Where do ( did ) you walk ( locally ) in 2022?

[Peregrina 2013]

What are the wattle and earthen shelters? Very interesting.

Had to take the pups for a walk and went to Frontenac State Park to the Upper Bluff Trail and snapped these for you;-) Those are 2 different lean-to's that have been there probably for the last 3 years or so.



Ooops! I actually have 2 shots of the same! I meant to have the 2 different lean-to's. Sorry!

 

[TrvlDad1]

Had to take the pups for a walk and went to Frontenac State Park to the Upper Bluff Trail and snapped these for you;-) Those are 2 different lean-to's that have been there probably for the last 3 years or so.

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Interesting, never seen any just left in the woods down here. You do see many deer stands on private land which is an indication not to walk there in the Fall.

 

[Peregrina 2013]

Interesting, never seen any just left in the woods down here. You do see many deer stands on private land which is an indication not to walk there in the Fall.

Totally agree! There are plenty of those around the woods here too, so I make sure to not go hiking in the park during the weekends when hunting is allowed there;-)

 

[Former member 49149]

Pamplona in the distance, last night and this morning. Peeking through a hole in the door of the church in Zabaldika.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

There is an international film festival on at the moment and I have been watching some really interesting and great movies and while walking in to watch tonights movie I took this shot.

 

[koknesis]

Baltics, cont.

 

[Corned Beef]

Hills (Downs) above Brighton, UK. No one about and yet a few miles on the city is overflowing with visitors as it is Pride Weekend. Heading home before it gets going. It’s going to be a noisy weekend .

 

[Peregrina 2013]

Here's a map of my stomping grounds - only 7 minutes away There is a variety of ecosystems within the park which I absolutely love and never get tired of visiting. Blackberries are finally ready to pick and couldn't believe that goldenrod has begun to bloom!
More of those rustic shelters in the park - near the campground. I actually found an article about what they are:

https://urbanomnibus.net/2020/09/gimme-shelter/

 

[TrvlDad1]

Here's a map of my stomping grounds - only 7 minutes away There is a variety of ecosystems within the park which I absolutely love and never get tired of visiting. Blackberries are finally ready to pick and couldn't believe that goldenrod has begun to bloom!
More of those rustic shelters in the park - near the campground. I actually found an article about what they are:

https://urbanomnibus.net/2020/09/gimme-shelter/

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How interesting, I would not have understood them, and certainly not the deep explanation relating to COVID. I'm just disappointed they are not part of a protected Yeti habitat.

 

[TrvlDad1]

My standby walk today, the NW Beltline trail, very sparse activity, the playgrounds were empty as the kids started school this week. But the thunderstorms have been prevalent all week; I had to duck in on a neighbor today for about 45 minutes until the rain, thunder and lightning passed. Then our little brook where the heron had been was a torrent. Early in the walk, this squirrel ran across in front of me carrying something I couldn’t identify. Itlooked like an animal, and I first thought lizard, but up close it turned out to be a frog. Nuts must not be ripe enough yet.

 

[TrvlDad1]

And pardon my photo posting challenges today.

 

[TrvlDad1]

An invigorating bike ride, mostly on the Rottenwood Creek Trail, a very scenic and peaceful, but hilly, off-shoot of the Chattahoochee River trails. Most of the wildlife was on the river today.

 

[Peregrina 2013]

At Whitewater State Park with my 2 friends and fellow Peregrinas And look what we saw!

 

[peregrino_tom]

Back up on the Black Mountains 'horseshoe' yesterday. Very different to the gloomy, hostile conditions I posted earlier in the year!

 

[Theatregal]

Evening walk along a regular route - through the Terra Nova natural area and the paths of the community garden. The stars of my walk, in the forest at the edge of the garden were the two immature Cooper's Hawks that I had heard calling during the last few days but hadn't been able to find until last night!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Peg and I headed north to the mountains last week to get some relief from the heat. This was the perfect time for me to hike to the summit of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, something that I've been doing since I was six. Since my father died I've been hiking it for every five year anniversary, something I mentioned in my post in a thread to collect photos of when we were young.

I took the Tuckerman Ravine trail up, a tough climb with rocks all the way. It is about 4,000 feet elevation change in four miles (1,200m/6.4km) with a good section at a 66% slope. This year, despite the good weather, age made it a real challenge.

