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!

DOT's-Saturday Evening Walk

A slight difference of opinion.

"I think he is going to fall in!" *tries hard to stifle the laughter*

"No problem." *wipes cold sweat from brow.*

"We need something to keep up our energy. what do you mean you brought water? I was thinking more along the lines of steak."

The long way home or seems so after a 1 1/2 hour hike one way.

Sampson thinks maybe he might try a short cut...just kidding...

In the jungel, the mighty jungle...

Here kitty kitty...

"I have made my great escape. And I am not ready to come inside."

"Still not ready."

"Interesting."

"I am the great hunter, raahrrr."

"Maybe I will just wait till the prey passes by...or one of the dogs!"

Gardening - Picture heavy post ahead!

Summer is a busy time. There simply isn't enough time in the day, or week for that matter to get everything done that I would like to. Especially working my new/old job again at which summer is their peak time too.

 So I take snatches of time where I can and try to stop and smell the zinnia's along the way. Speaking of zinnia's (we where weren't we?) I had a splurge moment and I couldn't resist these pink zinnia's. I am planning on taking seeds from them this fall to replant in the spring.

I love the changing colors from bright pink to a muted mauve that has an antiqued look to them.

Ok, so this has taken up a bit of my time with the weeding and all, plus it will get busier soon with canning up the veggies.

First time for pole beans for us, we usually plant the bush variety...if the beans are as prolific as the vines and leaves, I would say this is one I will do again.

Look at all the blossoms! Should make a lot of beans.

Next up is zuchini and yellow squash.

Just love those little golden beauties!

One stand of corn.

Some cabbages, and actually there is another row with some in. you can just make out the squash plants to the left and the pepper plants to the right.

Peppers are coming on. They usually like the cooler weather, so they are earlier this year dispite 90 degree weather.

This practically looks like a field of tomatoes, but originally they were planted in rows...they just kind of took over...nice problem to have so no complaints here.

Can you see the tomatoes in there?

Tomatoes to the right, onions in the middle and cucumbers to the left.

Egg plant near the top right ( a row of them), seems to be the bugs' favoite.

Stand of corn number 2.

A patch of winter squash, hubbard, acorn, butternut, yummm! I can hardly wait to taste it but I can definitely wait on the cold weather and snow.

Ok, so the story here is once upon a time there was a blueberry bush and my father-n-law would send over windfall rotting apples from his hybrid tree that would give acidity to the soil and in turn promote healthy growth in the blueberry bush. First I was assured that the seeds from the apple would not grow. Then I was told to cut it down because it would never produce good apples. I believe this was from Cortland apples.

It's first year of bearing fruit there was only one or two. Last year there were a few more. This year we will enjoy a bumper crop because every branch is covered like the one below!

The hens and roosters from one cackle way like the garden too as they get the peelings, husks and some veggies that have been left on the vine too long.

Are you gardening this year?

It was a good day...

so I suprised the pups with a treat in celebration. Something in a Sauvignon mignon '11...

HoneyDew and Sampson agree very good vintage!

Happy DOT's!

On the needles...

Socks for Hubby using Patons Kroy Socks Fx yarn and the pattern is Men's Woven Rib Sock by Sarah E. White and can be found here.

Life happens...

You probably are wondering what is going on around this blog. Perhaps you are wondering if the houndies, chickens, cats, just got fed up, packed up and left bloggyland. Nope no such luck, lol!

We have had EVENTS.

What with the NEW JOB, NEW SCHEDULE, 2 bouts of the PLAGUE, the BIG MOVE, another slighly smaller MOVE, preparations for our own ROYAL WEDDING, the computer TAKE OVER for the BIG JOB HUNT, APARTMENT HUNT, and another MOVE in a little under two weeks, things should get back to normal after that!

It has been a lot of fun, and I have been enjoying spending the time with the family before everyone is moved to their permanent destinations.

I do have to agree with my friend Tobi though. HoneyDew and Sampson probably are ready to have me arrested for neglect! There has not been one single doggy ice cream run, dog park trips and cuddle time has been limited to evenings and early mornings.

They expect demand that things get back to normal asap!

Happy DOT's!

DOT Post- Sunday afternoon walk

On our walk we saw a herd of turtles, and yes that is what we call 'em around these here parts!

Flowers were starting to open!

I don't know if HoneyDew was pretending to be a turtle, or just inspired by them but Miss Priss who doesn't like going out in the rain or walking in the wet grass, had absolutely no problem with this...

Of course Sampson couldn't be shown up by a girl!

 After the walk, the pups were treated to a doggy sunday, complete with doggy biscuit, and yes the pics are blurry cause they were moving so fast eating their treat!

This really is Sampson with his doggy bowl, you can make out the shape of the cone and his snout!

Happy DOT's!