Last year we activated a number of parks while staying with my Springfield, MO, contingent of kids. The Girl and I drove out to activate the Blue Slip Tower Site, US-11225, during our stay. This is one of the newly added state conservation areas. These are small plots acquired by the state and used by citizens for a variety of outdoor activities.
They are always fun to activate. There is usually an opportunity to get in at least a short hike as well.
More than a year ago I was on the road from Springfield, Missouri to York, Pennsylvania to see Daughter and Grandsons. As I recall, it was still winter. So, of course, I ran into a spate of winter weather on the way. I had a reservation at Salt Fork River SP for the night, but the worsening weather and short winter days resulting in my arriving near dark.
It took me a couple of passes through the camping area to find my spot, then a couple of attempts to get the camper backing into my assigned space and set up for the night. I did not unhook and did not deploy the stabilizers because I would be leaving first thing in the morning. The light rocking of the camper when I move about does not bother me anyway.
I got The Girl out for a short time (the snow was heavy enough that she eliminated and then asked to go back inside). That task completed, I quickly deployed the Chameleon MPAS 2.0 for a little radio play (to activate the park) before I called it a night.
I don’t recall the mode of operation for that activation, but I know I was experimenting with FT8 for POTA (Parks on the Air) activations at the time. I do recall making some supper, feeding The Girl (of course), and playing a little radio before crashing for the night.
When I woke the next morning, early, I was treated to some lovely sunshine on the snow. The Girl and I had a short walk, fed, and then we recovered all of the equipment, buttoned up the camper, and we were off on the last leg of our journey to see my family.
I need to make this trip again, soon. Work will keep me busy until the fall. But then, God Willing, I will make the trip east to see my loved ones and friends.
Life is good.
Last year, when I was in Missouri with Older Son and DiL, I activated several parks. One of them was Delaware Town Access, which is one of the state conservation areas.
The Girl and I drove through Nixa, where I paused for a breakfast burrito, then drove on to the site. As I recall, it is not a very large park and the road was quite muddy. But I was able to setup a small station and activate the park.
Afterwards, The Girl and I hiked around the woods a bit so she could have some fun too.
It was a good day. I am grateful.
I made this capture of Sera hunting last summer. There was something moving about in the weeds/irrigation ditch that caught her attention. I do not recall what it was, but it was probably some California Quail, which frequent the area.
This capture was made a [sarcasm] few minutes ago [/sarcasm]. I actually made the capture about a year ago. I was playing with a Russian lens, my copy of the Industar 55mm f/2.8, which is a copy of a Zeiss lens.
There are a number of these inexpensive Russian lenses that produce very nice/interesting images. Therefore, I have a few in my inventory.
I am going through my image archive (my weblog image library) and am posting some images made, uploaded, but never posted.
This capture is of the memorial to Squirrel, a little dog lost in an attack by two larger dogs at the Station 51 Park where I used to take Ki, a lot. It was first constructed years ago, long before Sera came to live with me. It is still there, although I do not know who maintains it. But it does get some love now and again as others, sensitive to the loss, contribute a bit of something or pull weeds.
I did not record what camera I used to make the image.
My buddy Jimmy loaned me his ’57 Speedmaster Replica, later called the Reissue, to wear for a week. It is not a small watch at about 41mm case width. But, it is the iconic Speedmaster that represents the watch that introduced the line.
I favor chronographs because of my affinity for tool watches. So, the Speedmaster appeals to me.
Is the watch too big for my diminutive wrist? I don’t think so.
Life is good.
After a full day of work, yesterday, The Girl and I finally headed out for a hike at Silver Saddle Ranch about 1715h. This is late for us, but the Sun was really warm yesterday and I did not want The Girl to overheat. I noticed some heavy clouds to the south and paused at the rig to check the weather before we left. Light rain was forecast for the next hour.
“I guess we’ll get wet,” I said to The Girl.
Sure enough, as we drove to the upper staging area, the sprinkles started. I made her contain her excitement while I retrieved a packable puffy I keep in the back of the rig. It was not particularly cold, but I knew the light jacket would shed most of the rain.
Prepared, I got her out, grabbed my camera, and we headed out. We had the place to ourselves. No one else wanted to hike in the rain.
The Girl chuffed and sniffed (on lead, of course) as we walked south. I did not really expect any critters, but I simply do not trust her to stay out of trouble.
The rain came a little harder for a bit. She paused to shake now and again, but did not ask to return to the rig. Neither of us minded a little rain to close out the week. The jacket kept me mostly dry.
The Fuji X100vi is waterproof with a filter affixed to the lens. I have had a filter affixed to the lens since I got the camera. I often use a light diffusion filter at night or indoors, but use a UV filter during daylight hours. A diffusion filter can really drop contrast if the sun shines on the glass.
As we neared the end of the hike, the shower passed off to the north and a bit of Sun peeked through the clouds. That lit up the vegetation wonderfully. So, I took advantage of the serendipity (the moment, not The Girl) and paused for a few images. I think some of them are decent.
We then hiked the couple-hundred feet back to the rig and mounted up. I decided to go by DQ for a bite of supper (cheeseburger, fries, and small Blizzard), all of which were shared with The Girl. She was a little grabby with the fries, so I had to correct her.
We then headed back toward the house, with a stop at Costco to refuel the rig. It was a good day. I am grateful.
Life is good.
It was a very cloudy morning here in Carson City, Nevada. But, The Girl and I had to get out for morning walkies and I had a short break between morning meetings. So, we walked one of our local circuits so she (and me) could get a little exercise.
Along the path I came across this flowering tree. With the overcast, the colors really pop. The Velvia film simulation just increases the pop.
So, I paused and made the capture.
We then finished our walk and I made my next meeting. There is another new project for me to work on this year.
I am grateful. Life is so very good.