Mt. Washington seen from a smaller peak we hiked together the day before my solo hike:

Two years ago we hiked together just up to Tuckerman Ravine. This is the easy section:

Now it's getting steep. Follow the yellow arrow straight up:

The steep part is done and the summit is in sight:

Another view from a nearby place that includes a hut run by the Appalachian Mountain Club. The flat area on the left is known as The Lawn:

Pictures at the summit are almost mandatory. Often the line can be long. Smartphones and cameras travel back and forth between strangers:

One reason the lines can be long is because people can pay to ride a cog railway or to take a toll road. Both date to the 1860s:

There are hikers though. The Appalachian Trail is just down the hill a short ways so I imagine all the through-hikers spend a few minutes climbing up to the summit:


Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of any of the old buildings with chains draped over them to keep them from blowing away; the weather observatory at the summit once recorded a windspeed of 231 miles per hour (372 km/h).

P. S. Heading back down I met a family hiking up. The girl was five years old. And she looked to be in much better shape than me.

 

[TrvlDad1]

Great photos and memories!!!
It should be the waning season of AT through hikers in that section. The AT through hike is another long-time bucket list trip of mine that the cooling ashes of youth (or more aptly, the rising shadow of age) have probably scratched. But it’s still a treat to hike up to Springer Mt. in the early Spring and see the 50+ pound packs getting ready to leave. The 10% or so who make to Maine usually do so with packs of about 20 pounds or less.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

I rode out to Cobh, formerly Queenstown, from Cork. The Titanic took on steerage passengers here. The White Star Line ticket office is now a museum.

 

[koknesis]

Back to the forest
View attachment Untitled.mov

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Great photos and memories!!!
It should be the waning season of AT through hikers in that section. The AT through hike is another long-time bucket list trip of mine that the cooling ashes of youth (or more aptly, the rising shadow of age) have probably scratched. But it’s still a treat to hike up to Springer Mt. in the early Spring and see the 50+ pound packs getting ready to leave. The 10% or so who make to Maine usually do so with packs of about 20 pounds or less.

In the White Mountains we still see a good number of thru-hikers in August. There are about 350 miles or 550 kilometers (approximately) to go, about a month's more hiking. I've read that Maine closes the trail to Katahdin, the end point, in mid October.

There is an unofficial start point at a state park in Georgia that is a day's hike from the offical start at Springer Mountain, as you would know @TrvlDad1. We were there some years ago and checked the signin book where I saw most starting pack weights registered in the 35 pound (16 kg) range but with higher and lower weights. The reason the park is used as the start point is that it is a lot easier to drive to (and at Springer you have to walk a mile from the road to the AT start and back again anyway).

We have fond memories of the start of the AT too. In the spring we did a 5 day out and return backback at about the 60 mile (100km) area. It was fun seeing everyone's enthusiasm.

 

[TrvlDad1]

In the White Mountains we still see a good number of thru-hikers in August. There are about 350 miles or 550 kilometers (approximately) to go, about a month's more hiking. I've read that Maine closes the trail to Katahdin, the end point, in mid October.

There is an unofficial start point at a state park in Georgia that is a day's hike from the offical start at Springer Mountain, as you would know @TrvlDad1. We were there some years ago and checked the signin book where I saw most starting pack weights registered in the 35 pound (16 kg) range but with higher and lower weights. The reason the park is used as the start point is that it is a lot easier to drive to (and at Springer you have to walk a mile from the road to the AT start and back again anyway).

We have fond memories of the start of the AT too. In the spring we did a 5 day out and return backback at about the 60 mile (100km) area. It was fun seeing everyone's enthusiasm.

Amicalola Falls State Park is the unofficial car drop off and start for many AT hikers. You can actually drive up Springer Mt. on Forest Service roads but it’s rough dirt & gravel and subject to washouts.
Another favorite of mine is Blood Mt., beyond which is the first major road crossing and the Walasi Yi center where packs get skinnied down and forgotten essentials can be bought. Some aspiring through hikers become day hikers there, the first major point of attrition.
This brief conversation will probably drive me up there for an out and back when the summer weather breaks (in my orange vest as deer season is long down here now).

 

[Arctic_Alex]

With the starting date drawing closer (September 16, Camino Primitivo), I just returned from some 55 k training hike on the somewhat wilder edge of our little municipality. It was also a test for my new boots which, no wonder, gave me some blisters .
Still not getting bored of our local scenery ...
(Sarek NP, Northern Sweden)

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Back to the forest

This looks strangely familiar ...

