6R1X6RUgm4OtgKf6Xa25-K-HuZ9CPQOZrHHw-vZV5FPNIF4SY8ScsmM9w6qRKNk9po0Z1i_LWvHaqyumSqAG-zSoIWgNJu6IXriY3vzZb-lKI-gpnoAu4kQR0G1SbKVCKEITDvLCg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1242" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXNZhSqdelM39abveHbG2_QuFI6jg2MKzi3Cu_JoXuufPAJi5eO6R1X6RUgm4OtgKf6Xa25-K-HuZ9CPQOZrHHw-vZV5FPNIF4SY8ScsmM9w6qRKNk9po0Z1i_LWvHaqyumSqAG-zSoIWgNJu6IXriY3vzZb-lKI-gpnoAu4kQR0G1SbKVCKEITDvLCg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Six Flags was the site of a massive vaccination line. I wanted to slalom these cones so bad.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I'm still trying to recover my mental health from the past three years, as being trapped at home and teaching remotely really brought home that a work-life balance is critical to maintaining a healthy outlook. Part of that recovery is trying to keep up with <a href="https://camarowrx.blogspot.com/2023/01/wake-up-to-brand-new-day.html" target="_blank">my resolutions</a> (SMART goals). Let's see where I am.<p></p><p>1) Just last week, I was on the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm" target="_blank">C&O Canal Towpath</a> around Snyders Landing before stopping by mom's in Sharpsburg. And the week before, I was at <a href="https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/central/soldiersdelight.aspx" target="_blank">Soldiers Delight NEA</a> again so that I could do the whole Serpentine Trail, so yes, this goal is still being met. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-d0t1MdUzNXfzujEW_Fy4mKBNyU_oStqbHY4D3zfvIONFvzkfTZKXWLjLp_cfSsj7jlx8kydsyAbt_PBjghboOphRXlbmYmW6RzM0xvLGQ8ILXoYttyEs8tcUsd89raqgpAb7si6f9VgzRGlj8xNfo6zbUo0AJ7bMy1MnrSWlAQGfBRcxY2B4_ZteoA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-d0t1MdUzNXfzujEW_Fy4mKBNyU_oStqbHY4D3zfvIONFvzkfTZKXWLjLp_cfSsj7jlx8kydsyAbt_PBjghboOphRXlbmYmW6RzM0xvLGQ8ILXoYttyEs8tcUsd89raqgpAb7si6f9VgzRGlj8xNfo6zbUo0AJ7bMy1MnrSWlAQGfBRcxY2B4_ZteoA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The C&O Canal Towpath, just west of mile marker 77 near Snyders Landing</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIfsJOP9Yilkw51HgxQWtescTLMqLkPS-ozKy-cZH20c0Aj5X3nJgJMk8Qj8rtz71fmq88XJcZH9on5b_0ZXy1TJ1_NpzkI3Hxh0T4UvilPvNhZckWXZkNOG05a6xXR1DXqXtEhoKz71tS9C8rNgR_ae3f0ntD2fdKb3-5pAi_FtaPcfPJEtezJYMLJA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIfsJOP9Yilkw51HgxQWtescTLMqLkPS-ozKy-cZH20c0Aj5X3nJgJMk8Qj8rtz71fmq88XJcZH9on5b_0ZXy1TJ1_NpzkI3Hxh0T4UvilPvNhZckWXZkNOG05a6xXR1DXqXtEhoKz71tS9C8rNgR_ae3f0ntD2fdKb3-5pAi_FtaPcfPJEtezJYMLJA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The far end of the Serpentine Trail at Soldiers Delight</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>With Spring Break started at the end of March, I don't see it being a problem to continue hiking at least once a month. </p><p>2) This is a blog in February, so yes, I'm still meeting this goal. I haven't been as prolific as maybe I could be, but I've met the goal. </p><p>3) I've fallen off a bit here. While I started off strong, I've stalled a bit recently while reading Karen Marie Moning's <i>Burned</i>. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G8ELS62?notRedirectToSDP=1&storeType=ebooks&linkCode=li2&tag=eclipsemagazine&linkId=41eb6503b9df782c4af9f872ddd3301e&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00G8ELS62&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=eclipsemagazine&language=en_US" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I got into this series years ago, and it's a bit hard to remember all the previous stuff</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=eclipsemagazine&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=B00G8ELS62" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /></div><p>This is the first book I've been reading on the <a href="https://amzn.to/3Y95wBs" target="_blank">new Kindle</a> that Pat got for me. It's nice to have the backlit display and not try to finagle <a href="https://amzn.to/3Y4UjSg" target="_blank">a booklight</a> on the Kindle like I used to do. My mom also got me a book I need to read (or at least strongly peruse) for road trip reasons; this is one I requested after Stefanie Payne hosted a #ParkChat evening on Twitter.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/100-Things-See-National-Parks/dp/1507219989?keywords=stefanie+payne&qid=1677465168&sr=8-2&linkCode=li2&tag=eclipsemagazine&linkId=409e05ca0edaa469eb226dc612e75007&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1507219989&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=eclipsemagazine&language=en_US" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>So far, this looks like some great ideas even for Parks I've been to</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=eclipsemagazine&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=1507219989" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /></div><p>4) Yep, definitely been doing this. If it's not hiking, then it's been doing the <a href="http://www.centr.com" target="_blank">Centr</a> Sculpted program. I've even had to buy new weights! </p><p>5) Yeah, that NBCT thing. I have applied the MSDE funding to my components. I just need to start <i>doing</i> the thing. I seriously have to do this now, since mid-May is the deadline for submission. I know what I want to do, so it's really a matter of documenting. </p><p>6) The brakes are still mocking me. Maybe if Pat can actually go to Abacus this coming weekend, I can bring them with me and do that while I'm waiting around. Otherwise, I'm going to be bored. Considering I won't get a tax return, it would be nice to be able to sell the car to someone who is. </p><p>7) I've started slacking on this a bit. I have my journal here next to the desktop, and I think about writing something down, especially after dreams like I had Friday and Saturday night. But then I don't do it. Same at work; I think about writing something down, but it's usually at the time where I just want to go home. I <i>have</i> felt better about accomplishing something each day, for the most part. For instance, today I fixed a cabinet door in the kitchen (after repeated trips to Lowe's) and yesterday I made a bunch of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/GlasyaVectra" target="_blank">wands to list on Etsy</a>, mostly because someone had requested a custom and I wanted to give them some choices. I just still need to list them!</p><p>So, this week is a "short" week because Friday is a half-day for students. It's interim prep day, and if I get all my comments and stuff in early, I can probably bolt just after noon so that we can get down to Abacus for tuning Pat's Camaro. He's been trying to get this thing tuned for the past month, but every weekend he's scheduled it, the weather's been in the low 40s (Fahrenheit) or colder. I just need to make sure I'm caught up on grading, and I need to come up with some lesson plans that don't involve collecting more work. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMD5aqSwL9SkUvWT2ZlVM-iyqJDwob0AatI5zhZVyt4Y1e35momIDWqcN92vR4cPh17sjamoHtEgp1KkHhy40KAUwR3HF3T0JJQs6Q4tgiA1nOb9lTSIleT4yJSZAUHfGqaqYQ9dVpObZUOXywRMfIAyBFHfrIV-hVsOUu4i2L9JcQZlxZNiU1FaA72w" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1242" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMD5aqSwL9SkUvWT2ZlVM-iyqJDwob0AatI5zhZVyt4Y1e35momIDWqcN92vR4cPh17sjamoHtEgp1KkHhy40KAUwR3HF3T0JJQs6Q4tgiA1nOb9lTSIleT4yJSZAUHfGqaqYQ9dVpObZUOXywRMfIAyBFHfrIV-hVsOUu4i2L9JcQZlxZNiU1FaA72w=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I can't wait to be daily driving this beauty again</i></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>In the meantime, I'm waiting for <i>my</i> little green terror of a Camaro to come home. The poor car is undergoing a transplant due to a collapsed and stuck lifter. I had those lifters replaced by the hack who left cigarette butts under the hood and didn't properly tighten down a bolt when installing a clutch, so... yeah. I gave that tool more chances than I should have, and it's ended up costing me a <i>lot</i> of money. Fortunately, Pat's former employer, <a href="https://www.powertrainproducts.net/" target="_blank">Powertrain Products</a>, worked with me to get an LT1 to <a href="https://www.rspmaryland.com/" target="_blank">Redline Performance</a> quickly. I'm keeping the core, and we'll see if I can do something with it. </p><p>Here's hoping it's a good week!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0B6GYcfxLo3meEpgBHSfsej6Sl8E1GoKr5zC3tkeROzuIRwgGuFGwAMLvw7xrwWEO5MG-5Gvqovi6KApxQUd1yhELFoyNAA0XwNhsIerB0AyKM_nIzZZ9KsjjSCZo78TnXqqUPPmROllg1DJFEAL3j_Dm84IFkfPgJYoijBKtNshJ3Z0Lb6kCPamNaQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0B6GYcfxLo3meEpgBHSfsej6Sl8E1GoKr5zC3tkeROzuIRwgGuFGwAMLvw7xrwWEO5MG-5Gvqovi6KApxQUd1yhELFoyNAA0XwNhsIerB0AyKM_nIzZZ9KsjjSCZo78TnXqqUPPmROllg1DJFEAL3j_Dm84IFkfPgJYoijBKtNshJ3Z0Lb6kCPamNaQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Reflections on the Potomac River at Snyders Landing</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">note : some links are associate links where a click will result in minimal compensation to me if you also make a purchase through that link</span></i> </p><p><br /></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-75376962005464398742023-01-22T19:47:00.007-05:002023-01-22T19:53:45.338-05:00Three Weeks<p>It's Sunday evening, three weeks into the New Year. This is apparently when most people have failed and given up on their resolutions. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7lb2zlva2HC1YJaChQ7PL2orqs3BstBS2HxyYC7dCNpymJWCnkbxIHfVXzqE76UrCUWZTQk7WWxL7RCACkv8906cd8AhHm5UF95XyU4SbkD7NTSIAxK0-_3pe_nUXYkoMjW7NYX7vzdMwG3LGBRZRRMK1280ezatgwL0m1k_48DJffNo954v6zADnig" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1396" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7lb2zlva2HC1YJaChQ7PL2orqs3BstBS2HxyYC7dCNpymJWCnkbxIHfVXzqE76UrCUWZTQk7WWxL7RCACkv8906cd8AhHm5UF95XyU4SbkD7NTSIAxK0-_3pe_nUXYkoMjW7NYX7vzdMwG3LGBRZRRMK1280ezatgwL0m1k_48DJffNo954v6zADnig=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sunset at Soldier's Delight</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Apparently, "three weeks" is the magic time span when things that are done routinely shift into a habit. So far, <a href="https://camarowrx.blogspot.com/2023/01/wake-up-to-brand-new-day.html" target="_blank">my SMART goals</a> are going pretty well. <p></p><p>1) I've hiked several times already this month, including yesterday in a new-to-me place called <a href="https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/central/soldiersdelight.aspx" target="_blank">Soldiers Delight NEA</a>. I went kind of late in the day, so I didn't get around the entire Serpentine Trail, so I'll definitely be back. I guess the real test of this goal will come next month and the month afterwards.</p><p>2) This is my third blog post of January, so again, this will likely be tested more next month and in March. </p><p>3) I not only finished <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Wu9jsj" target="_blank">The Queen's Weapons</a></i>, but I've also read Ben Raby's <i>100 Things Capitals Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die</i> and <i>finally</i> started on Steve Glynn's <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3HngU7z" target="_blank">This Team is Ruining My Life (But I Love Them)</a></i>. I've had the latter book around since August of 2019, when I went to a <a href="https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/" target="_blank">RMNB</a>-sponsored <a href="https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2019/07/22/rmnbs-bringing-steve-dangle-to-washington-dc-on-august-24-for-a-book-signing-and-party/" target="_blank">book signing</a> and met "Dangle" himself (who is pretty cool).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Things-Capitals-Fans-Should-Before/dp/1629376760?crid=N1SLYT2X6NI2&keywords=ben+raby&qid=1674433275&sprefix=ben+raby%2Caps%2C500&sr=8-1&linkCode=li2&tag=eclipsemagazine&linkId=4f9e298714f67d6b43887753be6f733a&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1629376760&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=eclipsemagazine&language=en_US" width="130" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pat got this for me last year.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>4) This one is about to get easier, as <a href="http://www.centr.com" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Centr</a><span style="text-align: left;"> is about to start a new six week program called "Sculpted" which is 4 days of 30 minute workouts. At this point, I've been mixing it up with Centr workouts and hiking, but I have met the goal each week.</span><p>5) This one, not so good right now. I've thought really hard about the students I plan to track, and I still need to get some information down on "paper" (pixel). With only four days of "instruction" this week, since it's the end of the marking period, I should have some time to work on this more formally soon.</p><p>6) I have put the intention out there, in multiple places. People know. I need to buckle down and get the brakes done now, so that it's ready to sell during tax return season. </p><p>7) For the most part, I've been doing okay on this last goal. Sometimes I record it in my journal at home, and sometimes I do it in my plus/delta book at work. Sometimes both. When I'm having a mentally tough day, it's tougher to get something on paper, even if I do recognize that I've accomplished something.</p><p>This week is going to feel so long, I really do want to go back to Soldiers Delight and finish hiking the Serpentine Trail. The site is a fairly unique ecosystem (serpentine barren and oak savanna), which has a very magnesium rich soil. This results in some plants that aren't found anywhere else in Maryland. I'm thinking of seeing if I can maybe incorporate the area into some evolution/adaptation lessons, especially with my magnet biology students. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9uQT_V4ZAjYCtSZTgqBkEbEuGx7mG8gfwRmBgqnASNTYCB8v91yWEX_eWczC5ZmrzJ2e5h_GFoMp_6ZrVxYxP7bW1hIRTQ8ih1KtSjNup0g7oB0Sk4YIdPCcq4hcsOx37yPSs3dIOUtt8cQm9rNp5Ez34gcADTDOe1WvtnmbWBJ47u8ObuG8TF2pPrQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1396" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9uQT_V4ZAjYCtSZTgqBkEbEuGx7mG8gfwRmBgqnASNTYCB8v91yWEX_eWczC5ZmrzJ2e5h_GFoMp_6ZrVxYxP7bW1hIRTQ8ih1KtSjNup0g7oB0Sk4YIdPCcq4hcsOx37yPSs3dIOUtt8cQm9rNp5Ez34gcADTDOe1WvtnmbWBJ47u8ObuG8TF2pPrQ=w433-h288" width="433" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The serpentine grassland in late January</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I also need to start thinking about doing taxes and I'm hoping that I get a refund this year. With Pat's new job, maybe his withholding is correct. I haven't played hockey in a year because the refund money that helps pay for that didn't happen last year. Plus, the green terror has some significant engine issues, and I might need the refund to pay for that. <br /></p><p>It's almost 8PM, and Sunday sadness over going to work tomorrow is in full swing. The rain today also didn't help. Here's to hoping that this is a good week.</p><p><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">note : some links are associate links where a click will result in minimal compensation to me if you also make a purchase through that link</span></i></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-83812099128348171442023-01-02T20:44:00.008-05:002023-01-02T20:45:18.193-05:00So Far, So Good<p>Two days into the new year, and two hikes under my belt. That's making some good progress on <a href="https://camarowrx.blogspot.com/2023/01/wake-up-to-brand-new-day.html" target="_blank">my resolutions</a>!</p><p>Yesterday, I did an obligatory First Day Hike in <a href="https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/central/patapsco.aspx" target="_blank">Patapsco Valley State Park</a>, starting at the ambiguously defined Pickall Area by the CSX train tracks, then trying to meet up with the Ole Ranger Trail. The trail is very poorly marked, and I didn't find the cut-over to the trail, but I did eventually meet up with the Union Dam Trail. It was a shorter hike than I thought it would be, which is good to know for future reference. I might start at Hollofield next time so that I can take the Ole Ranger Trail to see where I'm supposed to go from Pickall. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBU6PhTLhevJMDoeBsIrV9AX0IqvKJeO09a-r5q2JOWG6eRDJENaKsW0TNTGkHjjNjhHF5AGrHbS8kt3F24qNyGSA7Ij6TH2hSMeJQDl0Nqhva-ZnOmi83sqeD8CzgndXfnQsBPXaj7CktooHsIxMhzRHJBw3hgzSFGvObGzxBnglmiWDrZjNexjXRiA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="882" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBU6PhTLhevJMDoeBsIrV9AX0IqvKJeO09a-r5q2JOWG6eRDJENaKsW0TNTGkHjjNjhHF5AGrHbS8kt3F24qNyGSA7Ij6TH2hSMeJQDl0Nqhva-ZnOmi83sqeD8CzgndXfnQsBPXaj7CktooHsIxMhzRHJBw3hgzSFGvObGzxBnglmiWDrZjNexjXRiA=w304-h320" width="304" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Maryland State Parks gave out these First Day Hike stickers</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_oWU6vcm2D5-ksWaWcUV8HZqerjk2pmJGD4fDGro6fZiwY8Nz7E81ZBJWZVqlot4e__pGGnHFpVuIjspSplVeZqfnBYSzz11JDjkSEdhIQp90naflk4_lhPsttCXeC1Fi5Ty5v1ElnoW7QvyluM3G7DkUGG3QgKzs5v32BKvOp0QyfCT_AEvsdw5fvQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1319" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_oWU6vcm2D5-ksWaWcUV8HZqerjk2pmJGD4fDGro6fZiwY8Nz7E81ZBJWZVqlot4e__pGGnHFpVuIjspSplVeZqfnBYSzz11JDjkSEdhIQp90naflk4_lhPsttCXeC1Fi5Ty5v1ElnoW7QvyluM3G7DkUGG3QgKzs5v32BKvOp0QyfCT_AEvsdw5fvQ" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A Pontiac center cap in the mud</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYQ_y5pery4OrMHc2kApN6vGNtzUG57ZmuXG87nPMjH6TBGg5EXrOxU4maXL-iUIvmRnDncj1KKCU91JbY0F21NDRARzmu4DyHg5T0zuISsTYWCcTkuspYSxB6wtdf6uOmsrWJybTV0YW3mF6-y1XtFn7V4i33SdZeN4BxR4BohBaFnzqLcsW3QG9j-g" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="786" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYQ_y5pery4OrMHc2kApN6vGNtzUG57ZmuXG87nPMjH6TBGg5EXrOxU4maXL-iUIvmRnDncj1KKCU91JbY0F21NDRARzmu4DyHg5T0zuISsTYWCcTkuspYSxB6wtdf6uOmsrWJybTV0YW3mF6-y1XtFn7V4i33SdZeN4BxR4BohBaFnzqLcsW3QG9j-g=w271-h320" width="271" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The CSX tracks curving to match the river's bends</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5kSFlqA8LWLprH5LF_hquK-_kHwjvP06OdSOJsZTzL0XJin9z6gxS2WNaSLkklGPG6fTX1gPVGscymeVBZlCGud4bgC3hfMxQuXxjWthgKnUQD3MmVVNN09s-2U1SzUaG-dYy4YM1lBYiMsG_rlWLjmYMOB0dRAK5Sacyy9g3e9K8ToBzGvXo4QDGKg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1320" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5kSFlqA8LWLprH5LF_hquK-_kHwjvP06OdSOJsZTzL0XJin9z6gxS2WNaSLkklGPG6fTX1gPVGscymeVBZlCGud4bgC3hfMxQuXxjWthgKnUQD3MmVVNN09s-2U1SzUaG-dYy4YM1lBYiMsG_rlWLjmYMOB0dRAK5Sacyy9g3e9K8ToBzGvXo4QDGKg=w400-h275" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A train tunnel underneath US40.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHgn2qsswi9C34xevrFl2m5__LpZKDT0mTAdDKKowN8mHH6vTrkZx8rdQTAIwqJRUxHSTW7etaABKmavh489oxHFvuyaw0uxTJbDzbOexIFV7DYkh163txstNb3fZEX4pbXx_KmeIetfQLXV-1tyT-xb9Ud4iUFjdgjLrCRoTkbTS-8Qx_6qzLh_w1Rw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="524" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHgn2qsswi9C34xevrFl2m5__LpZKDT0mTAdDKKowN8mHH6vTrkZx8rdQTAIwqJRUxHSTW7etaABKmavh489oxHFvuyaw0uxTJbDzbOexIFV7DYkh163txstNb3fZEX4pbXx_KmeIetfQLXV-1tyT-xb9Ud4iUFjdgjLrCRoTkbTS-8Qx_6qzLh_w1Rw=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The link to the Union Dam Trail</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3v8GMaSKgoMJTf1TLIN26ozSp2Xvld6J0Fxh2ZugAOF0-vzzKlQHkv7i9_k0HmLoqrZ8FArT8UkfhbKbSmMSpbQ4tiO889EcMHlg4wv7DHOGlwG_2SF1007Wv4EaQeoa4zhL0Q8U7xOwfSVHShFQiJTbV7ukX-ZWEx94VhaSN4y6pq_IPOBkkzWGhTw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3v8GMaSKgoMJTf1TLIN26ozSp2Xvld6J0Fxh2ZugAOF0-vzzKlQHkv7i9_k0HmLoqrZ8FArT8UkfhbKbSmMSpbQ4tiO889EcMHlg4wv7DHOGlwG_2SF1007Wv4EaQeoa4zhL0Q8U7xOwfSVHShFQiJTbV7ukX-ZWEx94VhaSN4y6pq_IPOBkkzWGhTw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cold, clear river water where the Union Dam once stood<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_nncigbkaLzZ5YLqGOs6VEYGIvosMM8uIr27U2wzdgWv8-HRiiqC5b-TD-WPwSP6PjhzRxbCdS_rUqiVPoqDky6s6m3pWEJdfrbJumkNnlewlPqI74mK-M8ubZXmFk5uWy2uH4EeH8SenEhgG0JnO8o54IKVRz6lm_gzFJqZCNp55zRIBUe7mX1GVhg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_nncigbkaLzZ5YLqGOs6VEYGIvosMM8uIr27U2wzdgWv8-HRiiqC5b-TD-WPwSP6PjhzRxbCdS_rUqiVPoqDky6s6m3pWEJdfrbJumkNnlewlPqI74mK-M8ubZXmFk5uWy2uH4EeH8SenEhgG0JnO8o54IKVRz6lm_gzFJqZCNp55zRIBUe7mX1GVhg=w400-h267" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A thriving community once stood here, until repeated floods in the mid-1800s kept destroying the dams, mills and homes of those who tried to use the river for their living</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I texted Pat that I was at the entrance to Hollofield, and chatted with the ranger on duty there until he arrived. Turned out that someone's car had been broken into -- rear window smashed and stuff taken -- so I was watching the response to that. The thieves were quite brazen, as the vehicle in question was easily visible from the entrance gate. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For today -- the Federal holiday version of January 1 -- I decided to go to my other standby, the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm" target="_blank">Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath</a>. I needed to stop by my mom's anyway, and I initially thought to go to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/choh/learn/historyculture/ferryhill.htm" target="_blank">Ferry Hill</a> and from there, maybe up to Snyders Landing. Then I thought, <i>maybe I should go to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/catoctin-aqueduct.htm" target="_blank">Catoctin Aqueduct</a></i>? Finally, I settled on parking at <a href="https://www.nps.gov/pohe/planyourvisit/point-of-rocks.htm" target="_blank">Point of Rocks</a> and heading downstream, a section I don't think I've been on before. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgauM-EPa0I1MJbP1F3ZJVMhsbl8zwMSm21VajWae-v2-WOwo1h2tz-98wO6cv2dfbokIT2DEOfXCM-Pm8BnTNqeSP2zr3UEx_q4hrxp8udZy0H2DjY4__61ul9JBQqschrb4Yqf6Z2yrVGGKpjmoa_SEeepi0YhwZpVnNyTJhkb3GTyQLdNTIjoLaNRQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1063" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgauM-EPa0I1MJbP1F3ZJVMhsbl8zwMSm21VajWae-v2-WOwo1h2tz-98wO6cv2dfbokIT2DEOfXCM-Pm8BnTNqeSP2zr3UEx_q4hrxp8udZy0H2DjY4__61ul9JBQqschrb4Yqf6Z2yrVGGKpjmoa_SEeepi0YhwZpVnNyTJhkb3GTyQLdNTIjoLaNRQ" width="274" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Point of Rocks is at MM48.2 </i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The last time I'd been to Point of Rocks was just over a year ago, when my friend Andy Howe was in town. Being an engineer who designs bridges and the like, I think he wanted to see the aqueducts and locks of his 19th century counterparts. Sadly, there are no locks or aqueducts east of Point of Rocks, at least not until past Noland's Ferry. There <i>are</i> culverts though. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmWRK3aR2ZCVqHUN_8FG60MZfriz0jFwB3cQGQihHCYmtgNqXb3OlAGjLxIU_PeMTJ0-9ux_oLPEmNDAVio1PbyWbzjK6ZEhBFEQwa2czKNbpmO99eiLkZQ2s-tNeCdRchd3uIqVKlwCim7AGL-OuF779YP4T3efZafq-ylEir8IANRFIEYrLT9iGXYw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1155" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmWRK3aR2ZCVqHUN_8FG60MZfriz0jFwB3cQGQihHCYmtgNqXb3OlAGjLxIU_PeMTJ0-9ux_oLPEmNDAVio1PbyWbzjK6ZEhBFEQwa2czKNbpmO99eiLkZQ2s-tNeCdRchd3uIqVKlwCim7AGL-OuF779YP4T3efZafq-ylEir8IANRFIEYrLT9iGXYw=w400-h322" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A culvert right at Point of Rocks</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMfq_wWboo-D-qaoqKlOmi4L26SyIUxbfeHT1cQofvCUvCTzF8tOB6wpiZuIADTDSqasimsSEBTntU_GfYRyeL0F1SGNPC6XbO12EXOtM7CzKGmrDy-6gEU9E13Bt2F14EmMyxaBo91M4L__r1Ydu92_hPphYQlnhHJeIDfOkYVs1IExD76e05R2s0gw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1404" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMfq_wWboo-D-qaoqKlOmi4L26SyIUxbfeHT1cQofvCUvCTzF8tOB6wpiZuIADTDSqasimsSEBTntU_GfYRyeL0F1SGNPC6XbO12EXOtM7CzKGmrDy-6gEU9E13Bt2F14EmMyxaBo91M4L__r1Ydu92_hPphYQlnhHJeIDfOkYVs1IExD76e05R2s0gw=w400-h265" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Seek says these are "stinking orange oysters"</i>. <i>The area smelled like garbage, so, yeah.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I hiked down to mile marked 46 before turning back around. I was going to be cutting it close to get back to the Crosstrek by sunset. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTzyXkz7Y6qjwgFoQOS-6SNC2Oah0AUZKJV8cULNtf_Ub9MF1L_chYTJvtEYFmZnVKNykoIyPiCYka5QG_ZGkhUA7aN_lempkWpMppN8kltd0DeeMYaM-_-_Z_8Ew6xSm-_ysGbWtP5xOEomDr2xAUesofnQMHQVZe8fOS1gNfZrBfRravToFPsFvzVA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1396" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTzyXkz7Y6qjwgFoQOS-6SNC2Oah0AUZKJV8cULNtf_Ub9MF1L_chYTJvtEYFmZnVKNykoIyPiCYka5QG_ZGkhUA7aN_lempkWpMppN8kltd0DeeMYaM-_-_Z_8Ew6xSm-_ysGbWtP5xOEomDr2xAUesofnQMHQVZe8fOS1gNfZrBfRravToFPsFvzVA" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>As far as I went today. </i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Like yesterday, the drab Winter colors in the forest made nothing stand out. That's probably why I noticed the orange oysters. The sunset was pretty, reflecting off the river, but other than that, there wasn't too much else to see. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHi_KWC-r8FVWXxroVmr3hL3Ed6rKoCBwxeXpfOtCAKSU5CjfuMUHpgUBk8fadqm7CccE423hUEuSCfrZFZVG3evWhX1h6t6Y9apQIh3WJjukWCIk5QQloOcLtdG_HS7CiQ4prCfMzpKa-nd-YYEUEPlRCMd5mnxV2eO3tMQXyGS5oCLxeAG8lYLEasA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1655" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHi_KWC-r8FVWXxroVmr3hL3Ed6rKoCBwxeXpfOtCAKSU5CjfuMUHpgUBk8fadqm7CccE423hUEuSCfrZFZVG3evWhX1h6t6Y9apQIh3WJjukWCIk5QQloOcLtdG_HS7CiQ4prCfMzpKa-nd-YYEUEPlRCMd5mnxV2eO3tMQXyGS5oCLxeAG8lYLEasA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A larger culvert east of MM48</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNrWhK6RNq5CWjkdJv54IIX8eA7wndGybCfVrRX6KDWSeqfO83yCNW-Ym_HV1bnc3Tsc2NaH3FxVEBwHS4H61U7JuMU9IByaEN5U2WaP3BwRstHbEJgaISTXlzOYLFRm53XZiaa2FwQA3WeTcuEQm2-s4EDWhG6e34ghxF9QTMg1A1E0hsmrmeoUAC8Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="692" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNrWhK6RNq5CWjkdJv54IIX8eA7wndGybCfVrRX6KDWSeqfO83yCNW-Ym_HV1bnc3Tsc2NaH3FxVEBwHS4H61U7JuMU9IByaEN5U2WaP3BwRstHbEJgaISTXlzOYLFRm53XZiaa2FwQA3WeTcuEQm2-s4EDWhG6e34ghxF9QTMg1A1E0hsmrmeoUAC8Q=w298-h400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The sun's getting real low</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />One of the reasons I was really hankering to get out on a trail was because one of my holiday gifts from Pat was a new and nice pair of Merrell Moab hiking boots. They are super light compared to my old boots, and I wanted to see how well they handled muddy conditions. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Merrell-Womens-Waterproof-Hiking-Granite/dp/B01HFL883C?keywords=merrell+moab+2+waterproof+women&qid=1672707693&sprefix=merrell+moab%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-5&linkCode=li3&tag=eclipsemagazine&linkId=0043bcdd19fe9ee3a27048391210294f&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B01HFL883C&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=eclipsemagazine&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=eclipsemagazine&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B01HFL883C" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So far, so good with the boots! I know I'll be testing their waterproof-ness and more in the coming months. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After a short stop at Mom's in Sharpsburg, it was back home to wrap up Winter break and prepare for the end of the semester.... and to think about camping and hiking and where to go next. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">note : some links are associate links where a click will result in minimal compensation to me if you also make a purchase through that link</span></i></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-59474407984070422462023-01-01T10:55:00.004-05:002023-01-01T10:55:31.582-05:00Wake Up To a Brand New Day<p>It's 2023. Yay. No, I'm not particularly excited about it. The last few years of societal collapse around a maniac as President and the subsequent pandemic and just decreasing lack of civility and compassion has worn me down. </p><p>Still, I wanted to think about things I wanted to do better for this year. I mean, I make "new years resolutions" at every "new year" chapter, whether it's the start of the school year, the start of the summer or whatever, so it's really just an exercise in putting the thoughts out there, and then trying to make them manifest. </p><p>Instead of just vague objectives though, I'm going to take a page out of my teaching book and try to make them "SMART goals" with time sensitive, measurable and attainable attributes.