Fall Photos..

 

Our Location:

Summer Spot

near South Baymouth, Ontario 

Fall always offers lots of photo opportunities. I strolled over the rock to about the half way point from Igloo to Sugar Shack. The day is cloudy, coolish, damp and a soft wind high in the tree tops.

There are lots of maples, some oak, some dead/dying spruce thanks to the spruce bud worm, as well as other varieties.  They make a rich carpet, some times crinkling underfoot, other times silent and sodden, cushioning each step. The spruce offer stark contrast, it is usually a ghostly white haze in the distance, upon getting closer the fallen branches and trees present a tripping hazard if one is not paying attention.

On this stroll everything was spongy and the rocks slick with wetness from last night’s rain. I noticed a new growth of poison ivy in a few places along the path. New growth green not yet relinquished to the brilliant red of fall one normally sees this time of year. I did not take any of the short paths to the bluffs edges, too wet and slippery. The colours do not appear as brilliant nor as varied this year but perhaps sunshine would change that situation.

A big cool down in the temperate from yesterday, about 10 degrees. Can you say brrrrrr ? The sun is trying to fight its way out but I’m not hopeful.

The ladder to nowhere…

Jim can you see it?

Brother Rick’s stand.

I often times think I should explain that Brother Rick is my brother not a Religious Brother. Sister Janet (Jan) is my sister, not a Religious Sister. Sister Jan has a partner named Rick. My late sister in law Janet was Richard’s sister. So the added brother/sister is now cleared up, I hope.

Insect tracks in the wood.

One of new cradles built last fall.

The apple holder is a dead spruce that has broken off,
the bush is full of them.

I hope you have enjoyed a glimpse of my morning stroll, I still have more photos but think this is enough for this post.  To the Canadians reading this we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving (coming this weekend). Always be thankful for what you have for someone always has less. You are blessed if your tables are ladened, if your family is near, and if your friends are dear. To our American readers, Happy Canadian Thanksgiving, we are grateful to know you, grateful that you take the time to check in, and grateful to call you friend.

Dead spruce everywhere.

A carpet of many colours.

Sunlight on the Maple Leaf.

Not much wind this morning.

Take care, stay safe….

Deb

Happy Thanksgiving ....

Our Location: Near American Girl Mine Road, BLM, CA

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, American or Canadian or any others that may be reading this. It's been a quiet day here at the Igloo. A physically restful type of day. 

This welcome to Yuma sign was NOT taken with my phone a few days ago.

 

Our morning started with sunny skies and little wind, a temp of about 50F/10C to start the day. Rain and winds were in the forecast for later but this morning it looked wonderful. 

No it not a jack knifed tractor trailer. They disconnected and the trailer is being used as a living space. It has a vent and at least a couple of solar panels up there. No sign of stairs or a smaller door, no windows either but the tractor leaves while the trailer stays.

A few housekeeping chores and I spent a great deal of time posting, answering posts, commenting and doing some emails this morning. In fact the morning was pretty much filled with those things. We did however prep lunch as well. 

I have no idea what this is but it's located not far from us at an empty site with only a fire ring to keep it company.

Riley and I even ventured out for a walk this afternoon putting in a good half hour. A few rain drops tried to hasten our pace but with only 3 drops we didn't hurry along much. 

 

The thorns of the Ocotillo, The Devils Walking Stick.

It was after our lunch of Hickory Chicken Breast, stuffing and green beans with mushrooms that the day clouded over, the dust started showing in the air, the wind picked up and of course the sun in a valiant effort to make itself known peaked through at various times but it was a battle being fought off and on all the rest of the day. 

A dead Ocotillo, simply ripped out of the ground but a few smaller ones near by to carry on the living process.

Around 4:30 pm the wind was slackening off and the dust was starting to settle but within the hour the dust started showing off again and the sky was pretty much a mass of clouds.  According to the weather folks the winds should start easing up in the next hour and the rain may start in a couple of hours but nothing of any major amount here where our little Igloo sits.  So hopefully our weather system will pass in a few more hours and we can expect a more settled day tomorrow. 