 

[koknesis]

This looks strangely familiar ...

Hossa national park, Finland

 

[TrvlDad1]

Hi TrivDad
i got the mileage wrong
it was 27,000 km not 20,000
a mere 7000 mistake!
yes it’s still there
book or kindle
i will send a screenshot
let me know what you think.
I loved reading it and did not want to finish the book
A bit like the Camino I suppose and that’s why I love the Where did you walk thread
We get to see, in photos so many lovely places and experiences
Armchair travellers if you like.View attachment 129180

Hi Annette London, I just finished reading Ian’s book and it is fascinating and inspiring…one of those books I didn’t want to end. But I guess he couldn’t go any further.
Ian has a wonderful writing style which conveys a very human and sensitive individual with a remarkable gift of positivity in the face of what we would all consider serious adversity and even danger. He is a very unique man.
The one comment I must make is that, as with most travel books, the maps are abysmal. I would have preferred to buy a series of Michelin guides with the book so as not to miss any points of geography. But this is always the scourge of travel publishing, not writing; the writers must be equally frustrated.
And of course, Ian’s nature, positivity and success was due also to his family and support group of which I assume you were one acknowledged.
It was a great read. Thank you for the recommendation.

 

[VNwalking]

Still not getting bored of our local scenery ...

Yeah. No joke! Stunning, @Arctic_Alex .

 

[Kanga]

My walks lately have only been around the garden. But the hint of spring is in the air, thank goodness.

 

[peregrino_tom]

Still not getting bored of our local scenery ...

Yeah. No joke! Stunning, @Arctic_Alex .

Blowing my mind. The blisters are most definitely worth it

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Blowing my mind. The blisters are most definitely worth it

Just a walk in the park ... no, we love it up North. There is a reason why we moved here into the Northern Swedish "outback" where a round trip to Ikea easily adds up to a 300 miles drive and the next manned police station is more than 100 miles away

 

[Annette london]

Hi Annette London, I just finished reading Ian’s book and it is fascinating and inspiring…one of those books I didn’t want to end. But I guess he couldn’t go any further.
Ian has a wonderful writing style which conveys a very human and sensitive individual with a remarkable gift of positivity in the face of what we would all consider serious adversity and even danger. He is a very unique man.
The one comment I must make is that, as with most travel books, the maps are abysmal. I would have preferred to buy a series of Michelin guides with the book so as not to miss any points of geography. But this is always the scourge of travel publishing, not writing; the writers must be equally frustrated.
And of course, Ian’s nature, positivity and success was due also to his family and support group of which I assume you were one acknowledged.
It was a great read. Thank you for the recommendation.

Hi Trivdad,
thank you so much for your lovely comments
I will pass them on to Ian, and yes it was a book that I didn’t want to finish myself…a bit like walking the Camino!
best wishes
Annette

 

[Peregrina 2013]

Today my friends and I walked a new trail not far from us that I had never explored. It's called called Goodhue Pioneer Trail and it's only 5.4 miles long - one way, which makes for a nice long hike.
It's beautiful and shaded with lush vegetation, it's paved most of the way and definitely flat, so not challenging, but it's remarkably quiet and well cared for. We thought it would be ideal for cross-country skiing but found out it's a snowmobile trail in the winter
We had a wonderful morning!

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/minnesota/goodhue-pioneer-trail--3

 

[lovingkindness]

Down the road
Then round a bend
to where the magpies sing...

Quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle

 

[TrvlDad1]

A tougher than expected 26 mile bike ride on the Silver Comet Trail today. I planned to head out in the uphill direction to have an easier ride back. But the wind was stiff coming back and it didn’t feel any easier. But a good workout, the trail was virtually empty, and there’s an ice cream stand at about the halfway point. All in all, a very pleasing ride.
I was looking for some subtle indications that late summer is arriving. But the ubiquitous kudzu, which starts browning early, was as lust as ever. That we’ve had a lot of rain this summer may be a factor.

 

[SabsP]

Finally we had some rain after the dreadful heatwave. Hardly enough to save some crops...

 

[Tulle]

Last weekend i first drove eastward by car some hours and came into quite another world: everything is different, the landscape, the houses, the rivers, the vegetation. To walk along a river here is very different from home.