</p><p>1) <b>Hike at least once per month. </b>This one should be easy. If I can do more than once per month, that will be even better, and I want it to be a <i>real</i> "once per month" not an average over the year. This might work well if Pat has a resolution to fish at least once per month. If I can bundle this with camping, it would also likely help my mental health a thousand-fold.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKQ8Nluap_qdLwEIMIgHY-DWckxKDTfSQRfsBUypBJYsQifYGOiAmsAMZVaWAwO_YcvGp0cjEr5-iKwyemdIvC7omI5fWaI0QJ1gCzZEVeWZ8C20T3vftSEL0ZHuPQqZFX7A6XZg-YEINekDaQmZwO8jmeYYORxGr8YiWEjv55L3uMMBCGSMd6q3iBHQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKQ8Nluap_qdLwEIMIgHY-DWckxKDTfSQRfsBUypBJYsQifYGOiAmsAMZVaWAwO_YcvGp0cjEr5-iKwyemdIvC7omI5fWaI0QJ1gCzZEVeWZ8C20T3vftSEL0ZHuPQqZFX7A6XZg-YEINekDaQmZwO8jmeYYORxGr8YiWEjv55L3uMMBCGSMd6q3iBHQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The C&O Towpath is one of my go-to places for hiking</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />2) <b>Blog here at least once per month</b>. Yeah, that seems like a low hanging goal, but considering "blogging more" hasn't worked out too well, making this something measurable, time sensitive and attainable seems more realistic. Maybe I'll even finish the "writeup" from last year's road trip before this year's. <p></p><p>3) <b>Read at least one chapter in a book at least five times per week</b>. Seems weirdly specific, I know. I'm very disappointed in how much I've read the last few years. So, again, I'm trying to make it measurable (one chapter) and attainable (5+ times per week). Will I read more than one chapter and more than five times per week? Maybe. Hopefully. I'm still working on <i>The Queen's Weapons</i>, which I bought in March of last year, and finally started just before Yule.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Queens-Weapons-Black-Jewels-ebook/dp/B08B5DCBTY?keywords=the+queen%27s+weapons&qid=1672586677&sprefix=queen%27s+we%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-1&linkCode=li3&tag=eclipsemagazine&linkId=a683e28dbad6efadb3b477d8e5ba7bb6&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B08B5DCBTY&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=eclipsemagazine&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=eclipsemagazine&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B08B5DCBTY" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /></div><p>4) <b>Exercise at least 20 minutes at least four times per week</b>. Again, it may seem like an odd goal, and why not the recommended "30 minutes"? Because I am still subscribed to <a href="https://centr.com/" target="_blank">Centr</a>, and some of the sessions there are 25 minutes, and not a full 30. Like the previous resolutions, I would like to do more than four times per week when I can. Hopefully, sickness doesn't derail this particular goal, as it often does; the most recent bout with COVID-19 over Thanksgiving break derailed a good run started after my "second marking period resolutions". Of course, hiking any particular day would tick off this box as well as the first one.</p><p>And now for a few more difficult ones to attain....</p><p>5) <b>Make strides towards National Board Certification every week</b>. This can take different forms, depending on which component I am working on, but I do need to do this, since I really dropped the ball last year and it turns out that you can't last minute this like you can a fifteen page term paper in college. I will start this right away this week when I go back on Tuesday. </p><p>6) <b>Sell the WRX and get a reliable new(er) car</b>. This breaks my heart to write out, but if I don't commit to it, I don't think I will ever go through with it. I haven't driven it since April of last year because the brakes need to be redone, and while I have all the parts to rebuild the front calipers (and my brother did the work of removing the seized pistons from the calipers I have for rebuild), I just haven't sat down to do it. Part of it is fear of doing it wrong, I know, and part of it is also knowing it's a PITA to swap a caliper much less two of them. I did a caliper on the black Camaro years ago, plus I did the front calipers on the green Camaro when I upgraded to LS1 brakes after finding a pair up for grabs at the pull-a-part junkyard. Anyway, once I get the brakes done -- let's set a timeframe of "by Spring" for that -- then the car is going to be officially for sale so that I can use whatever I get for it for a down payment on a new(er) car that has a warranty and all that. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj025vZZHx8eDGJ8Hg2gZE5VkRCvGRHb0ExJK_EXRFsLSqgcjgOW1j0m8NGL6OCCfaSVx1dykMomQDuxAZR-andj2UprHZ3MQZ0tomBxW-0r05M3q30lu9ow7W2-VMTzJAxEN_5cT8tpQ505mYOIH2mDB-L4jf-yd_z0NV3x48ryJ3YRZyZ8JsZoOVzOA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj025vZZHx8eDGJ8Hg2gZE5VkRCvGRHb0ExJK_EXRFsLSqgcjgOW1j0m8NGL6OCCfaSVx1dykMomQDuxAZR-andj2UprHZ3MQZ0tomBxW-0r05M3q30lu9ow7W2-VMTzJAxEN_5cT8tpQ505mYOIH2mDB-L4jf-yd_z0NV3x48ryJ3YRZyZ8JsZoOVzOA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>No more road trips to the Salt Flats in this car</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />7) <b>Feel like I've done something worthwhile everyday and making note of it</b>. I don't know how else to phrase this one. Those who know me know that I suffer from depression, and a lot of that revolves around constant feelings of worthlessness. So, making strides to feel like I've accomplished something, no matter how small, and acknowledging that accomplishment in some away will be tough. I have a little journal at work that I have used off and on since autumn 2019 where I try to do this. I try to write at least one positive thing about the day, no matter how minor, and then one thing I wish I could change and how I could change it (a "delta"). The framing is important -- it's just not something <i>bad</i>, but something I wish had gone better <i>and</i> (this is the important framing part), <i>how</i> I might have done things differently or what I could do to change the outcome. <p></p><p>I think with this last goal, it's about the negativity that permeates everything these days, and I just need to try to find the positive out there, somewhere. Oh, hey, I put together this coat rack today! Check it out, I mowed the lawn! I got out of bed and took a shower! I read that chapter in a book <i>and</i> hiked today! </p><p>It's 2023. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PTULqzrhBWA" width="320" youtube-src-id="PTULqzrhBWA"></iframe></div><p><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></p><p><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">note : some links are associate links where a click will result in minimal compensation to me if you also make a purchase through that link</span></i></p><p><br /></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-71100496086205538372022-08-28T11:56:00.006-04:002022-08-28T12:02:59.160-04:00Bad to the Bone<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>After a pause in the story, I'm back with part 4 of my road trip. You might want to read the lead up to this first (<a href="https://camarowrx.blogspot.com/2022/08/struggling-to-get-out-of-house.html" style="background-color: white; color: #29aae1; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">part 1</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">, </span><a href="https://camarowrx.blogspot.com/2022/08/no-particular-place-to-go.html" style="background-color: white; color: #29aae1; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">part 2</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">, and <a href="https://camarowrx.blogspot.com/2022/08/wanderlust-in-full-force.html" target="_blank">part 3</a>)</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpfTXOtZmREYAdksGyyltkStqK8T3xrzQl2eSKW-27YYncYb6RyFO90GZk9MRj608W3ihkmhmR81ihv1A2_lxkLOocWGwwTYvH6ef-T1BTd7GA_FvuG1Idrh4xDRZK0TRFJEMOeL6prvxemkKf5LSqDByyiQoLAFU9asDHGI_fbRTce6i-r12ZWi7RMQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="747" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpfTXOtZmREYAdksGyyltkStqK8T3xrzQl2eSKW-27YYncYb6RyFO90GZk9MRj608W3ihkmhmR81ihv1A2_lxkLOocWGwwTYvH6ef-T1BTd7GA_FvuG1Idrh4xDRZK0TRFJEMOeL6prvxemkKf5LSqDByyiQoLAFU9asDHGI_fbRTce6i-r12ZWi7RMQ=w333-h400" width="333" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My little campsite in the morning; the White River is just beyond the trees in the background</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />After staring at the beautiful night sky well past midnight, I awoke early (for me), showered, ate a quick cheese-and-bagel "sandwich," then packed up and headed back to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm" target="_blank">Badlands National Park</a>. I didn't really plan on spending much time there, but also wanted to beat the heat. The previous day was 100F well into the late afternoon, and heat resistant though I am, it is wearying and dangerous, especially if you run out of water. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEzE2X5fdCG673ajJgvseGpGpIXUhA73R7tYPfU7V8jZRtbWgwi33X-njorZVov5YRDzomE2_-rI0BTW1hOtoLAoaxJrVvK6oSu0_FxwLzlnUIvUXtNhhBE-6Ca7AI_0C2zcVwQO6We-eDuIgX2i8kVEvDLqxOe7djsnOUc-_EsYl8tuE85-LsHxZz-g" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEzE2X5fdCG673ajJgvseGpGpIXUhA73R7tYPfU7V8jZRtbWgwi33X-njorZVov5YRDzomE2_-rI0BTW1hOtoLAoaxJrVvK6oSu0_FxwLzlnUIvUXtNhhBE-6Ca7AI_0C2zcVwQO6We-eDuIgX2i8kVEvDLqxOe7djsnOUc-_EsYl8tuE85-LsHxZz-g=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"King Tut," a fossil turtle on display at the Badlands' Ben Reifel Visitor Center</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />I started by going to the Ben Reifel Visitor Center to see if there was anything new and interesting in the gift shop (and get a few post cards for friends who had expressed that they wanted to receive them), and the fossil prep lab was open. I spoke with the paleontologists there a bit, and was told that if I wanted to find a fossil, the best bet was to go off trail. I must have looked horrified -- after all, most parks stress <i style="font-weight: bold;">stay on the trails</i> to prevent ecological damage -- and she told me that because Badlands erodes so much (up to an inch a year!), staying on trails isn't as important in this park. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">After saying "hi" to Ranger Paul (who is one of this park's secret treasures; he has some great stories to tell about people asking questions like, "When do you paint the rocks?" and "So this road is currently closed? Does that mean I can't go here?), I headed back to Norbeck Pass and the Fossil Exhibit Trail end of Castle Trail. I figured I'd hike a bit down Castle Trail, then head out of the park via Sage Creek Rim Road to look for wildlife. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1uM0iXkKEBdkOk4Ocf63zwLRw1BnnrH-BH873RooLdKuqEKR72aaJQvAIB1XJE91BxSLCiM66ROZcZcZ4Fp0t9r5lpgZDdt1ksmCejswUMftfz56RzPXgOQMqH2uPa5Y4EVnq0xYUPDOPe2yGcHJgbCrnp7pRyzy_535U7m-RHctBZlBX0T6B8PFjOg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1348" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1uM0iXkKEBdkOk4Ocf63zwLRw1BnnrH-BH873RooLdKuqEKR72aaJQvAIB1XJE91BxSLCiM66ROZcZcZ4Fp0t9r5lpgZDdt1ksmCejswUMftfz56RzPXgOQMqH2uPa5Y4EVnq0xYUPDOPe2yGcHJgbCrnp7pRyzy_535U7m-RHctBZlBX0T6B8PFjOg=w289-h192" width="289" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1uM0iXkKEBdkOk4Ocf63zwLRw1BnnrH-BH873RooLdKuqEKR72aaJQvAIB1XJE91BxSLCiM66ROZcZcZ4Fp0t9r5lpgZDdt1ksmCejswUMftfz56RzPXgOQMqH2uPa5Y4EVnq0xYUPDOPe2yGcHJgbCrnp7pRyzy_535U7m-RHctBZlBX0T6B8PFjOg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhysMq4YLc0rRVJuTSJP1nXr3vK4oOvT1wB81XEkSQ33FR1mKmgBUv-_eWa4HdepYJNIgz1p8Czl1U6YgjiAXAN01aVQz-pgv9xg-1bdouJta_I2p9ScvjTHXM1f2UZWgpaiLTliloCTfMQ48wg5k3LKIpg59lOiJqcDNISZL4Q2lNMbvbKv62H-qdnOQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1348" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhysMq4YLc0rRVJuTSJP1nXr3vK4oOvT1wB81XEkSQ33FR1mKmgBUv-_eWa4HdepYJNIgz1p8Czl1U6YgjiAXAN01aVQz-pgv9xg-1bdouJta_I2p9ScvjTHXM1f2UZWgpaiLTliloCTfMQ48wg5k3LKIpg59lOiJqcDNISZL4Q2lNMbvbKv62H-qdnOQ=w294-h195" width="294" /></a></div><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Right away, I saw some bighorn sheep across a ravine in nearly the same place that Pat and I had seen them last year. Unlike last year, I had my <a href="https://amzn.to/3wYSzQb" target="_blank">zoom lens</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/3AAqOhQ" target="_blank">Canon DLSR</a> with me, so I could actually get some decent photos of them. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I took some photos of the rams, a couple of other hikers came by, saw me taking photos and of course started congregating where I was. So, I continued on down the trail until I found an area that enticed me to go off trail, and off trail I went. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB3ImRICRUi192dTTcKqmvDhUtpozNvoOVXFeXniA02JW75P-Bi-_YaH1i0IsQItiEpealT9J-VB4QBfoRlOAWd-s2w3_rAatHSU_ppSJ0FgfVq-DDwhAngTrIJMp69hzXR_gUyLDDKsCTHJCiHjNFhsb1Ie4gIgTtcsvMMhYCCiBnBxqsXL2EpM1ejA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB3ImRICRUi192dTTcKqmvDhUtpozNvoOVXFeXniA02JW75P-Bi-_YaH1i0IsQItiEpealT9J-VB4QBfoRlOAWd-s2w3_rAatHSU_ppSJ0FgfVq-DDwhAngTrIJMp69hzXR_gUyLDDKsCTHJCiHjNFhsb1Ie4gIgTtcsvMMhYCCiBnBxqsXL2EpM1ejA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Beefy surveys his domain</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNwR29VlyEWyZ3Z3vZ8PivszIkC5CdLVUh4oJcOYH3Vk_for5ELGAKBz9-oeOA_osqdbPSk5VoNFg1soOSCKST9QIpaKolSum8pzofXKzxexfwZyf2g0JpM2UjF_i7kmV-9BGYoOAM4ghqtoW8Au-RpmM6kEtiFHjYzh72GcX4bJ3_C9rDf_YQqNVPQw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNwR29VlyEWyZ3Z3vZ8PivszIkC5CdLVUh4oJcOYH3Vk_for5ELGAKBz9-oeOA_osqdbPSk5VoNFg1soOSCKST9QIpaKolSum8pzofXKzxexfwZyf2g0JpM2UjF_i7kmV-9BGYoOAM4ghqtoW8Au-RpmM6kEtiFHjYzh72GcX4bJ3_C9rDf_YQqNVPQw=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO7TkTdY-KmSDj3JIKF5SavvQDxG_e7tqhSYgsVTVbgg0vGfjmY1HuJNGrLoQpxa5yEM74ToqOpBr6uJUjVSEwrsjlv7SMWvJ8pud2lH9jstLcDsH-6Wafi0bNG9V3X6j95HmoWrOhQ9MkeH0AU5NGbpWZa0JJSEup7d22Yiayr5DXruAzTf_n879XwQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO7TkTdY-KmSDj3JIKF5SavvQDxG_e7tqhSYgsVTVbgg0vGfjmY1HuJNGrLoQpxa5yEM74ToqOpBr6uJUjVSEwrsjlv7SMWvJ8pud2lH9jstLcDsH-6Wafi0bNG9V3X6j95HmoWrOhQ9MkeH0AU5NGbpWZa0JJSEup7d22Yiayr5DXruAzTf_n879XwQ=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq9SQnd9mD0XFEqL11y60ULuJJvpr01F_mqBY2SXd53NrU7qpjJQ87S169hiLVwUBnDV910qGBaZiBK-41i-lAMCy3YGqtKo54K-lBeFPN6QG3eQ1W3atDV-L-oy3-eDuVUYdsw8MGPgjhZVdrUBHHNdxVf-sAUFnP6Ei18vLltitHEDsQUTsXA83rrg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq9SQnd9mD0XFEqL11y60ULuJJvpr01F_mqBY2SXd53NrU7qpjJQ87S169hiLVwUBnDV910qGBaZiBK-41i-lAMCy3YGqtKo54K-lBeFPN6QG3eQ1W3atDV-L-oy3-eDuVUYdsw8MGPgjhZVdrUBHHNdxVf-sAUFnP6Ei18vLltitHEDsQUTsXA83rrg=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>What have we here???</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghl8HHoOW2lXHF0wuQIQSYbEg34KHB0eHuQRvsgt2GQJJLMRmfHoNCpYLqaghJ_YhFfdfA4Q3wOhf00Ma3pJB-stbt9c9iSe1lGydWAiJhv08Hy_P-unl-0fuE1qCVsuXS2wX6nLvpsmu9itc4M9MZ2bCqcsnUsSWrHm0eSYyAIR4LalOOtIiwGcXCYA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghl8HHoOW2lXHF0wuQIQSYbEg34KHB0eHuQRvsgt2GQJJLMRmfHoNCpYLqaghJ_YhFfdfA4Q3wOhf00Ma3pJB-stbt9c9iSe1lGydWAiJhv08Hy_P-unl-0fuE1qCVsuXS2wX6nLvpsmu9itc4M9MZ2bCqcsnUsSWrHm0eSYyAIR4LalOOtIiwGcXCYA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Those are definitely bones</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />After seeing the bones, I took several photos, recorded the GPS coordinates, and headed back to the visitor center. They weren't terrible far from the trail and so obvious that I was pretty sure they'd been reported previously, and sure enough, that's what I was told. They are pre-Columbian bison bones, so between 800-1000 years old. Not quite "fossil" material, but I still got a patch for doing the right thing. 😁</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha1MNXCjkk_8EWYCt_DWrfK1XGKpRT0oo6TeIjuxacBq2DP8jRKe12E8s5UqrH3iMnXqqs4BWzakxO5OUqm3hE-WFju1b4NELMqFClBIHPPlMeNK6gSuvYPimwtfhO97bSOdl4wiXUTKYoQ6mh03CL4zy2U8LYj8LZsKERdm0F15wbqPUXVf131RQAOQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="917" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha1MNXCjkk_8EWYCt_DWrfK1XGKpRT0oo6TeIjuxacBq2DP8jRKe12E8s5UqrH3iMnXqqs4BWzakxO5OUqm3hE-WFju1b4NELMqFClBIHPPlMeNK6gSuvYPimwtfhO97bSOdl4wiXUTKYoQ6mh03CL4zy2U8LYj8LZsKERdm0F15wbqPUXVf131RQAOQ" width="245" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>If you report a finding instead of disturbing it, you get a patch and allow trained professionals to obtain information from the finding that is shared with everyone</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />At this point, it's later in the day than I really planned on staying in the park, and it's hot AF. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhg_c2tZJxLoMWcgt5gqHXRCTABXq2kc6Bi0jHamhPvUE1kL2LRLadlcApndrUQjXczLJ126x7cCZB7_yYPzkU-WXhj7MIfOFRd37yR3MHeaZjs0r0h0DSEZ2Kun-JHwx499BwW_rGAnqxHy0yCaV6hGCzo64VJYDNJ9QJPyYQueZ6XYE9ZPJBitPXmOA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhg_c2tZJxLoMWcgt5gqHXRCTABXq2kc6Bi0jHamhPvUE1kL2LRLadlcApndrUQjXczLJ126x7cCZB7_yYPzkU-WXhj7MIfOFRd37yR3MHeaZjs0r0h0DSEZ2Kun-JHwx499BwW_rGAnqxHy0yCaV6hGCzo64VJYDNJ9QJPyYQueZ6XYE9ZPJBitPXmOA" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I don't care if the humidity is low, this is not pleasant. BTW, that's 2:08 EDT, because I don't like changing the clock</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />It was time to go down Sage Creek Rim Road, visit the bison and the prairie dogs, and then maybe go to Custer or something. </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT0n9YiM9TG2DFXwDAS9vH_RMa1X7ZtE-Fm1O44fKMqwjEauTyqxiWE-P_m940VZnMGLHH1kJTNb2pDnXmrIVU4fSjdfD3owTjgDewGjee2w48bCvcAcmEUfbOKVqlXhNklE8UeLZLndsIiJsvwu5mlVMHEPxvs71YxMJ7td3jBcX9gEIeULePEcHY3Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT0n9YiM9TG2DFXwDAS9vH_RMa1X7ZtE-Fm1O44fKMqwjEauTyqxiWE-P_m940VZnMGLHH1kJTNb2pDnXmrIVU4fSjdfD3owTjgDewGjee2w48bCvcAcmEUfbOKVqlXhNklE8UeLZLndsIiJsvwu5mlVMHEPxvs71YxMJ7td3jBcX9gEIeULePEcHY3Q=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>You get more colors in the landscape along Sage Creek Rim Road</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT-YIe_aPTTkRYo-iEJkC2SORB0MQqqdaSvgszHpCMvz1Gs28WmUZCaS3JWmP9AKPToh3kcFVaT0Xpwb9rC1GBeQdZutIJJ2ZbOGj9YUWhWGh-fNJhsV7rAvDNoh8EGN8vKPxXjXWVXtiYKxqH-APAUkJwIiJILce7Rim9QqWPKNEiBb_tBGtx7WScSA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT-YIe_aPTTkRYo-iEJkC2SORB0MQqqdaSvgszHpCMvz1Gs28WmUZCaS3JWmP9AKPToh3kcFVaT0Xpwb9rC1GBeQdZutIJJ2ZbOGj9YUWhWGh-fNJhsV7rAvDNoh8EGN8vKPxXjXWVXtiYKxqH-APAUkJwIiJILce7Rim9QqWPKNEiBb_tBGtx7WScSA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Prairie with grazing bison</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_xDoL6sMlbd3-p5TB2kyYb9rhH_myAI59FbXisldi6E9iRHAUZy6GOYu1awqNAgbWs9UvbH1KF0k3zyDwrSW1zXVK8u9DeS996LzGAEMDPRJcvv286iXWuhBnnHZrv6K13kyHE6G7TetKVXqnxMqSSzpEqCw0QJLc5xLzZ3dXWk0-Bw_8e5LlWZqBiQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1224" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_xDoL6sMlbd3-p5TB2kyYb9rhH_myAI59FbXisldi6E9iRHAUZy6GOYu1awqNAgbWs9UvbH1KF0k3zyDwrSW1zXVK8u9DeS996LzGAEMDPRJcvv286iXWuhBnnHZrv6K13kyHE6G7TetKVXqnxMqSSzpEqCw0QJLc5xLzZ3dXWk0-Bw_8e5LlWZqBiQ=w400-h294" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A horned lark at Roberts Prairie Dog Town</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGKDyfFM8eLoErjUku6FxsxwU9cGMtD-iOf4TK3a1zrES8-w7w5db1AuOhdiilTtr3Ys4fqEmdXa9R0u74EqMKTJHnfgHx01q8KZbwAJAzLWzC75pm9nrNh8jJbIhV-QOlebv_ljDiCFSHY0gx4_mmIBffeS-yZjmG9XZ2Qu6WU_UhpbasiGkCulx2Ng" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGKDyfFM8eLoErjUku6FxsxwU9cGMtD-iOf4TK3a1zrES8-w7w5db1AuOhdiilTtr3Ys4fqEmdXa9R0u74EqMKTJHnfgHx01q8KZbwAJAzLWzC75pm9nrNh8jJbIhV-QOlebv_ljDiCFSHY0gx4_mmIBffeS-yZjmG9XZ2Qu6WU_UhpbasiGkCulx2Ng=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sorry guys, I didn't bring any apples</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I approached the park exit, I started to see more and more and more bison. In fact, there was a bison in the middle of the road. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaZwiXBZ9RnhHbE8N0nEDyqWqtepR20taXgR-ahiZlw7pY577aPeOsCc-mjTtpWvbff6sMe6PB466YReahoncBeaWQJAsUrNOTVGnaOsTOUUk_WufnJ7lK4gITm9bxGC-3kGJDf_412A-JeF_9mXayDlvPMucKAsGGFSrscHGVEDnSkV89ioQnQI5Xjw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaZwiXBZ9RnhHbE8N0nEDyqWqtepR20taXgR-ahiZlw7pY577aPeOsCc-mjTtpWvbff6sMe6PB466YReahoncBeaWQJAsUrNOTVGnaOsTOUUk_WufnJ7lK4gITm9bxGC-3kGJDf_412A-JeF_9mXayDlvPMucKAsGGFSrscHGVEDnSkV89ioQnQI5Xjw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWLFvWHBfNYbCWQMixTNj9kD_BtacSa_Ab4x-ulH3AgOF9XqHmU4KI8pEqpxagBuQFz60wJwGkolYfaYrEvpfPXlVWo91snaPQM6HThByDAypkWz-DEz_5UnsxGpCFBFhOBcQsdHZwiMuJVZvDHBMH3zTPPP6JDUTqCGg9PvyLHMPatQLdd1ozpk0DWg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="870" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWLFvWHBfNYbCWQMixTNj9kD_BtacSa_Ab4x-ulH3AgOF9XqHmU4KI8pEqpxagBuQFz60wJwGkolYfaYrEvpfPXlVWo91snaPQM6HThByDAypkWz-DEz_5UnsxGpCFBFhOBcQsdHZwiMuJVZvDHBMH3zTPPP6JDUTqCGg9PvyLHMPatQLdd1ozpk0DWg=w388-h400" width="388" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The truck's driver said he'd been waiting about ten minutes for the bison to move when I came along. I only had to wait for a few minutes</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />There were a ton of bison here, kind of like when we were surrounded by bison at <a href="https://www.nps.gov/thro/index.htm" target="_blank">Theodore Roosevelt National Park</a> in 2019 or at <a href="https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park/" target="_blank">Custer State Park</a> last year. I was driving super slow (20-30mph) because they were right next to the road, walking into the road, etc. and clearly some people didn't care that a collision could occur. Two trucks passed me and damn near hit multiple bison. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFfTrDRbLjTUrhIozJnO_QIUVkBYVs5CWSwVh5ld8ioiqn3hLPgvQqYFRaTax9CQj_Xk6Td_X3NzYPtn_gS4oNyPLPfZIdGps5J8zD8KhMVXXH8bRvKmJKmN54WCZNGADUGKzi5YWD3eneKxbA0YBZdPRPjw13Yy4bb_hcOro9ZJovhTOvIQ8fN5j2ag" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1319" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFfTrDRbLjTUrhIozJnO_QIUVkBYVs5CWSwVh5ld8ioiqn3hLPgvQqYFRaTax9CQj_Xk6Td_X3NzYPtn_gS4oNyPLPfZIdGps5J8zD8KhMVXXH8bRvKmJKmN54WCZNGADUGKzi5YWD3eneKxbA0YBZdPRPjw13Yy4bb_hcOro9ZJovhTOvIQ8fN5j2ag=w400-h203" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This was the first of the impatient people</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwhmD-BwIEf6tlepbET5TKfXFH8NPYdeI-q8uml7XE0OpuNcETBRWkOBYQzLrkWTGlmdVdzXUyLMmz8QDicHZFiMQnfdrnXRHEvx-iQyQauvB9LDdj2dALk3CJjBMtZYeKo84S2c8IEtuSGmUOx_x0K-dDNDVuYBiMPhr07epgQBClC7o7x23eD2TXEg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwhmD-BwIEf6tlepbET5TKfXFH8NPYdeI-q8uml7XE0OpuNcETBRWkOBYQzLrkWTGlmdVdzXUyLMmz8QDicHZFiMQnfdrnXRHEvx-iQyQauvB9LDdj2dALk3CJjBMtZYeKo84S2c8IEtuSGmUOx_x0K-dDNDVuYBiMPhr07epgQBClC7o7x23eD2TXEg=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It looks like a fence separates us, but there was a wide open gate just up the road</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzKuxBT6qRbXXZiuilgZKuoNjWe3g_6heUQt3O7fB_ztYfyj2J_Y10JAOdldAwt6eHAC5fdd30lgap6cORL8tJqFeOy71WDLnGrlxM9cSMfMGKdLfXOXIDkR4vCdszFyEKGjyNlFuiL2QjQjpRlicuLy9FPuId_DjYldt26QKyahdpkl_EJ-J6nz-ZjA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzKuxBT6qRbXXZiuilgZKuoNjWe3g_6heUQt3O7fB_ztYfyj2J_Y10JAOdldAwt6eHAC5fdd30lgap6cORL8tJqFeOy71WDLnGrlxM9cSMfMGKdLfXOXIDkR4vCdszFyEKGjyNlFuiL2QjQjpRlicuLy9FPuId_DjYldt26QKyahdpkl_EJ-J6nz-ZjA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Beefy is excited to see his people</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMffu7Txexbbam033fbhHJfIINYCoFCg-440pzsCcDKpb4J6qOn62WinK_Zf4r726phn0EqmiImIk8X0jO-ATCWrF7Z4ULhfxfjyhruHweT022mER06LMrs0qWT67KpafKdsF3rvXsqExxOOwfB8S-7-p0dTRC0Ia-HbQW8j7T0p-4c7K74Kl3nPhBLw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMffu7Txexbbam033fbhHJfIINYCoFCg-440pzsCcDKpb4J6qOn62WinK_Zf4r726phn0EqmiImIk8X0jO-ATCWrF7Z4ULhfxfjyhruHweT022mER06LMrs0qWT67KpafKdsF3rvXsqExxOOwfB8S-7-p0dTRC0Ia-HbQW8j7T0p-4c7K74Kl3nPhBLw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This was the second of the impatient people to pass me. I'm pulled over here, because these two bison were in the road. The garbage truck barely slowed down as it approached them and fortunately, they moved</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEie0lKfUvMHAYzU9h2SHMKS4N8FhJt3wB3cZOwVqGGa1fSILGrDINnQg8UFn7ZXP1mj08pCJ0ciHfSsPPJDN056FOolQ89OaUK2KKTFtnma1_LUzUR6jJPaR6R0Rnqyy6h7hq0LyqrdihLgwMwqNP6Wr7ZZu9VM2u7955HMj43ZuGem5IsY9eAJ0fPzRw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEie0lKfUvMHAYzU9h2SHMKS4N8FhJt3wB3cZOwVqGGa1fSILGrDINnQg8UFn7ZXP1mj08pCJ0ciHfSsPPJDN056FOolQ89OaUK2KKTFtnma1_LUzUR6jJPaR6R0Rnqyy6h7hq0LyqrdihLgwMwqNP6Wr7ZZu9VM2u7955HMj43ZuGem5IsY9eAJ0fPzRw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>So many bison</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">From Wall, I decided to go up to the <a href="https://www.sdairandspacemuseum.com/" target="_blank">South Dakota Air & Space Museum</a> in Box Elder. It's basically just outside the main gate to Ellsworth AFB. Mom and I had visited here in 2015, but this time the indoor exhibits were still closed. I'm not sure if that's because of funding, lack of staff or what. I wandered around the outdoor exhibits (which are still open) before making a reservation at the<a href="https://koa.com/campgrounds/custer/" target="_blank"> Custer/Black Hills KOA</a> and heading that way.<br /><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdfB72Fromzwx17MHqRIaUyKXKdI6dNsPYECbXZDrGj_jmrmctlraWpCkG2owVrMlrSK2ZOEegScXdpxAd4chkJWb6RpkXTDXIjbM8IcZ0k-r2fFlUM8NQbkM_zogxP1HB2OIwbyTTTzJnwSzwKcCLv0O1gnBajqC9vCiv1LKMxmOv8lQrOoyRVN6MaA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdfB72Fromzwx17MHqRIaUyKXKdI6dNsPYECbXZDrGj_jmrmctlraWpCkG2owVrMlrSK2ZOEegScXdpxAd4chkJWb6RpkXTDXIjbM8IcZ0k-r2fFlUM8NQbkM_zogxP1HB2OIwbyTTTzJnwSzwKcCLv0O1gnBajqC9vCiv1LKMxmOv8lQrOoyRVN6MaA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Titan I </i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidZIAtGtZQfjFtPxrnQlQCjniF1jKACU5hjFzb6dUWKdLoC-vcWFSC3ewwiDKB9YQL9gjAM3QjoucoICr20RaWuK3DP27XIEY2VP6ZS5t0bqNKvV5G_zKg0DOQsiVBXUJqqdZNYiBZ-Ivc5irwH8Y8d49Lhs_F4cz8S_eZz1U0hDXUfUDoYIefwjqKow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidZIAtGtZQfjFtPxrnQlQCjniF1jKACU5hjFzb6dUWKdLoC-vcWFSC3ewwiDKB9YQL9gjAM3QjoucoICr20RaWuK3DP27XIEY2VP6ZS5t0bqNKvV5G_zKg0DOQsiVBXUJqqdZNYiBZ-Ivc5irwH8Y8d49Lhs_F4cz8S_eZz1U0hDXUfUDoYIefwjqKow=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>B1-B Lancer, or as Pat says, "Bone".