Have you ever arrived at a campsite or picnic destination and started piling things on the picnic table? If you are like me, you never think about a table cloth because you are too excited about being there and getting set up. After reading this post, I guarantee you will change this habit. I say…
While camp hosting this summer, I have learned to appreciate campground sounds. Previously, the sounds hovered on the outskirts of my subconscious mind. However, I have taught myself to consciously listen. The daily sound cycle starts with a noticeable silence. After people pull out around noon and before the new folks arrive after 2:30 PM,…
I remember growing up with high humidity in Akron. However, compared to what I live in now, it seems more than humid. The air is wet, drenched. When I step outside my camper with my morning cup of coffee, I find more than morning dew. My chair, table, cushions are wet. Wetter than the moisture…
A few weeks ago when I was down with my annual late winter cold, I remarked to myself, wow, you have not had any broken bones, owies, sprains or burns since last May (sprained foot walking in Downtown Denver). Not bad. That, of course, was dangerous thinking, such self-kudo-ing brings disaster. I awoke the next…
Weekends are my busiest days, but starting Monday I will be staying in a yurt for a week. When I counted up my vacation days, I discovered I had some leftover–the first time. Worried about snow and cold, I decided to leave the camper in the garage and splurge on a wilderness yurt. The yurt…
Some day, when I can wander at will, I will attend the Pomona RV show in Southern California. In the meantime, I can only drool over the new campers as I read accounts written by others. Here is a great article from roadtreking.com: SNIFFING IN THE ODD CORNERS OF THE POMONA RV SHOW OCTOBER 15,…
We are already transitioning into fall. The seasonal shift announces itself in the cool nights and chilly, damp mornings that set in after the August full moon. The edges between each season are predictable, comforting times. Fall migration begins with flocks of smallish birds heading southeast. The garden fades. Round bales of hay rest quietly…
I explore the prairie uplands and discover new shorebirds and ducks most of the summer. Now, I am restless about finding something new and discovering new birds for my life list. What is nearby? The Missouri River! The banks of a major river could offer up a different terrain and corresponding new birds. This is…
Sunday: time to go camping. I received an invitation to camp on someone’s farm land, near a small lake. Don’t have to ask me twice! Around noon I gathered up all garden produce that needing picking, washed it, and stashed in the frig. I also packaged up two days worth of veggies for the trip.…
The words Queen Bee conjure in my brain a single-minded bee, buzzing around more sedate bees, going here and there, owning the hive. That’s me. I buzz around endlessly, exploring, hiking, camping, paddling, bird-watching. The hive that I own is the mosaic of ecosystems called North America. The honey I seek is simply knowing, seeing,…