 

[Tulle]

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Last weekend i first drove eastward by car some hours and came into quite another world: everything is different, the landscape, the houses, the rivers, the vegetation. To walk along a river here is very different from home.View attachment 131102View attachment 131104View attachment 131104View attachment 131105

This became a strange post...a mixup of pictures and text...

 

[Peregrina 2013]

On the Mississippi this morning the sunrise was spectacular. Went to do some hiking in the same great park I go to most of the time I came across a huge butterfly or a moth on a thistle. Looking for information about MN moths and butterflies I was unable to identify it. Also saw 2 vultures hanging out on the posts.

 

[Peregrina 2013]

This is the butterfly or moth I saw today and have no idea what it is! Does anyone know?


View attachment IMG_5971.MOV

 

[TrvlDad1]

This is the butterfly or moth I saw today and have no idea what it is! Does anyone know?


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This is the butterfly or moth I saw today and have no idea what it is! Does anyone know?


View attachment 131132

Well, understating that I’m no expert or even experienced with butterflies, from the ones shown online for Minnesota, it looks like some type of black swallowtail, perhaps one that’s been in a fight and had part of it’s rear section taken out. Just an opinion, which I always have, understanding that I’m only occasionally correct. But in any case a nice video and beautiful creature.

 

[VNwalking]

20 rocky high-elevation kms yesterday into and out of Haleakala.

 

[lovingkindness]

20 rocky high-elevation kms yesterday into and out of Haleakala.
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Awesome!

 

[Former member 49149]

20 rocky high-elevation kms yesterday into and out of Haleakala.
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May I add a link to this awe inspiring place? It deserves expansion, thank you for sharing your photos. Please @Botany 491, what is the name of the beautiful creation in your last photo?

Haleakala Crater | Haleakala National Park - Maui's volcano

Spectacular, humbling, awe-inspiring, grand—myriad superlatives are often bandied about to describe Maui’s famed volcano, Haleakala Crater. Read about Haleakala National Park and how to visit.

haleakalacrater.com

 

[VNwalking]

@Botany 491

I think I need to change my username. I like that.
That beauty is the endangered Haleakala Silversword, found only in this place. They are stunningly gorgeous, even more so when they are in full bloom - which happens only once in a plant's life. Climate change threatens what seemed like a stunning comeback from the brink...time will tell.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

That beauty is the endangered Haleakala Silversword, found only in this place.

Gorgeous photos. I was viewing the thread's pictures before reading the posts and I thought you might have been in NZ or the Canaries. Until seeing the Silversword and Haleakala popped into my thoughts.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I've been to lovely Haleakala and am glad I took some pictures because my more vivid memories are of driving back down the mountain on that squiggly road feeling quite nauseous afterward.

 

[Theatregal]

That beauty is the endangered Haleakala Silversword, found only in this place. They are stunningly gorgeous, even more so when they are in full bloom - which happens only once in a plant's life.

Gorgeous photos Botony 491 ! How wonderful that you caught this plant in bloom!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I think I need to change my username. I like that.
That beauty is the endangered Haleakala Silversword,

I just reread your post. Another good username and one that I will use if I ever join a fantasy forum is Haleakala Silversword. It is a beauty as a plant and a name.

 

[TrvlDad1]

Beauty comes in many different and unusual forms. Ran into this young guy (about two feet long) on the NW Beltline PATH after a short run today. He was heading toward Tanyard Creek very slowly, so a LONG stick helped him across before somebody stepped on him and had a bad day.

 

[VNwalking]

Gorgeous, @TrvlDad1. Good for you for keeping everyone safe, snakes and people alike.

 

[Peregrina 2013]

Well, understating that I’m no expert or even experienced with butterflies, from the ones shown online for Minnesota, it looks like some type of black swallowtail, perhaps one that’s been in a fight and had part of it’s rear section taken out. Just an opinion, which I always have, understanding that I’m only occasionally correct. But in any case a nice video and beautiful creature.

Thank you for taking the time to answer!!! I looked it up and it certainly looks like you are right!! This is the first time I've ever seen one in the park, there are many butterflies, and there is one that looks very similar to this one, but it's much smaller and it doesn't have the "tails" on the rear wings.

 

[Peregrina 2013]

Yesterday instead of going up from the bottom I decided to park on top and walk down from the upper bluff trail on the old quarry road passing by what used to be a very busy operation. I then connected with the middle bluff trail - which consists of several limestone passages, and went down to the lower trail to eventually go up innumerable steps all the way to the top again I found a beautiful turkey feather, that I had to take with me and on my way home I had to stop and take a photo of the eagle right by my road. A good workout and the day couldn't have been better.