</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitoInxmkRwfUW0HsPZ9S7DLSkfg0SPpzDtIbQgJbchB6BdJhxICx5uO-R9nvicA0g2JzEvlMkoh8ERyjWHbBwLOg3RC8krE_iK2kzABLhrQdcaANpK3m7LeRc30ak1nB_ehILXwULZq7CgcQPmTcSeiU0YYZ4JpW4Rr9DdpASLuGX3g_wlIEltOkQuXw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitoInxmkRwfUW0HsPZ9S7DLSkfg0SPpzDtIbQgJbchB6BdJhxICx5uO-R9nvicA0g2JzEvlMkoh8ERyjWHbBwLOg3RC8krE_iK2kzABLhrQdcaANpK3m7LeRc30ak1nB_ehILXwULZq7CgcQPmTcSeiU0YYZ4JpW4Rr9DdpASLuGX3g_wlIEltOkQuXw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>VB-25J used by Gen. Eisenhower during WWII</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0t9-gj_ynMycFMO6Y82he_dnCGTDWUmqAz5x2oydR-pEhzzOceZJvh5rJa22pDdMcE39rokZOeQt8auTaF87u4y5Zni6iSpu_ln1dVvGdu11HnDyhweAjewqkKNOYrbGNPNxmz1JUyjVBr2bVpNdHnOe9xTNnTySn9qd_5-ClQt3yD01uHdLwjip6QQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0t9-gj_ynMycFMO6Y82he_dnCGTDWUmqAz5x2oydR-pEhzzOceZJvh5rJa22pDdMcE39rokZOeQt8auTaF87u4y5Zni6iSpu_ln1dVvGdu11HnDyhweAjewqkKNOYrbGNPNxmz1JUyjVBr2bVpNdHnOe9xTNnTySn9qd_5-ClQt3yD01uHdLwjip6QQ=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Minuteman Missile; Ellsworth AFB is one of the bases that takes care of the silos</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSvuHZ23RXDeQ5iYrx7cRl-ZDUw_oE8lpZcsQTATeoBLETPh4D5Afm_jCDmjfiUpD2AxXzCvqju89GxcIjP0UsBxgAu_7JMcpILqdige_ejQu8PAt3ZnKHuKFVAQgNC1mj6r4ZeHdRe3VPAAo_WTYStX0VsOrohvLvpGajCZTS-wZ_aYCYvKR0ioHU1A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1320" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSvuHZ23RXDeQ5iYrx7cRl-ZDUw_oE8lpZcsQTATeoBLETPh4D5Afm_jCDmjfiUpD2AxXzCvqju89GxcIjP0UsBxgAu_7JMcpILqdige_ejQu8PAt3ZnKHuKFVAQgNC1mj6r4ZeHdRe3VPAAo_WTYStX0VsOrohvLvpGajCZTS-wZ_aYCYvKR0ioHU1A=w640-h397" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQCBuvwR7nXX5Wj2ukC7mF1uGVISbjVyTNh7v65-OXimuJQ2F7P8jTHX0shwpM6IFI0cEM6QhfNVhDsbsZw4UFZi0rPIiSDsypIAFImdzF7ImhkCCFCZEEWfD0n_ajj977odJDS5JluwcMtW-BiipC0JL4uiB1BXGjmxsOZsCayw8PBXh-rfGs7aaMgw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQCBuvwR7nXX5Wj2ukC7mF1uGVISbjVyTNh7v65-OXimuJQ2F7P8jTHX0shwpM6IFI0cEM6QhfNVhDsbsZw4UFZi0rPIiSDsypIAFImdzF7ImhkCCFCZEEWfD0n_ajj977odJDS5JluwcMtW-BiipC0JL4uiB1BXGjmxsOZsCayw8PBXh-rfGs7aaMgw=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>F105-B Thunderchief</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMS6pWSwLEyZccJX-tIAfjqV96qM0ahtVZ1p3SPyX8dzc3oaUz-AxKiKgjccFTON-mTk9-RDhZaf5W0J3MMzA0jBHSXMQ-X5-qn9micFgvEJVSD1J4wZvvp-ESL5EJhi6NuXdl4K2ZNae3ZvBfYPu_NaimqbCbWtN6ekAyTdqbkyMb0q2tcKaP4cz9VA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMS6pWSwLEyZccJX-tIAfjqV96qM0ahtVZ1p3SPyX8dzc3oaUz-AxKiKgjccFTON-mTk9-RDhZaf5W0J3MMzA0jBHSXMQ-X5-qn9micFgvEJVSD1J4wZvvp-ESL5EJhi6NuXdl4K2ZNae3ZvBfYPu_NaimqbCbWtN6ekAyTdqbkyMb0q2tcKaP4cz9VA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>EB-57B Canberra</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhitFuotx6gRMT6dl9H0LWhXJ6KKz7QtKWrfE61yDVob58urEFsjiHGrs8zMM0WGuCbeqiaAaAAh338-mZDsARuPZMNjQt1G7iwgUwImOwzW7EB5MYcLOIRlZ2pkPNHXsCcXdM6z8t9q-kyBGsViXcVsJqQETDFx3TBd03fuEypMe0LEvraEmi2VPxNDQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhitFuotx6gRMT6dl9H0LWhXJ6KKz7QtKWrfE61yDVob58urEFsjiHGrs8zMM0WGuCbeqiaAaAAh338-mZDsARuPZMNjQt1G7iwgUwImOwzW7EB5MYcLOIRlZ2pkPNHXsCcXdM6z8t9q-kyBGsViXcVsJqQETDFx3TBd03fuEypMe0LEvraEmi2VPxNDQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>F102-A Delta Dagger</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The route that <a href="http://waze.com" target="_blank">Waze</a> had me take to the campground took me through Custer State Park, though since I wasn't using the Wildlife Loop or any of the trails, I wasn't charged admission. As I got into the Black Hills proper, the temperature dropped and became very comfortable, if not a little on the cool side by the time dusk came. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiANpi__H0J-I8_j7VOy2zSKpLtQr6SIenzPqQHxY1e0fCTrVjUfgdjT3wNlTEdmI25udKWvjTvz4btognzWt4OA8-Ba4Sc1T_JF4pOht-mtBC2IzXoqCkVUMW1H2h6744yJn4Ukg-s7cJW_f5UAnSEGyttT5a0G3w1ELI6K4pLVfg3YwM7qg0EWSEtw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiANpi__H0J-I8_j7VOy2zSKpLtQr6SIenzPqQHxY1e0fCTrVjUfgdjT3wNlTEdmI25udKWvjTvz4btognzWt4OA8-Ba4Sc1T_JF4pOht-mtBC2IzXoqCkVUMW1H2h6744yJn4Ukg-s7cJW_f5UAnSEGyttT5a0G3w1ELI6K4pLVfg3YwM7qg0EWSEtw" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />After setting up camp, I went back into Custer proper to briefly meet up with Kari from #ParkChat, who was closing up shop. She's a teacher, too, and we chatted about parks, road tripping, teaching and more before she headed home and I headed to <a href="https://mtrushmorebrewingcompany.com/" target="_blank">Mt. Rushmore Brewing</a> for dinner. </span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Had another quick but awesome tweetup with another fellow <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/parkchat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#parkchat</a> friend today! 😁 <a href="https://twitter.com/CamaroWRX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CamaroWRX</a>, I'm so glad you could stop by and say hi amongst your adventures!! 😍 Safe travels, my friend! 🚙⛺ I know we will get together again! 😊 <a href="https://t.co/CHCYhra76h">pic.twitter.com/CHCYhra76h</a></p>— Nature Tech Family 🏞️🚙📷 (@naturetechfam) <a href="https://twitter.com/naturetechfam/status/1554634466580172801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I had an elk burger and a flight before choosing a few cans of to-go beer and going back to the campground where I got the firepit going. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhimjtvD3h5U1jB4tSsi9g0AAYw-xm9zWighi6X5ZfKx1VuWWDxi-nDA6d9BTxr3z9chknG251PsPAcYv1ot-4ia7beeX0Kq0wEqDZ0VCPcjaO4r75EqeZOtkXypJ4lo2Id-nG81X86rP-V42mhFOLSolBFZoC6JqJCYcXf-gjnByQYAGLBR7Ho77eXGg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1065" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhimjtvD3h5U1jB4tSsi9g0AAYw-xm9zWighi6X5ZfKx1VuWWDxi-nDA6d9BTxr3z9chknG251PsPAcYv1ot-4ia7beeX0Kq0wEqDZ0VCPcjaO4r75EqeZOtkXypJ4lo2Id-nG81X86rP-V42mhFOLSolBFZoC6JqJCYcXf-gjnByQYAGLBR7Ho77eXGg=w400-h337" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>and then....</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi82yKz8DAOpkov2BaGyiSXQPRnD5ns8leCoA9z9HVE9m_d021l9WL-87VR7jSUVdYKAV_kOnmIzaTQpIJ24m0qAuUqKxncG53FkuBMHUl4rCyXlkbYs9KxCGYH_0D_8a-mstzlTqwFnO1YY7Anx0h1jRE7z4ukkRJmL4F3zePsV545hMOmB5vz2DtLjw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="753" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi82yKz8DAOpkov2BaGyiSXQPRnD5ns8leCoA9z9HVE9m_d021l9WL-87VR7jSUVdYKAV_kOnmIzaTQpIJ24m0qAuUqKxncG53FkuBMHUl4rCyXlkbYs9KxCGYH_0D_8a-mstzlTqwFnO1YY7Anx0h1jRE7z4ukkRJmL4F3zePsV545hMOmB5vz2DtLjw" width="201" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I blame Kari. She made me want a s'more.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYRzZuDQgoVqQj8byZN7W9VsDcccyUS-RHzphApW7j85krrhAR616sOboPsKWz0oNKPug4PCzKKgLozj18Q13bipz7PQRWpdkINCi8GfoollAoI5SsvxLh5z07d70CEyTfJkbKRDKmNHgz7IftMqlRAqHglY4rysGFUqU2QyaeAJDgdAJFgj7FhW_t4A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="1320" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYRzZuDQgoVqQj8byZN7W9VsDcccyUS-RHzphApW7j85krrhAR616sOboPsKWz0oNKPug4PCzKKgLozj18Q13bipz7PQRWpdkINCi8GfoollAoI5SsvxLh5z07d70CEyTfJkbKRDKmNHgz7IftMqlRAqHglY4rysGFUqU2QyaeAJDgdAJFgj7FhW_t4A=w503-h224" width="503" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ursa Major (Big Dipper) from the campground; I could see more, but my phone couldn't capture all of the majesty</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjakHfmoBbUoOwdDalIOzzodZXYukZb-ADi0eFvNl6TJEKPL3mLpoykM2WZG4-9J6hRyMeRoV31Hi7CcgRX82_ZLMQSOmR7-L5P3ipdk9954Qmrw32XenA4nS4HdpMNXOLVQ1VyYKVfwUDVZVQ8y-XR4XuYAmdOg3ezjUL0UQczj3epHhq4XEfq5qGFhw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjakHfmoBbUoOwdDalIOzzodZXYukZb-ADi0eFvNl6TJEKPL3mLpoykM2WZG4-9J6hRyMeRoV31Hi7CcgRX82_ZLMQSOmR7-L5P3ipdk9954Qmrw32XenA4nS4HdpMNXOLVQ1VyYKVfwUDVZVQ8y-XR4XuYAmdOg3ezjUL0UQczj3epHhq4XEfq5qGFhw=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The morning view was <chef's kiss></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I still had no plans come the next morning, so I figured I'd go to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/wica/index.htm" target="_blank">Wind Cave</a>. <br /><br /><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">note : some links are associate links where a click will result in minimal compensation to me if you also make a purchase through that link</span></i></span><p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-78157952268262307982022-08-19T23:31:00.009-04:002022-08-20T09:20:43.210-04:00Wanderlust in Full Force<p>(this is part 3 of an ongoing story; you might want to check out <a href="https://camarowrx.blogspot.com/2022/08/struggling-to-get-out-of-house.html" target="_blank">part 1</a> and <a href="https://camarowrx.blogspot.com/2022/08/no-particular-place-to-go.html" target="_blank">part 2</a> first)</p><p><b>Stardate 100177.95</b>... er, um, Sunday, July 31, 8AM. I was awake, and I still had no plans. So, let's just do what Beefy wants and <i>drive west</i>.</p><p>This resulted in I-70 towards Kansas City, and I got off the interstate at Boonville to see that area of the Katy Trail, which is one of many former railroad rights-of-way that have been converted to a hiking trail. </p><p>Here, I learned about the town of Franklin, which was the seat of Howard County in the Missouri Territory and the largest town west of St. Louis. Oh wait, you haven't heard of it? It's not on a map? That's because it was destroyed by Missouri River flooding. The last straw was 1828, and those who survived just abandoned what remained and started <i>New</i> Franklin instead. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDh7_V9DhxYKTl_TduCQ8gUrNVS5Jj4Kb3RoRmFDTxGOLWtI0UULB7NLuui9tIHg9jMpz5pdD_CMYEbdqEQbFVNi1TcCSNSAZo8yuQ69OYJadYz9d85RyEBKBjm8z9fzuW-B0BdvgDaa9UlqIVLan4yO_ANwFsv-zMF763JTLjdTg0FiU27Zvp1hORug" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDh7_V9DhxYKTl_TduCQ8gUrNVS5Jj4Kb3RoRmFDTxGOLWtI0UULB7NLuui9tIHg9jMpz5pdD_CMYEbdqEQbFVNi1TcCSNSAZo8yuQ69OYJadYz9d85RyEBKBjm8z9fzuW-B0BdvgDaa9UlqIVLan4yO_ANwFsv-zMF763JTLjdTg0FiU27Zvp1hORug=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A flourishing town used to exist here.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp5dKD6KeUi0KgcpCkGwh4RvrBMNEWatOf3ZiF5IFmw-66z0q2z9mqJ3imXhRvIfVAc1QfM9KBHDMEsU7P3WDABsILcyEtkugOXvxfTLp-gSCJoIGZpDYM4_mSuxIiGyC90IiH03FxUiZynvBhCJzz2rGxa7DJmYud6TlkEwlp11hsCLnCb0PnHMb5vA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="607" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp5dKD6KeUi0KgcpCkGwh4RvrBMNEWatOf3ZiF5IFmw-66z0q2z9mqJ3imXhRvIfVAc1QfM9KBHDMEsU7P3WDABsILcyEtkugOXvxfTLp-gSCJoIGZpDYM4_mSuxIiGyC90IiH03FxUiZynvBhCJzz2rGxa7DJmYud6TlkEwlp11hsCLnCb0PnHMb5vA=w270-h400" width="270" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tall bellflower along the rail trail</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I decided to go back into Boonville proper and see what else I could learn about the Katy Trail, the Santa Fe Trail, and how the Boone family related to the area. Of course, the first thing I notice is the Isle of Capri Casino, a "stationary boat on the Missouri River" docked at Boonville. I ignored it and followed the Katy Trail to the former Boonville Depot.<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizqSpnq0Cj-jr60PEuYSBq_4A7lejB8w5WJ4LQbXxGI96HOtH47kecuCPI0M9DWhiQeC6R44heSYtvjzvMpawGxVHZIbR0eGVVQe1na8RY9EWXVmuvOMRMaV5LgktZCmL8wN61Vr9SLH0nDgzVN9fGEAyeQnoPp6UeUMtq8nhSNG591EnS0xukE9ef5A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizqSpnq0Cj-jr60PEuYSBq_4A7lejB8w5WJ4LQbXxGI96HOtH47kecuCPI0M9DWhiQeC6R44heSYtvjzvMpawGxVHZIbR0eGVVQe1na8RY9EWXVmuvOMRMaV5LgktZCmL8wN61Vr9SLH0nDgzVN9fGEAyeQnoPp6UeUMtq8nhSNG591EnS0xukE9ef5A=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The full name of the Katy Trail is the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, or MKT Line. </i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I then followed the spur trail over to the lift bridge across the Missouri River. It is currently "permanently" in the raised position. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5ukR6V8mQTgLYXN6cLtTSISIG_WDNl_Ay322xYoRYerBsmlUKM8G9uSwy4bTrey5U0h0u04UoCyOZsUeBYyDbLjvUdr9wGahFMXA8vwRKLizpich_xWGCpMDM5wy_Gzp0aXzlf5KrYEMeXXokObmm-V0Up3HWnz2lWVzYa3-cxu2v8mcSmFjk0szcoA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5ukR6V8mQTgLYXN6cLtTSISIG_WDNl_Ay322xYoRYerBsmlUKM8G9uSwy4bTrey5U0h0u04UoCyOZsUeBYyDbLjvUdr9wGahFMXA8vwRKLizpich_xWGCpMDM5wy_Gzp0aXzlf5KrYEMeXXokObmm-V0Up3HWnz2lWVzYa3-cxu2v8mcSmFjk0szcoA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDLZ5V0-fHXM_6KaqKGHH5o9tfNUXYRDv061CUcPVvWOzJiAyCxyp7hKhCRf4zHwyNATobec1kWozkxXAlj0d4h-0YumQuTu1O7LlkeA5-a0DTs3vv8iMwkDezYHWmpsLSRLKnpmJsAcCPtLY6J8dJ3aaKwsvIH6Y0HG36s0Lt6yIHu0ycxfulNCrbXQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDLZ5V0-fHXM_6KaqKGHH5o9tfNUXYRDv061CUcPVvWOzJiAyCxyp7hKhCRf4zHwyNATobec1kWozkxXAlj0d4h-0YumQuTu1O7LlkeA5-a0DTs3vv8iMwkDezYHWmpsLSRLKnpmJsAcCPtLY6J8dJ3aaKwsvIH6Y0HG36s0Lt6yIHu0ycxfulNCrbXQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Looking at the Missouri River (upstream)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgU92WzUTy9bPd7E2GJvvHepBzdWoWt_pHx0_OCpAlbqn57-JBnc2hBvYU4S7Q3hMFojKs0Og5AfYFHclNCxTakgBt5DUTdLeWmx2gmTN1_Gn6gkiGek8pFOYs8O9wvGnyhfz1Pw13sTm1iRyGaJjqhONkdE9aAiMTmaUOQUvct_dlNpwUPBgLat4plbQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgU92WzUTy9bPd7E2GJvvHepBzdWoWt_pHx0_OCpAlbqn57-JBnc2hBvYU4S7Q3hMFojKs0Og5AfYFHclNCxTakgBt5DUTdLeWmx2gmTN1_Gn6gkiGek8pFOYs8O9wvGnyhfz1Pw13sTm1iRyGaJjqhONkdE9aAiMTmaUOQUvct_dlNpwUPBgLat4plbQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The lift bridge from the current road bridge across the Missouri River</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I went over to the <a href="https://goboonville.com/rivers-rails-trails-museum/" target="_blank">Boonville Rivers, Rails & Trails Museum</a> (and Visitor Center) after perusing the bridge. There's a lot of history in the area! From Lewis and Clark making their way up the Missouri River, to Civil War History, to the MKT Railroad, to Will Rogers attending the Kemper Military Academy.... there's a lot going on here. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitM5Q4L7oH7kHTfbezhpFfrPbxRZgiZLuOGnI_feB0cDms9CiYfM0deT1s-Rl4HWucv51k5MBYqKWkQir4btzdiFuZFVbtSlM9DCMYs8K7jGYfPn9JvZnEfdxe-nEjUgb80gwpFdLyhXhkNv3rOnToLrmhnqLK5p-A-o4oaB6Z71QzIRF_lbCwvxuZBQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="1320" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitM5Q4L7oH7kHTfbezhpFfrPbxRZgiZLuOGnI_feB0cDms9CiYfM0deT1s-Rl4HWucv51k5MBYqKWkQir4btzdiFuZFVbtSlM9DCMYs8K7jGYfPn9JvZnEfdxe-nEjUgb80gwpFdLyhXhkNv3rOnToLrmhnqLK5p-A-o4oaB6Z71QzIRF_lbCwvxuZBQ=w400-h195" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The original plans for the MKT railroad lift bridge over the Missouri River</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Evidently, before the lift span, there was a pivot bridge for the railroad river crossing, and the lift bridge was designed around 1932. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6zKPgd2UvYjG13V3PyL1y-VC_IUwuOeKFxdtiVFC4n-aaHpg7s4NUTUDKfMvwXRb5H5Gwgn-NSlXI2dyF_ToedSm_pLSQdTXVayFZMmW5v0PQUXXI9w995icWDBca8KqFo5AXmTaVWKSf-yJb7u6G9V-Yl58BnHy9w3y510Ms9tr-Vo-oMveQsETWEA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6zKPgd2UvYjG13V3PyL1y-VC_IUwuOeKFxdtiVFC4n-aaHpg7s4NUTUDKfMvwXRb5H5Gwgn-NSlXI2dyF_ToedSm_pLSQdTXVayFZMmW5v0PQUXXI9w995icWDBca8KqFo5AXmTaVWKSf-yJb7u6G9V-Yl58BnHy9w3y510Ms9tr-Vo-oMveQsETWEA=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A recreation of Lewis and Clark's river boat was present</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicgM3D2F-0mQ26vsIUPqy8PuI3q9OdwT2oPE8_6WOEUfaRopRJv6S5SM6JqOWWCV5Tzf6ITXEGWZ-HqtebTTAzmRMVGcJFV5iVXe09yMUBrW1NDlMTPQv6vjrZGnFPghRAaOHRLqgoyOVSa08HrS-65xo30xWtDx2FlxrgvHJyE567tbkvXuj_wuh8lg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1091" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicgM3D2F-0mQ26vsIUPqy8PuI3q9OdwT2oPE8_6WOEUfaRopRJv6S5SM6JqOWWCV5Tzf6ITXEGWZ-HqtebTTAzmRMVGcJFV5iVXe09yMUBrW1NDlMTPQv6vjrZGnFPghRAaOHRLqgoyOVSa08HrS-65xo30xWtDx2FlxrgvHJyE567tbkvXuj_wuh8lg=w400-h329" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A door from Kemper Military Academy, from when Will Rogers attended</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwTjsCWkua2-YavOZVSiVZ-wJvZZ-oUHnNV3h1mKK7ze-Y0OjCw1gRwM7SZtxDN78ioEJpYtGzN9XdqLRTOoz7K9t3O_vlBXMgTmzdEQ2lErpo0oxlH5Kc1IQFB4RR8w3JCJG7rVwvhDpmVYOZQCafCj38XgLmZXY4ZhR36FL3EbaBfw_Aw7RL335HzQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1319" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwTjsCWkua2-YavOZVSiVZ-wJvZZ-oUHnNV3h1mKK7ze-Y0OjCw1gRwM7SZtxDN78ioEJpYtGzN9XdqLRTOoz7K9t3O_vlBXMgTmzdEQ2lErpo0oxlH5Kc1IQFB4RR8w3JCJG7rVwvhDpmVYOZQCafCj38XgLmZXY4ZhR36FL3EbaBfw_Aw7RL335HzQ=w400-h243" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Boonville was involved in the Civil War from the start (1861) through the bitter end (1864)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />From the town proper, I decided to go out to the <a href="https://mostateparks.com/park/boones-lick-state-historic-site" target="_blank">Boone's Lick State Historic Site</a> to see what that was about, since it was mentioned at the Visitor Center and at the interpretative panels about Franklin that were at the Katy Trail trailhead. It was about fifteen minutes away.<p></p><p>Daniel Boone's sons set up salt extraction here, as did many other pioneer families in the area. Not much remains on the short loop hike. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRnsQjUcHq3SiFzexkcrmopUWuJZ71I8e2iYspFOjuqcf9CyY9upOwZk-mzY-UvWRly3_yEUPL3SHXqW9lxgRe__aTG-s49A2foRtZ4IYLY99uTdf_L0empgMJA1ai4xKlKcRW_5HrISr9SAyU_NNGWJFBO5oK_7j2kXV8FA1xB8o83f6DErvuKA9y9g" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRnsQjUcHq3SiFzexkcrmopUWuJZ71I8e2iYspFOjuqcf9CyY9upOwZk-mzY-UvWRly3_yEUPL3SHXqW9lxgRe__aTG-s49A2foRtZ4IYLY99uTdf_L0empgMJA1ai4xKlKcRW_5HrISr9SAyU_NNGWJFBO5oK_7j2kXV8FA1xB8o83f6DErvuKA9y9g=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Part of the Lower Spring Complex</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The lower spring complex would pool the salty water of the spring. The water would be sent to the close by salt furnaces via a sluiceway. There were upper spring complexes too, but not part of this hiking trail.<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjR83V4TagqmxXCV-30Cw9LgTXdyZL3dxhbla0bkCzd9GjZodAy9I1wy61GYKSzFvvT2geEy9jYfuccBtOdmaMMHjv8f9fQBW760r3acEDYWU0UKR74vh7NSVVp3BkPCf5zqOfljH7qdmPu88nxiv5Gm7_UQx2JdgreHNm2s559kXMl8cfE0NSZp1DI2A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjR83V4TagqmxXCV-30Cw9LgTXdyZL3dxhbla0bkCzd9GjZodAy9I1wy61GYKSzFvvT2geEy9jYfuccBtOdmaMMHjv8f9fQBW760r3acEDYWU0UKR74vh7NSVVp3BkPCf5zqOfljH7qdmPu88nxiv5Gm7_UQx2JdgreHNm2s559kXMl8cfE0NSZp1DI2A=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The salt furnaces were next to this part of the stream</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnNliWRNeT0MxkZeM6dTBHGgYPDa1mZiCiL812RsRULyBVd8TT0vSftaywjxmojoDaB3nkXsMEw3kGuyVMv0OMCzRy5kyi6NUXJATzZaQfrZLIYBjZmr9Xi_ihjL_uHpr1ZvjQCk-R9yn5Ji7CH1TrVRY2G46CjXiS2hwy7FjdbYoM6IAxrsafNgN39g" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnNliWRNeT0MxkZeM6dTBHGgYPDa1mZiCiL812RsRULyBVd8TT0vSftaywjxmojoDaB3nkXsMEw3kGuyVMv0OMCzRy5kyi6NUXJATzZaQfrZLIYBjZmr9Xi_ihjL_uHpr1ZvjQCk-R9yn5Ji7CH1TrVRY2G46CjXiS2hwy7FjdbYoM6IAxrsafNgN39g=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This lump is what remains of the ash pile from the salt furnaces</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />On the way back up to the parking area, I discovered a veritable forest of tiny pleated mushrooms. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought I'd discovered the Smurfs' village. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4fNWcjUhOhZdn7mGRuoUKLt01iDsjk8gTjLRtCkCxINXBxhBUtjo3qybADjwaWjR4cLTy1pbfyQmxXPoJg9G0m0DPJWsahkB8fCGfhDCcHtUKrDGXZb3RgzMpGJOYgycw-fPLaERa6aXTV9KwrDTn7ZaOGEbKGvmAmbQNzXgxlbs5B2OcoFZZseHD7g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="836" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4fNWcjUhOhZdn7mGRuoUKLt01iDsjk8gTjLRtCkCxINXBxhBUtjo3qybADjwaWjR4cLTy1pbfyQmxXPoJg9G0m0DPJWsahkB8fCGfhDCcHtUKrDGXZb3RgzMpGJOYgycw-fPLaERa6aXTV9KwrDTn7ZaOGEbKGvmAmbQNzXgxlbs5B2OcoFZZseHD7g=w372-h400" width="372" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT3A9xGUwbQc-vaGByaUGmNS1Dys6XSmcjNn9-H_fJplnH7ZKUZXw9zbBPv1zXlPlr8hmr5rUq1Bd7OW21y2ih-pvOHLXChhbfurRIQlCgb7rPPCjycXZ9Y5aLlZzVSD-twtqndgsqhQ4vfMuOXQhOajuSlbcRMJbSQahGUXrWff3kRVneZdgtJm2Olg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="770" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT3A9xGUwbQc-vaGByaUGmNS1Dys6XSmcjNn9-H_fJplnH7ZKUZXw9zbBPv1zXlPlr8hmr5rUq1Bd7OW21y2ih-pvOHLXChhbfurRIQlCgb7rPPCjycXZ9Y5aLlZzVSD-twtqndgsqhQ4vfMuOXQhOajuSlbcRMJbSQahGUXrWff3kRVneZdgtJm2Olg=w343-h400" width="343" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbzExUdYmWgaPWfT7gjFReSa3bQOOZUJbiV1esHyKmMlexb9d8PiZEbNUVrkjXturMgD3NCNSaUEH6P783RlbGNCNbuA5G6VGhxTF17VRmyFcbZQgC9pdQUNL_X6SyE2ViDYGGnQHDZpNqo9ej98VFS6Mdro3toGO5DiJ8mLqKqkIE5sn9jsIw7XTc-A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="660" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbzExUdYmWgaPWfT7gjFReSa3bQOOZUJbiV1esHyKmMlexb9d8PiZEbNUVrkjXturMgD3NCNSaUEH6P783RlbGNCNbuA5G6VGhxTF17VRmyFcbZQgC9pdQUNL_X6SyE2ViDYGGnQHDZpNqo9ej98VFS6Mdro3toGO5DiJ8mLqKqkIE5sn9jsIw7XTc-A=w293-h400" width="293" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>There was also a toad in the area. I couldn't get a photo of it with the mushrooms.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not much else caught my eye as I headed further west along I-70. I decided to stop for the night in Grand Island, Nebraska, which necessitated a shift up to I-80 outside of Kansas City. I pulled into the campground at sunset. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrsIOEjyKbbDnQRedQJNsVWrvnc4U2odRA92TOAYy4fM-2z2j4aND-XmKnyz84F2hlOB2l7_k6T2D-6c77THu_FMuVeoHVizaSPr_zEnKjtNGzDc52AnMZHDDSnJqlKHEA3-wPz1kxRxeRD2PxXykjSLBtgOwXiPHOxXAUTk1en8MN5KAtCIWQ75n_Ow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrsIOEjyKbbDnQRedQJNsVWrvnc4U2odRA92TOAYy4fM-2z2j4aND-XmKnyz84F2hlOB2l7_k6T2D-6c77THu_FMuVeoHVizaSPr_zEnKjtNGzDc52AnMZHDDSnJqlKHEA3-wPz1kxRxeRD2PxXykjSLBtgOwXiPHOxXAUTk1en8MN5KAtCIWQ75n_Ow=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sunset in Grand Island, NE</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxuMEXtKV4_Y0EAQQnXkFTSyIXMdf_1yGq54Jdlu2wCVGPPcs_FRmW2VNE7PDBE6b143JZI77fjS1VzUQxAQ4ddXnzo8ClViiL9-BoZ1UbX8j8Mf9nuQS7oF5dH2gdkKJi_DZPiP_3cLK0C-sQflzsKFGrIxjxRuA02wZF3nsMYhSMnfhBayuCMAb3Bw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxuMEXtKV4_Y0EAQQnXkFTSyIXMdf_1yGq54Jdlu2wCVGPPcs_FRmW2VNE7PDBE6b143JZI77fjS1VzUQxAQ4ddXnzo8ClViiL9-BoZ1UbX8j8Mf9nuQS7oF5dH2gdkKJi_DZPiP_3cLK0C-sQflzsKFGrIxjxRuA02wZF3nsMYhSMnfhBayuCMAb3Bw=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ursa Major at Grand Island, NE</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I was greeted by another toad in the morning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2JkLQbwguDhXw3K7Lq8J3BK2361TnwP-6G3U_XYj8U6RpsiwDGsemVnJecf9hQhBJWyeFJqJ1BXzISh6blsMRc0h6JuaI4YloKnFAh2AISH0MqSEq23PpyIO-8Ab9w1El6gsTeM6IbFtBACqYRnLotebkoSDUyJbfeNKeFXWgrf8BGqIzalR6ZtYU2g" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="924" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2JkLQbwguDhXw3K7Lq8J3BK2361TnwP-6G3U_XYj8U6RpsiwDGsemVnJecf9hQhBJWyeFJqJ1BXzISh6blsMRc0h6JuaI4YloKnFAh2AISH0MqSEq23PpyIO-8Ab9w1El6gsTeM6IbFtBACqYRnLotebkoSDUyJbfeNKeFXWgrf8BGqIzalR6ZtYU2g=w400-h389" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I'm assuming it's a different toad since I'm a few hundred miles away from the other one</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />After a small breakfast and a short stop at a <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cabela's/@40.7071563,-99.0352763,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87994f155e49d93d:0x995edc0c6404c407!8m2!3d40.7071563!4d-99.0330876" target="_blank">Cabelas in Kearney, Nebraska</a>, I decided to see what was going on at <a href="https://www.nps.gov/niob/index.htm" target="_blank">Niobrara Scenic River</a>. Before I got there, however, I entered the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nebraska/recarea/?recid=10604" target="_blank">Nebraska National Forest at Halsey</a>, where I ended up stopping for a while. <br /><br />Outside the ranger station, there was a very noisy cicada that I examined. It sounded and looked different than what I was used to back in Maryland, and Seek (iNaturalist) identified it as a Plains Cicada. The ones here in Maryland are more black and green, with dark eyes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwLpg5XkoMXwIGaWnXlTpAUXpvjSvKhbfbXCt-FflCXJHkGjv2szyo4EdQvdpSIqbnWTJIS4dIJZMX6Vdnqnw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0lRiMVCDE4-ByVYj38X7y3M0wDHcwjeCAKz9x0FwmH-C_qEuLA2G3udgJP67M4DBlewklvWciCvMjHhvK7YxguGQBo6xIInHZkhqLyg8RzMquAouYcleDKtEUfUjtKEXNIZKmYCZbXPdMCmrT7q_jK9529VpT9qz-vHDgieED0XrO4mfDf1bTaAdxpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="544" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0lRiMVCDE4-ByVYj38X7y3M0wDHcwjeCAKz9x0FwmH-C_qEuLA2G3udgJP67M4DBlewklvWciCvMjHhvK7YxguGQBo6xIInHZkhqLyg8RzMquAouYcleDKtEUfUjtKEXNIZKmYCZbXPdMCmrT7q_jK9529VpT9qz-vHDgieED0XrO4mfDf1bTaAdxpg=w258-h400" width="258" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Plains cicada</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I went up to the Fire Tower so that I could see the surrounding Sand Hills. It was a good choice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8OnYa-Uj4SvuVSOK2UmHr0T6Kra-b__Ajh7Ma9KLuq2xIXzUZL2J_hhLjxxmMzj-5anBvwOh9i-ndpR_Stu2GRjmCD5m45vmXXwlv4OwWzyrzmPTOee2-TngqRIx_a0Qcw1R71-OSaTk6O54s_2j6CkTvGIljhgOJkhbNHE_AedZu7-an8Lq-z22QVw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="474" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8OnYa-Uj4SvuVSOK2UmHr0T6Kra-b__Ajh7Ma9KLuq2xIXzUZL2J_hhLjxxmMzj-5anBvwOh9i-ndpR_Stu2GRjmCD5m45vmXXwlv4OwWzyrzmPTOee2-TngqRIx_a0Qcw1R71-OSaTk6O54s_2j6CkTvGIljhgOJkhbNHE_AedZu7-an8Lq-z22QVw=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfu4muPrAwYuFPWfVP454DtjGE1slmSHQcIZ3VM-h1Jc8yxE1FcEXQSHaH6DjQo8YHmPqeNKR-YhDsYto4Csaeoe16P36TyeInfv59agXGQPYkul44JDFCSuBzogR2GHh434XCZW_hYpaHXR0fT5uHkpqQEkbvnLq_9j-xUqCFEEiEDxjuAsk4cEMGJg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfu4muPrAwYuFPWfVP454DtjGE1slmSHQcIZ3VM-h1Jc8yxE1FcEXQSHaH6DjQo8YHmPqeNKR-YhDsYto4Csaeoe16P36TyeInfv59agXGQPYkul44JDFCSuBzogR2GHh434XCZW_hYpaHXR0fT5uHkpqQEkbvnLq_9j-xUqCFEEiEDxjuAsk4cEMGJg=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The inside of the fire tower looks like a time capsule</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg25-eMqyAHquDeiSCZ5yQHEZXbuiHA1L_bZnXz5M1OZBhkGH6ihOqAFGFG4ucmzLzhGJUaOlbjgwWxbjxF5GBqJgjtiUJlFnQfOCac5EcYW0YmRmXJhR87Y2VvyFik-nE_1TVnWnwl1h0tc86VO0VflgGxnSvDuSNgCnt9ATdpFhWqsYIehColu2k7UQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1263" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg25-eMqyAHquDeiSCZ5yQHEZXbuiHA1L_bZnXz5M1OZBhkGH6ihOqAFGFG4ucmzLzhGJUaOlbjgwWxbjxF5GBqJgjtiUJlFnQfOCac5EcYW0YmRmXJhR87Y2VvyFik-nE_1TVnWnwl1h0tc86VO0VflgGxnSvDuSNgCnt9ATdpFhWqsYIehColu2k7UQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmUve90NY_bPzuSqAQ7HcFaaAZKBr40mNcRMar6JPZh0M_0_1cBg_GiD21OTxjy7arCGRcckz2hO06nqwhFJ7gyCkJLzx3uMZa91B14djn5sTZZwdoi7afQwO-4bypz1WrXJyCkhi85U2PXbtk28Be_bgMsgYjD7AxLLsQNihSl0-RanutojsJC7d2Zg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmUve90NY_bPzuSqAQ7HcFaaAZKBr40mNcRMar6JPZh0M_0_1cBg_GiD21OTxjy7arCGRcckz2hO06nqwhFJ7gyCkJLzx3uMZa91B14djn5sTZZwdoi7afQwO-4bypz1WrXJyCkhi85U2PXbtk28Be_bgMsgYjD7AxLLsQNihSl0-RanutojsJC7d2Zg=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Sand Hills cover almost 25% of Nebraska</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Niobrara wasn't much further away. The historic Bryan Bridge was one of the first structures I encountered. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAAa2BIWo5m6Hk-xvVpFyRZHslPfiECh-m1zd6xOr79rHWCg_R0S2a8DZHOWUXoQ8HDibEN8QWUswTD62XUpAeEGXidG5LJwLP1H4B50e48DQAkZntkAjKp4FD6xHHwsTlP0SMS7IybYtLfX-4vYL8ulRl3p29cBH0Ls_Ja67qAtrbIEXJZq2zZv6EwA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1263" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAAa2BIWo5m6Hk-xvVpFyRZHslPfiECh-m1zd6xOr79rHWCg_R0S2a8DZHOWUXoQ8HDibEN8QWUswTD62XUpAeEGXidG5LJwLP1H4B50e48DQAkZntkAjKp4FD6xHHwsTlP0SMS7IybYtLfX-4vYL8ulRl3p29cBH0Ls_Ja67qAtrbIEXJZq2zZv6EwA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Built in 1932</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />After stopping by the visitor center in Valentine to say hi to Ranger Perrett, who was part of the <a href="https://www.expeditionsineducation.org/mammoth-cave-july-24-27-2022.html" target="_blank">#STEAMinthePark Mammoth Cave group</a>, I headed out to Fort Falls to hike around a bit. This section of Niobrara is really a mixture of <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/fort-niobrara" target="_blank">National Wildlife Refuge</a> and National Park Service Site. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgy261dGJ03jgk-XZyxIz3687rm8cwYier5WomDN3I_JOZRtkWVgTBqWIKedxJfG0SM--QGewrZ_2bJyqC7wHNoyHHhbtMVOKbtVRJnUCtfmFwntvtOv6Gtx1806nNtGPX0uVv4D09UcR08uXiJttEDFMCO8Yo-YpEdhiiV3HSNa4eG5keTCPRTqYDWaw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgy261dGJ03jgk-XZyxIz3687rm8cwYier5WomDN3I_JOZRtkWVgTBqWIKedxJfG0SM--QGewrZ_2bJyqC7wHNoyHHhbtMVOKbtVRJnUCtfmFwntvtOv6Gtx1806nNtGPX0uVv4D09UcR08uXiJttEDFMCO8Yo-YpEdhiiV3HSNa4eG5keTCPRTqYDWaw=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fort Falls</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5D-kX2dJEV_m05iZqE4P6VbmHWjdPEnuwryIXIM3pdZ6WX_DkE8yiehpAq3pP_ZuJhjBzfksaWC6eC48BW8l_W_XOBBk55MmQmb0is0PeVEj53BZiGeEMOO4f09T0Aab8EEixVfmkJ2kIWBEKuvxVOQbuN5FS6fVbKv2yx3bujaxvYQA6x0iQVDDiJw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5D-kX2dJEV_m05iZqE4P6VbmHWjdPEnuwryIXIM3pdZ6WX_DkE8yiehpAq3pP_ZuJhjBzfksaWC6eC48BW8l_W_XOBBk55MmQmb0is0PeVEj53BZiGeEMOO4f09T0Aab8EEixVfmkJ2kIWBEKuvxVOQbuN5FS6fVbKv2yx3bujaxvYQA6x0iQVDDiJw=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Beefy on the banks of the Niobrara River</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />My final destination for the night would be the Black Hills of South Dakota. I wanted to see sunset at Norbeck Pass again. From Niobrara, it was an easy trip, cutting through the<a href="http://www.nativepartnership.org/site/PageServer?pagename=PWNA_Native_Reservations_PineRidge" target="_blank"> Pine Ridge Indian Reservation </a>where I briefly stopped for some groceries. I got to the <a href="https://koa.com/campgrounds/badlands" target="_blank">Badlands KOA</a> with plenty of time to check-in, eat a quick dinner, and set up my tent. Then, it was time to head over to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm" target="_blank">the Badlands</a> to see the sun set. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhriFgycRmjqbVPzkQB5lrUKQU97k0FyhkskyWaoW-1ZwtFyH-A7sf-owu9b1OZj46gTeAUw8OmTwYfv-pjODaymSbHeFjriOxEd6upRY5Ex-haqrpIt2c7A1W3AmrY6ZNdWJh8ySTsYwA8xZUm7i4f8SFPt69Hd7dMz4MRhPjIJUcTzg02ggYH6p0TWA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhriFgycRmjqbVPzkQB5lrUKQU97k0FyhkskyWaoW-1ZwtFyH-A7sf-owu9b1OZj46gTeAUw8OmTwYfv-pjODaymSbHeFjriOxEd6upRY5Ex-haqrpIt2c7A1W3AmrY6ZNdWJh8ySTsYwA8xZUm7i4f8SFPt69Hd7dMz4MRhPjIJUcTzg02ggYH6p0TWA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I stayed until nightfall</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbjEQjtqFI81W5qbgU3BuXi6q-wLCfR6EawhMiO_Yy4LpMyd8y8EU3U5ei9bTgXNEDoXFVrJ1lraDIfCYi2QrtPOjP9iOmSu6xZPPpQm_8MTns13e8iUYsyQ5MJ6-0GG9ce3WvwvTFFqW6X87JeyGcD1tauGRjUARNpNUK83IBUKPvIcrRBNgpbjSkw/s8048/IMG_20220801_200514249.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1824" data-original-width="8048" height="91" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbjEQjtqFI81W5qbgU3BuXi6q-wLCfR6EawhMiO_Yy4LpMyd8y8EU3U5ei9bTgXNEDoXFVrJ1lraDIfCYi2QrtPOjP9iOmSu6xZPPpQm_8MTns13e8iUYsyQ5MJ6-0GG9ce3WvwvTFFqW6X87JeyGcD1tauGRjUARNpNUK83IBUKPvIcrRBNgpbjSkw/w400-h91/IMG_20220801_200514249.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A panorama of the sight</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As night fell, I started to head back to the campground.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwZLVdrDlm3xXiZfxtu21HuJkm9OPiwwDwmD3G8f8e4FHCXoPmdb8JAPpc1y0iVIycpndhWv0Er5G2zQfiooaFN1pgni9MoC_ONTmr1jjk0lK3cir3xKlmadigCicNUNPaR3RHERWPZvhQOHVmy_Z-gBOiSS4d0Y3J6SeA8-wBLV2TS7sahzFvDg4UaA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="562" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwZLVdrDlm3xXiZfxtu21HuJkm9OPiwwDwmD3G8f8e4FHCXoPmdb8JAPpc1y0iVIycpndhWv0Er5G2zQfiooaFN1pgni9MoC_ONTmr1jjk0lK3cir3xKlmadigCicNUNPaR3RHERWPZvhQOHVmy_Z-gBOiSS4d0Y3J6SeA8-wBLV2TS7sahzFvDg4UaA=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Moon over Badlands</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The Badlands are one of those places where you can actually see <i>so many</i> stars when the clouds stay away. It looked a little on the cloudy side, so I didn't think <a href="https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/night-skies-badl.htm" target="_blank">the nightly ranger program</a> would have much to say (like the last time I was there in 2018). I should have gone, because the clouds thinned out and even at the campground, I could see so much. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I knew I'd be going through the rest of the Badlands in the morning, with little plans after that. Maybe Wind and/or Jewel Cave? Maybe.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>note : some links are associate links where a click will result in minimal compensation to me if you also make a purchase through that link</i><br /><br /></div></div></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-7472455887732691572022-08-19T15:55:00.004-04:002022-08-19T16:09:00.318-04:00No Particular Place to Go<p>(this is part two of my 2022 road trip; <a href="https://camarowrx.blogspot.com/2022/08/struggling-to-get-out-of-house.html" target="_blank">part one is here</a>) </p><p>Getting out and about on Friday was a struggle. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh9raqsKGMQ--LdPd2jGCWXsmKzBgJxC4YvhYKNZF0q5IAi9ZZBAwSiLTKIeSCS4MXqovK3uAZxqAlRY4loYLbDhZu2kz2bjXALFjbhTSzSYNrX7w_oTM3epK3D4730kSfuqBjjuDb_XVqmLbxF-Bxv-gQ4frfaa-1hz7eYadWIq-ASlKz3-1Le98xCA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh9raqsKGMQ--LdPd2jGCWXsmKzBgJxC4YvhYKNZF0q5IAi9ZZBAwSiLTKIeSCS4MXqovK3uAZxqAlRY4loYLbDhZu2kz2bjXALFjbhTSzSYNrX7w_oTM3epK3D4730kSfuqBjjuDb_XVqmLbxF-Bxv-gQ4frfaa-1hz7eYadWIq-ASlKz3-1Le98xCA=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My traveling companions</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />After I managed to get up, grab a bite to eat and pack up the tent, I sought out a place to fill up the gas tank and get some more ice. I found myself in a little town called <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bolivar,+OH+44612/@40.6490009,-81.4636148,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8836de23786a9f9f:0x893068280e135669!8m2!3d40.650061!4d-81.4520613" target="_blank">Bolivar</a>, on the Tuscarawas River. I considered going to the <a href="https://www.fortlaurensmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Fort Laurens Museum</a>, but then for some reason decided to go to <a href="https://www.lrh-wc.usace.army.mil/wm/?basin/mus/bos" target="_blank">Bolivar Dam</a> instead.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFo970Pa9RvY8rRvf8Wu7Nhuru686vHUocKYyNFbA7RQUVYuyBgdBVHgO2IEHs-_Gkht2VuhYXDzNsBBfUC3gYP5mSeFTGdyF_Co2n9Dhxz8aifBts1JPk7vblEaBFGdSzKvPJZM_gxZNelFZUefub1ry1Q-7LiCBnWl8FQiPR0OHFWn5S3BVIkiIzHw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="926" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFo970Pa9RvY8rRvf8Wu7Nhuru686vHUocKYyNFbA7RQUVYuyBgdBVHgO2IEHs-_Gkht2VuhYXDzNsBBfUC3gYP5mSeFTGdyF_Co2n9Dhxz8aifBts1JPk7vblEaBFGdSzKvPJZM_gxZNelFZUefub1ry1Q-7LiCBnWl8FQiPR0OHFWn5S3BVIkiIzHw=w400-h389" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bolivar Dam on Sandy Creek</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I wandered around the path a little, and thought, "I think Pat would say this place looks <i>fishy</i>." I decided to look at how much a one-day out-of-state Ohio fishing license would cost, and if it was less than $20, I'd fish for a little while for the heck of it. <p></p><p>It was $14. <i>Fish on!</i></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikBgtZqFJXXmMR4M-HLQ__CPAelzfrlJJx9pMmloojfOmXB_VSGzVE17LWBkCez2ngvi4cKYsu_MODUToCjhHOYxLAHDcTmhAlE-ZOTXcpiUMMP-clb76hO7gw2NNMcJBt1Zw-NmSnHJp6uoWh4o_DtE5iNcT2V1pHmtIqmkYeiVhmu4jTRzUruQlD6g" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikBgtZqFJXXmMR4M-HLQ__CPAelzfrlJJx9pMmloojfOmXB_VSGzVE17LWBkCez2ngvi4cKYsu_MODUToCjhHOYxLAHDcTmhAlE-ZOTXcpiUMMP-clb76hO7gw2NNMcJBt1Zw-NmSnHJp6uoWh4o_DtE5iNcT2V1pHmtIqmkYeiVhmu4jTRzUruQlD6g=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Looking down to the "fishy" area</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqVR2u2Z5CAtn27vRo6KcUcZRzXlNE67_WQzywns6OPZayIKeOBTX5OGRoYpGEr7oFzISFabcaDYZdomCmQaW76j32NlVmlwHBodfeBsA86MWqdM-Sir6hq65BfQJTYKIhfhKqcZyN7sdjGOWv9VHNPaECjPAh8JMnXSdF6NKQOymVCoaBYT1h8MULmQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqVR2u2Z5CAtn27vRo6KcUcZRzXlNE67_WQzywns6OPZayIKeOBTX5OGRoYpGEr7oFzISFabcaDYZdomCmQaW76j32NlVmlwHBodfeBsA86MWqdM-Sir6hq65BfQJTYKIhfhKqcZyN7sdjGOWv9VHNPaECjPAh8JMnXSdF6NKQOymVCoaBYT1h8MULmQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Settling in, judging the best spot to cast from with minimal chance of treeing it</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivdoxa9iQFDhMBlp69haDM9MPXoB0kPxNSLm080Sogca8NkdaNvEAlb1i-OD1BC4x-X7RoZPqEN_XTbVzG-j3np8pYIUKZBYUtgveL__t6a4JnUUhg6RJILwmFg3ynQw4tMPtiZTmTe7aq64t_pRwDTD99VG9WzM6RCB__SB7-bZQM0bt4odZtds4SGA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1039" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivdoxa9iQFDhMBlp69haDM9MPXoB0kPxNSLm080Sogca8NkdaNvEAlb1i-OD1BC4x-X7RoZPqEN_XTbVzG-j3np8pYIUKZBYUtgveL__t6a4JnUUhg6RJILwmFg3ynQw4tMPtiZTmTe7aq64t_pRwDTD99VG9WzM6RCB__SB7-bZQM0bt4odZtds4SGA=w400-h347" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I started with a "ned rig" which got <u>nothing</u>. So I switched to a <a href="https://sfttackle.com/river2sea-whopper-plopper-682.html" target="_blank">Whopper Plopper</a> (top-water lure)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKae6RiacTS4b1bxs6iA1hDUOstJBjTXT8mZVZIl-FNX498YiEchxxvky_RQf6eyGCkFjVrU8_y1_u_GdzJQqVlb_vvyWN47LzKNoa61oQaj95PiTdLjKoehUfiNaGHpxMlfZeTGQYn34f2jbbtQbK1NLULKU1aTuLKAd204R-4meQoKbzVuau3ZTINw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKae6RiacTS4b1bxs6iA1hDUOstJBjTXT8mZVZIl-FNX498YiEchxxvky_RQf6eyGCkFjVrU8_y1_u_GdzJQqVlb_vvyWN47LzKNoa61oQaj95PiTdLjKoehUfiNaGHpxMlfZeTGQYn34f2jbbtQbK1NLULKU1aTuLKAd204R-4meQoKbzVuau3ZTINw=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yay! It may be little, but it was a largemouth bass on a top-water lure, so it was good.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After switching from a ned rig with a coppertreuse <a href="https://sfttackle.com/z-man-finesse-trd-26301.html" target="_blank">Z-man Finesse TRD</a> worm to a "yoda" <a href="https://amzn.to/3QFHr2q" target="_blank">Whopper Plopper</a>, I started to see interest from the small (6-8 inch) largemouth bass in the area. I finally not only enticed one to bite, but stay hooked until I could land it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Minutes after that, I saw feeder fish scrambling to get away from something out by the turtle basking logs in the middle of the creek. I cast in that area. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It bit. And it fought. And I had it barely out of the water and was reaching for it when it unhooked itself and swam away. It was a chunky 16-ish (maybe larger) inch largemouth. It kept antagonizing the feeder fish while I kept trying to entice it to bite again. I tried <a href="https://sfttackle.com/reaction-innovations-skinny-dipper-18215.html" target="_blank">Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper</a> swimbaits, went back to the Whopper Plopper, and nothing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="1127" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0aMttHyZE2x24FYlskz4dHh14RdkWVwQvaBRLm2mIHySem5eWa-SrW7X_Ls3T539YN0LvGpwsh6e4t6WVnEcHRYYx_UFWJORcPiTMNrNXqoRjEHYBncBtfAt3TB9mfcsRmeSxvhZo8LfUSIKvQhlSi-wurfLpH67O2XPYDucjonl9SSlLRP9GuB6hpQ=w400-h186" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>More and more turtles showed up to watch the show during the two hours I was here</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'd only planned to stay maybe an hour, but that stupid fish that got away made me stay another hour trying to get it back. It was still a fun diversion, and I caught more fish than guys that showed up for 30 minutes with their catfishing gear (I caught the first fish as they were leaving and they saw me bring it in). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">From the dam, I drove south on I-77 and thought about visiting <a href="https://www.nps.gov/hocu/index.htm" target="_blank">Hopewell Culture</a>, since I hadn't been there in several years and I'd gone to <a href="https://cahokiamounds.org/" target="_blank">Cahokia Mounds</a> last year. Instead, when I stopped for gas outside Newark, OH, I saw a sign for the <a href="https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Great_Circle_Earthworks" target="_blank">Great Circle Earthworks</a> -- another Hopewell site -- and chose to go there instead. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4_aadEPcBADn4o-_dq7XDTw3E8F-39EVzeHRgXUEaCndEWJ7JieBcYX26TXE0bmq-A1PmvWQyL7QjWf1AFXdyVnrBBLKHSNqhDzQ-MHYr4VAZsLM9RcptXgymbTWTcgH5moXhxX7VBX0R2LtUZGkH0-VOP6JBqyCFWetL85CDwe8fR8PhQQY67U8uaw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4_aadEPcBADn4o-_dq7XDTw3E8F-39EVzeHRgXUEaCndEWJ7JieBcYX26TXE0bmq-A1PmvWQyL7QjWf1AFXdyVnrBBLKHSNqhDzQ-MHYr4VAZsLM9RcptXgymbTWTcgH5moXhxX7VBX0R2LtUZGkH0-VOP6JBqyCFWetL85CDwe8fR8PhQQY67U8uaw=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The entrance to the circle, looking directly at the Eagle Mound</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Photos alone really can't do justice to this structure. The circle itself is 1200 feet in diameter, with an arrow shaped mound in the center that is called Eagle Mound. Archaeologists found the remains of a wooden structure in the mound, and think it may have been a ceremonial building that was intentionally burned and buried when the inhabitants left this site. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Inside the circle wall is a ditch which was probably full of water when this area was inhabited. It's thought that the circle symbolized the turtle in an ocean, an Indigenous motif of the world in the universe. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivyXl6oR7bhjsdoJkJjZXv_ULqBkp1Mktiqtk3-nvTJEI6NhHjl-z39UUuZ-Z9UUZ_VQYUcgQ88KVAPEuA7Yqc0yvKNfzIgpqYHUIpEwjjmqaEdykj8XVQKwAdEvo_r3es4EIG1p_ZlEp4Yh5V0BK8izJQ8D4pO9gtOihTjyFCkrXt2Kt2T0N9OKo49g" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1348" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivyXl6oR7bhjsdoJkJjZXv_ULqBkp1Mktiqtk3-nvTJEI6NhHjl-z39UUuZ-Z9UUZ_VQYUcgQ88KVAPEuA7Yqc0yvKNfzIgpqYHUIpEwjjmqaEdykj8XVQKwAdEvo_r3es4EIG1p_ZlEp4Yh5V0BK8izJQ8D4pO9gtOihTjyFCkrXt2Kt2T0N9OKo49g=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The inner ditch just inside the entrance to the circle</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicdlmV1QANLw-Dh52_PixZOm7Tc6lDhpysVbxZuzKv1hCEahkTmPVslcNDLX4AdDBN60IeBQUqpOrtRQF4KlaY72N_tXdgAfhBM0CGqiPkfyrYppl-UDMpqgUnTIlkBP4L2NADMv0sEwctQIB2j1ed031MV9pR7_s-eL3RHWc4vIqRS3TGWA9BHOZPow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="299" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicdlmV1QANLw-Dh52_PixZOm7Tc6lDhpysVbxZuzKv1hCEahkTmPVslcNDLX4AdDBN60IeBQUqpOrtRQF4KlaY72N_tXdgAfhBM0CGqiPkfyrYppl-UDMpqgUnTIlkBP4L2NADMv0sEwctQIB2j1ed031MV9pR7_s-eL3RHWc4vIqRS3TGWA9BHOZPow=w228-h320" width="228" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I was being watched while I walked around the interior of the Great Circle</i></td></tr></tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2owqx2kt-Lm2vjofAJ59OTffNMMosaW1j7grEYOeboT5xdrZV3_mvDZOvJb7lBR5yn-OtJYTJNGeV76u2kfHpJtKPwlwaiFeEt-VVBl0LS8c_P4sCqn0oRIf-nKdmzuDOi1b6irxiYToPkPROGy0pLJ5yKb5VXdmunaGi7rlFsbXJGGqRPau4RTLag/s10576/IMG_20220729_150630239.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1760" data-original-width="10576" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2owqx2kt-Lm2vjofAJ59OTffNMMosaW1j7grEYOeboT5xdrZV3_mvDZOvJb7lBR5yn-OtJYTJNGeV76u2kfHpJtKPwlwaiFeEt-VVBl0LS8c_P4sCqn0oRIf-nKdmzuDOi1b6irxiYToPkPROGy0pLJ5yKb5VXdmunaGi7rlFsbXJGGqRPau4RTLag/w400-h66/IMG_20220729_150630239.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Standing on Eagle Mound, looking towards the opening to the Circle</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">A nearby Hopewell site and part of the Newark Earthworks is called the <a href="https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Octagon_Earthworks" target="_blank">Octagon</a>. It is only somewhat open to the public because it's been <i>leased to a country club since 1910</i>. This actually upset me, because both the Great Circle and the Octagon were evidently sacred sites tied to the moon, and in fact may have <a href="https://www.ohiohistory.org/the-newark-earthworks-and-the-moon/" target="_blank">represented the moon at perigee and apogee.</a> Fortunately, I have since discovered that I'm not the only one disgusted and angry that an historical and sacred site (one that is part of a nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage site), and that the battle to remove the country club (has gone to the Ohio Supreme Court). Here is a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/12/arts/design/octagon-earthworks-newark-ohio-golf-course-native-american.html" target="_blank">NY Times article</a> on the subject from 2021. Of course, if this truly was a <i>lease</i> to the country club (which, according to the article, runs through 2078), there should be provisions for ending the lease early. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/moundbuilders-country-club-fights-state-to-keep-golf-course-on-historical-newark-licking-county-site-lease-not-up-until-2078-ohio-history-connection-octagon-earthworks-unesco-world-heritage-site" target="_blank">As of August 1, 2022, the Ohio Supreme Court has not ruled on the case</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHG3KIIJ33YzcZed8oB922Oq6iPWveeEHkhpDyPAld_uScFnwQ9NsaZNCdKw8PlE_J6W7juKWfH-q5sGALQ6WIY_aVmqNs5eZFHGWejGkdM2wHDswlpu_72bA3j0oYgoAqLV2zdIZD9FKfMgYaDlelJsFfxBoVYZi44fOKNzfYpHRnGYn0Z0F1Q7_UTA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHG3KIIJ33YzcZed8oB922Oq6iPWveeEHkhpDyPAld_uScFnwQ9NsaZNCdKw8PlE_J6W7juKWfH-q5sGALQ6WIY_aVmqNs5eZFHGWejGkdM2wHDswlpu_72bA3j0oYgoAqLV2zdIZD9FKfMgYaDlelJsFfxBoVYZi44fOKNzfYpHRnGYn0Z0F1Q7_UTA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Part of the view from the viewing platform, which Moundbuilders Country Club considers "open access" to the grounds by the public.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMEetY_9qz1f1TqPhO9-qNq4scQebmur_exjVwknKj0SbBMpsDpnu4PUWhRZec3aWxWUbC0d7y8FpXe7159Ib75P_WQpVnl7XiIDlumQBxm1bNOb1nWQPNWguVtXJOH5G0ZTZlC8cq1x8sBZIw6jf0gRtI5Bi87_PZD2edvFRAZ20ANQdyeQiSh8QLsw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMEetY_9qz1f1TqPhO9-qNq4scQebmur_exjVwknKj0SbBMpsDpnu4PUWhRZec3aWxWUbC0d7y8FpXe7159Ib75P_WQpVnl7XiIDlumQBxm1bNOb1nWQPNWguVtXJOH5G0ZTZlC8cq1x8sBZIw6jf0gRtI5Bi87_PZD2edvFRAZ20ANQdyeQiSh8QLsw=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The golfers can walk on the earthworks for a shot.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK4eSXAFilvKwJKLTtd6spo4x67k62zoMpJbO7K6mr45pcelZ7Drx5I6wtF_GIwfLI7HP80ijjhAJe3XdxBRSMkWAKrGilemGLjAYQkqmKBBa7QlLav37iq2cem4O0-B3qljXySQT15x_HtObx781Oo73WezNo7UhawxutEMfqXuBdURHqRbvs-zXu0A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1276" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK4eSXAFilvKwJKLTtd6spo4x67k62zoMpJbO7K6mr45pcelZ7Drx5I6wtF_GIwfLI7HP80ijjhAJe3XdxBRSMkWAKrGilemGLjAYQkqmKBBa7QlLav37iq2cem4O0-B3qljXySQT15x_HtObx781Oo73WezNo7UhawxutEMfqXuBdURHqRbvs-zXu0A=w400-h281" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Observation Mound, from which Woodland period native peoples would have watched moonrise. This view is from the "public access" trail.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />From the Octagon, I headed south through Cincinnati into Kentucky, thinking maybe I'd try <a href="https://www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm" target="_blank">Mammoth Cave</a> in the morning. I made a reservation at a <a href="https://koa.com/campgrounds/horse-cave/" target="_blank">KOA in Horse Cave</a> and set Waze to get me there. Construction on I-65 at the Horse Cave exit backed traffic up by two miles, making the trip take almost an hour longer than it should have, so I found myself putting up the tent in the dark. The Horse Cave KOA is not very tent-camper friendly, as the tent area is not flat, and is about as far away from the restrooms/showers as can be. In the dark, it was difficult to find my site, especially with no clear place to park the car. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtmaJGlpKFjSAwtIOe-Z7MuQ8CniWjcglwMnLgw40_bH9XE59HZ0l9Lt8PBYDh0CEbQdnc1tekHcEI2WbZdLPbkP9ZYVl-Nif8gWlouS0v2qlt8v-bBmLb0f6GP8916iKZZTNq2gy_RM4DZ6-5sck_TfbXYu5tU0nL0IeUq3C5xkBkx8LuOx7l-5wc9g" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtmaJGlpKFjSAwtIOe-Z7MuQ8CniWjcglwMnLgw40_bH9XE59HZ0l9Lt8PBYDh0CEbQdnc1tekHcEI2WbZdLPbkP9ZYVl-Nif8gWlouS0v2qlt8v-bBmLb0f6GP8916iKZZTNq2gy_RM4DZ6-5sck_TfbXYu5tU0nL0IeUq3C5xkBkx8LuOx7l-5wc9g=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>At least there was a little bit of firewood left in the firepit, so I started a short-lived campfire.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The next morning, I looked at Recreation.gov for cave tours at Mammoth Cave, and it looked like I wouldn't be able to get anything that I haven't done previously. I contemplated my next steps while avoiding the group of murder ducks wandering the campground, as well as a loose dog that was looking for a friend. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg85u4dDsLpPvU0BT7lzySd3OAydcMC6OABfnlQ54BoVySyDbiXjr7mTXrJ2H4VordGBt8siN1jedq8g8GMZvPU426LJAHXJCOfTmgUUWjrhYNPesBkC3TJ1T1rsSqe9NzmbEfivETgpqihKALTgO4BZUmcoatE3mKMqEHPHEoMuTeqvo00iJEexFD_HA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1658" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg85u4dDsLpPvU0BT7lzySd3OAydcMC6OABfnlQ54BoVySyDbiXjr7mTXrJ2H4VordGBt8siN1jedq8g8GMZvPU426LJAHXJCOfTmgUUWjrhYNPesBkC3TJ1T1rsSqe9NzmbEfivETgpqihKALTgO4BZUmcoatE3mKMqEHPHEoMuTeqvo00iJEexFD_HA=w400-h217" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Murder ducks. It's like being in Hershey all over again. </i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9C22JMEAlc38LwjAKqIihuW4EysfdGHO4_V9e3osJtWWcxi5sPRJdCcowl4MYQvKr__6zKhas6yZikPbPAy9_DcwsejtfzTszrawvGh9fRGCdyQej_Lhcl_CVsjb-qkg_u_U1g2hG6YmEtBJcCXiGpSdD5wFWYXQ06rHy_Zix1A7r6FwwFP3Frouq-Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9C22JMEAlc38LwjAKqIihuW4EysfdGHO4_V9e3osJtWWcxi5sPRJdCcowl4MYQvKr__6zKhas6yZikPbPAy9_DcwsejtfzTszrawvGh9fRGCdyQej_Lhcl_CVsjb-qkg_u_U1g2hG6YmEtBJcCXiGpSdD5wFWYXQ06rHy_Zix1A7r6FwwFP3Frouq-Q=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>What do you guys what to do today?</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />In the end, I decided to skip Mammoth Cave and go to <a href="https://hiddenrivercave.com/" target="_blank">Hidden River Cave</a> instead. It was only about ten minutes away from the KOA, and when I got there, they waved me right into the tour. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglnX4WE-pthHeALmgqNvZpdZlfFencU6M7LnDR43K4HUfx_Ci0xHl_RvGcblEYoew8v0hJaQi5Y9yfqqlnB8k4cpsqI3q98f3sgpA2eV37nrkVb2o3FM9tjrOmnriInxyPBCu3HjmgSbqwToJOH7JT5_rgXWjRJTpiDn4jEPRmi34QEMjZ-tHHQ2gc_A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglnX4WE-pthHeALmgqNvZpdZlfFencU6M7LnDR43K4HUfx_Ci0xHl_RvGcblEYoew8v0hJaQi5Y9yfqqlnB8k4cpsqI3q98f3sgpA2eV37nrkVb2o3FM9tjrOmnriInxyPBCu3HjmgSbqwToJOH7JT5_rgXWjRJTpiDn4jEPRmi34QEMjZ-tHHQ2gc_A=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is the Horse Cave, because when it was first settled, "horse" was just a term for something really big. It's now called Hidden River Cave.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The river is right at the bottom of the opening, and you follow along it a little ways before going into the other two dome rooms. This is a cave much like Mammoth in that it has domes and very few "wet" formations like stalactites, stalagmites, flows or columns. And of course, the "big sell" for Hidden River Cave is the bridge, which was more than a little nerve wracking for someone like me who doesn't like bridges. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcxnUYO8arP9JhZ3Rmvuk-mLFQv-NYvpVY7eGpx-IIDpefToNx3R1BqwwKMQ67FvmCD6rNv-9yJSvcAP0vAWzEbtiTMx_vxGYklQr3Nk2ujqV5of3D6qUSQsnt4ntn8DrUSac8Jf7ASVtd4M_--lbAB_BwRO6zirZh0ZqPmITuyC43bYs-hTdDC0WKgg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcxnUYO8arP9JhZ3Rmvuk-mLFQv-NYvpVY7eGpx-IIDpefToNx3R1BqwwKMQ67FvmCD6rNv-9yJSvcAP0vAWzEbtiTMx_vxGYklQr3Nk2ujqV5of3D6qUSQsnt4ntn8DrUSac8Jf7ASVtd4M_--lbAB_BwRO6zirZh0ZqPmITuyC43bYs-hTdDC0WKgg=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The hidden river</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2EM8GIog1qL5ogB3_ucOPPQXEWLMOyWLdHQ73BanWQ3v0ug1cj60vOy9XPRTEiGic68LvDuOVHMeuYU1qq80OdKpuDqtk_uVcouxMR79zEthc-OI2b45fVtkwLFk4bEqlFGGG4F5WLGELINzvSwmsVz93EgEMcqk0s-NZoQFjGG9sDskxzZVb0_yaTg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="881" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2EM8GIog1qL5ogB3_ucOPPQXEWLMOyWLdHQ73BanWQ3v0ug1cj60vOy9XPRTEiGic68LvDuOVHMeuYU1qq80OdKpuDqtk_uVcouxMR79zEthc-OI2b45fVtkwLFk4bEqlFGGG4F5WLGELINzvSwmsVz93EgEMcqk0s-NZoQFjGG9sDskxzZVb0_yaTg=w392-h400" width="392" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>No one wanted to be the first (behind the guide) across the bridge</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvNlSawIR5Pp2iEFORaooGrnH53fStA9WzfyFKOYNcAOeAvh5SoZBT2e5fd-wDRzhjRYh9QwupUKxncdgkYEmaF9MOmVqnssOFwrfo3psQC5YjENzW0-BmHgHx13gJKSNBtEGMKBPONbW9esm3Nqy1VSht_XRrpfYTCFy3HfaZs7tE98cAFyKLg36OsQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvNlSawIR5Pp2iEFORaooGrnH53fStA9WzfyFKOYNcAOeAvh5SoZBT2e5fd-wDRzhjRYh9QwupUKxncdgkYEmaF9MOmVqnssOFwrfo3psQC5YjENzW0-BmHgHx13gJKSNBtEGMKBPONbW9esm3Nqy1VSht_XRrpfYTCFy3HfaZs7tE98cAFyKLg36OsQ=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One of the few places of "flowstone"</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkkjggLQGilrh1jlaXyPLxNh0K1w0TthjjYUYMogt6cLQlfyErBV_EQiuze1m5i8vMVK08V33yc3z5F-9fWiwXMVLfvBFFrsTg2vd7Ta_aRXfMxknw8jXNotzwRDL58knviee8_dzUwHaP4q-nHyo4FVDlrFV0qD8WVMPUNRnH9y8whjUbXs4SWW_Q2Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="769" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkkjggLQGilrh1jlaXyPLxNh0K1w0TthjjYUYMogt6cLQlfyErBV_EQiuze1m5i8vMVK08V33yc3z5F-9fWiwXMVLfvBFFrsTg2vd7Ta_aRXfMxknw8jXNotzwRDL58knviee8_dzUwHaP4q-nHyo4FVDlrFV0qD8WVMPUNRnH9y8whjUbXs4SWW_Q2Q=w342-h400" width="342" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sunset Dome, the third of the three rooms on the tour</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj412F-K6xQIJe_9swcH2FJfgW3Ot6D6KUZ7DT8aKKizAR5S566-XWSBcR5ngqhuyzzRow6thpdVuDQcLsfRoJD0-c28mZVFiqpNAMJ1CBD6joK5YWDUEAcrpQgxUx0BfiBGmi1xsyr9blBIE9cQL_RtByLvpxFBC5LcmAG1HmJeB3oDGJQqsb489Yy5g" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj412F-K6xQIJe_9swcH2FJfgW3Ot6D6KUZ7DT8aKKizAR5S566-XWSBcR5ngqhuyzzRow6thpdVuDQcLsfRoJD0-c28mZVFiqpNAMJ1CBD6joK5YWDUEAcrpQgxUx0BfiBGmi1xsyr9blBIE9cQL_RtByLvpxFBC5LcmAG1HmJeB3oDGJQqsb489Yy5g=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Heading back out of the cave</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The American Cave Museum is part of the Hidden River Cave tour, and explains how the cave reflects an ecosystem that was nearly destroyed by the town basically using the cave as a sewer.... which then almost killed the town, since their drinking water originated from the cave. <a href="https://eec.ky.gov/Nature-Preserves/Locations/Pages/Hidden-River-Cave.aspx" target="_blank">The cave had to be closed in the 1940s because of the pollution, and it was known as the most polluted cave in North America.</a> Only after a new wastewater treatment facility was put into place nearby in <b>1989</b> did the cave ecosystem begin to recover from nearly a century of abuse. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">From Horse Cave, I meandered northward past Louisville and into Henderson, where just before crossing over the river to Evansville, IN, I saw a sign for <a href="https://parks.ky.gov/henderson/parks/historic/john-james-audubon-state-park" target="_blank">John James Audubon State Park</a>. I pulled in and immediately saw the Civilian Conservation Corps work. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXUci34Owc4tUCmTyi22qFPEWPYccYKcYAkadpzTiy38wIE7eF4geFGLaccXPio1V_08AE7TPCHB72ZGD3pqTssnNp0D_6SHxE90MeUl7ySWxur3Ip6zEmB50UF_jdLIsTI72Pde3tSrKGToWIxgy7seNYT1qsxUWzSVtC73fsiPQNKuCk2HI_fQIBfg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="959" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXUci34Owc4tUCmTyi22qFPEWPYccYKcYAkadpzTiy38wIE7eF4geFGLaccXPio1V_08AE7TPCHB72ZGD3pqTssnNp0D_6SHxE90MeUl7ySWxur3Ip6zEmB50UF_jdLIsTI72Pde3tSrKGToWIxgy7seNYT1qsxUWzSVtC73fsiPQNKuCk2HI_fQIBfg=w400-h375" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Welcome Center, gift shop and museum are located here.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The museum is a paltry $6 to visit, and I would share photos, but due to copyright issues, you aren't allowed to take photos of the amazing collection of original Audubon works they have, including multiple copies of his <i><a href="https://www.sdnhm.org/blog/blog_details/the-double-elephant-folio-no-elephants-in-sight/82/" target="_blank">Elephant Folio</a></i>. There is also a comprehensive history of Audubon, who spent several years in Henderson, KY trying to find his way in the world. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course, there were hiking trails, so I took the opportunity to stretch my legs. I saw birds, but also myriad other animals!