Dog Pack

It was a wonderful cool evening, in the high 50s, so after work Ed and I headed to TM. We parked low and went west, taking the 1st left at the big gate. I was in search of the vireo nest but ended up turning north and went by the 3 lakes instead. We turned south again just past the washing machine, trailed along the south side of the creek and finally crossed over to the north side at the apple snacking boulder.

Since the spring growth is just starting we were able to take cut-thrus and go off trail, following the stream for a ways. While doing this I found a small mammal skull 5 inches long and 2.75 inches wide from outside the eye sockets. I'll look it up, and if I can find it again I'll take a pic when I have my camera with me.

While continuing through the rough to the Fairy Dust Trail, Eddie learned to hop up on the boulders on cue and check out the surroundings. He's so cute! Anyway, we turned left on the Fairy Dust and looped around to the boy scout rocks, then took the next left to loop back around to the main N/S trail.

Near the end we picked our way down Bramble Hill to the little side path on the south that I came through several days ago. I discovered a small trove of blackberry canes that will have easy access!

Today I packed a harmonica for the first time in my shirt pocket, and I did play a couple of verses of Piano Man, very very softly. Why I even took it I don't know.

Earlier, before we had crossed north across the stream, we heard quite a rustling in the leaves in the distance. I sighted the butt ends of 3 large dogs making their way up through Rock City. We waited until we couldn't hear them any more before continuing. I figured they were with a jogger or cyclist.

Then, after looping around to the left of the boy scout rock, we heard more rustling and I caught a glimpse of them again - 3 large dog butts. We waited this time for about 4 or 5 minutes, because I didn't want them to see or hear us. They were much closer than the first time. When we got to the spot where I had seen them I realized they were not with a person. The trails on the west are not full of leaves, but the rest of the area is. The dogs were bounding through the rough alone, like a pack on the prowl. It made me a bit wary and we kept our eye out for the rest of the hike. I hope they weren't a gang of thugs.

Upon reaching the parking area near dusk there were only 4 other vehicles there. I saw a bb walking up the gravel road to his car right there in the corner. I had 2 other sightings of bbs in vehicles. Just thought I'd mention it.

Apparently there is either a trail runner race or cycling race tomorrow. There was yellow caution tape in several places on the west side to direct the flow; small, barely-visible stumps in the paths were sprayed pink; and there were 2 porta johns by the parking lot.

Our hike was 1 hr, 55 min.

Evening Frogs

Right after work Ed and I went for a hike on the west side, taking the 1st rt off the west side of the lot. That beautiful trail led us straight to bramble hill. From there we went up then continued north on the main trail, not taking any offshoots. It made a complete loop by the boyscout meeting rock, rock city, and the frog ponds.

The frogs were really going at it at the large frog pond. While enjoying their symphony I found a cool rock. Ed and I listened to the frogs for about 5 minutes, and it was heavenly. Then as we passed the 3 large ponds the frogs there also serenaded us. I hadn't planned on going out but my work day was crowded and frustrating and I was caught there late by a parent. There's nothing like getting away from people to let my brain rest.


The 75 min hike was uneventful and perfect. The only other human was a man, looked to be in his 70s, chugging along carefully on his bike. He didn't even look up and nod as Ed and I stepped off the trail for him. He was probably focusing on not hitting a rock or branch. Man, I admired him!

While I was hiking A called and the Squares invited me over for grilled Hebert's filet mignon and skewered marinated shrimp. Rough day, perfect hike, wonderful meal. It doesn't get much better! OK, I stopped for Krispy Kremes on my way, so it got just a smidge better, and they agreed.

Carcass Pics

Ed and I went out this evening to take more pics of the carcass to aid in identification. My cousin is pretty sure it's a raccoon, and now that I look at it with that thought I have to agree. After taking pics I moved it further off the trail and we'll wait for the skull to be ready.

This little carrion beetle (or whatever) was the only one left clinging on after I dragged the carcass to an open area. The beetle (or bug?) is flattish


I need to go back and check those fang-y teeth, as it looks here like the left upper one is really long


We had originally thought the foot had a couple of dark hair spots, but when I enlarged another pic like this the spots look like ticks - something else I want to check out better


The 5 toes clearly show it can't be a canine, and look at that sole!


While I was taking pics of the deer skull which hangs on a tree branch Ed kept standing up and trying to inspect it. So I put it on the ground and he sniffed it all over then began licking the eye socket


After thoroughly inspecting the skull he began to cover it up with loose soil and leaf litter. I wish I'd had my wider lens on for these pics but I didn't have time to change


Ed's really making sure he's satisfied with the coverage; he shoved the dirt and leaves with his snout for about 2 minutes


I know I have turtle basking pics from the other day, but it's kind of rare (from my experience) to see them bask facing each other


And this is a new wormy web in a small tree on the main west trail just before the 2nd trail to the left; of course I'll have to check it later. If you click on the pic to enlarge it you can see a web worm/tent caterpillar/whatever in the very upper part of the long strand on the right branch

I've finally learned a time step, and am working on 2 more, although I didn't have time to tap tonight. After my 1 hr, 20 min hike I stopped by my mom's for a while to show her the carcass pics.