 

[Corned Beef]

Today was up the Downs (again). Past St Andrew's church who must have been a busy Saint since you find his churches all over Europe.

Downs are chalk hills with a clay covering and today's clay was quite slippery due to the rain. You can see the route which evokes memories of the Strade Bianche you can see on the Via Francigena as you head towards Rome. Since the clay covering is quite light, people have taken to carving images on the hills like this White Horse. There is a Long Man around the corner which is significantly older - Iron Age.

Coming down you get to that quintessential British institution, the Tea Garden which combines the love of tea and gardening. Can't explain it any more than trying to explain that other institution, Tossing the Caber.

 

[TrvlDad1]

Thank you for taking the time to answer!!! I looked it up and it certainly looks like you are right!! This is the first time I've ever seen one in the park, there are many butterflies, and there is one that looks very similar to this one, but it's much smaller and it doesn't have the "tails" on the rear wings.

The top two are one I saw on the river today. The second row is your photo from last week. The comparable images and descriptions are from the Audubon Guide to the Southeastern States. Very similar but neither exact. My best non- lepidopterology guess is that they are probably related subspecies and/or yours is one of our guys who got blown north in a storm. Interesting and informative mystery, never to be solved at my pay grade.

 

[TrvlDad1]

A happy five-mile walk on the Chattahoochee today. We have no lean-to’s that I’ve seen, but we do have the Caveman mansions up and down the river.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Peg and I took a walk today in an area we have only done a few times. That's because it has usually been wet (yes Sabine, we come across mud too but only once in awhile). Not today; we've been in dought conditions all summer.

We walked though woods to a minor local historical site on the banks of the Concord River north of the town of Concord, Massachusetts (the second picture gives the colonial era history if you are inclined to examine it).

Peg and I have a daily view of the Concord River but it's not as nice as the view shown here.

 

[lovingkindness]

Strolling by a clump
Of daffodils...

 

[Theatregal]

A walk with my niece to a lovely park near her home to show her a fairy village in the forest. I was here a few years ago and the village has grown quite a bit - though still within the boundaries allowed. A park worker said wind storms are a challenge - there's always a clean-up crew the morning after, finding bits of the village blown about the forest! The roots of a massive uprooted Douglas Fir has provided space for a high-rise subdivision.

 

[Former member 49149]

A happy five-mile walk on the Chattahoochee today. We have no lean-to’s that I’ve seen, but we do have the Caveman mansions up and down the river.
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I wish I could say 'I had a walk on the Chattahoochee'...

 

[Peregrina 2013]

The top two are one I saw on the river today. The second row is your photo from last week. The comparable images and descriptions are from the Audubon Guide to the Southeastern States. Very similar but neither exact. My best non- lepidopterology guess is that they are probably related subspecies and/or yours is one of our guys who got blown north in a storm. Interesting and informative mystery, never to be solved at my pay grade.
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@TrvlDad1 this is great! I love the detailed information you've posted and your guess is definitely much more educated than mine could possibly be! A mystery indeed, and I'm so grateful you took the time to look this up!

 

[Former member 49149]

A fine morning, and some photos from a favourite spot, with a vibrant bush and some unripe brambles... will they plump up?

 

[SabsP]

Drove over the language border to Roclenge-sur-Geer. Almost 8 k.with lots of ups and downs.
Asphalt but mostly forest tracks and meadowland.
Statue in memory of the local fallen soldiers of 1914-1918.

 

[TrvlDad1]

Yesterday’s workout was the annual neighborhood 5K, run each year to raise money for a neighborhood project. What these young competitors don’t realize is that if they keep it up for 60 +/- years, they will be virtually guaranteed an age group award because they will constitute the age group. This year I had to settle for second place. Another relic entered in the race and I missed a turn on the redesigned course.