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAZnDYYEJS4DwSqh0bVKsKP6DlY0JyFJNavMBz_l7OsJseSeFh9rM2OFANiCGhx3UG9mTu7nhl-h1HxTM7AmRg5JuAmVP_iIS89MGvq9-C38-2S9VxlKtDTbogJt4PKSj0Xeq2bAhHCuCA_2QdbnkE63B5PxceKdgWKDbqkMI_P3FAx8SPRFnygVS9UA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="877" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAZnDYYEJS4DwSqh0bVKsKP6DlY0JyFJNavMBz_l7OsJseSeFh9rM2OFANiCGhx3UG9mTu7nhl-h1HxTM7AmRg5JuAmVP_iIS89MGvq9-C38-2S9VxlKtDTbogJt4PKSj0Xeq2bAhHCuCA_2QdbnkE63B5PxceKdgWKDbqkMI_P3FAx8SPRFnygVS9UA=w390-h400" width="390" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>And fungi.... you know I saw fungi too!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinnPMmaNJxbtmNsQsDLh_UxDYLMg92Di0AQc4mx5s6xtrr8mOQvsuaDVo3ZzQ85vpyOGDYSifDiy5cRlYiVGnnm7EC1ew_y7lVoBz3uJB8Kq7RJ85r-LzeJjGhtdcSmDfoh-TgozlFq_IPV7dKTMsP8F96iF6x1En8I37prwwYgOFxMSaXDUE43vOK8Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinnPMmaNJxbtmNsQsDLh_UxDYLMg92Di0AQc4mx5s6xtrr8mOQvsuaDVo3ZzQ85vpyOGDYSifDiy5cRlYiVGnnm7EC1ew_y7lVoBz3uJB8Kq7RJ85r-LzeJjGhtdcSmDfoh-TgozlFq_IPV7dKTMsP8F96iF6x1En8I37prwwYgOFxMSaXDUE43vOK8Q=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A still and quiet pond</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-bdAjdoOweNPjUaXIaHOoKjgGnehwOqyEVRIHEBFyq5CphMd1igtzQcj9-ontekFENheEuIUSgfFwTzg7GQZo-ZJoZKvrvR65ro-fVDI3me918AB8FhfiK08S4x2_q_hkGyrogzqxUXN1OTHE-O_Txq2Em06_Ur0_aQ4QTHQ7XJOUDTKZ5X2YynpPlg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1089" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-bdAjdoOweNPjUaXIaHOoKjgGnehwOqyEVRIHEBFyq5CphMd1igtzQcj9-ontekFENheEuIUSgfFwTzg7GQZo-ZJoZKvrvR65ro-fVDI3me918AB8FhfiK08S4x2_q_hkGyrogzqxUXN1OTHE-O_Txq2Em06_Ur0_aQ4QTHQ7XJOUDTKZ5X2YynpPlg=w400-h318" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Green dragonfly, an Eastern pondhawk female<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQ4nEaI7P8cdwcm1BIZWIHo_4m8Guc26z1MdSC9OGaYPPZkCTYw3fMB04ZtaKefGT13Sgh5xAlt_qIsSh1Tur_Mb8SPX1GF5p4ZTDQBQ-BOZdou4Wr4PGcrZdLkcoZ6T4vtfiZQmsQlBv9NqR1YlgheWPuTT275BZoxlwn3RJFkTM8JNl_A0sSdDlJfg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="614" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQ4nEaI7P8cdwcm1BIZWIHo_4m8Guc26z1MdSC9OGaYPPZkCTYw3fMB04ZtaKefGT13Sgh5xAlt_qIsSh1Tur_Mb8SPX1GF5p4ZTDQBQ-BOZdou4Wr4PGcrZdLkcoZ6T4vtfiZQmsQlBv9NqR1YlgheWPuTT275BZoxlwn3RJFkTM8JNl_A0sSdDlJfg" width="283" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Five lined skink!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIqIt96BTEGMIqCRwoRNLmyaGM5gBsgeBmw_9AMn0GxMzidpLbHZUH8EsXmwHTKGfgWida0c53PWjbovhLLaRu_1U4ITbHcN_ONutU6mha8hgIlcto_dRKd4gwL4-StFWiMVC4eanZt2CDF2TjAXVcAlxDV8CdojGYQ1HtwiZOofzRZu40Y-v9BJ2ZlQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="663" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIqIt96BTEGMIqCRwoRNLmyaGM5gBsgeBmw_9AMn0GxMzidpLbHZUH8EsXmwHTKGfgWida0c53PWjbovhLLaRu_1U4ITbHcN_ONutU6mha8hgIlcto_dRKd4gwL4-StFWiMVC4eanZt2CDF2TjAXVcAlxDV8CdojGYQ1HtwiZOofzRZu40Y-v9BJ2ZlQ=w400-h278" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Eastern pondhawk male</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjywiWEnRdykyV9THiDhtFzB23Em-RNIE36SLjFMu9sZN0mPTFNtzzGoOyUDRUsaX9QmxkPPL2w5unbn8x_zxknNqPCqFRs3jE7aRRyyAdRSMksU_Xc_P3BQJ313UOUXMEw8s-sDSBNOyf-75VcUvshAywA8ybDcHmJIytaqZP859zdoD0vlY8wMD5Znw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1124" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjywiWEnRdykyV9THiDhtFzB23Em-RNIE36SLjFMu9sZN0mPTFNtzzGoOyUDRUsaX9QmxkPPL2w5unbn8x_zxknNqPCqFRs3jE7aRRyyAdRSMksU_Xc_P3BQJ313UOUXMEw8s-sDSBNOyf-75VcUvshAywA8ybDcHmJIytaqZP859zdoD0vlY8wMD5Znw" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Heron</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnbvQJIfj1n7Fa8KygfKXPA7f3pAyJssWFZ1qH5pKOUNRkibpilqv7VgTUW3coxqrPDcSyL8fsQgHoigEP3a5KqOkkcwJ452OaRHfN47-oMMbpob-FrC5u7EXOGLHilqaPF5dCOlt7OQGmMDiAmDxVeRJiSaAWnmXtMg3xoTgoKEtzsddxIu5wEdZtXw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1033" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnbvQJIfj1n7Fa8KygfKXPA7f3pAyJssWFZ1qH5pKOUNRkibpilqv7VgTUW3coxqrPDcSyL8fsQgHoigEP3a5KqOkkcwJ452OaRHfN47-oMMbpob-FrC5u7EXOGLHilqaPF5dCOlt7OQGmMDiAmDxVeRJiSaAWnmXtMg3xoTgoKEtzsddxIu5wEdZtXw=w400-h253" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Two deer</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I legitimately chastised some super loud children right after I saw these deer. They were basically yelling at each other in conversation, and I just <i>shushed</i> them and said, "You just scared away two deer, a duck and who knows how many turtles." The kids went silent and I continued, "You probably haven't seen anything since you're so loud. If you want to see the animals, you need to be quieter." The parents just looked at me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I walked away (they were going in the opposite direction I was), and I didn't hear them again. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKz-yySOQhObx4X65YrKZT4SdsvRzvtCOF8eU3nOXv16AiLf2YI55UwInSYEd_NVYWkiqDZesYqkTcui5HmiMMf35zYf71tLQm5o_U6OxPfBFnPigoaE5SODWl0dVIaV1bn7rgk38GxfFGorcB-VuQeglNdu1yXqE4LnCbgp_EtG5Sc5lpt079rLJUAg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="967" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKz-yySOQhObx4X65YrKZT4SdsvRzvtCOF8eU3nOXv16AiLf2YI55UwInSYEd_NVYWkiqDZesYqkTcui5HmiMMf35zYf71tLQm5o_U6OxPfBFnPigoaE5SODWl0dVIaV1bn7rgk38GxfFGorcB-VuQeglNdu1yXqE4LnCbgp_EtG5Sc5lpt079rLJUAg=w400-h372" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A CCC constructed shelter, marking where the overlook spur branches from the main trail</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdhFw4Imua-wC1wC0a8TA0JSRd4-laPhSSFl-hhpZWRjUExJqdT0U7x2-_IDbpvI9ngJGMGYpalv2gK3bT9V92OGauAtAXBzaS2HQQ-tn_-07QIPhy25qEP5WGW7tx03TainYuXFbifQAn3ZOUumat8VPk_XdGcUuxUy6xHnBANxnUkaO5n7EQU0TaUw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1010" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdhFw4Imua-wC1wC0a8TA0JSRd4-laPhSSFl-hhpZWRjUExJqdT0U7x2-_IDbpvI9ngJGMGYpalv2gK3bT9V92OGauAtAXBzaS2HQQ-tn_-07QIPhy25qEP5WGW7tx03TainYuXFbifQAn3ZOUumat8VPk_XdGcUuxUy6xHnBANxnUkaO5n7EQU0TaUw=w400-h356" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Built in the 1930s, renovated as an Eagle Scout project in 2000, and still needs protection from vandals</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4m93cxd6NJz8V4msSpwYXlQ-Wdsc_AJ2R1qmEtZ9vv2T9K9ZG3fU8dDS9dDO-KY-v7Pv9nz6_nB1aLkGdZp-IOM8nzQYbhX3bZFVk-QmCPuU2noEjtcdzx07Vq3Ts_susXpRysAvUQ75SvpbrUMNsI84VBTK602u44bWGbtgElioYdEmXJIlrMjL1nA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1517" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4m93cxd6NJz8V4msSpwYXlQ-Wdsc_AJ2R1qmEtZ9vv2T9K9ZG3fU8dDS9dDO-KY-v7Pv9nz6_nB1aLkGdZp-IOM8nzQYbhX3bZFVk-QmCPuU2noEjtcdzx07Vq3Ts_susXpRysAvUQ75SvpbrUMNsI84VBTK602u44bWGbtgElioYdEmXJIlrMjL1nA=w400-h236" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Turtles basking</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwXxgtbP6CExf8gcpPT4NqYackOAKU2XOl56xEyq63zDSwLQeiTrb_YX1xEmNCUp55mZy2gKHpQIofDBv-Y78N6hiBhwYc-DUww4DgoDLSrjBWLDc6AKvcA7otZjE2SICf2WChLD1nec2aYk_XsGts8_Pn8Za3XchdoFZFflM3Z5ulTju3wQBu7j6kcg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1348" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwXxgtbP6CExf8gcpPT4NqYackOAKU2XOl56xEyq63zDSwLQeiTrb_YX1xEmNCUp55mZy2gKHpQIofDBv-Y78N6hiBhwYc-DUww4DgoDLSrjBWLDc6AKvcA7otZjE2SICf2WChLD1nec2aYk_XsGts8_Pn8Za3XchdoFZFflM3Z5ulTju3wQBu7j6kcg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Plainbelly watersnake, maybe</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj68JZXeR-Dytc9FpiGFjQFTI-7m_19Kwgcgu95PAVY2h9eLgmfTkb9o6DiSebCJNbZEFRHwOrGNohnoupXi4HBe6yt2zhRWTa952E1boASON6-NRU5mR-jCMRk0hMCE7uHUWp_1kWcf2nhEYq4vN4Ok8_VAPeTLDzirLQf59fV78Kp1mJoFn1HCv8xNw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="696" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj68JZXeR-Dytc9FpiGFjQFTI-7m_19Kwgcgu95PAVY2h9eLgmfTkb9o6DiSebCJNbZEFRHwOrGNohnoupXi4HBe6yt2zhRWTa952E1boASON6-NRU5mR-jCMRk0hMCE7uHUWp_1kWcf2nhEYq4vN4Ok8_VAPeTLDzirLQf59fV78Kp1mJoFn1HCv8xNw=w264-h320" width="264" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hummingbird sculpture based on an Audubon painting</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiy_N2aqTgdB7MwM3x7dbkWTkkKu4a2mAVgSiQnXWBph77ZH8QitOqGxKApd5hxAYkAHMrrjnYYqjKn-RxJwO-iW0CE2qsbF8M0bW6nVBJOJAsJrVmJXxfBQzY8Y5Z2NebhsURJ8T4zwVGd4iM64-d1VBBJF6a-ZtaE0RcaSJWkwbB78CsG1lpMWx0hEA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="725" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiy_N2aqTgdB7MwM3x7dbkWTkkKu4a2mAVgSiQnXWBph77ZH8QitOqGxKApd5hxAYkAHMrrjnYYqjKn-RxJwO-iW0CE2qsbF8M0bW6nVBJOJAsJrVmJXxfBQzY8Y5Z2NebhsURJ8T4zwVGd4iM64-d1VBBJF6a-ZtaE0RcaSJWkwbB78CsG1lpMWx0hEA=w393-h400" width="393" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Butterfly on a coneflower</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I decided to call it quits outside St. Louis, and got a tent site <a href="https://koa.com/campgrounds/st-louis-ne/" target="_blank">at a KOA</a> I've stayed at before. The tent sites there are okay; they are flat and somewhat close to the renovated restrooms/showers, but they are also buggy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7tqBydpMMum7RF6Lf67ipJ6Oiv4CcdcTmRL7tayA9hE3DidJ1opcSQMUAv8Nrc861VXsq30sbR_VGA33X0TR4SCWirVcobT-wsTu1TOmlVIhvFruHeH--rWy0cowMjE38GwUSP3edtCGUlJWlwcFRr1vEeEqcKjTXzJ_17XLUITFmT1qBHHHqXauS8Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7tqBydpMMum7RF6Lf67ipJ6Oiv4CcdcTmRL7tayA9hE3DidJ1opcSQMUAv8Nrc861VXsq30sbR_VGA33X0TR4SCWirVcobT-wsTu1TOmlVIhvFruHeH--rWy0cowMjE38GwUSP3edtCGUlJWlwcFRr1vEeEqcKjTXzJ_17XLUITFmT1qBHHHqXauS8Q=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Campsite for the night</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN5wWm-93bcuyyHvNRtY0ySBqxkDpjpA2R5tM3z3U6h3_6MTaMJzqd8uQpcxND-KLxjWPX8vw47LP55rB092U8_WZfcC7zHqFBgKopWJZS2ckOAe28tnO_c86nOXh3h8fsUN3tzSgc5rcmW53oSp5d_1H0TzlOWNhhHj4sVweiK8wJR3HXdt2-RG0PmQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="820" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN5wWm-93bcuyyHvNRtY0ySBqxkDpjpA2R5tM3z3U6h3_6MTaMJzqd8uQpcxND-KLxjWPX8vw47LP55rB092U8_WZfcC7zHqFBgKopWJZS2ckOAe28tnO_c86nOXh3h8fsUN3tzSgc5rcmW53oSp5d_1H0TzlOWNhhHj4sVweiK8wJR3HXdt2-RG0PmQ" width="219" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Buggy campsite also means <u>spiders</u></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKCY_gADaHqBAreYVYSHvVeMXjLeh3p43USTHpv1rcvvsOZ0ICPM_glmRZAFPAIYvgzjiCOlaYqkiRpwobv2ZOnlpAYBUURa8B2azoHRPyWezX0L4JbFyfTP-niEPQjju_laW_phZc4Nq_iAt9qADDNhDZoBAZUyrJlnKVXFSDqf-WhGBrZxaD1PJgdw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="773" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKCY_gADaHqBAreYVYSHvVeMXjLeh3p43USTHpv1rcvvsOZ0ICPM_glmRZAFPAIYvgzjiCOlaYqkiRpwobv2ZOnlpAYBUURa8B2azoHRPyWezX0L4JbFyfTP-niEPQjju_laW_phZc4Nq_iAt9qADDNhDZoBAZUyrJlnKVXFSDqf-WhGBrZxaD1PJgdw" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A friendly lightning bug that looks just slightly different from the Maryland variety</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I cooked up some "<a href="https://amzn.to/3K5kEKE" target="_blank">Forever Young Mac and Cheese</a>" for dinner, and it wasn't as good as the <a href="https://amzn.to/3Pv88W4" target="_blank">spicy sausage pasta</a>. Maybe it would have been better if I had some <a href="https://amzn.to/3Cj7UOU" target="_blank">Old Bay</a> to put in it. I still had no itinerary besides being in Salt Lake City by next Friday, so I figured I'd just drive through St. Louis, take I-70 for a while and then either find some things in Kansas or head up towards Lincoln, NE. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But first, sleep. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>note : some links are associate links to sites where I received minimal compensation if you make a purchase through the link</i></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-70407644542554099652022-08-18T19:16:00.007-04:002022-08-18T21:00:33.160-04:00Struggling to Get Out of the HouseThree weeks ago, I left on my usual yearly road trip. I wanted to leave on Monday or Tuesday of that week, but it wasn't until Wednesday that I finally could get myself together enough to head out. Even then, I left the house so late in the day that I only made it to western Maryland before calling it a night at Spring Gap Campground along the <a href="https://nps.gov/choh" target="_blank">C&O Canal Towpath</a>. <div><br /></div><div>Depression sucks like that. I had the same issues last year as well. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'd changed the oil the day before in the <a href="https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/crosstrek.html" target="_blank">Crosstrek</a>, and I actually started the trip with a quick stop at the local grocery market and the nearby carwash. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ_c2rCyx6RoLciqtpHVWZ0gKIIHnW6ocDbzH7XorY6HEcD4wWj5FgxGv9ulR-ocJ0z-samnawZiWCIu-ZUDWrKqt1VGIxR7V8Blw5XnZ1RUBdQ99qQZ5_gKb8-qQqic6CWbsQqQYM7A2tKJtRmf5o0L61HXpoHiRM4OQSTXmWuXZXH1vLpWHOrPsZig" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ_c2rCyx6RoLciqtpHVWZ0gKIIHnW6ocDbzH7XorY6HEcD4wWj5FgxGv9ulR-ocJ0z-samnawZiWCIu-ZUDWrKqt1VGIxR7V8Blw5XnZ1RUBdQ99qQZ5_gKb8-qQqic6CWbsQqQYM7A2tKJtRmf5o0L61HXpoHiRM4OQSTXmWuXZXH1vLpWHOrPsZig=w310-h400" width="310" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Me demonstrating the proper way to pour oil so that it doesn't slop all over the place. </i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzpBrwPcak7qlUulLnvXgab4qC2s86JA0KCB_shXWdfXyOLppiAdEeGxJO_V_Vi81x5uwETQeIiPDyu98PPocXRERSF9Ycr39DIrpYbGGsMNrrvFRVcYhYSke8SaL1RzUrJ4sdoXJRzHtwfwOLwvasdLX3YH_T-FCoznV_pYx9tCgyyiolkpxW2lK_9w" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="846" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzpBrwPcak7qlUulLnvXgab4qC2s86JA0KCB_shXWdfXyOLppiAdEeGxJO_V_Vi81x5uwETQeIiPDyu98PPocXRERSF9Ycr39DIrpYbGGsMNrrvFRVcYhYSke8SaL1RzUrJ4sdoXJRzHtwfwOLwvasdLX3YH_T-FCoznV_pYx9tCgyyiolkpxW2lK_9w=w377-h400" width="377" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My driving companions for the first week and a half</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNo_tWhYJmU2_JF8RMlSlLUfhWgICii41sDN3kydIl_5xO-CJZBmsSUFd79RRf-Kx74mExLshYEfoUXb9mfMYl4jZqfZGHHm8sZanRDaCTO4lK9tm_8i76Yh4mR0vVm69pbGLjn4VfKMqVYLfXwmtdr2iRaFujveZq8ydv2AVhWra9bA0EwMb02cqHjA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNo_tWhYJmU2_JF8RMlSlLUfhWgICii41sDN3kydIl_5xO-CJZBmsSUFd79RRf-Kx74mExLshYEfoUXb9mfMYl4jZqfZGHHm8sZanRDaCTO4lK9tm_8i76Yh4mR0vVm69pbGLjn4VfKMqVYLfXwmtdr2iRaFujveZq8ydv2AVhWra9bA0EwMb02cqHjA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fresh and clean!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Since I had a late start, I knew I wasn't going to get super far on the trip and made the reservation at Spring Gap before I left the house. Campsite 1 was reserved for the whole week, and everything else was open. I opted for site 5 to give whoever it was at 1 plenty of space. </div><div><br /></div><div>I rolled into the campground around 5:30PM and set up my little tent. For those new to my adventures, this is a "<a href="https://rhinowolf.com/" target="_blank">Rhinowolf</a>" tent which I bought via Kickstarter a few years ago; they have since apparently gone out of business. Anyway, one of the selling points for this tent was that single tents could be zipped together. So for the first part of the road trip, you'll see my green single tent, and after Pat joins me, you'll see his blue tent zipped together with my green one. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRr-WWUQfhOQzy-eAg6pegXcKx1v7u9K3T-dcTqnjyvHKGXzJLAZp6OYJzCp0fbPdijHgGE07PF-zPjLFeX8nkm-eeJH0Cs7Mm-Jz2bFDSGYnEeEsO8RssGeWA-0vqbvCGQk4PbtG0JM5XCRNlqQqLSC2vTX17_nK8JTjiCjfzK7z_Sagv-EqMTmNrSg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRr-WWUQfhOQzy-eAg6pegXcKx1v7u9K3T-dcTqnjyvHKGXzJLAZp6OYJzCp0fbPdijHgGE07PF-zPjLFeX8nkm-eeJH0Cs7Mm-Jz2bFDSGYnEeEsO8RssGeWA-0vqbvCGQk4PbtG0JM5XCRNlqQqLSC2vTX17_nK8JTjiCjfzK7z_Sagv-EqMTmNrSg=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My campsite at Spring Gap</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />As I put up my tent and contemplated what to do for dinner, I did notice that site 1 was <i>very</i> occupied; there was at least one family there with at least two dogs. Everyone (including the dogs) was super friendly, and the kids were kind of goofy and totally into fishing for catfish. A group of cyclists came by while I was settling in and set up in the group camping area at the "end" of the campground. And, in site 3 there was a small pop-up tent and a couple of chairs, but no one else around. </div><div><br /></div><div>I decided to wander up the towpath;"up" the towpath always means "towards Cumberland" to me for some reason, while "down" the towpath is "towards Georgetown. I'd last been in this area almost a year ago to the day when I camped here on the first night of my 2021 road trip. No surprise that there were things to see. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1tCwb8jW49E1HbU6YMutmvzuI3x3vWCB5asD0llYKLxf9W4IZeCEW0y-oJW-KmuEzGz2_RKbgZzCR4IeRrVq4qaGcQr-UAq8HCHfnOoi_MWFOUy34W9AgmkmuAU7PqgV7AN0fuMA3tP9Xqn0l2w6CBSYvNwP3YGYHBlJyP7_c9FLX-7VZDx-J_q_UOg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="798" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1tCwb8jW49E1HbU6YMutmvzuI3x3vWCB5asD0llYKLxf9W4IZeCEW0y-oJW-KmuEzGz2_RKbgZzCR4IeRrVq4qaGcQr-UAq8HCHfnOoi_MWFOUy34W9AgmkmuAU7PqgV7AN0fuMA3tP9Xqn0l2w6CBSYvNwP3YGYHBlJyP7_c9FLX-7VZDx-J_q_UOg=w355-h400" width="355" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ruins of bridges are somewhat frequent along the towpath. It's not clear if this was for a train crossing or a road (automobile) crossing</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHz1RC47vfcbzjGqHr20h6nhi19GS07svjq8i1owsPXv2xwWOnQAqwiTVfeyJl_jLljKQOtH7SV2NWuvZfTmphGf-uWNVqawDLeliKSp7oBy2QxAWDYgtKECFvPp9EMTCm4TAyMsYvWf9PJjo257bOhlb5NKxLtYSYZOLVmKPJKLmb0ax_M2Ds1cBRcw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="870" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHz1RC47vfcbzjGqHr20h6nhi19GS07svjq8i1owsPXv2xwWOnQAqwiTVfeyJl_jLljKQOtH7SV2NWuvZfTmphGf-uWNVqawDLeliKSp7oBy2QxAWDYgtKECFvPp9EMTCm4TAyMsYvWf9PJjo257bOhlb5NKxLtYSYZOLVmKPJKLmb0ax_M2Ds1cBRcw=w388-h400" width="388" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>At first I was like, "Yay! A turtle!" and then I was like, "OMG, it's dead," and I was very sad. There was no evidence of trauma to the shell.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaPYCbjoQCNyzgHlkrNhxx3MOVoXoHMLiegsobernG9RgBJaeZYJAQcyDMXcWJUioMoKa1eIuJQNbD7zI3AM1RW0nB78bNAtWB5C2WFLGSwuMmVhO36HX111HPsT6ML56N1p4H-MYCQeNnSDRz4CvFcbtqbOo5vUsINVubtImKWNqIqiEKURau7L-JvQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaPYCbjoQCNyzgHlkrNhxx3MOVoXoHMLiegsobernG9RgBJaeZYJAQcyDMXcWJUioMoKa1eIuJQNbD7zI3AM1RW0nB78bNAtWB5C2WFLGSwuMmVhO36HX111HPsT6ML56N1p4H-MYCQeNnSDRz4CvFcbtqbOo5vUsINVubtImKWNqIqiEKURau7L-JvQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Storms have been fairly frequent and brought down a lot of trees in Western Maryland this spring and summer</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN1QhkQ1OeIDFT-0ieB7fnYGphlQ0qCCRO3oQ-Jo3UlmPo3IW-dr-nGwcTh8KtHL2TSuY90d7L0uLc5q7zdW4k1q15ryIA86m_rJYmsuMlABpWq1QrVsk-mmWbePvqBlgV10EC_FSTHSqy28gYyL-tGcEnl_kDLtV-dQiiY7P1_z-QmHENP3O8-gh6nQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN1QhkQ1OeIDFT-0ieB7fnYGphlQ0qCCRO3oQ-Jo3UlmPo3IW-dr-nGwcTh8KtHL2TSuY90d7L0uLc5q7zdW4k1q15ryIA86m_rJYmsuMlABpWq1QrVsk-mmWbePvqBlgV10EC_FSTHSqy28gYyL-tGcEnl_kDLtV-dQiiY7P1_z-QmHENP3O8-gh6nQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lock 72. There are three more locks upstream of this; they are the last three locks on the canal. </i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBoQjC7dqLt6iRKBR6yFT1cveTDGfWggT0uRGWkrOysMPP_1lCXl0gr69vYaKL72UU-49NqMP5dpHvkugjcUKqPeHu8KeG7UJJ6TIONpPNWWiTkMqfjSnE6pmWqxY84Dzk_2kSeLaEK3XptxPIDDMXElFePHDFqwO8gdPeOzvULis7X86r2gwyQpsi5Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="634" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBoQjC7dqLt6iRKBR6yFT1cveTDGfWggT0uRGWkrOysMPP_1lCXl0gr69vYaKL72UU-49NqMP5dpHvkugjcUKqPeHu8KeG7UJJ6TIONpPNWWiTkMqfjSnE6pmWqxY84Dzk_2kSeLaEK3XptxPIDDMXElFePHDFqwO8gdPeOzvULis7X86r2gwyQpsi5Q=w282-h400" width="282" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sunset on the Potomac River at the Spring Gap boat ramp</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I didn't bring any wood with me, and it was warm enough I didn't <i>really</i> want to start a fire anyway. Around 8:45, I checked my phone's battery and service levels because it was getting close to #ParkChat time. There's nothing like participating in #ParkChat while being in a park! 🤣</div></div></div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Karen, still in Maryland tonight, but camping out in the western part of the state along the <a href="https://twitter.com/COcanalNPS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@COcanalNPS</a> at Spring Gap. 😁 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParkChat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ParkChat</a></p>— Karen (needs another roadtrip) (@CamaroWRX) <a href="https://twitter.com/CamaroWRX/status/1552459206380453888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2022</a> </blockquote><p>Some foreshadowing occurred during the #ParkChat conversation....</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">A9 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParkChat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ParkChat</a> no one yet. Maybe during this road trip?</p>— Karen (needs another roadtrip) (@CamaroWRX) <a href="https://twitter.com/CamaroWRX/status/1552470486927478785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>And then just after 10PM, it was all done. I was tired of trying to keep the mosquitoes at bay (the <a href="https://amzn.to/3K7nnTO" target="_blank">repellant</a> and the <a href="https://amzn.to/3A4g0rT" target="_blank">Thermacell</a> can only do so much), so I retired to the tent. </p><p>Sadly, around midnight, the mysterious campers at site 3 showed up, lights ablazing directly towards my tent. They were loud. They were shining lights every which way. They were clearly drunk. It was Camp Groinia all over again, minus the lighter fluid shots and 30 degree weather. With the National Park Service short staffed, plus knowing that rangers on the 184.5 mile towpath are often spaced quite far apart, I just gritted my teeth, put my good ear to the pillow and tried to ignore it. </p><p>I have to admit though that I, the cyclists at the group campsite and the family(ies?) at site 1 made absolutely zero effort to be quiet as dawn broke. The hungover jerkwads were clearly struggling as the rest of us did our morning things with just an extra touch of <i>noise</i>. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQQLVIKeBQ7gw8voSstj6goQezHMH2dewbgTscvtCVL3PiTunzljQbZnf20ILWfyLqFwsqAY7EbwvuKkR0k4eQE_phKQloM6yys_Nop-L-wP8eTzAdz5OROzNJd59JdEQ28gqsCztXrlsyHCnk3lN8FP2FQP55jNAQHZC34ZRh5EDk4nkSo5J159hyRQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="809" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQQLVIKeBQ7gw8voSstj6goQezHMH2dewbgTscvtCVL3PiTunzljQbZnf20ILWfyLqFwsqAY7EbwvuKkR0k4eQE_phKQloM6yys_Nop-L-wP8eTzAdz5OROzNJd59JdEQ28gqsCztXrlsyHCnk3lN8FP2FQP55jNAQHZC34ZRh5EDk4nkSo5J159hyRQ=w360-h400" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Carolina horsenettle</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />From the campground, I headed into Cumberland to poke around at the very end of the towpath and beginning of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail. The visitor center was closed, so I just wandered around and looked at the railroad cars and caboose that were there. I was testing my ability to figure out when they were built, something I was taught years ago when visiting the <a href="http://westernmarylandrhs.com/" target="_blank">Western Maryland Railway Museum</a> in Union Bridge. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjl6cb9RpDFeKVADLmAg5D3vORHU5PGrGTSepjcq48m6DEz4tCsLfwNatzjbok5M4r7qC2W7wCjOmLPwiDHgpoeOzw97gcha4a8nrSpzdZmWutOZdoO8sELPQJpFavmteMnML6bOi2MvFPST4UDMXKJWevEaU2U2Ap5-G9DRmx0FYthJm_DMwIB71ry8Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjl6cb9RpDFeKVADLmAg5D3vORHU5PGrGTSepjcq48m6DEz4tCsLfwNatzjbok5M4r7qC2W7wCjOmLPwiDHgpoeOzw97gcha4a8nrSpzdZmWutOZdoO8sELPQJpFavmteMnML6bOi2MvFPST4UDMXKJWevEaU2U2Ap5-G9DRmx0FYthJm_DMwIB71ry8Q=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>There should be something that says "BLT" with numbers for the month and year, but evidently these are repaints.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgq1Svd0osHQ1rntfjWhmk-jg9Uiy08WQ4vb4H1Y5XaVxrUlXwKqGl8Z1ZBrxcumt8AWqjor72bcEQGqYGsssi2aaN45x0pBUgIZnEqK8GmTywln-YBhzD_yeN_XRx6MgG5vHo9EwMf2H1Db223MSdT7_YNHvyzwmzJvU9udHfXM5U2B_i6Ux6h9wXHTQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="1319" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgq1Svd0osHQ1rntfjWhmk-jg9Uiy08WQ4vb4H1Y5XaVxrUlXwKqGl8Z1ZBrxcumt8AWqjor72bcEQGqYGsssi2aaN45x0pBUgIZnEqK8GmTywln-YBhzD_yeN_XRx6MgG5vHo9EwMf2H1Db223MSdT7_YNHvyzwmzJvU9udHfXM5U2B_i6Ux6h9wXHTQ=w400-h171" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The trucks have the manufacturing date built into them. These are from January 1957.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Pat had been talking about maybe getting tickets to a train ride out of Durango, CO as part of the road trip, so maybe that's why I stopped here. I do know that I would like to do one of the <a href="https://wmsr.com/" target="_blank">Western Maryland Scenic Railroad</a> trips some time. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjd6UXSfDAFS7cWXBJywRjuTrce6eIYcMS9nphpDpKlHGjKtWuT2ExAmhVJhtZXYYVLsYA8yEwy1KQfv6qzwyRBB2PcCHk3r9qV6edaQ7eR33p2yJP35dNyFA55zNrH0zSMfY4CNwjpP9hhO3dyJLPSBaChQLTV26f5dJmXbl5tZy_vuyTNqkR_0JDROw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1320" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjd6UXSfDAFS7cWXBJywRjuTrce6eIYcMS9nphpDpKlHGjKtWuT2ExAmhVJhtZXYYVLsYA8yEwy1KQfv6qzwyRBB2PcCHk3r9qV6edaQ7eR33p2yJP35dNyFA55zNrH0zSMfY4CNwjpP9hhO3dyJLPSBaChQLTV26f5dJmXbl5tZy_vuyTNqkR_0JDROw=w400-h271" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Depot</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I headed out from Cumberland with no real plan in mind. After tossing around some ideas in my head, I decided to go to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cuva/index.htm" target="_blank">Cuyahoga Valley National Park</a>, since it had been a few years and it wasn't all that far away. <a href="https://www.waze.com/" target="_blank">Waze</a> took me off I-68 and up to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, joining the turnpike from an area where Pat and I had stopped on the way out to Detroit in the spring. <p></p><p>I rolled into the Boston Mill Visitor Center parking, parked next to a cool gray khaki Crosstrek twin, and headed towards the visitor center when I saw a group of people next to a sign that said "Citizen Science." I remarked, "That's cool! I need to do more of that with my students," and next thing I know, they invited me to join them. It was a group of rangers and park employees/volunteers who were looking at the pollinators in the areas around the visitor center over a few weeks time. We started by looking at the different types of flowering plants we saw, and using <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/" target="_blank">iNaturalist</a> to identify them as needed. We also estimated what percentage of the surveyed area was covered with each type of plant. Then we went back and started looking for pollinators, and again, used iNaturalist to identify them. We also added our findings to a group on iNaturalist (that's the citizen science part!), to help with the documentation of which pollinators were found with which type of flower. </p><p>I <i>totally</i> want to do something like this with my students this year!