Butterfly Outing - NOT

I left the house at 10 am, almost making my goal. I was hiking by 10:15, going slower than usual and scanning for butterflies. I saw very few tiny ones flitting about so I had no chance until the very end as I began to descend to the parking lot.

I'll post a few other interesting pics I took along the 3 hr. hike:


My first delight was catching a pair of chickadees


I can never resist cute little prints in the mud


And cute little worm trails, too


This is the carcass my daughter found yesterday; I used the least distinct pic on account of the gross-out factor. I inspected it more carefully and my best guess is a large rodent-type mammal because of the 5 toes on the hind foot


I heard these coming loud and clear, found the largest opening in the trees and waited. The sound was like what I would expect a sputtering plane just before crashing to sound like. In fact, I first thought a plane was about to crash


Close-up of lichen algae type growth on a boulder in Rock City


In Rock City I noticed this basketball-sized rock was cracked, so I pulled on it...


...and found a beautiful inside!


This is the deer scull hanging on one of the paths; my cousin IDed it the first time we saw it, and later I looked it up and sure enough it is a deer skull. The teeth, with double edges for grinding bark and stuff, are very very sharp


I got to watch the mallards land and by the time I got my camera up and focused they were way over there


These turtles, and others were basking in the next pond to the south, which would be the middle one


I checked on the blackberries and there are quite a few canes leafing out, or whatever that's called. I'll keep checking and post pics of the blooms in May, and the berries in June


And this is the guest of honor - an old weather-beaten something. It looks like it may be a type of comma, but with the ragged wing edges it's hard to tell. This is not the same kind I saw a few times during the past 2 weeks

Painted Lady and Jonquils

This morning I decided to take some pics of the blooms on our small unknown non-tree. When I got out there I found a pretty painted lady flitting from bloom to bloom. It was my 4th butterfly sighting this spring.

I was able to angle up so the sky rather than the fence was in the background

We got an early start hiking today - we were there by 2 pm! We went west hoping for dryer trails; we took the 2nd left then left at the 1st fork. Pretty wet and muddy but manageable. My daughter found a bone and on closer inspection it was attached to an entire decaying carcass of a small dog or fox or something. The head was even attached. We moved it off the trail and plan to keep checking on its condition cause we're hoping to get some good photos out of the deal.

We went south of the rocky ravine, crossed it, ate apples on a boulder in the stream, gave Eddie a few bites, let Eddie get a drink, let Eddie jump in a pool (we not so much let him as he just did it) then crossed on up to the other side. There were a good number of cyclists and even a couple of joggers. We also saw 3 off-road motorcyclists in full biking suits!

It's official: I have now lost count of my butterfly sightings. There were quite a few out this afternoon. I saw one like my first 3 on the ground and got a good long look. I'm pretty sure it was a goatweed leafwing. Of course the butterflies pose perfectly and there's no wind any time I don't have my camera with me! Short hike - 1 hr, 25 min.

This evening while playing ball with Eddie I noticed our first jonquils of the spring had bloomed:


And I also found this big-winged insect (lacewing?) on the tree blooms:



I thought it was worthy of 2 pics!

My plan for tomorrow includes getting up and out to the west side by 10 am in search of butterflies. That's a mighty big goal. My tapping is going poorly, but I'm still working at it. That's an even bigger goal.

Lake Exploration

Eddie had his dental work today ($154, $100 less than Lucy) and did great - he was raring to go when I picked him up, but I was told to let him basically rest. While getting him to the car I noticed a dance shop in the same center with the vet and popped in to ask about tap shoes. For a few months now I've been thinking about learning easy, basic tap. I've never tapped and have secretly wanted to for many many years. The lady suggested cheap shoes and I asked about others. I took Ed home and went back with foot hose, thin sockies and regular socks, just in case.

The cheap shoes, MaryJanes for $20, felt too tight, (and I tried on the largest size.) I asked for leather-type shoes and she got out a pair of "split sole" shoes that felt really nice. Of course they were over 3 times the cost of the cheapies, to which I saluted my huge feet one more time for costing me extra.

At home my right toe began to feel tight, but I figure the shoe will stretch a little. My heels hurt a bit after a little tapping so I found a pair of insoles I'd kept from an old pair of athletic shoes. I ALMOST threw them away last week after years. I cut the toe half off and slipped the heel part in the shoes and my problem was solved. Only it made my right toe a little tighter. However, the more I tapped the better my toe felt.