This is the left over evidence of an almost bloom on an Ocotillo.

The feathery appearance of a bloom.

 

Today's photos were all taken with my phone on our walk (except the first one). I managed with some effort to put in a bit over 2 miles. All on the flat of course, no climbing. Maybe in a couple of days I'll try a bit longer and a bit more varied route and see how things go. 

The stump of this Palo Verde tree is very big even if the tree doesn't have a singular trunk.

As I write this post it is shortly after 5:30 pm Mountain time and the wind is at it's most gusty, the dust is now hanging in the air once again and there doesn't appear to be any hope of seeing a sunset so I will not delay this posting to hope for good sunset photos. If we see one I'll post the photos tomorrow. The first splatters of rain are now falling.

I am certain I posted a photo of this last year as well. Left at one of the many sites here.

 

We hope you all had a wonderful, safe and enjoyable day, where ever you may be. To our family and friends, you have crossed our minds many times today, even if we are not together we wish all of you the warmth, love and support of good family and friends not just on this day of Thanksgiving, but each and every day all year long. George and Suzie being in our thoughts often on this day, just as they are every day. 

We see this out the window from farther away and it always looks like a rabbit.

Until next time... take care, be safe, 

But on closer inspection, it's not!

 

Deb

 

Less than a week until we start our winter travels....

Our Location: Summer Home, Tehkummah, Ontario

 

I’ve been busy snapping photos with the phone on my morning walk to and from dad’s house for coffee. It’s dark now when I leave the Igloo (around 6:30 AM) and I carry a flashlight just in case but I don’t use it unless it’s necessary, preferring to walk in the dark. What would make it necessary you ask? I met a skunk coming up our lane while I was going down last year and so I feel that critters may make it necessary to flash a light beam now and then. Although this year has been quiet for critters, a fox and a porcupine being our only visitors except cows of course.
 

Sun and moon shots from our front yard.

Sunrise in the east sky.

We’ve had a glorious number of days these past couple of weeks with the day time temps climbing well into the ‘short sleeve’ temperatures. The leaves are turning quickly and the colour is amazing. We offered a while ago to work the weekends until our time comes to an end at work this fall and so our days off are always weekdays. It gives the other ladies a chance to enjoy their weekends until we leave. It seems the rain is partial to weekends here and so once again the weekend forecast is calling for some wet weather. I don’t mind but hope it holds off until after we finish work. Ah well, we cannot control the weather and since we aren’t made of sugar we won’t melt and therefore I’m pretty certain we will survive. While the past number of weeks have been wonderful the time ahead looks cold and damp, a sure sign the arrival of fall. 

Morning sunrise at our favourite swimming spot.

If you listen closely perhaps you'll hear the loon calling.

 

Belated Happy Thanksgiving to all of our Canadian friends out there. We hope this special time found  you wrapped in the arms of family and friends, enjoying good times, good food and making wonderful memories. For many snowbirds the weekend is the sign that says it is time to begin our preparations and our journeys southward to find the places with no snowy touches. It is the last chance to hug and kiss those we hold dear before we start scratching the hitch itch that attacks us all. We hope you enjoyed your time together.
 

Some of the sights we see at our summer location. Doesn't look much like a quarry, does it?

 

We joined our family here for Thanksgiving Dinner. We gathered with brother Rick’s family (minus Jason & Leah), along with sister Jan, her partner Rick and dad to celebrate the holiday. Barb is a wonderful cook and we enjoy every invitation to dinner. The tables seated 13 places this year, the youngest being Miss Hazel closing in on the 1 year old mark and Dad being the oldest at 82. Miss Hazel shares the same birthday as her Grandma Barb, Oct 26.
 

Can you see us up there in the trees? Either the Dogsled, the Igloo or both are in each photo.