 

[Peregrina 2013]

For the first time I decided to hike a new area in the park. They recently added 159 acres to Frontenac State Park, and it comes with a bluff top view that is amazing. Frontenac is already known for awe-inspiring bluff top views of the Mississippi. But, this addition brings a new perspective with bluffs overlooking the Pleasant Valley Lakelet and Creek in one direction and the scenic hills of the park entrance in the other. There is a variety of landscapes like oak savanna, grasslands, and a creek bustling with wildlife. Years ago these lands were used for pasturing cows and then bison, but eventually began to accumulate old tires and other odds and ends. The park management has done remarkable work all over the area and it's now restored with native prairie plants.
The views are wonderful and it was a good climb, but I think hiking this area is better on a cloudy day because when you get to the top it's very open and there is no shade. There are many wonderful old trees at the end of the different trails, but not as you're walking along. On the way down I saw this old still healthy apple tree

 

[lovingkindness]

...how easy it is to walk a very long way, oblivious...


Then one
looks up

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

We are in a serious drought but in a wet area on one of our usual local walks we came upon this pretty scene.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

While large part of central Europe experiences a serious draught with even large rivers falling dry, up North we are experiencing the worst floodings since many many decades ago. Hence my daily walks are on the premises, checking if the water causes a serious threat to the buildings. The boathouse is already IN the water but water levels are still 1,5 metres below my office and 2 metres below the house I live in ... it appears it will remain like that and should fall hopefully at least 1m during the coming days. The images show our jetty a month ago and now two days ago. It has risen further now, but I cannot take any picture as then I would have to swim ;-)
I built the jetty to survive up to water levels 30cm below the current maximum. I hope there will be no damage.

 

[hueppi]

Via Regia - 3 days from Leipzig to Naumburg
Naumburg is a world heritage site - don't miss it!

 

[lovingkindness]

Via Regia - 3 days from Leipzig to Naumburg
Naumburg is a world heritage site - don't miss it!

I surely didn't!!
I walked through Leipzig and Naumberg on my way south to Frankfurt am Main (Sept. 2019). Along the way I slowed the days by practicing the blochflöte in churches and vacant spaces, by visiting monuments and memorials and munching on windfall pears and plums. Leipzig is where JS Bach spent the latter part of his life as Cantor at the Thomaskirche...

Guten Weg, Pilger!!


Leipzig


Naumberg Dom

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Via Regia - 3 days from Leipzig to Naumburg
Naumburg is a world heritage site - don't miss it!

I have been living not too far from Naumburg for years This is quite nice and green countryside.

 

[Former member 49149]

On my way this morning I passed a cruise ship at the port, they are slowly returning.
Online, I see this one has travelled from Reykjavik to Dublin, taking 12 days, at a cost of usdollars 22,450 double occupancy.
It was a beautiful quiet morning - still is!

 

[TrvlDad1]

On my way this morning I passed a cruise ship at the port, they are slowly returning.
Online, I see this one has travelled from Reykjavik to Dublin, taking 12 days, at a cost of usdollars 22,450 double occupancy.
It was a beautiful quiet morning - still is!


View attachment 131703

Beautiful dead-calm morning on the water. The passengers were probably sleeping off a rocky (and expensive) North Atlantic crossing.

 

[Theatregal]

An early morning walk at Boundary Bay, following a Rare Bird Alert to hopefully see an American Avocet - a beautiful shorebird. Success!

 

[Former member 49149]

An early morning walk at Boundary Bay, following a Rare Bird Alert to hopefully see an American Avocet - a beautiful shorebird. Success!

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Thanks for sharing your points of view! Please satisfy my curiosity: the zigzag style of the fencing - what is its purpose? Is it very windy there?

 

[J Willhaus]

Haven't been on this thread in a few months, but enjoy seeing where you have all been walking this summer. Now that we are back from Spain and I'm back in the grind at the university, I am walking about 4 km to and from my office daily during the week. We've been going to the Medicine Bow National Park for weekend hikes and picnics. Three weekends ago our cookout ended in a hailstorm, but yesterday we had a great 3+ mile hike at about 9,000 ft elevation followed by a simple picnic of sandwiches and apples.

New video by Janet Willhaus

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[Theatregal]

Thanks for sharing your points of view! Please satisfy my curiosity: the zigzag style of the fencing - what is its purpose? Is it very windy there?

I love zig-zag fencing - also called split rail. It's fencing that can be built and supported without having to dig post holes which makes it useful for any kind of terrain - in particular over rocky areas.

Split-rail fence - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[J Willhaus]

I love zig-zag fencing - also called split rail. It's fencing that can be built and supported without having to dig post holes which makes it useful for any kind of terrain - in particular over rocky areas.

View attachment 131765

Split-rail fence - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

They use that a lot in the western states in the US to keep cattle away from waterways. Relatively easy to move if needed compared to fences with posts and wire.