</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiprpN6XyxbTdW6DsFe8OR-_JLePirVKtwCe0mDmda1QqKkNlX-x6HuoFP30tdhsam-k8tI2y_s6n86q59zSjzzLk4i1kVJr01oXMDuEAdph6h-LVfsXqhSw56SpG0JScBVgiX19hQBeA9cuPxVNOBeEufsXCg0OSrNllj0xGYIJoEKx5HpR5gVkCmefg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiprpN6XyxbTdW6DsFe8OR-_JLePirVKtwCe0mDmda1QqKkNlX-x6HuoFP30tdhsam-k8tI2y_s6n86q59zSjzzLk4i1kVJr01oXMDuEAdph6h-LVfsXqhSw56SpG0JScBVgiX19hQBeA9cuPxVNOBeEufsXCg0OSrNllj0xGYIJoEKx5HpR5gVkCmefg=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Don't you park next to your car-twin when you can? </i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiV9Dg5aLB_sJ7XsEEGaTf1SVV6I_u2cOPJfhPRpsp4pC17k-O6oJCVjEupucOdtL7k0J-lBHX7lNK97JK3vnvJwLzVnkeFdujUdBeLlF6pei8LVqMk-7aaz6b61AQls08vGhbZvv0wF1tYnqnfNAOst6_u40ri3Bhs8_oM1813M7RAYkFojEnXYQWS0g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="799" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiV9Dg5aLB_sJ7XsEEGaTf1SVV6I_u2cOPJfhPRpsp4pC17k-O6oJCVjEupucOdtL7k0J-lBHX7lNK97JK3vnvJwLzVnkeFdujUdBeLlF6pei8LVqMk-7aaz6b61AQls08vGhbZvv0wF1tYnqnfNAOst6_u40ri3Bhs8_oM1813M7RAYkFojEnXYQWS0g=w355-h400" width="355" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhI0I3DM9dewFmoRp7W8mFPnkUU7nOQUTIiyRt6j34rE12rXtiuezrC9SFqtZ_P_qS-joSBn_O7yazoROUsyinLSsw2OFNDNL-ePiXGvWx77ZMp28EbioMJYNt_QzO5XX6XRKkhNXp1gQfLGmFZzmtQHPciQRh77Gm2KXdjHRC9css1u-xpjAdyYavf0Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhI0I3DM9dewFmoRp7W8mFPnkUU7nOQUTIiyRt6j34rE12rXtiuezrC9SFqtZ_P_qS-joSBn_O7yazoROUsyinLSsw2OFNDNL-ePiXGvWx77ZMp28EbioMJYNt_QzO5XX6XRKkhNXp1gQfLGmFZzmtQHPciQRh77Gm2KXdjHRC9css1u-xpjAdyYavf0Q=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ranger Chuck is the brains behind this citizen science project</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzFcoDDr5MHdsTqDSfMOERtYLnGDQFoVKkrLcZh2NinH74kefsIjoFIUjIE4u35QwJrB-EHWHp1mYvy3fuCcM1EVNhu9CX5iqBXXtuEIsfQNWz3q5TpZpiRQ50mbVSw-5QN2N_YeZ8FYoJ45Lpc9K7HVDrw6QEJP0HuKmiV9Z4-3rsPyycoAGxaRCg3w" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzFcoDDr5MHdsTqDSfMOERtYLnGDQFoVKkrLcZh2NinH74kefsIjoFIUjIE4u35QwJrB-EHWHp1mYvy3fuCcM1EVNhu9CX5iqBXXtuEIsfQNWz3q5TpZpiRQ50mbVSw-5QN2N_YeZ8FYoJ45Lpc9K7HVDrw6QEJP0HuKmiV9Z4-3rsPyycoAGxaRCg3w=w330-h400" width="330" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It wasn't always clear if something was a pollinator or just happened to be in the flower</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaU31dRb6pZUtZPp7ssHpzyYh0RdpfxgteIFzervBGEg_x13vv_8WFkLuimYNt7Ou0iBqceR-wgyQbynqIkT5hWg8oo7QYKbjShF-I89no2FN_6xgHaDy6OV5V0foeaYciOCB0Is968YJ62xn0d2kmmhZ9WCscueun2y7ozpxR_gZeH-rIQk9o7aYX1Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="823" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaU31dRb6pZUtZPp7ssHpzyYh0RdpfxgteIFzervBGEg_x13vv_8WFkLuimYNt7Ou0iBqceR-wgyQbynqIkT5hWg8oo7QYKbjShF-I89no2FN_6xgHaDy6OV5V0foeaYciOCB0Is968YJ62xn0d2kmmhZ9WCscueun2y7ozpxR_gZeH-rIQk9o7aYX1Q=w383-h400" width="383" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is a pollinator, on red clover</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhao5KWSLMIh8w8kLzdy4iWjnJnLpOqmyExPyboTDiKr7CfjWh1IG2gO4w8W6JBOEAQSVyZZG7GCJ88jy55GdobLH47joZnlkvufl43y-WcY2xrw75ET2cjatjF-yda3Swy7_v0arEHKTc0EM8RbzTSCS81NrYD3AnpXLIPjtp_LRRzlfw6bGKMS2LEA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="728" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhao5KWSLMIh8w8kLzdy4iWjnJnLpOqmyExPyboTDiKr7CfjWh1IG2gO4w8W6JBOEAQSVyZZG7GCJ88jy55GdobLH47joZnlkvufl43y-WcY2xrw75ET2cjatjF-yda3Swy7_v0arEHKTc0EM8RbzTSCS81NrYD3AnpXLIPjtp_LRRzlfw6bGKMS2LEA=w393-h400" width="393" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wild carrot (Queen Anne's lace) was one of the predominant flowering plants in the area we surveyed</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After my work-related diversion, it was suggested to me that the Ledges Trail would be a literally cool place to visit for some hiking. With the tall trees, hidden springs and small caves, a cool breeze was present during much of the trek around the ledges area. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUJ6cozOMX4a-IcuXrBsQfps5B8TRP3PWF4t13uM4E2J5hhwb2n19DZNAE6Zvthd8421vtU9SiodQbhL4KK_pT_p95apilqZgQfn9bJyrWTdXwRl6Kl8diyRHcrcoslDAHc6EI4x48iDVfaWWYphPCMo6iYNOtuT-NgwcjRZPnZRdPZnduG0ZH8CW06Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUJ6cozOMX4a-IcuXrBsQfps5B8TRP3PWF4t13uM4E2J5hhwb2n19DZNAE6Zvthd8421vtU9SiodQbhL4KK_pT_p95apilqZgQfn9bJyrWTdXwRl6Kl8diyRHcrcoslDAHc6EI4x48iDVfaWWYphPCMo6iYNOtuT-NgwcjRZPnZRdPZnduG0ZH8CW06Q=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Civilian Conservation Corps left their mark throughout this area of the park.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5F_UBMKb6hxxjUp-SLfc62lLmBz9m0Jh7arRLXjJjdhb_xpv8XCxe8rIvJyX6jza5cq3opMLJ6U36zPUsRDyZ3MnSjDd8S0Eg_J0V4MTszMclSjblVCZiUiDJy8eWqpGzCUBMsAfk05J4r6DjXzDD9oszIUiOENZsltpUcO75_2a5rkV82hY2nj4BnA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1320" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5F_UBMKb6hxxjUp-SLfc62lLmBz9m0Jh7arRLXjJjdhb_xpv8XCxe8rIvJyX6jza5cq3opMLJ6U36zPUsRDyZ3MnSjDd8S0Eg_J0V4MTszMclSjblVCZiUiDJy8eWqpGzCUBMsAfk05J4r6DjXzDD9oszIUiOENZsltpUcO75_2a5rkV82hY2nj4BnA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The rock faces were marred with these honey-comb patterns from years of rain washing over them. It made me think of boxwork in Wind Cave.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirFsdMQDZiB1ioFfPJSMmmh-d22d_np6mb9hYjVv1rsvQ2iBgoayMxsUaLY7Qgsr7EiUa8x4wbSxhPBZldcKDoB1LJf6xnoe6Me9iw_hiFJOv3cw_-ava71Lqe4SwqDF0MuUaoiwMvKOiW6LOpE8WrGktofburXj6qN3mnEsK19DXdD8LJytHQCuD4Dg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirFsdMQDZiB1ioFfPJSMmmh-d22d_np6mb9hYjVv1rsvQ2iBgoayMxsUaLY7Qgsr7EiUa8x4wbSxhPBZldcKDoB1LJf6xnoe6Me9iw_hiFJOv3cw_-ava71Lqe4SwqDF0MuUaoiwMvKOiW6LOpE8WrGktofburXj6qN3mnEsK19DXdD8LJytHQCuD4Dg=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It was quiet, cool and peaceful among these rocks.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgj0kp3bLt48LrRjkzYQDwt6owx2hUh9-LcYRM7tS7No3H6oE9eCkLrHZPuQK4zIkD5Fx8aF7qYjZ16pTnNVj_2PU9dcP6AlIFtbdv7HhOXnKf4dr2KG7xNTZ7mrJjFs56V6KHoxuLwcO4g-D1Z9dLpiY3DrAYfynR-V3pj-Sc3E1PCfcV4Z1IXbALrkw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgj0kp3bLt48LrRjkzYQDwt6owx2hUh9-LcYRM7tS7No3H6oE9eCkLrHZPuQK4zIkD5Fx8aF7qYjZ16pTnNVj_2PU9dcP6AlIFtbdv7HhOXnKf4dr2KG7xNTZ7mrJjFs56V6KHoxuLwcO4g-D1Z9dLpiY3DrAYfynR-V3pj-Sc3E1PCfcV4Z1IXbALrkw=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One of the many small springs</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8ugBZGd80FXvq1P091qlAVDjUieBDG1e2TDEmNNf6cO5l0SBWX560f6Q_M_IO220_Sfp0YJIsr2G-r-LJY90diIYDt0AAvuaxfbGo1gAo_XzAU4zEQrt1E0-1jB34wnxTN3rKPNY5xF4_dv9n6AILwYp-_hhgpvESOMXK41e0rJBwzVwzdbye03v35w" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8ugBZGd80FXvq1P091qlAVDjUieBDG1e2TDEmNNf6cO5l0SBWX560f6Q_M_IO220_Sfp0YJIsr2G-r-LJY90diIYDt0AAvuaxfbGo1gAo_XzAU4zEQrt1E0-1jB34wnxTN3rKPNY5xF4_dv9n6AILwYp-_hhgpvESOMXK41e0rJBwzVwzdbye03v35w=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Life finds a way</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiih5T92gJlQdcbbW1W4N_apzYGkGXEykqne6qWP6z3z4yN9BGBKcND5eWygaxeZkWWxXOCXy3ycTFAK1o8Df0RHktv6rYtt1ZIoHJheTTdnwsk0BkdJXCQde_8vGvoGndJWPO209E6wFov0iJ7RP-ona5qdR4wvwmSP8-eQOc77cvkdmHKpFxijxSFjg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1199" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiih5T92gJlQdcbbW1W4N_apzYGkGXEykqne6qWP6z3z4yN9BGBKcND5eWygaxeZkWWxXOCXy3ycTFAK1o8Df0RHktv6rYtt1ZIoHJheTTdnwsk0BkdJXCQde_8vGvoGndJWPO209E6wFov0iJ7RP-ona5qdR4wvwmSP8-eQOc77cvkdmHKpFxijxSFjg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A jelly fungus</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I finished the day by getting a campsite at a <a href="https://koa.com/campgrounds/canton/" target="_blank">nearby KOA campground</a>, one that Pat and I stayed at on the end of our 2019 trip. They've made some improvements, including covered picnic tables since we were last there. I heated up some water to rehydrate some <a href="https://amzn.to/3SZ6Llm" target="_blank">spicy sausage pasta</a>, which turned out to be one of the best dehydrated meals I've had (good enough that I literally sought out a Cabelas later in the trip just to buy some more!). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju28-D13mO8CZGxmReWu_K-5YqFxi5quupex3gjfr7l95b1BIEtwhEuCFviGsZ8cg79hgmQ92GX5b75UJSMseIjLs-4WOj68B0rmA-IQCnfKF4o2M2Olj0AMPus97HloOVSpRLdRFhpKlICnChwOpmtoXqa8O1EJw2lqDriCAlRd11tGCC9yXLP_hd2Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1320" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju28-D13mO8CZGxmReWu_K-5YqFxi5quupex3gjfr7l95b1BIEtwhEuCFviGsZ8cg79hgmQ92GX5b75UJSMseIjLs-4WOj68B0rmA-IQCnfKF4o2M2Olj0AMPus97HloOVSpRLdRFhpKlICnChwOpmtoXqa8O1EJw2lqDriCAlRd11tGCC9yXLP_hd2Q=w400-h195" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This was a great spot</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi56Ijgs_QDlWUkMGQyiYthuG19bhVzfuE-7EHgXL5YF6PPSgVfa_9Cl2wX_Me42kqJkc-jIBaF8cmzRKbinoito2MMlNNVcI3GLiWUxAke7lgLJVDXA2pFs3Kx2NT6KCfk8mKeOyUed419nicTqRFrKOkm-j4D1UsCfSqONbVz-FM-gK00WNj6hRaAqA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="665" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi56Ijgs_QDlWUkMGQyiYthuG19bhVzfuE-7EHgXL5YF6PPSgVfa_9Cl2wX_Me42kqJkc-jIBaF8cmzRKbinoito2MMlNNVcI3GLiWUxAke7lgLJVDXA2pFs3Kx2NT6KCfk8mKeOyUed419nicTqRFrKOkm-j4D1UsCfSqONbVz-FM-gK00WNj6hRaAqA=w297-h400" width="297" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The trusty <a href="https://amzn.to/3AvK6Wt" target="_blank">Biolite campstove</a> with the <a href="https://amzn.to/3dIyDKw" target="_blank">kettlepot</a> "attachment". This thing has been so great over the past 8 or so years since I bought it.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_aJY5WrhTb18PpW_NfpoNPm7m-o0vBWcrkE3i2t1joOUyBhK2R_zhY0oDvswJyqc2woofaNrBL0J_4C1BkN1Bj_p9tJrFFAQXRFid8j92sXEiU77lDbpQD3UHutNixzEfBBhshgRzcJwZ88NiT0ZRGWTTAu3Uy9b4jjHELCSUhE8cMFD-u2h9i7xs8g" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="767" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_aJY5WrhTb18PpW_NfpoNPm7m-o0vBWcrkE3i2t1joOUyBhK2R_zhY0oDvswJyqc2woofaNrBL0J_4C1BkN1Bj_p9tJrFFAQXRFid8j92sXEiU77lDbpQD3UHutNixzEfBBhshgRzcJwZ88NiT0ZRGWTTAu3Uy9b4jjHELCSUhE8cMFD-u2h9i7xs8g=w342-h400" width="342" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3SZ6Llm" target="_blank">Spicy sausage pasta</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The sunset made the sky look to be on fire as I wound down for sleep. I had no idea where I'd be going the next day, and I would figure it out as I went along. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpzDajR9oeL_2ILt9oVtFr6ouZqFl7G3JdFq7LUM7qkJnEu57O2v3gN4VwWWVtLPQZtGdYKYWxQ3eS_F8504JsixwNUaT-ZwBQ8_TraJpyL_HcrX3NDa480LFCkrp1HVhqnYL2yKVc5CUcFKGc2kVLbnqhX0M9H6Nr_z2dFxK1qVdVVRh6Y2qaqxdqQA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpzDajR9oeL_2ILt9oVtFr6ouZqFl7G3JdFq7LUM7qkJnEu57O2v3gN4VwWWVtLPQZtGdYKYWxQ3eS_F8504JsixwNUaT-ZwBQ8_TraJpyL_HcrX3NDa480LFCkrp1HVhqnYL2yKVc5CUcFKGc2kVLbnqhX0M9H6Nr_z2dFxK1qVdVVRh6Y2qaqxdqQA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Goodnight</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><i>note that some links are associate links where I get minimal compensation for any purchases made through them. </i><br /></div></div></div></div></div> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-24568177521220065362022-08-15T10:54:00.003-04:002022-08-15T10:54:29.259-04:00Home<p> Road Trip 2022 (the Quadratrek) is over. Pat and I got home last night just before 8PM.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxUmHH4Gz3GNzjoI21B2cZK2EAeo_T3i5VtPbVsEeMWRJ10FyE2cHe4G6HGGp9ieUnmnf7THvhNmQWHhN9UviXawwmT54AhDETGPzQ1kaXH-bGMzxfMv1sVpf7rCU7nEZ4Hp4gIi1tlIPfcCS6ayRylkTankBq1IXJZYQIM-Kg50K2LVkGVw9-Vxd6w/s4000/IMG_20220814_194951819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxUmHH4Gz3GNzjoI21B2cZK2EAeo_T3i5VtPbVsEeMWRJ10FyE2cHe4G6HGGp9ieUnmnf7THvhNmQWHhN9UviXawwmT54AhDETGPzQ1kaXH-bGMzxfMv1sVpf7rCU7nEZ4Hp4gIi1tlIPfcCS6ayRylkTankBq1IXJZYQIM-Kg50K2LVkGVw9-Vxd6w/w400-h225/IMG_20220814_194951819.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>An average of 34MPG over 7096 miles. Not shabby, but also not as good as last year</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I'm in full post-roadtrip doldrums right now. I need to go to <a href="https://www.annapolissubaru.com/" target="_blank">Annapolis Subaru</a> to pick up some supplies to change the oil in the <a href="https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/crosstrek.html" target="_blank">Crosstrek</a>, and make a Target run, and it's all I can do to not crawl back into bed and/or just scroll through the 1700+ photos I took and collected into an online album. <div><br /></div><div>I plan to more fully document the trip here in the coming days before I go into work for preservice week next Monday. In the meantime, if you didn't already see glimpses of the trip, you can check out <a href="http://instagram.com/kiirenza" target="_blank">my Instagram feed</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/quadratrek/" target="_blank">search for #Quadratrek</a> to see where I (and, later on in the trip, Pat) went! </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uKLE3XrWQ0gdprIeTJfjQJk1_w24xkg26Ru0tM-e6H-FSdLeDwJv6uPY4jWMGQ7jv05sLUNpGS-2kMnMa_guJhoJlDm2KTkO-TAxOZBTmH-WWqeHZEWIOsVZVFdTVOIWR6w2GV3nRcnq1_Xx7x3r7P8e_QV0ikQu1nzjIcYiM5JTIJppNs1z0CEllA/s6000/20220807111710_IMG_1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uKLE3XrWQ0gdprIeTJfjQJk1_w24xkg26Ru0tM-e6H-FSdLeDwJv6uPY4jWMGQ7jv05sLUNpGS-2kMnMa_guJhoJlDm2KTkO-TAxOZBTmH-WWqeHZEWIOsVZVFdTVOIWR6w2GV3nRcnq1_Xx7x3r7P8e_QV0ikQu1nzjIcYiM5JTIJppNs1z0CEllA/w400-h266/20220807111710_IMG_1253.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>North and South Six Shooter Peaks outside the Needles District of Canyonlands. They reminded me of Chimney Rock in Nebraska</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </div><p><br /></p></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-76366141478506228382022-07-22T15:04:00.004-04:002022-07-23T10:36:08.098-04:00Almost Time....<p>It's about time for a road trip. I'm starting to get that pre-road-trip anxiety. </p><p>I'm not sure what's on the itinerary yet.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhI31-JHotn5Z5wPqytT8baSoYt4Cb7Bep7w2o3AaAtN6vkFnw7DXz136b3zb_jVJr_b_sXrN24YBWg31ONTqL_gS7mB3OnfIMDhhtq1jOZM932ZV6OykHkn32vd5kdgvM9TPZQpLXiXYFzFjPd9X177gOihT2QFRfCZPqytrqh10VOSd6hapigXUaW5w" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1598" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhI31-JHotn5Z5wPqytT8baSoYt4Cb7Bep7w2o3AaAtN6vkFnw7DXz136b3zb_jVJr_b_sXrN24YBWg31ONTqL_gS7mB3OnfIMDhhtq1jOZM932ZV6OykHkn32vd5kdgvM9TPZQpLXiXYFzFjPd9X177gOihT2QFRfCZPqytrqh10VOSd6hapigXUaW5w=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This stop is kind of a given, right?</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I think we're going to go to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm" target="_blank">Arches National Park</a>, which currently requires timed entry tickets. And there's fishing on <a href="https://www.visittablerocklake.com/" target="_blank">Table Rock Lake</a>. Since the trip home seems to be sort of on the southern route, I'm thinking maybe I'll go a northern route out. <p></p><p>And I'm still figuring out how to incorporate more of what I learn and see into my lessons coming up this fall, more than just using my photos instead of stuff I find in Internet searches. </p><p>But mostly I'm just anxious. Do I need to get anything? How much is gas going to cost? Does anything need to be done to the <a href="http://subaru.com/vehicles/crosstrek.html" target="_blank">Crosstrek</a> maintenance-wise? I already figure I'll be spending more on gas than <a href="https://camarowrx.blogspot.com/2021/08/road-trips-in-time-of-covid.html" target="_blank">I did last year</a>, so using <a href="https://upside.app.link/KAREN82285" target="_blank">Upside</a> and <a href="https://ibotta.onelink.me/iUfE/8cc13c64?friend_code=vanexqs" target="_blank">iBotta</a> (those are my referral links) as much as possible to recoup some of those costs will be imperative. I've already renewed my KOA membership, and I will get a new <a href="https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm" target="_blank">National Parks Pass</a> once the current one expires. I'll probably also set things up so that I'm using my <a href="https://py.pl/1C4UK" target="_blank">PayPal</a> cashback debit card so that the cashback I get from Upside and iBotta can get me <i>more</i> cashback.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA_JtmLP81LZhoD1YVimjvSxZzRPf75-vKIYDDZ-wab6LnqzgTURXctegbpiKa_p7zCYuSyXx6Uqo-HOxfMhu06ldzahWUUzNo8JkhOm1ob0iXDBcaotc-7O31XUhP2sGF_Wxh_l_wqjA_IiKmW1qmEg7xAfoJ4yaNjIS7HA8sChXIrnJKd8UuGjD_gA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="714" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA_JtmLP81LZhoD1YVimjvSxZzRPf75-vKIYDDZ-wab6LnqzgTURXctegbpiKa_p7zCYuSyXx6Uqo-HOxfMhu06ldzahWUUzNo8JkhOm1ob0iXDBcaotc-7O31XUhP2sGF_Wxh_l_wqjA_IiKmW1qmEg7xAfoJ4yaNjIS7HA8sChXIrnJKd8UuGjD_gA=w340-h400" width="340" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Not the current National Parks Pass</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I'm hoping for a fun and exciting trip, with no problems. You know I'll be posting up photos when I can, and you can follow the Twitter and Instagram posts where I'll use the hashtag <b>#Quadratrek</b> (because it's the fourth road trip with the Crosstrek). I'll be posting from both my personal accounts and my Subaru Ambassador accounts. I'll try to blog during the trip, but I can't promise anything. <p></p><p>In the meantime, I'm going to go put some more <a href="https://amzn.to/3IWb8Jv" target="_blank">sticky arrows</a> in <a href="https://amzn.to/3zrkIkr" target="_blank">the atlas</a>. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibq8sUYgJogcvEt_dBkh24vPI_oU9so3LsSIprRoTb6vOnF6VgaCJfjT1vi3lya0-3v2-RB39teH6s8__0vXgiLsmuk-fPo8G7Xg-vdKoo5dkODWzQt-n4KeHoKUMUBKJ8QUE95E35qAn5kSrbRQ8n0BkmcdssVGuP5U1pV-d6ionGg7i3AumgpegURA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="391" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibq8sUYgJogcvEt_dBkh24vPI_oU9so3LsSIprRoTb6vOnF6VgaCJfjT1vi3lya0-3v2-RB39teH6s8__0vXgiLsmuk-fPo8G7Xg-vdKoo5dkODWzQt-n4KeHoKUMUBKJ8QUE95E35qAn5kSrbRQ8n0BkmcdssVGuP5U1pV-d6ionGg7i3AumgpegURA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The year I went overboard with detailed planning (2016).</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><i>note : some links may be associate links where I get minimal compensation for any click-throughs and/or purchases made</i><br /><br /> <p></p><p> </p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-21642662857222037482022-07-17T10:22:00.001-04:002022-07-17T11:06:49.559-04:00Useful Professional Development?<p>This past week, I had the opportunity to participate in a professional development session that was put on by my district. It was supposed to be yet another <i>MWEE</i> (<b>m</b>eaningful <b>w</b>atershed <b>e</b>ducational <b>e</b>xperience) training session, and because of previous (and required) MWEE trainings plus the fact that most of the district sponsored sessions suck, I wasn't holding out hope that this session would be any better. </p><p>The training was originally going to be at the district's main hub for outdoor education, the Smith Center, but quickly changed to an up-county facility I hadn't heard of before. No biggie to me; with a 9:30AM start time, I knew I had plenty of time to get there. I did find it interesting that the Kingsley Environmental Center is right next to a correctional facility, and wondered if that was part of the reason it is, in the trainer's words, "underutilized." </p><p>Anyway, one of the things the trainers reminded us of was that incorporating a MWEE wasn't just a suggestion in the high school science curricula, it is actually a requirement per the Maryland State Department of Education. It falls under the environmental literacy requirement, and the MWEE itself is part of the Chesapeake Agreement that was signed by governors of all Chesapeake Bay watershed states and the District of Columbia. Environmental literacy is <i>required</i> in science courses, and because it isn't part of some end-of-year test, it is often scoffed at by teachers. Even though it's embedded in the district's curriculum guide, teachers skip over it when they can. </p><p>After <a href="https://www.expeditionsineducation.org/steaminthepark.html" target="_blank">STEAM in the Park</a>, and thinking of ways to incorporate my experiences there into next school year, I walked into this training hoping to come out with ways to link the MWEE and a National Park experience with my students. The training was definitely helpful and more importantly, fun and interesting! We spent most of the time by Ten Mile Creek actually <i>doing</i> the stream study instead of sitting in front of a screen <i>talking</i> about a stream study. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXRk4oOGpi562d7u2X0ygSCc34cjFDM0uMIsusQzmRNdVqDfdCbhGb-JLKwMmGnOj1Z5TsJ7gf31SY0puX9c800g7PqFqe_dkI9F10oNLaEUZeI67E5QzoOeN9cGkHTn9tbv3XPmfJVRE7ylsOjC8O-np-6GTK5hkUvNDTzoo1Gs-g8aiKcc-ydfiKQ/s4000/IMG_20220712_105248301_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXRk4oOGpi562d7u2X0ygSCc34cjFDM0uMIsusQzmRNdVqDfdCbhGb-JLKwMmGnOj1Z5TsJ7gf31SY0puX9c800g7PqFqe_dkI9F10oNLaEUZeI67E5QzoOeN9cGkHTn9tbv3XPmfJVRE7ylsOjC8O-np-6GTK5hkUvNDTzoo1Gs-g8aiKcc-ydfiKQ/w225-h400/IMG_20220712_105248301_HDR.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>part of the area we surveyed</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dUCKx2CKW39B2pPycCCDXEIJSbJyzvBcBpGdtM0yMd5z_oiVp-FrKmpVdEpG5kGRgVHB6Vh3yseskj-2sswJ1Sfp3Z5I3jCUjxhROf8CVHvgnsVc9-E6FnSFNCzWdVzxYH7GuE_op0pkn4C9CxMy5XhbIgK6IyETVkcqB00lznHNJ7foWIZoi8cajw/s4000/IMG_20220712_111031336_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dUCKx2CKW39B2pPycCCDXEIJSbJyzvBcBpGdtM0yMd5z_oiVp-FrKmpVdEpG5kGRgVHB6Vh3yseskj-2sswJ1Sfp3Z5I3jCUjxhROf8CVHvgnsVc9-E6FnSFNCzWdVzxYH7GuE_op0pkn4C9CxMy5XhbIgK6IyETVkcqB00lznHNJ7foWIZoi8cajw/w400-h225/IMG_20220712_111031336_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>our quantabs showed </i>very<i> high chloride levels in the water</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRP8vjIE0U3LxrglEJMYjV-AJPn1esqhXEERqpb3Ram2waxg9wcSJ4aYfduR4ywIE1wWzAOkKi-93b3lWj5V_iDOQsWm2-2vYxu0V-n1bsyoH6RNhuLrSU_gtKj177uLmCFqtx9_QYspmh4xFhILjQTSY9wOU-41ycGcSY3uzyRz3yUPvJtrLexJXtLQ/s1600/IMG_20220712_114008578.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRP8vjIE0U3LxrglEJMYjV-AJPn1esqhXEERqpb3Ram2waxg9wcSJ4aYfduR4ywIE1wWzAOkKi-93b3lWj5V_iDOQsWm2-2vYxu0V-n1bsyoH6RNhuLrSU_gtKj177uLmCFqtx9_QYspmh4xFhILjQTSY9wOU-41ycGcSY3uzyRz3yUPvJtrLexJXtLQ/w400-h225/IMG_20220712_114008578.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I found a caddisfly larva</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzK9Pdz1LtojlrlxsQrDs2fixxDrq01pJnw02UWLMTF8VfDhIX2ZF6Uvn2o2Cwkc8nm6TZgglU17lVSieTTHYmW5XUpHKaDRhDQPaRb9qQ__JrACr8RMi4Kkjts_SIn3u4-HP2zkwxjUOIGRjYMtfAE0GDnwG3qK6y88fNTvQz-87uY5Q2GtgKpitCA/s1600/IMG_20220712_114308528_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzK9Pdz1LtojlrlxsQrDs2fixxDrq01pJnw02UWLMTF8VfDhIX2ZF6Uvn2o2Cwkc8nm6TZgglU17lVSieTTHYmW5XUpHKaDRhDQPaRb9qQ__JrACr8RMi4Kkjts_SIn3u4-HP2zkwxjUOIGRjYMtfAE0GDnwG3qK6y88fNTvQz-87uY5Q2GtgKpitCA/w400-h225/IMG_20220712_114308528_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>someone else's hellgrammite</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BTVcy0Nw6c6nhrTByYkgg40cq5vSUBNuHLAvYNqfnamVPrjRnzyu2K9O31_-K5zBmreY-T5QuZhApTtWKmO1jlhFP4A_hKNDATxhZcnj2vuxcC5Bkupj-6Q0OsCYkyWKx9tw7HveOwsFoDerolr5o72A7CsOxOnSgNWMSp7P6ioXUBI40FfuM_N6Jw/s4000/IMG_20220712_120325742_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BTVcy0Nw6c6nhrTByYkgg40cq5vSUBNuHLAvYNqfnamVPrjRnzyu2K9O31_-K5zBmreY-T5QuZhApTtWKmO1jlhFP4A_hKNDATxhZcnj2vuxcC5Bkupj-6Q0OsCYkyWKx9tw7HveOwsFoDerolr5o72A7CsOxOnSgNWMSp7P6ioXUBI40FfuM_N6Jw/w400-h225/IMG_20220712_120325742_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>one participant was more interested in collecting vertebrates like this salamander</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />We did some chemical testing as well as looking for macroinvertebrates to assess the biological health of the stream. Overall, the stream seemed pretty good at the area we surveyed, despite a near-toxic chloride level reading (mine was 215ppm, and another group's was in the 230ppm range). We saw larvae of two different species of caddisfly, larvae of damselflies and mayflies, crayfish, rifflebugs (and their larvae), hellgrammites, salamanders, frogs, small fish, lungsnails and more. <p></p><p>The last time I did a real stream study with students was with my forensics students at Northwood. We partnered with the AP Environmental Science class to participate in the <a href="https://onemontgomerygreen.org/index.php/omg-clean-headwaters/" target="_blank">One Montgomery Green Clean Headwaters</a> program, and did a stream study on a little stream that feeds into Sligo Creek. Before that, it was at Watkins Mill, when Lauren Wilkinson set up a trip to the Great Falls area on the C&O Canal to do a stream study there. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsiwu5K1aLI8oyZhD9Q6By4xt9ZkLc9Kdl0W-RY3XBhWpVcKNddRimnUgR423tUZV5-Xo5Ox5Vb-IxJWz7a5cs18Kxw6OIQHwq8ccF3Kesjaz8Oel31Gix8g6FVNYBFQbN5qdVaqE6EzgjOeGZ4X0wlG79om8rfL8n2WvpgWOsiwlF8nhVaVak5b2wzQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1199" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsiwu5K1aLI8oyZhD9Q6By4xt9ZkLc9Kdl0W-RY3XBhWpVcKNddRimnUgR423tUZV5-Xo5Ox5Vb-IxJWz7a5cs18Kxw6OIQHwq8ccF3Kesjaz8Oel31Gix8g6FVNYBFQbN5qdVaqE6EzgjOeGZ4X0wlG79om8rfL8n2WvpgWOsiwlF8nhVaVak5b2wzQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Northwood Forensics and APES students participating in the Clean Headwaters program</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I really want to do something with my Wheaton students next year that incorporates things I learned at STEAM in the Park plus the MWEE. I have ideas, I just need them to coalesce into something actionable. <p></p><p>After the training, I took the time to go over to the Edwards Ferry area of the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm">C&O Canal</a>, and wandered from there up to MM32 and back. There were a ton of turtles out, including a snapping turtle with a smaller turtle sitting on its head at the Broad Run double culvert. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuKtRQn-VpuTkErAfc422BG_yOE1mTyfPwoMcYL3M3so20EPInbkb2igjuF0K-BhuiH40-XdFVzDsfTUkw46WMd-Kx124jqq5W9YsL5r7mhK1xDK6tOVuveJQcpIk2awtCtL72o1YOAasYIxdDitzSQUTdv47V0W7GPfElX7Dz-cc4Ha1pJogQrDz2RQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="688" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuKtRQn-VpuTkErAfc422BG_yOE1mTyfPwoMcYL3M3so20EPInbkb2igjuF0K-BhuiH40-XdFVzDsfTUkw46WMd-Kx124jqq5W9YsL5r7mhK1xDK6tOVuveJQcpIk2awtCtL72o1YOAasYIxdDitzSQUTdv47V0W7GPfElX7Dz-cc4Ha1pJogQrDz2RQ=w307-h400" width="307" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This was right after the smaller turtle swam away from the snapping turtle and I realized there were two turtles</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The double culvert is an interesting structure. It's not quite an aqueduct as there are no arches, not even a single arch like at Fifteenmile Creek. But it's more involved than the usual culverts that appear regularly along the towpath. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaJjmWWL4hbZ6GAhhp3eTNCoxyIiIJWTR-xbWAJMbr3PNZtVyKswpIWNtQ8ELXY_2YEF4FZPqv-BceqUmiDe8BmG8RlXFJfLYkd154FUZ5evG3lZ9EW3bWiKX0mTpCQagrFBfmwbcyUbOblvpSE8fJARgc_E8LMplfX29Dcf_NY9iBSslKF-hFENpfQg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1348" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaJjmWWL4hbZ6GAhhp3eTNCoxyIiIJWTR-xbWAJMbr3PNZtVyKswpIWNtQ8ELXY_2YEF4FZPqv-BceqUmiDe8BmG8RlXFJfLYkd154FUZ5evG3lZ9EW3bWiKX0mTpCQagrFBfmwbcyUbOblvpSE8fJARgc_E8LMplfX29Dcf_NY9iBSslKF-hFENpfQg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>View of the Broad Run double culvert approaching from the east</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi96-au2w-7dimQLshpBX9mH8dq0ReL5xLfVICW-j8qPu49DUEJajlnt6d-D8bdLRiYz0IvcW6RauKLxWC4LCG46pp6ElaRCRvTseamEF2NjEbw63imJ1h1VSgj24FQcCmc3CylGSF30eCQOiII7Brryt1DCxgH_HiJlzSbfL_ld7_McetoZMWW3Fj6UA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi96-au2w-7dimQLshpBX9mH8dq0ReL5xLfVICW-j8qPu49DUEJajlnt6d-D8bdLRiYz0IvcW6RauKLxWC4LCG46pp6ElaRCRvTseamEF2NjEbw63imJ1h1VSgj24FQcCmc3CylGSF30eCQOiII7Brryt1DCxgH_HiJlzSbfL_ld7_McetoZMWW3Fj6UA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Looking down on Broad Run from the west side of the structure</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />While the day had started off nice, by this time, it had become pretty hot and muggy, and with limited water supplies with me, I turned around just past Broad Run when I saw MM32. There weren't many other things to see along the towpath (likely due to the oppressive humidity), though I found it interesting that the dilapidated wire fence I saw had evidently been around for so long it had become incorporated into several trees' trunks. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6o3PGZdWqY0OTl-yCLDsrYeu5mpRLLHyqnP6zQz-j54d0W85XaSKrFcJxcUleQBhVTsZjt9k4-VdRrEXA0jFuM_1FF7roEaKhoRJ8iikp54tseUFbnmARnGLW0XYWaxXuUHYjh-cMPw603YwhfutF9O4bhd1OgHBvbrbEaW7gD9BCEQ5WeHr_dn-5sQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1348" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6o3PGZdWqY0OTl-yCLDsrYeu5mpRLLHyqnP6zQz-j54d0W85XaSKrFcJxcUleQBhVTsZjt9k4-VdRrEXA0jFuM_1FF7roEaKhoRJ8iikp54tseUFbnmARnGLW0XYWaxXuUHYjh-cMPw603YwhfutF9O4bhd1OgHBvbrbEaW7gD9BCEQ5WeHr_dn-5sQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>barbed wire emerging from a tree trunk</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />There is a lockhouse at Edwards Ferry (and the remains of a community), and it's one of those restored by the <a href="https://www.canaltrust.org/" target="_blank">Canal Trust</a> as a place to stay. One of these days, I do want to <a href="https://www.canaltrust.org/programs/canal-quarters/" target="_blank">stay at one of the lockhouses</a>; it seems like a neat way to experience the towpath. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdc_aBIANjLztmoQcXEtrfzs88pBj_tgazPGydg3nmJR5MKQfBzfMtAiUqcDwYl4inwuUHYmf7hFNLsm59qg12mSGB6UDjteQ0iusSKJg2U13HR3lSU6PyaHAT_q5cjr0_pNJrcS_ebB4PNDAEZo-hhoNUjDgG1lXd8BpBfsFq6PATaK8zHEyj1oIaAA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdc_aBIANjLztmoQcXEtrfzs88pBj_tgazPGydg3nmJR5MKQfBzfMtAiUqcDwYl4inwuUHYmf7hFNLsm59qg12mSGB6UDjteQ0iusSKJg2U13HR3lSU6PyaHAT_q5cjr0_pNJrcS_ebB4PNDAEZo-hhoNUjDgG1lXd8BpBfsFq6PATaK8zHEyj1oIaAA=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lockhouse for Lock 25</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Overall, it was a good day. Now, we plan for the road trip. I just got <a href="https://amzn.to/3aIi8ge" target="_blank">my folding shovel</a> so I can do some dispersed and/or backcountry camping as needed or desired. I still need to get some replacement "<a href="https://amzn.to/3PtnavG" target="_blank">sleeping pads</a>" for the leaky ones in the tents. I also need to replace my <a href="https://amzn.to/3IKk5Fu" target="_blank">trail shoes</a> (and/or get new <a href="https://amzn.to/3IKk5Fu" target="_blank">hiking boots</a>)!<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheHQuXAGTTq1_1PpBNC81GbXmYMTvo3nC_3mIFYNsgS1-IWBZoS2zn63EA1kiKyNo_XcphrG-14sususIcIZG2-Gb92VSO5QFOOEBjVDkAsttO7fe6WTXStROTMOqllyQYZc4yXD-3qwEucyI6CskSSJE1mffzh3PTBzQ9kfbZY6n1KsTFcAPeGB8ePQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="506" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheHQuXAGTTq1_1PpBNC81GbXmYMTvo3nC_3mIFYNsgS1-IWBZoS2zn63EA1kiKyNo_XcphrG-14sususIcIZG2-Gb92VSO5QFOOEBjVDkAsttO7fe6WTXStROTMOqllyQYZc4yXD-3qwEucyI6CskSSJE1mffzh3PTBzQ9kfbZY6n1KsTFcAPeGB8ePQ=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>road trip planning; yes, we're also using </i><a href="https://amzn.to/3oanZOI" target="_blank">Atlas Obscura</a><i> in the planning!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />There's never enough time for getting ready for the road trip, just like there's never enough time to do all the things we want to do on the road trip!<br /><br /><i>note : some links may be associate links where I get minimal compensation for any click-throughs and/or purchases made</i><br /> <p></p><p> <br /> </p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-79221717064241575932022-07-08T18:59:00.000-04:002022-07-08T18:59:05.590-04:00Wanderlust Close to HomeAfter physical therapy today, I was hit with a bout of wanderlust. Since we have tickets to see <i>Thor: Love and Thunder</i> tonight, I didn't want to go too far, plus I also am a little shy of needing to get gas since the Camaro requires premium. Since I bought a <a href="https://www.shopdnr.com/AnnualStateParkAndTrailPassport.aspx">Maryland State Parks Annual Pass</a> this year, I opted to go to the close-by <a href="https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/patapsco.aspx">Patapsco Valley State Park</a> and hike around on some trails I haven't really explored. <div><br /></div><div>Of course, the first thing I realize is that I wasn't going to have <a href="https://amzn.to/3c4rgfH" target="_blank">my hiking poles</a> with me, since I left them in the Crosstrek after our trip last weekend. I didn't really want to just go along the paved Grist Mill Trail, so I just figured I could find a long enough stick somewhere along the way. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtNO9k8dEA8yED6qMbwmvfNw5XA-fMxgKoxW3w__DH0tJqQFsIGoQS-cN3ObTAYXiDt_3a57xFxJkcR1OLA7kMZhxZVZ2dyIcC-wjxIrUsG6w6vKaNJrfe7ct4riGmfH4kEwUJsAdQVaCLUTfllMInHAM6l7DnQqgKYvC9X0BFoHE0uzgT0RNq1vAWQ/s4000/IMG_20220708_144100600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtNO9k8dEA8yED6qMbwmvfNw5XA-fMxgKoxW3w__DH0tJqQFsIGoQS-cN3ObTAYXiDt_3a57xFxJkcR1OLA7kMZhxZVZ2dyIcC-wjxIrUsG6w6vKaNJrfe7ct4riGmfH4kEwUJsAdQVaCLUTfllMInHAM6l7DnQqgKYvC9X0BFoHE0uzgT0RNq1vAWQ/w225-h400/IMG_20220708_144100600.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wineberries were prevalent along all of the trails I was on</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I started off on the Santee Branch Trail, heading roughly north, and when it met up with the Bull Run Trail, I paused for a moment to admire the bike "shop" that was installed there. It looks like it has tools and a bike pump for mountain bikers who find they need it along the trail. I wonder how many other ones there are in the park?<div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheA51GPEyptpkttMB-ca81CluotAdGlT6u1CMhstL8BrypALMUeFM_oGViE8L9FrPbBUbS4ASsA5g4CZm-lCXMKrNcZHbEDWRXKFHQPtILqFYglq5JkNP1NjYfkUa9Kn2Zw51HwWHqSZARSlVnggXlUyHMd8scFJBReG3pvbB2X67NABw7LiXv3HIsTA/s6000/20220708144739_IMG_0809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheA51GPEyptpkttMB-ca81CluotAdGlT6u1CMhstL8BrypALMUeFM_oGViE8L9FrPbBUbS4ASsA5g4CZm-lCXMKrNcZHbEDWRXKFHQPtILqFYglq5JkNP1NjYfkUa9Kn2Zw51HwWHqSZARSlVnggXlUyHMd8scFJBReG3pvbB2X67NABw7LiXv3HIsTA/w266-h400/20220708144739_IMG_0809.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A combination tool/air pump station for bicyclists</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />There were quite a few birds, rabbits and squirrels along the trail, and some interesting fungi. I found one cluster of slime molds that was pretty intriguing. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOh2JStHBIz05LPyI2EM9cS16O9rzuKVA0pCQ3zdMQiNlAIwOjBa6aKnN6G0UoAJtAizBhXN5YvPvsHjZQFV519TaTeIu2Y9hAu_BaS54lm1FUWyq63m_hJjQwIdV11qczCPbzfhBrwt21xumgM3Q6qV5VTTOFPcxGK9iCmAWJd_HdIhFTv3gh-v7Ngg/s1600/IMG_20220708_145626587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOh2JStHBIz05LPyI2EM9cS16O9rzuKVA0pCQ3zdMQiNlAIwOjBa6aKnN6G0UoAJtAizBhXN5YvPvsHjZQFV519TaTeIu2Y9hAu_BaS54lm1FUWyq63m_hJjQwIdV11qczCPbzfhBrwt21xumgM3Q6qV5VTTOFPcxGK9iCmAWJd_HdIhFTv3gh-v7Ngg/w225-h400/IMG_20220708_145626587.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A cluster of slime mold</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I paused by a small stream (Bull Run? Though the maps all say "<i>Bill</i> Run," so I'm not sure which is correct), and saw at least two kinds of crayfish, but couldn't really get a photo. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLKw94ONG5AYD4mXT0pS3Ez7PGN0GNOtUfSBCdQzzGatdqJyc-h_jhONKu02ku0afkcvOke4Kv0hUd61xP4MH24Ho0NqK7qlG6JZ8g3VV28vUtSf2dvyzlLb7a20KslxViXz_-u_CuNPnJcp0xHhSLeWhkq6Rkm7Vzbv3QnNKUtDtY_cccWXGF3Gopw/s4000/IMG_20220708_150527685_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLKw94ONG5AYD4mXT0pS3Ez7PGN0GNOtUfSBCdQzzGatdqJyc-h_jhONKu02ku0afkcvOke4Kv0hUd61xP4MH24Ho0NqK7qlG6JZ8g3VV28vUtSf2dvyzlLb7a20KslxViXz_-u_CuNPnJcp0xHhSLeWhkq6Rkm7Vzbv3QnNKUtDtY_cccWXGF3Gopw/w400-h225/IMG_20220708_150527685_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It's not Cascade Falls, but it was still pretty</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pinFxw5hT-I2xJKP_Rj73cteqqvuLT8z51hxR7KHoUzO_69tk5NbvBSTWuZfekSe78E8nb-2On0PGGc03dW1ZQzbpKEPmuPnUe86wQ32Kz3uU_1ubyf9lwo0RcygOBwEr9vGscBeNKP_CH5a7Cm84rZG3swnJd_vYQveqlGKrwKYn-kYlrxNTwHVZA/s6000/20220708150620_IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pinFxw5hT-I2xJKP_Rj73cteqqvuLT8z51hxR7KHoUzO_69tk5NbvBSTWuZfekSe78E8nb-2On0PGGc03dW1ZQzbpKEPmuPnUe86wQ32Kz3uU_1ubyf9lwo0RcygOBwEr9vGscBeNKP_CH5a7Cm84rZG3swnJd_vYQveqlGKrwKYn-kYlrxNTwHVZA/w400-h266/20220708150620_IMG_0815.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>An odd looking rock </i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Once I met up with the Soapstone Trail, I followed that in the direction that I thought would be taking me back to the Camaro. Instead, I ended up at the trailhead at Rolling Road. No biggie; I headed down a different way. It was a little traumatic at first, as there was barbed wire next to the trail. This triggered bad memories of a random stretch of barbed wire along the Patapsco River that almost ended my life so many years ago on a 4-H trail ride. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT18bNX0kB5CCHunIMr_J6bEaapn9X-oX37egAhOr4rYD9koVN7phg49cfx4DTL1yQpyEokGyFFGbPfYTaD0Hyartc-xPvsWdRaU6z47xOB5Cm6KbEj6l2rrL2LJna5F0-u-7PT45fmPadCmLWqIhfEJdyyzabhHFoBXWQr3s3Y6BAm0ELQheBkqQE-A/s4000/IMG_20220708_160523120_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT18bNX0kB5CCHunIMr_J6bEaapn9X-oX37egAhOr4rYD9koVN7phg49cfx4DTL1yQpyEokGyFFGbPfYTaD0Hyartc-xPvsWdRaU6z47xOB5Cm6KbEj6l2rrL2LJna5F0-u-7PT45fmPadCmLWqIhfEJdyyzabhHFoBXWQr3s3Y6BAm0ELQheBkqQE-A/w225-h400/IMG_20220708_160523120_HDR.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>No idea why there was a barbed wire fence here</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div>I ultimately ended up at the Lower Glen Artney area, where some <a href="https://dnr.maryland.gov/centennial/Pages/Centennial-Notes/CCC_History_Part_II.aspx">Civilian Conservation Corps</a>-built shelters are found, just as they are in other areas of the park. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcELWU5lvjt25EK8SY3SEENJViZMzJUFkpzThtQyuGMkv_8kjssRJeL8GPpyl7LkWMXwjCSVmY4-DjKc2eZFXr6Vz5vA95pzgDh90zXwl_vFxWQD-EIctaiQiOzkaQ_CGgbn6wDVU-tYotIlT_W2SkxrvgxlT-VspKQ-t_A4AWhgo3RKwIu5R6paXOJg/s6000/20220708163134_IMG_0824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcELWU5lvjt25EK8SY3SEENJViZMzJUFkpzThtQyuGMkv_8kjssRJeL8GPpyl7LkWMXwjCSVmY4-DjKc2eZFXr6Vz5vA95pzgDh90zXwl_vFxWQD-EIctaiQiOzkaQ_CGgbn6wDVU-tYotIlT_W2SkxrvgxlT-VspKQ-t_A4AWhgo3RKwIu5R6paXOJg/w400-h266/20220708163134_IMG_0824.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The CCC built a lot of shelters and other structures at Patapsco Valley State Park</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I opted to just follow the road back to where I'd parked, as I was out of water and I was tired. My <a href="https://amzn.to/3bUfxA1" target="_blank">trail shoes</a> also are worn out, and I'm pretty sure I bruised my right foot when I stepped on a rock. It wasn't a long hike, but there were a lot of steep hills and with the humidity, I was soaked with sweat yet not cooling down. Needless to say, the first thing I did when I got home was shower! </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ykkFbbhbNBD7txe9H-GsREY2mpZMqlRFmT7M_pC1Hc9mmOQ9ooLDyzNYV88tPFQfxC34Q9PK5fdpAFCDi9HRfOUcB1U6R4uwpyvm3fF152EaDI41XIfO9yyf0VqIHY5zNtx_i4LR5WA-tH123t3QlKa8K0nbIMudD9ztdXTz0gxIxuJAhO2JWh-ZYw/s6000/20220708164643_IMG_0827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ykkFbbhbNBD7txe9H-GsREY2mpZMqlRFmT7M_pC1Hc9mmOQ9ooLDyzNYV88tPFQfxC34Q9PK5fdpAFCDi9HRfOUcB1U6R4uwpyvm3fF152EaDI41XIfO9yyf0VqIHY5zNtx_i4LR5WA-tH123t3QlKa8K0nbIMudD9ztdXTz0gxIxuJAhO2JWh-ZYw/s320/20220708164643_IMG_0827.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My Camaro makes me happy</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Looking over the <a href="https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/documents/patapsco_avalonmap.pdf">trail map</a> for the area when I got home, I see lots more opportunities for hiking, even as the Grist Mill Trail will be closed after Labor Day for about a year to fix the footbridges. I need to print out the trail map and keep it with me! </div><div><br /></div><div>I'll leave you with a photo of tiny mushrooms; these were barely an inch tall and the slender stalk looked delicate. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2B3qohdaaMLrvOtRpGmWSEv7sl-ytTuoPs44HygvcCjDGUx9265R_Eb0HfpCTDk5HiJAY7_mjdvvSSR8dYzLfd_ldHorowXmr5QuLVlPmWSJy83ZBhLBFM9kt7SbYFxXgcT-dceG-GDlpo71doBOecyo0KS8LMZl9nPz7yOiMp6N2MZ6yQR4tMmVRw/s1600/IMG_20220708_151918986_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2B3qohdaaMLrvOtRpGmWSEv7sl-ytTuoPs44HygvcCjDGUx9265R_Eb0HfpCTDk5HiJAY7_mjdvvSSR8dYzLfd_ldHorowXmr5QuLVlPmWSJy83ZBhLBFM9kt7SbYFxXgcT-dceG-GDlpo71doBOecyo0KS8LMZl9nPz7yOiMp6N2MZ6yQR4tMmVRw/w640-h360/IMG_20220708_151918986_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Larger than life</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><i>note : some links may be associate links where I get minimal compensation for any click-throughs and/or purchases made</i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com067RH+QJ Catonsville, MD, USA39.2418821 -76.72096189999999239.238558393657328 -76.72525343442382 39.245205806342668 -76.716670365576164tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-71932629566965012462022-07-06T19:05:00.003-04:002022-07-06T19:47:35.699-04:00Lazy Summer Days<p>It's July already. July is like the Wednesday of the calendar; we're halfway through the year, we're halfway through the summer break. Unlike Wednesday, it just means that summer break is that much closer to being over. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa1T7nG5zbADuAYpOHX_3cYHD6o7Vb-SZL_r9XnPrzfocXFvS-RyQp5i11YUv3B5zllA2ygwQ3UD900H1MrR4pltDy2ipbnOxtic3nMwlYcV2QIw8FSvg_LFT-8YcZYXwuQ9b_yg7Gvw2MxDboiBjvsuPgbDaIPJ6qDug0Ud2cOskTEvWBpWVhUZKXg/s4000/IMG_20220706_193708648.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa1T7nG5zbADuAYpOHX_3cYHD6o7Vb-SZL_r9XnPrzfocXFvS-RyQp5i11YUv3B5zllA2ygwQ3UD900H1MrR4pltDy2ipbnOxtic3nMwlYcV2QIw8FSvg_LFT-8YcZYXwuQ9b_yg7Gvw2MxDboiBjvsuPgbDaIPJ6qDug0Ud2cOskTEvWBpWVhUZKXg/s320/IMG_20220706_193708648.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mulch and a little butterfly milkweed plant</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It's been super muggy outside the past two days, with the associated thunderstorms. There were even some small EF0-1 tornadoes close by in Bowie. I did some garden work yesterday and today, trying to get rid of more of the invasive English ivy that runs rampant in our yard. Once I get that under semi-control, then maybe I can tackle the poison ivy that is springing up everywhere and making it difficult to mow anywhere beside the very front lawn. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJNG4EN_jYgzwLAWP8Z9M0ak4buLngGJk2atkHDq27IpXKVeBt-l0R8fAIBQAHhnIxoZd34gCj0GPa_sXsKcPODKwmo1vRuFLviP-rMI4Enk-qqNmi9Y8jP3sL6droY_jGHn4KlRjlDJPzoD6xUMp312MMdLbHtooC9B5oL-xMmFDFx2uDxntKaT0WQ/s4000/IMG_20220706_193726633_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJNG4EN_jYgzwLAWP8Z9M0ak4buLngGJk2atkHDq27IpXKVeBt-l0R8fAIBQAHhnIxoZd34gCj0GPa_sXsKcPODKwmo1vRuFLviP-rMI4Enk-qqNmi9Y8jP3sL6droY_jGHn4KlRjlDJPzoD6xUMp312MMdLbHtooC9B5oL-xMmFDFx2uDxntKaT0WQ/s320/IMG_20220706_193726633_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yard waste bags filled with English ivy and other invasive junk</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p>In the meantime, the Capitals released their schedule for 2022-23, and I am surprisingly not champing at the bit to go to any of the weekend games. In fact, the schedule pretty much sucks. I will likely try to go to the New Year's Eve gave versus Montreal, and my birthday game. There's talk in the #404family group text about trying to do a trip to Carolina for the Stadium Series game in February. But beyond that.... there aren't really any good weekend out-of-town games either, except maybe an Islanders game. </p><p>I think we ditched our season tickets at the right time.</p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-433265889156771812022-07-04T10:18:00.005-04:002022-07-04T10:28:02.017-04:00Beauty in the Rot<p><a href="https://inreeltimefishing.blogspot.com/">Pat wanted to go fishing</a> yesterday, so I tagged along. I didn't bring my rods this time; I just wanted to wander. His destination was <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/dam-4.htm">Dam #4 along the C&O Canal</a>, and I figured it was high time that I traversed the section of towpath between there and Taylors Landing, if not all the way down to Snyders Landing. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaYEhCPYqXpo99Q6GfwNx5LXsqCNQAHsA4GSsBD15U7pkTCfDxz2_MAP4ODkOCUalEOjzPjtTHAQL6LbPVvAFS_FVvS-_bHH_sQoPXExAaBWQTCPrR3HXhwfCr-ZbytZIP2dxJjPpKBiGkSUWRZh_swPQXS6HKD2eWQri-SHP3UvtFsu7uhKUMSw5BA/s6000/20220703081205_IMG_0755.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A blue heron stands on a rock, surrounded by water" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaYEhCPYqXpo99Q6GfwNx5LXsqCNQAHsA4GSsBD15U7pkTCfDxz2_MAP4ODkOCUalEOjzPjtTHAQL6LbPVvAFS_FVvS-_bHH_sQoPXExAaBWQTCPrR3HXhwfCr-ZbytZIP2dxJjPpKBiGkSUWRZh_swPQXS6HKD2eWQri-SHP3UvtFsu7uhKUMSw5BA/w400-h266/20220703081205_IMG_0755.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This great blue heron thought Dam #4 fishing was a good idea, too.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: center;">Dam 4 is approximately mile 84.6 along the C&O Canal, and Taylors Landing is at 80.9. Snyders Landing is 76.8. Pat usually fishes for 3-4 hours at a spot, but as I started moving along the towpath, I saw several other people fishing around Dam 4. I wasn't sure if that would affect Pat's decision to fish there, though I have had good luck fishing at Taylors Landing and thought maybe he'd shift downriver if needed.</span></div><p>It was forecast to be in the mid-to-upper 80s, and "low humidity," though I thought it was pretty muggy outside even at 8AM. The temperature never seemed oppressive, but the moisture in the air and the reminders of the damage from a storm the previous evening made me wonder if more storms were on the way. </p><p>Of course, all of the rain and humidity meant there were a <i>lot</i> of fungi, slugs and other decomposers to be seen amidst the fallen limbs and five foot jewelweed.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhJ4HR81LCiLcli13C5OvHBeRQ7jEk0R_3VUugl3kpJvHHfCHCb9xs5c5EnCW-YwrGyPbTSiW1fjcjKshQfNVml921seDs_OzdZvJsw8XLuWGyRRrPJSo0klQXjxjOr7yMKbebehqoNFVOSs0-V8x2Eg3STJk5e4fPyuwcHyKNeyzYiCCCZzfga1nLQ/s1600/IMG_20220703_090831059.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhJ4HR81LCiLcli13C5OvHBeRQ7jEk0R_3VUugl3kpJvHHfCHCb9xs5c5EnCW-YwrGyPbTSiW1fjcjKshQfNVml921seDs_OzdZvJsw8XLuWGyRRrPJSo0klQXjxjOr7yMKbebehqoNFVOSs0-V8x2Eg3STJk5e4fPyuwcHyKNeyzYiCCCZzfga1nLQ/s320/IMG_20220703_090831059.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Moisture drips from a yellow jewelweed flower</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc80LSr3oMtVg27Hn0Pxvgk0bN9-WxMKdRQvySp5U4WWuTZ0pEawfdq8QwdkVIdZd1wAO4z3hgGr9xfHBn5q_KLlgluexJqJzAlU_0imOQlN20RJsQE6k9lUoPNXNrGoXDPFN4Ua6kZgDOkhFc5lsvQtjR8pdl42tSujTZUeILgqwBeCE0to3Z12PBA/s1600/IMG_20220703_092909352.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc80LSr3oMtVg27Hn0Pxvgk0bN9-WxMKdRQvySp5U4WWuTZ0pEawfdq8QwdkVIdZd1wAO4z3hgGr9xfHBn5q_KLlgluexJqJzAlU_0imOQlN20RJsQE6k9lUoPNXNrGoXDPFN4Ua6kZgDOkhFc5lsvQtjR8pdl42tSujTZUeILgqwBeCE0to3Z12PBA/s320/IMG_20220703_092909352.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A small helicoid snail</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0eGo7ghXlahvIrwitOK8MijXM3-iSkkV2NshOxzYEOhBaPn5IzDoCkkfqH5ZtVpO1fxNJTiPchHfH-Qzg2spu-XrCN9l9rSGdqOrSua7ATqbqXAxS8xclyzD1lUT07x4_6nEToL9-N5aK29WpfLMGxe1DRUvu-4Omp38pdEHd88N00-Jdxh_7Zu_Wg/s6000/20220703094027_IMG_0778.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0eGo7ghXlahvIrwitOK8MijXM3-iSkkV2NshOxzYEOhBaPn5IzDoCkkfqH5ZtVpO1fxNJTiPchHfH-Qzg2spu-XrCN9l9rSGdqOrSua7ATqbqXAxS8xclyzD1lUT07x4_6nEToL9-N5aK29WpfLMGxe1DRUvu-4Omp38pdEHd88N00-Jdxh_7Zu_Wg/s320/20220703094027_IMG_0778.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A wood ear fungi grows on a fallen log</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I saw a lot of wood ear (jelly ear) fungi and the ubiquitous shelf fungi, and not a whole lot of the stereotypical club or mushroom fungi. I suppose the mushrooms would take another few hours after the storms to pop up. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgOdJfcUgtjUY7CxwwOg5teA2YG9g0EjhTXB5pj3lFipBv0xbMJgEJ418gTBdNqiLgGJtJZnvyBSlL8hEjEdUY_raBHMOLCoEimKAfkVdADqa0462Oesqag-vQXvgM6VwrbIvB49XlUYOD6J4BcUriaXc3zcZYVGUmnirv-COueE0Qns1OhK1of2FUw/s6000/20220703102618_IMG_0790.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgOdJfcUgtjUY7CxwwOg5teA2YG9g0EjhTXB5pj3lFipBv0xbMJgEJ418gTBdNqiLgGJtJZnvyBSlL8hEjEdUY_raBHMOLCoEimKAfkVdADqa0462Oesqag-vQXvgM6VwrbIvB49XlUYOD6J4BcUriaXc3zcZYVGUmnirv-COueE0Qns1OhK1of2FUw/w426-h640/20220703102618_IMG_0790.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The remains of a tree, showing the internal structure of a trunk and wood ear and shelf fungi</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1woMR976OvZtq4Vd09lxzvQMVM8lzT_gGmR0DKghwG6sGa4p6y7bEe8sDxRQH7ce330mxKRhW_Esd1jwvI-BefHhfSNOeTihPoSNIVOPZ4YTxuns0Q7Fyr4WMGWz1HjR3kJdF0V7NHNVp6qNq25DnyAe-cTKNYBkX2LEKAyACCal0Wot2LVQpuzaC-g/s4000/d45456b3-ecc7-4579-9717-56f77a3db5db.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1woMR976OvZtq4Vd09lxzvQMVM8lzT_gGmR0DKghwG6sGa4p6y7bEe8sDxRQH7ce330mxKRhW_Esd1jwvI-BefHhfSNOeTihPoSNIVOPZ4YTxuns0Q7Fyr4WMGWz1HjR3kJdF0V7NHNVp6qNq25DnyAe-cTKNYBkX2LEKAyACCal0Wot2LVQpuzaC-g/w300-h400/d45456b3-ecc7-4579-9717-56f77a3db5db.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A reddish orange jelly fungus on a fallen tree at Lock 40</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGLP4g7dxBofbAT-UXwQLruwHTCDJ83IPOUFW8iV8M9p0eVVs8TzpNrzTK5QnJ6ooj5J5S2T5nYPd4x__v8v5GA5T5ZHojCVC5irNYg2kA7sn3hbbxWzCkbi-MzFhvgZxHAYF9pcDKXG7AWQGFLAG_hteIU_3-opjjhiwK6wJfOEbpAf7oPkhT8xlLw/s6000/20220703105543_IMG_0802.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGLP4g7dxBofbAT-UXwQLruwHTCDJ83IPOUFW8iV8M9p0eVVs8TzpNrzTK5QnJ6ooj5J5S2T5nYPd4x__v8v5GA5T5ZHojCVC5irNYg2kA7sn3hbbxWzCkbi-MzFhvgZxHAYF9pcDKXG7AWQGFLAG_hteIU_3-opjjhiwK6wJfOEbpAf7oPkhT8xlLw/w400-h266/20220703105543_IMG_0802.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Split gill fungi on a limb</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />It's July, and so flowering plants were in the minority. I did see some small, unripe pawpaw fruits, and lots of jewelweed, but that was about it. There were tons of mosquitoes, and I was pretty happy to have <a href="https://amzn.to/3ac6r1d" target="_blank">bug wipes</a> with me to keep them at bay. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKE9-unBK98inw-uMo7M9Nq9gp0DbpEldn_MVSBIu4CXERPEh28auhQPVNFA9bBiGAdCXmo8TLEGgrhWH-Q-kXFWzDUgjB4srnqKibHZDd7jSilm7KDEaxzLXQ3Q35CiOV23m6NeQB-T1F604fcuj3C3f_R4eENS230iX_U7aO7CN16g_rjhYzIV9c6g/s6000/20220703113140_IMG_0806.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKE9-unBK98inw-uMo7M9Nq9gp0DbpEldn_MVSBIu4CXERPEh28auhQPVNFA9bBiGAdCXmo8TLEGgrhWH-Q-kXFWzDUgjB4srnqKibHZDd7jSilm7KDEaxzLXQ3Q35CiOV23m6NeQB-T1F604fcuj3C3f_R4eENS230iX_U7aO7CN16g_rjhYzIV9c6g/s320/20220703113140_IMG_0806.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pawpaw fruits knocked down by the storm</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>A few months ago, I hiked up from Ferry Hill to Snyders Landing and saw Lock 39. This time, I saw Lock 40, between Taylors and Snyders Landings. The stone is in really good condition, though it's far enough from anything else that the vegetation around it is completely overgrown. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uN8yLqA2lLDp2OLow3K_-d6zXBLefN7Wmamr_5cIBKbZPnMqS0kuoHWlo6_S6b69JyM12kerfV9FoFZ2khQRbFBoMxoBB8dNNBdFSunWJoIIGCvl7MM_gLLdUExqesjku-m0C5ntEwuLfHoHKnwsTyznchssiXTjA5qDTdDVyVAhOJQ_3JPSrndquw/s4000/IMG_20220703_104641244_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uN8yLqA2lLDp2OLow3K_-d6zXBLefN7Wmamr_5cIBKbZPnMqS0kuoHWlo6_S6b69JyM12kerfV9FoFZ2khQRbFBoMxoBB8dNNBdFSunWJoIIGCvl7MM_gLLdUExqesjku-m0C5ntEwuLfHoHKnwsTyznchssiXTjA5qDTdDVyVAhOJQ_3JPSrndquw/w400-h225/IMG_20220703_104641244_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Upstream side of Lock 40</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0edz4EGiuPZsJ06cJmYql0ExyI9nnFj_V190osxQiJrC1fj1uYxnhJ72u_QeBE9FNpMOf-Y5PbVMZwPoQSyOOVEOKbxr0MNf_0yu8g0wm9dA4L5uQFALBLSX8mE3ffb-Um-jvTksb8MDOErUx73J7-w8el71oGYVy92eVWDAntOwD6-2hnlyrE97fQ/s6000/20220703104532_IMG_0797.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0edz4EGiuPZsJ06cJmYql0ExyI9nnFj_V190osxQiJrC1fj1uYxnhJ72u_QeBE9FNpMOf-Y5PbVMZwPoQSyOOVEOKbxr0MNf_0yu8g0wm9dA4L5uQFALBLSX8mE3ffb-Um-jvTksb8MDOErUx73J7-w8el71oGYVy92eVWDAntOwD6-2hnlyrE97fQ/w400-h266/20220703104532_IMG_0797.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Looking through the lock channel from the upstream side</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8G3wB0A8Q7BHp1t839wFlO42GPF1vmJVs8vuBCvmMR1rjGteR2Ug2rJ3DpLebnPiMAjsZEmFoW2-uzBBKwpaKg6Kn3m6FaLVNSynGg5ZilHVuRMZ05j8aM616Z5mmP9FGaGiDAO2nGmzpMpDT4GDH69jsECs9fUzL755Q8o5F_jcvQChj5-RVu1f8w/s4000/IMG_20220703_104926891_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8G3wB0A8Q7BHp1t839wFlO42GPF1vmJVs8vuBCvmMR1rjGteR2Ug2rJ3DpLebnPiMAjsZEmFoW2-uzBBKwpaKg6Kn3m6FaLVNSynGg5ZilHVuRMZ05j8aM616Z5mmP9FGaGiDAO2nGmzpMpDT4GDH69jsECs9fUzL755Q8o5F_jcvQChj5-RVu1f8w/w400-h225/IMG_20220703_104926891_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Looking at Lock 40 from the downstream side</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Probably the strangest thing I saw on the trip was the interaction between two black-and-yellow flat millipedes. When I first saw them, they were about an inch apart, crawling in opposite directions. They quickly turned towards each other and started..... I don't know what. Mating? Fighting? It wasn't clear. I took a few photos and left them to do their Mutual of Omaha thing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUh1o_D3SY_LXYBmuiyO0M5BOACg5FhQKbdnXzS4jVIlcjUNvr0Ds8UHcHQOUysbPDHRy-l9kAHnRSpmBhNTaqeNmWx_Kdln7RymGBYPjKUXDaG_lsNeliRoFCspyJ5jdXsv-dAPPhnfokMwpFbBpzh4a3kEJ2i6WDUpzttebxd5UGd8lB-0wen3aIQ/s4000/9f0d6894-580d-417b-b5b0-65b2f76d8dca.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUh1o_D3SY_LXYBmuiyO0M5BOACg5FhQKbdnXzS4jVIlcjUNvr0Ds8UHcHQOUysbPDHRy-l9kAHnRSpmBhNTaqeNmWx_Kdln7RymGBYPjKUXDaG_lsNeliRoFCspyJ5jdXsv-dAPPhnfokMwpFbBpzh4a3kEJ2i6WDUpzttebxd5UGd8lB-0wen3aIQ/w400-h300/9f0d6894-580d-417b-b5b0-65b2f76d8dca.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This was right after they "noticed" each other</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEish27nmSpCcX2Ee0d0LUh4piq6Wp4Tk6WyUD1CHDlF1LW5d0NDrZQc4Qe4al5TOm45PDW9-X71TjWerk82aE6fVgOsgWoEE1o04U7PchWnNwP2LOmUuJ7Cvg0b6lXd46Ii3B7fRhrN4uBrvNkks6nvH9EqSw2wChI1J_6bYf1Iq6knhAJ9CBINl5awIg/s1600/IMG_20220703_110435231_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEish27nmSpCcX2Ee0d0LUh4piq6Wp4Tk6WyUD1CHDlF1LW5d0NDrZQc4Qe4al5TOm45PDW9-X71TjWerk82aE6fVgOsgWoEE1o04U7PchWnNwP2LOmUuJ7Cvg0b6lXd46Ii3B7fRhrN4uBrvNkks6nvH9EqSw2wChI1J_6bYf1Iq6knhAJ9CBINl5awIg/w225-h400/IMG_20220703_110435231_HDR.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjSkwBPdUxSMZtO178XfwBY7Z7cUY7nNbja8NcPH4Jso3VwZXlV0s13VtRY3yeZou3IbatVKxt9B6lme3xAskZc4mvr0TCYwtQWwD5_JbC3hiaGGNgbC8DQXsMAQA5OllQdQvEPVrDGl4ZtPNMQjeUAMWUnO274e6YowsZ7ZlbCrPmKL4U7p3ZzUInA/s6000/20220703110446_IMG_0804.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjSkwBPdUxSMZtO178XfwBY7Z7cUY7nNbja8NcPH4Jso3VwZXlV0s13VtRY3yeZou3IbatVKxt9B6lme3xAskZc4mvr0TCYwtQWwD5_JbC3hiaGGNgbC8DQXsMAQA5OllQdQvEPVrDGl4ZtPNMQjeUAMWUnO274e6YowsZ7ZlbCrPmKL4U7p3ZzUInA/w400-h266/20220703110446_IMG_0804.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I can't tell if this is fighting or mating</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Anyway, I had little-to-no cell service most of this hike, so while I was trying to keep Pat updated on where I was, I wasn't getting any response from him. When I arrived at Snyders Landing, I send a text and a photo, then wandered over to the parking area where I saw the Crosstrek. He said he hadn't caught anything and so finally just gave up. I had texted him that there was no one at Taylors Landing, but he hadn't stopped there to try. His loss; last time I was skunked at Dam 4 and drove to Taylors Landing instead, <a href="https://camarowrx.blogspot.com/2017/08/dam-i-caught-fish.html">I ended up with a 17 inch walleye</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was a good hike, with lots of little things to see if you know what to look for. I need to do this more often. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTAtHUOpS32lTwdM0I0W7K_xgjLHFv2BTeDeXZIyw286WLYuBLtT1V8YWqPCC4_KQIZrLT1GkMKcdOTaWhpM50OVQANBvI3sqhGdf3w-JN3qcCs3OdOc_t76JPsTFyBRwoC5OsD40GoPN68W46pFgnECdkbRHS-nNr2Gkyf1wbLNbsxAdue-sRke3NQ/s6000/20220703084115_IMG_0765.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTAtHUOpS32lTwdM0I0W7K_xgjLHFv2BTeDeXZIyw286WLYuBLtT1V8YWqPCC4_KQIZrLT1GkMKcdOTaWhpM50OVQANBvI3sqhGdf3w-JN3qcCs3OdOc_t76JPsTFyBRwoC5OsD40GoPN68W46pFgnECdkbRHS-nNr2Gkyf1wbLNbsxAdue-sRke3NQ/w640-h426/20220703084115_IMG_0765.