 

The mornings are cool these days, hovering between the mid 40’s to the low 50’s ( 7 to 11 C) with the sunshine helping to raise the mercury during the day. As we are on a rock in Lake Huron there is of course always wind. Dead calm at 7 AM but by 8 AM the wind is starting to stir. Not at all like the desert winds but enough to let us know that fall has arrived and winter is barreling our way. A day or two this week the ferry had a bit of a time getting into the dock to tie up with the wind gusts making it difficult but not impossible. On Thanksgiving Sunday the ferry didn't sail the last trip (two sailings on Sundays in the fall) as the winds and waves made the trip rough. Always a bit more dramatic in the fall with the ferry and wind. 

Some fall views and colours within walking distance of the Igloo.

A belated birthday wish to our good friend Ron who celebrated a birthday (Oct 13) on our fine Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. Ron and his lovely wife Sharon are folks we have known a number of years and perhaps you’ll remember we met up with them last fall for a week on our journey homeward. We are hoping to once again catch up with them but this time on our journey westward. Happy Birthday Buddy!!!
 

Just to prove it is a quarry.

So there you have it folks, a quick post but the photos will let you see what we see every day. We will be pulling up our feet on Oct 21 with our first stop about a 1/4 mile away in Dad’s driveway for the night to check out a few things before we head out on the morning of Oct 22 for the first leg of journey. 

Some of the fall colour we see daily.

 

We hope all is well with our friends out here in blogger land. We will be catching up with our reading when we head out.

 

Our home in the colours.

Until next time… take care, be safe,


Deb

Happy Thanksgiving, state parks, and a nice hike.......

Our Location: City of Rocks State Park, Faywood, NM

Riley and I hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day here in the USA. Plenty of food, plenty of laughter, good friends, loving family and a very good day!!!

Peter Cottontail not worried about Miss Kitty or me.

A coolish night but still nice for sleeping. We didn’t need our heater on this morning as the Igloo warmed up nicely with the sun shining in the windows. Since we really didn’t have any plans for today we kind of just puttered around for a bit. We did decide about 8:30 am or so that we would head out to see the other state parks in the area for the next time we stop in this neighbourhood. 

Leave me alone, I'm having breakfast.

Of course this meant we had to go to Deming. First we headed out to Rockhound State Park, and our way through noticed Walmart was open but not extremely busy. We didn’t stop but made note of that. A number of stores and fuel stations were open which surprised me, I thought it was a holiday.

Heading toward Rockhound and Stone Canyon State Parks

We journeyed out to Rockhound State Park, finding it easily and taking a short tour. A nice park to be certain. Although all walking would be up and down since it’s on a hill side. However still a nice place. We noted a few spots we’d fit into easily and the boon docking area looks pretty good as well. So we will keep that in mind for another time. 

Rockhound campground up on the left

From there we headed cross country to  Poncho Villa State Park. At first Bella our US GPS wouldn’t find the park but found Columbus. I figured we’d manage from there. A scenic drive out to the park, about 30 miles just a few miles from the Mexican border. We notice a few interesting sights on the way out but didn’t manage to get pictures of them. Oh well, perhaps another time. 

Southwest flavour here at Rockhound State Park

We arrived in Poncho Villa State Park and chatted with a nice ranger there. He gave us the information regarding the park, hook ups, prices, etc. A very nice park, if it were not quite so far out I think we would consider it. The sites are huge and the ground is very level. Some nice gardens there as well. It’s a big park, with lots of sites to choose from. Even some 50 amp spots. 