 

[aliciag56]

Good training hike. Wallace falls to Wallace lake. Visiting family in Seattle area. 10.5 miles rt, 1900 ft elevation gain. Tough first 3 miles up though

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Last week Peg and I went camping up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire again. This time we picked Waterville Valley as our destination. Before leaving we luckily caught an outdoor orientated television show that highlighted a trail that passed many cascades On Thursday we made that the first hike of the trip. I'm only showing some of the cascades. As a bonus we saw a sasquatch/bigfoot!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

The weather forecast for Friday afternoon at Waterville Valley was thunderstorms so we set out to do a short loop from the campground beforehand. Part way through we saw a sign pointing out Fletcher Cascades on a spur trail and so we decided to walk up it instead to add to our pretty pictures of cascades. It was somewhat over a mile and worth it for the belly laugh I got when I finally saw it. We have been in a drought. I took the second picture to show that water was actually falling.



If one of you wants to see the cascades someday it may look like this (or even prettier in the spring).

https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screen-Shot-2021-02-01-at-11.20.54-PM.png

 

[Camino Chrissy]

It was somewhat over a mile and worth it for the belly laugh I got when I finally saw it.

Rick, I think your two pictures are beautiful and worth that walk even with the trickle of water.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

The weather forecast for Friday afternoon at Waterville Valley was thunderstorms so we set out to do a short loop from the campground beforehand. Part way through we saw a sign pointing out Fletcher Cascades on a spur trail and so we decided to walk up it instead to add to our pretty pictures of cascades. It was somewhat over a mile and worth it for the belly laugh I got when I finally saw it. We have been in a drought. I took the second picture to show that water was actually falling.

Pure geological poetry, Rick!

 

[Peregrina 2013]

Today I was so lucky to have my granddaughter with me and best of all she wanted to go for a long hike to Frontenac State Park. So, off we went to walk the upper, lower and middle bluff trails on this glorious day! We found some fantastic fungi: The White Coral mushroom (Clavulina coralloides) was beautiful, and this is the first time I have ever seen it in the park. We also saw the Upright Coral Fungus (Samaria stricta) and the most common - and prolific, Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus Cincinnatus). It was a joyous day to remember forever!

 

[nycwalking]

Marina Del Rey boardwalk.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Saturday in Waterville Valley we had an adventure. I'm defining adventure as an experience you wish you didn't have but, due to poor or no planning, you did. It takes on a positive meaning though if you survive it.

I saw on a map another loop we could do near the one we started on Friday. I thought it was one we had done years before that was pleasant (spoiler, it wasn't). At the start, around noon, we came upon two sets of families coming down. We asked each if they were coming back from a visit to Fletcher Cascades. Both reports included "Yes" and "It was beautiful". We even got to see a video. After Friday afternoon's rain it did look great. We passed on taking the spur trail up to see it again though as we had enough to walk.

The trail followed a sizable brook at a distance. It was pretty when we could see it but there were no falls or cascades. It was getting awfully steep and we considered heading back but we got a report that things would be getting better from approaching hikers. We didn't take into account that they were 50 years younger than us. I should mention that although I had a paper map in the backpack I was using an app and got fooled by the contour lines which were in meters although distances were given in miles and feet.

Well, we finally made it to the trail junction for the return portion of our trip. I mentioned to Peg that there was a peak just a quarter mile away that was reported to have a nice view. "Nah". But after a break we reconsidered. We had been averaging a mile per hour and going downhill the rest of the way (except the peak) so we could finish around 6:30. We went for the peak and we're glad we did.

But, man, we were complaining all the way down. "How can this trail be going down twice as steeply as the trail going up when they are nearly the same length?" (There were plenty of one word complaints uttered too.) At 8:00, after walking in increasing darkness, we approach the stream crossing just a quarter mile or less from the end of the mountain portion of the hike. I pull out the flashlight but I can only see a steep bank on the other side, no trail. Instead we decide to bushwhack to the highway, Peg following me with the flashlight so she can see both me and her footing. It turned out to be much easier than we could imagine. Thank goodness that there is no poison ivy around the White Mountains. After crossing the highway we had an easy time the rest of the way on a flat three quarter mile path to the campground arriving at 8:45.

7.25 miles (11.6 km) in 9:15 hours. We were too tired to eat much so dinner was a beer and tortilla chips.

