I am fascinated by texture. When the light is right and the texture pops, I will work the scene. The Girl and I have been walking the old Nevada Children’s Home in the mornings and sometimes in the evenings. I passed this door dozens of times. But, one evening the sun was just right and the texture popped. I love serendipity!
The Girl and I woke about our usual time. She retired early last night, tired and sore. She’s walking with a noticeable limp and was lagging behind me badly during errands yesterday afternoon. She was not interested in much walking last night, so we stayed in. I had laid in some provisions for the next week or so, and was prepared to feed myself (as well as the Girl).
I slept pretty well, especially given that we upped our distances the last couple of days. That’s why we’re both tired — I’m challenging us physically with distance and pace. That’s good for both of us, I think.
This morning we rose and I did my morning thing, some meditation, some coffee, and time to wake. Then we took off walking. I elected to go by the old orphanage to give her some time off-lead. We walked through the Capitol grounds for some exercise and to collect a few Pokémon Go items, plus the grounds are beautiful and I enjoy them.
While there, we visited with another walker who was also picking up Pokémon Go items. We bumped into each other on the other side of the circuit about the time the deer showed up.
The take-away message to me is to start carrying the real camera along on my walks. Hrm…
I’ve been walking past Mom and Pop’s Diner for years, never stopping in. I decided that this morning I would. So, we crossed Carson Street and stepped inside. Because we were walking, I didn’t have the Girl’s vest on her, so I announced that she’s a service dog. I got no hassle. And, of course, the Girl behaved just like she’s supposed to.
The place has a neat vibe. Breakfast was good and the Girl has the remains of my ham to add to her kibbles for a few more meals. I’m glad I stopped in.
All in all, it was a good morning. We had great walkies, a fun encounter with a herd of deer, and good food. Life is good.
Friday morning, the Girl and I were out early for a short walk. We crossed Stewart Street (always risky) and walked through the fire station parking lot. I turned her off leash so she could hunt the ground squirrels (which are far too clever for her).
The morning light was gorgeous, so I stopped to make an image of the main quadrangle. It’s a place where we play on many afternoons. There are sometimes other dogs who play too. It’s a great place and I love it.
On my way home from Washington, I drove down US 101 through Forks, Washington and on down to the Oregon coast. I spent one evening in Newport, Oregon. We arrived relatively late (I misjudged my ETA) and didn’t have much time before dusk.
But the next morning the Girl and I got out and walked down to the beach. It was cool and foggy that morning. There were a few hardy souls out on the beach, some surf fishing, others playing with their dogs or jogging, and a few just walking along the wet part of the sand, enjoying the sound of the Pacific Ocean.
I brought the Girl’s Chucker and we spent some time playing fetch in the sand. It was fun to throw the ball hard and watch her dig to chase it, then hockey-stop to grab the ball.
After a few runs, she got the knack of picking up the ball without getting too much sand in her mouth. Apparently, she doesn’t like the grittiness of the sand.
There was a bit of sniffing about the rocks as well. I know there were new smells for her there. After a bit, I chased her out of my frame and made a few captures.
Of all the oceans I’ve visited over the years, it’s still the Pacific Ocean that I like the best.
From a web site I sometimes read, 21 Brutal Rules of War. In it are some very wry observations on combat. The irony is quite thick and well worth the few minutes to read.
While I’m staying in Carson City, I walk the loop around the Nevada Capitol nearly every day. Part of the reason is to give both the Girl and me some exercise. Part of the reason is to collect some items for Pokémon Go.
When we walk through the quadrangle, I’m impressed by the serenity there. Even during the big initial rush of Pokémon Go players, the place has a sense of reverence. There are a number of statues there that I think would be excellent subjects for some evening photography and lightpainting. I might just have to do some of that.
This morning we passed by the Capitol Quad again on our morning walk. The morning was gorgeous, cool, calm, peaceful, and quiet. The construction on Carson Street continues, but the noise seemed abated this morning.
The Girl was engaged and calm.
We paused for a few minutes at the Nevada Miner Memorial, reflecting on the importance of mining to this state. I made a few captures in the morning mixed light. And then we moved on.
