Shot Me A Barrrr !

.............With a camera of course! This guy (or gal!) wandered in front of the car as Pat was driving. We pulled offf the oad and I got these shots.....even though it was dusk and the camera speed was slow.... they turned out pretty good!

Pat and I have totally enjoyed our trip to this point..

"The mountains are calling and I must go." John Muir

Pat tests out here new knees on a Smoky Mountain hike...

Turn your computer sideways!

Snow in the mountains

Mountain Beauty

At about 3000 feet we saw the beauty of snow on th mountain top...

It was a beautiful day on the parkway...

The clouds and mist made for some amazing scenes!

The fog was rising up out of the valleys creating surrealistic views.

....as Pat looked on.....

.......and I enjoyed a pause on the trail...... What a wonderful day!

A lunch stop along the way...

Delicious cheese and crackers.....

...while I take some shots across the parkway.....

Tamarac Art

We love the amazing work of the mountain people displayed at Tamarac...

......and some of the worlk of the Master Creator....

You Know It's Fall When......

The white pine next to the back porch suddenly sheds its oldest needless to make way for spring growth......

.....it's pine cones creating unique patterns as they fall......

Free for the asking....these "Pancake Plants" were started from one plant given to us as a gift from Brian Redman. They need to be wintered inside and I'm looking to give them to anyone who will come after them. They are a gorgeous foliaged plants and a member of the Kalanchoe family. Give us a call to arrange pick up or delivery!

Family Matters

Hailey lost her first tooth! She proudly showed it to me and has put it in the tin Mel, Sam and Eloise gave her from France for just this occasion. I'll update you on how the tooth ferry came through especially since the note to the fairy on the top of the tin was in French!

My sister Ruth just had an opeation to remove cancer from he nose. Here is the resultant "nose job"....

....and here is the Ruth I observed on my visit of yesterday.

GET WELL SOON, SIS!!

Preparing for Another Visit to One of America's National Parks

After watching last night's first episode of "Our National Parks" on PBS I came in to look at pictures I took on our 2007 trip to Yellowstone National Park. There is a grandeur that when experienced replenishes our spirits.

I suggest you look at the next 5 episodes to see and learn the history of what's been called "America's greatest idea"....our National Parks. What could be more American than owning together the most magnificent places on this continent!

John Muir said, "Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away once in awhile and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." Pat and I are totally looking forward to getting away to America's most visited National Park, The Great Smoky mountains. There we will reconnect with God through nature and with each other....TOGETHER.

We leave Oct 15th to travel the Blue Ridge Parkway at the very highth of fall foliage season. There we will find time to sit in a lodge, hike trails through the leaves to waterfalls and listen to water flow. We will take you with us via this blog and facebook. It can be your fall getaway too!

Madison School Renovation

The church that bought Madison Elementary School building is turning the gym/auditorium into a worship center. This shot is taken toward the back wall looking into what was the office. The balcony used many years ago for watching basketball games has been reopened.

The stage has been lowered considerably......

........and these two views are from the balcony. This shot facing northwest......

....and this one northeast.

You Know You're Growing Old When Your Son Turns 40!

An evening of fun, food and birthday greetings for Wes........

It was just yesterday that he was walking out to the bus for hs first day of school with his Evil Knevel lunch box!

......and now his girls are growing and celebrating their Dad's big 40!

Heath Bulldogs - Welcome to Hanover!

As many of you following the local news scene know the city of Heath has instituted new traffic violation cameras at major intersections. This has resulted in the city of Heath netting $130,000 in traffic fines in just its first month. Tonight the Heath Bulldogs play the Licking Valley Panthers in what is a huge interleague rival game. As the citizens of Heath approach the Hamlet of Hanover....the following signs await them........

.....needless to say the Mayor and town Fathers of Hanover in an effort to recoup some of the revenue drained from the Licking Valley Citizenry have erected somewhat of a "speed trap" of their own.....

........going "High Tech" for the first time themselves (note the satelite communication for instant violator identification) the hope is to replentish the Village coffers with Heath Bulldog cash! Licking Valley Citizens have each been mailed a Free - "Get Out of Jail" card!!! (Click on the picture above to enlarge for viewing technical details)

Good Morning Hanover!

This scene greeted me last week traveling into the little Hamlit of Hanover. I love this place!

So Just What Is A "Knap In?"

A Knap In is an event held at Flint Ridge State Memorial that brings together people from all over the country who are skilled in the ancient craft of making tools and weapons from flint and other stone materials. There is a large selection of flint products for sale and flint knapping and other ancient skill technology demonstrations are held throughout the event.

Here is an example of the kinds of points knappers hand craft from Ohio's gemstone.

They work together sharing interest and techniques as they produce their products using the same methods as native Americans for thousands of years.

Roy Miller who has discovered and quarried the colorful flint on his property adjacent to the State Memorial site is known for his beautifully crafted "dovetail" spear points.

It's Bill Pickard, Ohio Historical Society Archeologist, and Royal Mapes, OU Geology College Professor, identifying artifacts and rocks people bring to them....

.....it's picking out a knapped arrowhead or pretty stone from the Museum/Gift shop...

......it's learning with your sons how to use an atl atl as the ancient people did to obtain food.....

.....it's showing your grandson how Indians used pump drills to make ornate flint necklaces and start fires....

An Evening of Work, Family and Food

After sawing down a big cherry tree in Meg's yard...hunger prevailed which lead to Pat breaking out some steaks, corn on the cob and fresh tomatoes from the garden. Food, laughter and stories was the order of the spontaneous feast.

....and the girlies enjoyed the fire on what felt like a cool fall evening.