New tap shoes and the modified insoles that work beautifully. Hey, I'm wearing them now and getting ready to tap

So tonight I've been watching beginning tap lessons on YouTube, pausing, tapping a little, watching some more. Oh boy, I have a lot of work ahead of me. Not to mention I'm scuffing up the back door vinyl floor. I have a bed-sized plank in the garage, something else I've been transporting around for years, and soon I'll move it into the living room and will have a somewhat cushioned platform.


We got a late start hiking, not leaving the house until 4:15. We took the Tadpole to the 1st lake on the left, and for the first time made our way down. It is wonderful. There was a dam/path across to the other side where we found a curved, natural spillway to a small pond about 20 feet below. Because of all the recent rain it was like a little waterfall. We continued on the west side, taking a north path just before we got to the top of "Bramble Hill", as I now call it. The beautiful path wound around for a long time and we were hoping to find a back path down to the 2nd lake, but didn't find one.

We continued north until we came to a T where we took a loop back south. There were some older smaller more-manageable bike ramps, and the rest was uneventful. We finally came back to the top of Bramble Hill and finished on the west side. About 2 hrs and we were tired, probably from walking carefully to keep from slipping in the wet leaves and mud. I saw my 3rd butterfly and got my first tick.

Eddie should be all recuperated tomorrow and go with us.

Doggie Dentalworks

Yesterday Lucy had her teeth cleaned and is doing well except for a cough. She seems to have an irritated throat from the tube. Because her tartar buildup was especially bad, you know, being neglected and all and not having her teeth cleaned since last year, she was given, I mean sold some antibiotics: twice a day for 2 weeks. I remember the days when we never even heard of dental cleaning for pets. Now I have an appt. for Eddie to go tomorrow - it will be his first time.


Eddie and Lucy. Eddie's teeth were pearly white back then

And they tried to sell us a bottle of doggie flouride to add to their water. The 16.9 oz bottle was $23. Mix 2 tsp in a quart of water, empty and make anew each day. The bottle would last about 48 days, or approximately 50 cents/day at the least. The pets have 2 water dishes and the big one is refilled at least twice a day. If we prepared their special water once/day, they wouldn't even have the special flouride at each drinking. So no thanks.


My cousin left Monday after 2 weeks here. Today is Wednesday and so far I've discovered she left: her favorite moccasins, Homie's treats, a cool chip clip, a little Bailey's Irish Cream, half a bottle of Purple Cow chardonnay, a bag of snacks from the trip here, and her check card. Actually SHE discovered her missing check card and so far it hasn't been found.


This is her boxer Homie - he is stately, mature, loyal and gentle


This is Johnny getting some loving from my cousin

About that bag-o-snacks: there was a sack of Trader Joe's fabulous choco-nutty-peanutty-buttery cookies (they're already gone), a baggie with a few wheat thins, and a baggie with some scary-looking unidentifiable dark round spongy things. I put those in the fridge until I talk to her and find out what they are. No sense throwing out perfectly good stuff...

She also left me, intentionally, with fresh organic grapefruit, tangelo, and lemons from her back yard. (Notice I didn't pluralize 'tangelo' because I don't know whether or not to add an 'e'... you know, the whole Al Gore thing, and btw that was NOT his fault!) They are fabulous. I had to give a lot away to friends because there was so much.


This morning a little Spider McCutie was on the lip of a bucket that had been left outside. He was there for a while just chillin', and when I finally decided to snap his pic it was suddenly time for him to run around the lip of the bucket, darting on the inside then the outside. After chasing him for a while with the lens I finally gave up. This is the best I could do:

3 Go Hiking

Hiked with my cousin and daughter to Rock City then to the bike ramps. A couldn't believe how crazy ridiculous the ramps were. For the most part we think they can't be used.


This is the south side of the long crazy roller coasteresque ramp.



This is close to the north end of the same ramp. Notice the planks at the curve are about 60-65 degrees







This is the teeter-totter ramp. The high one on top moves down to meet the lower one as the cyclist moves across it. Funny thing is, when the teeter-totter comes down it's not aligned with the lower part of the ramp.



It was a beautiful day and there were lots of bikers. Regular bikers on regular rides, not the on the crazy ramps.

Found a nest & Y

Saturday's hike was mostly dry with the only muddy spots being the spots that stay perpetually muddy. We took a different route on the West side, the 1st trail on the left, and staying to the left we eventually ended up on the long horse path right by the hwy. At the Y we found disc golf and a cool ropes course, took the Chip loop and got around to Rock City. Closing the loop there were no frogs chorusing, and the little deer skull was still hanging in the tree. We saw the couple we had seen on Sunday trotting and picking up the yellow race flags. Total hike about 2 hrs 35 min.

We spied the cutest little bird's nest - possibly a vireo. It was only about 4 ft off the ground in a very small tree and about 3w x 3L x 4h. The bird had tucked lichen around the outside

Anticipation

Tomorrow we'll be slogging through a muddy TM in search of the rocks. Lots of rain expected tonight, but we're prepared with good boots and desire.