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A small brownish-orange slug crawls on the cut edge of a fallen tree</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><i>note : some links may be associate links where I get minimal compensation for any click-throughs and/or purchases made</i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-18877397018519372592022-07-01T13:41:00.001-04:002022-07-01T13:42:23.965-04:00Lesson Planning<p>With lots of thoughts from <a href="https://www.expeditionsineducation.org/steaminthepark.html">STEAM in the Park</a> swirling in my mind about field trip upon field trip, I'm trying to get some actual lesson plans outlined. Here are my current thoughts (with a Twitter thread posted below), and I'll flesh out how they fit into instruction in the coming days.</p><p><b>1. Pollinator Lawns and Gardens</b></p><p><b>2. Soil Compaction Effects on Plants (Cherry Blossoms)</b></p><p><b>3. Water Quality/Stream Study (Tidal Basin, Constitution Gardens, C&O Canal)</b></p><p><b>4. Forensics of Lincoln and Garfield Assassinations</b></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Some thoughts I am having after <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STEAMinthePark?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#STEAMinthePark</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NationalMallNPS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NationalMallNPS</a> - Cherry blossoms. Ranger Jen mentioned soil compaction as a problem caused by the volume of people visiting and walking on the grass/soil around the trees. <a href="https://t.co/yYGbJPdHFS">pic.twitter.com/yYGbJPdHFS</a></p>— Ms. Kraus (@MsKrausWheaton) <a href="https://twitter.com/MsKrausWheaton/status/1542899017516027908?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-12616863065365380922022-06-30T18:38:00.003-04:002022-07-04T10:22:57.794-04:00Learning in My Own Backyard<p>I just spent a few days learning more about the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/nama/index.htm">National Mall</a> (including <a href="https://www.nps.gov/foth/index.htm">Ford's Theater</a>) and how I could use the various aspects of that particular <a href="https://www.nps.gov/index.htm" target="_blank">National Park Service</a> site in my classroom. This was all part of <a href="https://www.expeditionsineducation.org/">Expeditions in Education</a> and their <a href="https://www.expeditionsineducation.org/steaminthepark.html">STEAM in the Park</a> program; I applied to be a participant back in January, and learned I was accepted to the National Mall program in March.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRA75kA7iX-HtrfHNqaB3OOZVo8Bo3eUXuLVr3vxR2syeasdIldwapOIQ-5k1Azg-Y1WbLasPbJiBSWZpIIGR8X0YC_S3qwb5wOuX5G5YaOSmA-7H_ZJoP2cNtaFoMcP941eNJRwIhMK_iCDPm-MVxDuJPX0I6V8RlB-s7jP3oVVedREsL61MoZ4OQw/s6000/20220627095404_IMG_0648.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="a small stone monument in a grassy area. the base of the washington monument can be seen in the background" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRA75kA7iX-HtrfHNqaB3OOZVo8Bo3eUXuLVr3vxR2syeasdIldwapOIQ-5k1Azg-Y1WbLasPbJiBSWZpIIGR8X0YC_S3qwb5wOuX5G5YaOSmA-7H_ZJoP2cNtaFoMcP941eNJRwIhMK_iCDPm-MVxDuJPX0I6V8RlB-s7jP3oVVedREsL61MoZ4OQw/w320-h213/20220627095404_IMG_0648.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I never noticed this small stone monument in the shadow of the Washington Monument before.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I'll post more later, but I had a lot of fun and learned a lot more about sites I already thought I knew about. I also got to go up the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/wamo/index.htm">Washington Monument</a> for the first time ever, plus got to visit the Department of the Interior building. I also got to network with a great group of teachers and rangers, as well as program directors with the <a href="https://www.nationalparks.org/">National Park Foundation</a> and the <a href="https://www.doi.gov/">Department of the Interior</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcijysbIF-hcJVs4edIzfeYMJDJsic7pJmhqLBmQfr0eR6Yz1FycVL-Y1hTFK7VtQxs56YRyj-vc9kTuMH7NcyzVI8qEF-U9S984tdOfxrgS5p4hrOBtQ7FnzrG6bfckxNoiqYlvb6ntd7e_fiMX-zpZSNtUqGuziQznHWw-M_zQPKGxRXzzHDy3xfLQ/s4000/IMG_20220628_122405854.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="a bas relief of two bison head-to-head" border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcijysbIF-hcJVs4edIzfeYMJDJsic7pJmhqLBmQfr0eR6Yz1FycVL-Y1hTFK7VtQxs56YRyj-vc9kTuMH7NcyzVI8qEF-U9S984tdOfxrgS5p4hrOBtQ7FnzrG6bfckxNoiqYlvb6ntd7e_fiMX-zpZSNtUqGuziQznHWw-M_zQPKGxRXzzHDy3xfLQ/w320-h180/IMG_20220628_122405854.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>There are a lot of Native American inspired motifs in the Interior Department building</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I came home with a ton of ideas, and I hope that at least some of them can come to fruition in this coming school year. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHWyu7G-yOFW8GcvSyukJj9v1h0ovAnYH9XUswQt6wdND7hdAqtktA4iyw-o1-5-zLd3q0LOptluCiHg4K5VplnkS1i1IhD4Jt9N_GHeq5NI03I6bNYjl4t2SLIx1-SUve5VSbj5RIw4HAP42uQ5m2DDrwsGXFcQ4DS-FeAHasDruuRGomLQG2SUvng/s6000/20220628141122_IMG_0719.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A bee crawls on a purple coneflower" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHWyu7G-yOFW8GcvSyukJj9v1h0ovAnYH9XUswQt6wdND7hdAqtktA4iyw-o1-5-zLd3q0LOptluCiHg4K5VplnkS1i1IhD4Jt9N_GHeq5NI03I6bNYjl4t2SLIx1-SUve5VSbj5RIw4HAP42uQ5m2DDrwsGXFcQ4DS-FeAHasDruuRGomLQG2SUvng/w320-h213/20220628141122_IMG_0719.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pollinator gardens and lawns are just one of the ideas I came home thinking about</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0Washington, DC, USA38.9071923 -77.036870710.596958463821153 -112.1931207 67.217426136178844 -41.880620699999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-52904168606087297832021-08-17T23:29:00.009-04:002021-08-20T18:54:16.735-04:00Road Trips in the time of COVID<p>Pat and I just got back from our 2021 road trip, where I started out on July 28, and he joined me in Missoula, MT. </p><p>It was a bit less stressful than last year, and I can't help but think that a lot of the reason was because we decided to tent camp as much as possible, unlike last year, where we spent probably too many nights at hotels. </p><p>To me, the tent camping took a few elements of the COVID transmission off the table; we weren't at the mercy of others for cleaning our sleeping quarters, and even encountering others, we were in the open air. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7Lvvq4qjUU/YRxoesvyH8I/AAAAAAAB7lw/AmbFZJjv7AkmgldJCdficVcDPewonTPdACPcBGAsYHg/s4000/IMG_20210809_071341355.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7Lvvq4qjUU/YRxoesvyH8I/AAAAAAAB7lw/AmbFZJjv7AkmgldJCdficVcDPewonTPdACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/IMG_20210809_071341355.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A typical camp site with the Crosstrek and our tents.</i> </td></tr></tbody></table><br />We usually drove 2-3 hours between places we stopped to visit, and so there was plenty of time to talk about things, such as "should we have bought Mom's RV?" or "maybe we should stay at a hotel?" In the end, for the two of us, tent camping made <i>much</i> more financial sense. <div><br /></div><div>Having done three years of road trips with my mom and her Pleasure-Way RV, I have some experience on that front, and the multiple trips to and from Packwood for the ProSolos there had me very acquainted with staying at hotels on the road. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a breakdown for 2021 :</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Tent sites at KOA campgrounds cost $30-50. A site with water and/or electric will cost more, so if you have charger banks for electronics, use them and charge them in the car during the driving to avoid needing an outlet. A $33 KOA Rewards membership gets you 10% off, and then you accrue "points" that can get you more money off a night. I recouped the $33 membership cost with the savings in the first week of the trip, and accrued enough points to get $20 off a stay by the end of the trip. </li><ul><li>Hotel costs on the trip in 2021 were ridiculous. I got a hotel in Missoula because Pat's flight came in at 11PM, and I made that reservation two months prior to the trip. It was still $140 ($126+tax), and then the room didn't even include a fridge! (the front desk clerk said, "Oh, most of our rooms have them; I guess you got one without."). When we looked at hotels for the next night in the Bozeman/Livingston/Butte area, they <i>started</i> at $225+tax. Needless to say, we went with the <a href="https://koa.com/campgrounds/three-forks/" target="_blank">Three Forks KOA</a>, which was one of the best decisions of the trip. Definitely go to the <a href="https://www.ironhorsecafetf.com/" target="_blank">Iron Horse Cafe</a> for pie if you go through Three Forks.</li><li>For tent camping, make sure you have a vehicle that you can "hide out" in if necessary. The first three nights of the trip, I dealt with nasty thunderstorms, so after I set up the tent (which is waterproof), I "hid" in the Crosstrek until the worst of it had passed. </li></ul></ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CwEhTvlQxQk/YRxx4jeOEhI/AAAAAAAB7mQ/4XENCRfjDZ0FAvALnR0cfra9GZsZTQFEgCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/IMG_20210808_064019282_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CwEhTvlQxQk/YRxx4jeOEhI/AAAAAAAB7mQ/4XENCRfjDZ0FAvALnR0cfra9GZsZTQFEgCPcBGAsYHg/w225-h400/IMG_20210808_064019282_HDR.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The gluten-free Key Lime pie from Iron Horse was incredibly decadent. Pat couldn't eat all of it as dessert, and finished it for breakfast the next morning. </i></td></tr></tbody></table><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Gas is a big cost, and probably the <i>biggest</i> cost difference between a tent camping road trip and an RV road trip. While both the Crosstrek and the Pleasure-Way RV take "regular" unleaded gas, the Crosstrek averages ~36 MPG (35.2MPG last year and 36.5MPG this year, both years ~7500 miles traveled, including both Rocky and Appalachian mountain crossings). The Pleasure-Way, a modified E350 chassis and engine, was 14-15MPG. At an average of $3/gal for regular gas (I did splurge one day and gave the Crosstrek mid-grade, because I wanted to reward it for its hard work in the desert heat), that adds up, <i style="font-weight: bold;">fast</i>. </li><ul><li>7500 miles at 36MPG is about 208 gallons of gas. At $3/gal, that's $624 in gas alone (and I'm being nice with my averages; it was probably more than $3/gal). </li><li>7500 miles at 15MPG is about 500 gallons of gas. At the same $3/gal, that's $1500 in gas. A larger RV (my mom's Pleasure-Way was a class C and only fit two people) is probably not going to do as well mileage-wise. And a diesel motor might not help, as diesel costs were close to $4/gal, even if the MPG might be better. </li></ul><li>I went through a lot of ice in the coolers, which an RV doesn't need to worry about. I wasn't using top-of-the-line plastiformed coolers, but they are lightweight, don't take up huge space and do what I need them to do. Still, I was buying 20lb of ice each day, at about $6 per day for ice. For a 19 day trip, that comes out to about $115 in ice. </li><li>RVs allow for a huge discount on food, since you don't <i>have</i> to eat out when you have a kitchen and a fridge with you. Tent camping means bringing things in coolers and/or using MREs or other freeze-dried options. I have a <a href="https://amzn.to/3gd3QE0" target="_blank">great campstove</a> for cooking on, though I have to admit, cooking on it when there is an impending thunderstorm is a little daunting. </li></ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LYyT71WFPpw/YRxuRAxdrcI/AAAAAAAB7l8/Cwa3ICKqgKIGBVEMEA6buUo0_Mz1F0i6ACPcBGAsYHg/s4000/IMG_20210802_202743553.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LYyT71WFPpw/YRxuRAxdrcI/AAAAAAAB7l8/Cwa3ICKqgKIGBVEMEA6buUo0_Mz1F0i6ACPcBGAsYHg/w225-h400/IMG_20210802_202743553.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Heating up some water to rehydrate a freeze-dried meal for dinner in Rawlins, WY</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aa6rY3LcMiY/YRxunsqbccI/AAAAAAAB7mE/rPTp-tc1YUUEiO0LHbZqFO6k1eAxggjtQCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/IMG_20210814_200645598_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aa6rY3LcMiY/YRxunsqbccI/AAAAAAAB7mE/rPTp-tc1YUUEiO0LHbZqFO6k1eAxggjtQCPcBGAsYHg/w225-h400/IMG_20210814_200645598_HDR.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Walleye cooked on the campstove grill. We caught the fish at Rainy Lake.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FBzTWGzJiE/YRxunqW_VHI/AAAAAAAB7mE/o1TDvtAnV0o-U0YmGzKjpeN77CpKEQfEACPcBGAsYHg/s4000/IMG_20210812_192349584.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FBzTWGzJiE/YRxunqW_VHI/AAAAAAAB7mE/o1TDvtAnV0o-U0YmGzKjpeN77CpKEQfEACPcBGAsYHg/w225-h400/IMG_20210812_192349584.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Brats (glorified hotdogs?) on the campstove. We have the grill attachment for our Biolite, which is great.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>Breakfast was usually a mini-bagel with cheese, and lunch was a piece of fruit, granola bar and a sandwich. You just have to make sure the cheese and any deli meat doesn't get wet in the cooler. Fruit was bananas, plums, nectarines, etc. This meal plan was true for the RV trips with mom, too. </li><li>If you opt to "eat out," plan on paying upwards of $15-20/person (gratuity included, more if you get beer/wine). That's a far cry from buying a $5/pk of five brats, and a $3 loaf of bread, or even a $9 "<a href="https://amzn.to/3AS8MGg" target="_blank">southwest skillet</a>" rehydrated meal (which was actually really good). </li></ul><li>Just looking at food, gas and lodging costs, a pure tent camping experience could be had for less than $2000 over 19 days/7500 miles, not counting any admission fees for parks. Mixing in a hotel night or a meal out here and there will increase that cost. Since we were fishing on Rainy Lake with a guide service as part of our trip, I'd opted to get rooms at a lodge on the lake as a bit of a splurge, but I have to admit, that walleye taco wrap at the <a href="https://thunderbirdrainylake.com/" target="_blank">Thunderbird Lodge</a> is <i>amazing</i>. </li><ul><li>An RV trip over the same amount of time/miles will be about a thousand more in gas, a hundred less in ice, and about $500 more in lodging costs (depending on the size of the RV, and whether you need water/electric/dump hookups). So, estimate for 19 days to be still less than $3500.</li><li>A roadtrip that relies on eating out and hotels every night is going to cost <i>at least</i> $4200 for two people and a vehicle that can get upwards of 35MPG (regular grade gasoline). </li></ul></ul><div>Some other ideas to reduce the costs :</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Get a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm" target="_blank">National Parks Pass</a> if you plan to visit multiple parks that have entrance fees. For $80, you have unlimited entrance to all NPS and associated (BLM, National Wildlife Refuge, etc.) sites for a year. </li><ul><li>There are ways to get a free NPS pass, but you need to qualify. Students in the fourth grade qualify, as do military/veterans. If you're over 62, you can get a lifetime pass for $80, versus paying $80 annually. Certain disabilities also qualify for a free NPS pass. If you volunteer in a park and accrue more than 250 hours, you can also qualify for a free NPS pass. </li></ul><li>Plan to visit smaller, less crowded sites and "bundle them." For instance, I visited <a href="http://outdoornebraska.gov/rockcreekstation/" target="_blank">Rock Creek Station</a> <i>and </i><a href="http://outdoornebraska.gov/fortkearny/">Fort Kearny</a> on the same Nebraska State Parks day pass, since the pass I bought at Rock Creek didn't expire until noon the next day. </li></ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pMYKNIk7aDo/YRx7fctNH_I/AAAAAAAB7mc/YRIV6N0kNyEkiUr00nBaPu1HAFx4b6-gQCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/IMG_20210801_141337684_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pMYKNIk7aDo/YRx7fctNH_I/AAAAAAAB7mc/YRIV6N0kNyEkiUr00nBaPu1HAFx4b6-gQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h225/IMG_20210801_141337684_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The legend of Wild Bill Hickok was born at the Rock Creek Stage Station</i></td></tr></tbody></table><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>If you don't <i>need</i> water and electric hookups, and are willing to do the leave-no-trace principles of backcountry camping, then <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/fishlake/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5121831" target="_blank">dispersed camping in National Forests</a> and BLM sites is definitely an option. </li><li>Sign up for cash back apps like <a href="https://upside.app.link/KAREN82285" target="_blank">Get Upside</a> for discounts on gasoline purchases (note that the link here is my referral link). Note that if you use an app like this, look carefully to see what you are paying; sometimes, only the most expensive stations are participating, and so you actually aren't saving money there after all. </li><li>Use a cash back app like <a href="https://ibotta.onelink.me/iUfE/8cc13c64?friend_code=vanexqs" target="_blank">iBotta</a> for hotel reservations. iBotta will get you 3% cash back at Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn, Quality Inn, etc.), if you make the reservation through the iBotta extension on Chrome. Unlike something like Priceline, you can actually choose the hotel you want to stay at.</li><ul><li>iBotta will get you a discount on a ton of other things, too, so it's useful for more than just road trips. The link above is my referral link, but I wouldn't refer this (or the Get Upside app) if I didn't think they were worth the time/effort.</li></ul></ul><div>Above all, on a road trip, <i>be flexible</i>. Weather and other unforeseen circumstances may cause you to change your itinerary. Look at those billboards and if something seems interesting, <i>do it</i>. Wall Drug isn't for everyone (I've never been there), but others find it fascinating. On the flip side, in 2012, I saw a billboard for <a href="https://www.thehouseontherock.com/" target="_blank">House on the Rock</a>, and thought, "Wait, isn't that where Shadow and Wednesday went in <i>American Gods</i>?" and so decided to take a detour. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2L_yx-7X0WI/XnaNyaqUEWI/AAAAAAABiCI/J_Q1WhjvEKszvV4NonhHpS_9oKa177zZwCKgBGAsYHg/s720/530736_10150890630996637_998712740_n_10150890630996637.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="405" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2L_yx-7X0WI/XnaNyaqUEWI/AAAAAAABiCI/J_Q1WhjvEKszvV4NonhHpS_9oKa177zZwCKgBGAsYHg/w225-h400/530736_10150890630996637_998712740_n_10150890630996637.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/Review-aggregate"><i>"Take Highway Fourteen west to Spring Green. We'll be meeting everyone at a place called the House on the Rock. You been there?"</i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: right;"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/Review-aggregate"><i>-- Wednesday to Shadow, </i>American Gods</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>No matter what, enjoy your trip! </div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mm4Wv6erYI0/YRyAMX1u9II/AAAAAAAB7mo/ACeTNc8wbW8yI3Bx0TeIufhnZ6lshXu8gCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/IMG_20210802_201104700.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mm4Wv6erYI0/YRyAMX1u9II/AAAAAAAB7mo/ACeTNc8wbW8yI3Bx0TeIufhnZ6lshXu8gCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h225/IMG_20210802_201104700.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Camping in Rawlins, WY during a thunderstorm</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-3154143732732503352021-06-06T21:16:00.003-04:002021-06-06T21:16:48.679-04:00Hi There<p> It's June 6, a <i>real</i> day that will always "live in infamy" due to the storming of the beaches at Normandy. <br /><br /></p><p>I'm just feeling morose this evening. It's another day feeling lost. It's another weekend I didn't get to do anything that made me feel worthwhile, it's another day missing my dad, it's another day hating my job. <br /><br />The cicadas are funny, until they aren't. I discovered cicada-scar all along the small maple that I planted last year, the one that had been thriving since I planted it. Now I'm scared it will die due to all the cicadas trying to lay their eggs. </p><p>I've been applying to so many jobs lately, and while I had a few interviews early on, most recently, I get nothing. I just get the auto-rejected email. I know from being on the other side of things that a lot of times, these positions are only posted because they have to be posted, and I hate that. I apply to the a job knowing that the administration at that school already knows who will get the position, and I go through the motions in an interview, and it sucks the life out of me with every rejection. </p><p>Meanwhile, just walking the hallways at the school where I am sucks the life out of me. I see the plaques designating classrooms as "engineering" or "biomedical science" or whatever, and it just reinforces that I won't ever teach any of those classes, even though I was led to believe that would happen. I applied for and accepted a position to teach AP Biology and honors biology, but just weeks after my acceptance, I was told that the person who'd applied for the job that I didn't apply for, she had AP Biology experience. So they were going to have her teach the AP Biology classes, and give me the honors chemistry classes that I didn't want. </p><p>The chemistry classes that I was trying to get away from. </p><p>The carrot that was dangled in front of me when I was told the news was that "next year" I would be able to teach something that I had experience in. Something that fit my skill set of anatomy and forensics and genetics and anything else besides chemistry. </p><p>The cake was a lie.</p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-66286972261541325372021-01-14T18:58:00.003-05:002021-01-14T18:58:24.993-05:00The Return of Hockey<p>The NHL started it's COVID-shortened 2021 season last night, and tonight marks the return of Caps hockey!</p><p>It still doesn't seem real.</p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-65339928824134119602021-01-06T21:22:00.006-05:002021-01-08T19:12:13.228-05:00Another Day That Will Live in Infamy<p>Today started off a good day. I got out of bed. I had breakfast. I logged into my work account and graded some papers, responded to some emails, filled out some paperwork. </p><p>I helped a student understand valence electrons and ion formation a little better, and conferred with my paraeducators about how to better support some students. </p><p>I graded some more papers, worked on some lesson plans. </p><p>Then, for some reason, I decided to search out how the elections in Georgia had gone. When I went to sleep last night, pundits were calling both races for the Democrats Ossof and Warnock, but I wanted to see what the vote tallies were looking like. </p><p>What I saw across the Internet was terrifying. </p><p>People who were protesting the election had become -- no, <i>revealed themselves to be</i> -- terroristic fascists, pushing past Capitol Police and forcing their way into the Capitol building while the senators were running their mouths instead of just certifying the election. Congress had to be disbanded, the electoral votes had to be protected, and everything went into a lockdown. </p><p>All because the man-child in the White House can't accept that he lost the election, and his man-baby supporters have fallen under his cult-spell and can't think for themselves. </p><p>The images from today will be forever seared in the minds of the American public... or they <i>should</i> be. There are still a lot of seditionists out there -- as evidenced by attacks on state capitol buildings in Kansas, Michigan, Oregon and other states. It's time to stop accepting sedition as expression of free speech and start prosecuting it as treason and hate crimes. </p><p>Some images. </p><p><br /></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Portland 2020 D.C. 2021 <a href="https://t.co/10rAjb2mia">pic.twitter.com/10rAjb2mia</a></p>— Megan Reyes (@megreyes_) <a href="https://twitter.com/megreyes_/status/1346924927660691460?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cops are taking selfies with the terrorists. <a href="https://t.co/EjkQ83h1p2">pic.twitter.com/EjkQ83h1p2</a></p>— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) <a href="https://twitter.com/bubbaprog/status/1346920198461419520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mitt Romney yelled “This is what you’ve gotten” to Ted Cruz and his fellow Senate colleagues as protesters swarmed the building. <a href="https://t.co/Yt8ZPArYpE">https://t.co/Yt8ZPArYpE</a></p>— David Freedlander (@freedlander) <a href="https://twitter.com/freedlander/status/1346912135343849477?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">That’s the confederate flag flying outside the Senate chamber <a href="https://t.co/1XB5TlAsuv">pic.twitter.com/1XB5TlAsuv</a></p>— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) <a href="https://twitter.com/igorbobic/status/1346902299466203145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The same House chamber doors where the armed standoff took place hours ago is being cleaned for members to return for the joint session: <a href="https://t.co/JlZgzwci8n">pic.twitter.com/JlZgzwci8n</a></p>— Daniella Diaz (@DaniellaMicaela) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaniellaMicaela/status/1346990597786247169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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There are some stark differences here between what we saw during the summer and the Black Lives Matter protests after the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and what happened today, and <i>everyone</i> sees it, at least anyone who isn't a racist. <div><br /></div><div>The Day of Reckoning has begin. Even the Vice President, Mike Pence, is trying to distance himself from the insanity, going as far as to change the cover photo on <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Pence">his Twitter profile</a> to a picture of Biden and Harris from their victory speech in November 20202. </div><div><br /></div><div>After doomscrolling for a good two hours, which made me feel more and more sick to the stomach as I watch the terrorist attack unfold in real time, I had to step away from the computer for a few hours. It's still terrifying, and this image is going to haunt me for a long time. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Day 1 vs. Day 1,448 <a href="https://t.co/OohffkCQrc">pic.twitter.com/OohffkCQrc</a></p>— 11th Hour (@11thHour) <a href="https://twitter.com/11thHour/status/1346958469073661953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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There are Senators back on the floor of the Capitol, running their mouths (and in some cases, trying to covering their asses) about unity and democracy and all that. STFU, really. Get the vote done, then expel the assholes among you. <div><br /></div><div>We need to be done pulling punches. Fascists, racists, Nazis, anti-Semites, misogynists.... they all need to run and hide if they are unwilling to be rehabilitated. Every Single One Of Them needs to lose their jobs and fear never being hirable or desirable again. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. Shame them. Call them out. If they can't accept the world in 2021, they need to find themselves alone and crying, homeless in a cave with no friends and no money. </div><div><br /></div><div>This really needs to end. Now. <br /><br /><br /></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578924682431888227.post-31198450114909814222021-01-05T22:09:00.002-05:002021-01-05T22:09:11.051-05:00Dateline : January 5, 2021<p>Georgia on my mind. </p><p>The political insanity in this country <i>has</i> to end. </p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01101788092876672421noreply@blogger.com0