It’s a good day.
On the way south from Bend, Oregon yesterday, the Girl and I needed a rest stop. Not long after crossing the California state line, I saw this little church aside the highway and noticed a picnic bench in the shade of the large trees. I spiked the brakes, startling the Girl, and pulled in.
Excitedly, she approved.
I got out, let her out, and retrieved my sandwich from the cooler, grabbed my waning bag of chips, and snagged the water bottle. The Girl asked for water and drank plenty. Then, while she sniffed about, I ate my sandwich and prayed appreciation for the gift of this little community to this traveling old man.
After a bite, we walked the area, peeked inside the church (it was NOT locked), and I made a few more captures. I’ll have to assemble them and make another post… or edit this one later.
This church reminded me of the one near my family’s home in St. James, Missouri. There, Wife and I attended services for a number of years. The pastor was a favorite old friend, who also was a professor of mathematics at the university I attended.
Sunday morning, I rose, made some coffee, and puttered with my morning stuff for a bit. It’s my wake-up routine. A text message arrived from an ex-student, whom I was supposed to meet in Eugene for breakfast.
Oops… it’s about 90 minutes from Newport, Oregon to Eugene. So, I thought that maybe brunch or just coffee would be better. But the word was, come on anyway. He also recommended the drive through Florence and along SH 126 to Eugene.
So, I took the Girl down to the beach, played with her hard for a few minutes, made a few captures, and off we went. We met my friend and his family for lunch and enjoyed some wonderful fellowship for a few hours at Hendricks Park in Eugene. He has such bright children (no surprise). They were a hoot.
On the drive from Eugene, Oregon to Bend, I stopped at Salhalie Falls (on recommendation). I was blessed to be the only person on the trail near the falls. So, I was able to capture some nice video of the falls. I love that sound.
Then it was back into the rig to find lodging in Bend, Oregon.
Here is a second clip, this one of the main fall and in slow motion.
About two weeks ago I visited this very spot, the rest area at Dismal Nitch, Washington. I stopped here on my way (the roundabout way) to Spokane, wanting some cooler weather (from Portland) and to see the Pacific Ocean. I stayed a few minutes, relishing the absence of the heavy traffic on the south side of the Columbia River, spent some time playing with the Girl, and we moved on.
This time I’m on my way south, heading back to Carson City. I visited people I needed to see. I spent some time reflecting. Now I want to get back to Carson, work on some project work in front of me, and make some decisions about what will be next.
I wanted a break from the drive yesterday, so I paused here at Dismal Nitch once again. The weather was cool and drizzly, much different from the bright sunny day of two-weeks ago. But, what I really noticed is the change in the trees. They are beginning to show fall color.
Perhaps I should have waited for this trip. It would be wonderful to see the trees in full color at their peak. Maybe next year…
I had a hank for this really crappy pseudo-550 paracord loose in my kit. Why might I call it crappy? Well, there’s something not right with the core, it seems too fuzzy, for lack of a better term. I’m used to stranded core. In addition, the sheath and core don’t fuse well when scorched.
So, I had this hank of crappy paracord in my kit.
I’ve been carrying this Victorinox EVOgrip 518 multitool in my pocket for awhile. It’s a great piece of kit and very handy to have around. The scissors and bottle opener get a lot of use. The blade is also wicked sharp for a factory grind.
The tool also has a lanyard loop. So, I decided to tie up a lanyard for the Victorinox with that hank of crappy paracord.
The first attempt used a single overhand stopper knot with the loop just through the lanyard ring. It came untied several times and the knot would move around as the loop moved through the ring.
That was unacceptable.
So, I thought there might be enough cord (of the crappy variety) to make a double stopper knot and perhaps a cow hitch in the lanyard ring.
In the process of fiddling with the hank, the sheath and core came un-singed. So, I re-singed the offending end, trimming a bit of core off (with the Victorinox, of course). I then tied the cow hitch onto the lanyard ring and used a double overhand stopper knot, which I cinched together fairly tightly.
So far, the lanyard is holding well. It makes an easy grab in the pocket of my cargos. Lanyards are useful, as I’ve come to learn. They’re also fun and simple to make.