Beach Hounds

The weather was sunny and beautiful on Saturday so the hounds and I thought we would take advantage of it by going to the Erie Peninsula.

If you have read many of my posts, you know that we like it best if the hounds can go off leash. Honey Dew and Sampson are very obedient and come back to me when called.

Of course one of the mandates is that dogs be leashed on the Peninsula even in the off-season...but no one said that I actually had to hold the leash, just be in control of the dogs, and as the beach was deserted I thought I would risk if for a a little while.

Sampson and HoneyDew posing for the camera before I let them run and explore.

So many sounds, sights and best of all new smells to explore! Which way to go first?

Evidently this scent was interesting...I was really hoping the hounds would not pick up a dead fish anywhere! Or worse, roll in one!

A moment before I snapped this photo, Sampson was facing me with strings of drool hanging from his mouth and sand particles clinging to it, evidently he didn't want you to see that cause he whipped right around and started shaking it off only to wrap it up around his nose! Too funny!

I love how the waves come in and make little pools. The sun and breeze was invigorating. I think we walked for about two hours along the beaches and part of the walking/bike path.

Just hanging out and enjoying the view.

There was room enough for me on the bench too, and I did share it for awhile with Sampson half on my lap.

Smile for the camera!

Honey Dew was more interested in bird watching then my attempts with the camera.

This is one of my favorite pictures! I brought the smooth rocks and fresh water clam shell home with me so that I could remember a great day shared with my two best pals. I am sure that you recognize the paw prints but can you guess what the long swish marks are?

"Basset Happy Ears and Happy Feet"

Bike Ride 9/25/11

I set out to see a part of the bike trail that I hadn't ridden on before as well as overcome the challenge of the tunnel below. This tunnel is like entering a cave. In fact before entering it I could feel the cold, chilling draft several feet from the opening of the entrance. Even with my bike LED light, the light was not strong enough to penetrate the overwhelming darkness, It took serveral moments inside to get my eyes adjusted to be able to see the reflectors on the ground.

Either there where icicles or very white tree roots hanging from the ceiling. This picture is looking back at the entrance. This tunnel is 3350'long and has a curve so you cannot see the other end till you are all most out of it therefore pretty much a ride in pitch black. Other cyclists have come to the tunnel with a wall of fog guarding the entrance. I lucked out.

Here is the sign giving information about the tunnel at the opposite end of the tunnel. Quite an invitation into the tunnel if you read the whole thing. Glad it was at this end or I might have chickened out!

After passing through the tunnel on the otherside I was rewarded by a sighting of some "leatherbacks". Actually there were quite a few more and larger in size, but they spotted me and they slid into the river before I could get focused in well enough.

On the way back I also stopped at this site which is on the National Registry. Of course I wasn't content with just snapping pics from the observation point, nope, I had to climb down to get some upclose and personal shots because I wanted to see the Indian etchings for myself.

And I also wanted to get the shots from the river side of the rock so out I went onto stepping stones ( my husband just shook his head).

Pretty cool huh! The next pic is one that I took just because of the texture of the twisted trunk of the tree against the rock strata. Kind of reminded me of some yarns in our LYS that I might want to try.

As I was going along, and as I was by myself, the song "me and my shadow" popped into my head...can't imagine why except that by this point I was really needing a distraction from the pain in my hips, but, thighs, knees and shoulder blades. Oh did I mention that at this point I had went 26 miles and had 6 more to go to get back to where I parked the car?

So I got my distraction! Take a look at this...

This eagle was using a narrow part of the river as his own personal bird bath! Unfortunately He was quite some distance so I had to use my zoom lenz to take the pictures and they are not the greatest besides which the shots of him throwing water over himself and splashing did not come out very clear.

And some beautiful country out here which will really be beautiful in the near future when the leaves turn.

Hope you enjoyed the pics!

Poof ...what happened to them???

Yep, it's finally shedding season in PA. But don't worry the pups are still around! Just making their annual contribution to their neighborhood "FFNIA" or for those of you who are not familiar with the organization the "Feathered Friends Nesting Improvment Association"! HoneyDew and Sampson heard that twigs and mud was making the nest a little bit hard on some of their friends naked offspring, so they thought they would do their part to make the nests a little softer! Afterwards they thought they would take a little siesta on the front porch and enjoy the sunshine...

Happy DOT's,

HoneyDew, Sampson and Tina too.

Nothing like sunshine...

warm temperatures and the lack of electricity to encourage one to get outside and enjoy the day. We were notified by Penelec that our electricity would be out from 9AM to 2 PM today due to upgrades. Since I couldn't really do anything in the house and because it was so nice out, I loaded up my two best pals and took my camera too.

An old covered bridge.

Look at all the green!

Someone else taking advantage of the nice weather.

Old Caboose number one...

number two...

as it appeared this caboose had been or could possibly still be occupied as evidenced by the remains of the snakeskin on the floor, (rattlesnake or blacksnake still equates to BIG snake) glad to have missed you, I am gone!

Signs of spring!

The pups wrestling and playing chase in the sunshine.

Sampson was still barking in this one but click on the photo to see the slobber wrapped up over his nose!

HoneyDews typical response when she is not ready to go home, selective hearing and passive aggressive "see if you can move me from here" stance. Click on the picture and you can see her waayyyyy back there.

I made it home in time to make pizza from scratch for dinner. This one is a "natural" pizza... no tomato sauce but rather the dough brushed with olive oil, then layered with fresh sliced vine ripened tomatoes, italian seasonings, chopped cauliflower, diced onions, sliced black olives, mushrooms, Mozzarella cheese, and on hubbys' half sausage. It was delicious and very filling. One slice filled me up!

If you would like to see additional photos of the covered bridge and abandoned cabooses please go here.

Let's Get the Pawti started!!!!!

Look Mom, we are all dressed for the New Year's Eve Celebrations! Are we going to a party??? Where's the yummy noms?

I think I smell the treats in the dining room, let's go check it out!

"Well as I am a pawti animal I am planning on staying up all night so I am going to pace myself. I'll even be able to see the ball drop in Time Square!"

Honey Dew and Sampson hope all our Dogs on Thursday buddies have a Happy New Year!