Leaving Rockhound State Park

Heading back to Deming we had to stop at the inspection station. The guard was officious and almost polite. He assumed we were US citizen while he was looking inside the Dogsled, when I answered, No Canadians, he immediately wanted to see our passports. I found this very odd. We hadn’t left the US, we weren’t even at the border crossing. He scolded me for not carrying my passport all the time while in the US. I offered up my drivers license and Riley’s health card, as both are picture ID. He eventually let us through. I don’t carry my passport with me when in the truck out for a day’s touring. If we had planned on crossing into Mexico then yes, we would have had it. His comment was that if we were within 25 miles of the border we should carry it. I didn’t argue but believe me I’ve travelled well within the 25 mile radius at many Ontario crossing and never once have I ever had to stop at an inspection station that far from the border. If we had crossed into Mexico we still would have had to pass through US customs to get back in the country which means I’ve already been vetted and accepted. So I wasn’t really sure what his purpose was so far from the border other than to check we had no illegal passengers. Yes I know the Mexican border is much different than the Canadian border but I still won’t be carrying my passport with me every where I go. I think that is just inviting trouble. I leave it locked in the safe until we need it for something such as crossing the border, going onto a military base, etc. However it’s better not argue with those folks and so I didn’t. 

Poncho Villa raided the town of Columbus, NM  not far from the Mexican border. This raid caused a reactionary force to enter Mexico after him but they failed in their mission returning back to the USA without him.

Back in Deming we found the Wally’s world and decided to brave the store. It wasn’t that busy actually. However they were getting ready for long lines later in the evening when their Black Friday sales starts. They had clothing racks and skids, etc all jammed here and there to make room for ‘customer lines at check out’ with arrows taped to the floor indicating which line should go to which cash register. We picked up our few groceries and headed out. We pulled up to a cashier and just started unloading, no wait, so you know it wasn’t busy.

Noticed a farmer working this field as we passed by on our way to Deming

Back in the Dogsled we headed home. Eager to get back for some lunch. As we pulled in we noticed a few turn overs in the park, some folks left, new folks moved in their spot and of course the boon docking spots have a big turn over every couple of days too. 

The top of Observation Hill

After putting away our few groceries, I prepped the lunch veggies and Riley prepared our green salad. Before long we were outside BBQ’ing mixed veggies with orange zest and a nice chicken breast with Hawaiin BBQ sauce. We enjoyed our books and salads waiting for the rest to cook on low heat. Inside we had also made up some stuffing and that was lunch. Salad, stuffing, mixed veggies and chicken breast. I topped mine off with a small pecan pie and Riley had a couple of small chocolate donuts she picked up at Wally’s today. 

We made it.

After cleaning up we packed our little backpack with a couple bottles of water, sun screen and the camera, grabbed our walking sticks and headed for the top of Observation Hill. It’s a mile hike each way. A very steep climb but the view is stunning from the top. We wandered along the hiking path taking our time as we climbed to the top resting only once. At the top we plopped ourselves on a bench to enjoy the view, some water and a wee rest. We opted for the road on the way down instead of the trail. It was a steep decent but we made it with no slipping or sliding, and Riley didn’t have to catch me even one time. I didn’t check the time before we left but I think we were gone about an hour. Not a fast walk but it was quite the climb. We did enjoy it very much though. 

Love the sun on the desert plants as it sets

Home again I started to edit pictures but headed out to catch the sunset instead. A number of rabbits in the area. One eating breakfast outside the Igloo window this morning had the cat and I fighting for a seat at the window, with different thoughts of course. Her thoughts were definitely …yum….breakfast and mine were…..oh how cute!! The little fella was a cotton tail and he wasn’t one bit concerned with our moving around or making noise. Tonight on my way to a good vantage point to see the sunset I noticed a number of cotton tails here and there along the way. I also managed to catch a Jack Rabbit on the run through the cactus garden tonight during the sunset. He almost looked like a kangaroo, he was moving right along with those long hind legs. 

Going down....

A pretty nice sunset tonight, not a lot of clouds but still a few caught the ‘fire’ of the sun. Home and in the door by 5:30 pm having finished with the sunset I have been editing pictures and writing this post since. 

Sinking fast...

So as you can see our day is about over and it was certainly an educational and enjoyable one. Once again, Happy Thanksgiving to all of our US friends and to those Canadians that are here celebrating as well. 

The cloud colour is also fading fast...

Thanks for stopping by, feel free to leave a comment. 

Taken while sitting in my chair at our spot

Until next time….be safe, take care..

The eastern sky is a beautiful hue.

Deb