This was a super fantastic job on Peg's part. On the short level walks around home she sometimes complains about hip and knee pain. She likes the mountains so much though she puts up with a lot.

The pictures show:
The loop portion of the hike we took identified.
Took a picture of a snake to identify later. It's just a common garter snake but with a pattern I had never seen before.
A couple of pics to show some trail we had and a couple to show the views from Jenning's Peak.

Edit: I make fun of Sabine's mud but in the Whites we get rocks, roots, ruts, washouts and windfalls.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

In contrast to our Saturday walk (decribed just above) this was taken today, Wednesday, on one of our usual walks at home.

 

[Tulle]

After days and days of rain it was nice to have a couple of days with sunshine and to take a short walk in the forest to enjoy it.

 

[SabsP]

Slow walk around my block. Finally Covid got to me though with minor symptoms. First walk after rest of five days.
Noticed I already lost some muscle strength.

 

[TrvlDad1]

Very pleasant, uncrowded 22 mile bike trek west of town on the Silver Comet Trail. The kudzu is wilting and browning and although the thermometer said 92F, it’s not the oppressive, humid heat of a few weeks ago. The kudzu almanac says only 4-6 weeks of hot summer left here. And an utterly delicious ending at the Hiram Hounds Park (butter brickle on a soft cone)!

 

[lovingkindness]

...last night I walked for half an hour on a treadmill then scoffed a handful of 'Belgian' chocolates- imitation, not Godiva, which sent me rummaging through a stack of old banana boxes filled with diaries, manuscripts and holiday souvenirs to find this: a momento from Brugge, where I stayed for a week in 2002 and was bitten by bed bugs for the very first time...


my sewing box

 

[TrvlDad1]

...last night I walked for half an hour on a treadmill then scoffed a handful of 'Belgian' chocolates- imitation, not Godiva, which sent me rummaging through a stack of old banana boxes filled with diaries, manuscripts and holiday souvenirs to find this: a momento from Brugge, where I stayed for a week in 2002 and was bitten by bed bugs for the very first time...

View attachment 132046
my sewing box

Now that’s my kind of workout!

 

[lovingkindness]

Now that’s my kind of workout!

Ha ha ..

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

a momento from Brugge

Thanks for the memory of a wonderful town, a wonderful time and great chocolates. Also a movie that has memorable quotes.

 

[lovingkindness]

Thanks for the memory of a wonderful town, a wonderful time and great chocolates. Also a movie that has memorable quotes.

Which movie? Or shouldn't I ask....

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Spring has sprung here and so I went for a walk the gardens in a nearby city. This particular garden has themed sub-gardens. I enjoyed about five of these before succumbing and pulling my camera out to take some photos to share. Often I resist so that I force myself to look at what is there rather than relying on a photo afterwards. There aren't many flowers out yet.

Anyway the first sub-garden that I took some photos of was a modernistic USA style garden. There was a Marilyn Munroe mosaic, a modernistic water sculpture and clean lines.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Some photo's taken during different walks in the last weeks.
We also visited the National Train Museum in Utrecht where we came agros this dining car where Marianne worked on
She worked on trains to Austria, Italy and the Oriënt Expres.

 

[Former member 49149]

I could be heading West to Santiago!
The bundle on the ground could be me, or you...
Once more, eternally, these people are hungry for a better life.
If you are interested, look up Wood Quay, Dublin. An interesting history.
The row of little trees that face the railway station at the western end of the quays on the Liffey.
Wearing in a new pair of boots. Left one needs a bit of stretching...

I

 

[markie6]

Hills (Downs) above Brighton, UK. No one about and yet a few miles on the city is overflowing with visitors as it is Pride Weekend. Heading home before it gets going. It’s going to be a noisy weekend .

above Kingston ? one of my routes !!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Which movie? Or shouldn't I ask....

It's a very adult dark comedy so you probably shouldn't have asked ... but you did. In Bruges.

 

[SabsP]

It's a very adult dark comedy so you probably shouldn't have asked ... but you did. In Bruges.

A very good movie! Makes Bruges / Brugge look so much more interesting than it is in real life.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

A very good movie! Makes Bruges / Brugge look so much more interesting than it is in real life.

Just this morning I learned that there is an alternative pronunciation to the name Sabine. In English it rhymes with queen, in French it ends in an ah sound. I believe your native language is Flemish? So which pronunciation do you use?