Back in Iowa

It was a good trip to Little Rock. Two rides on paved trails and one in the dirt. Thanks to my friends to putting me up and putting up with me. I got home just in time to enjoy the day today (actually got home Thursday evening).
Little windy this afternoon, but with the warm weather, couple not pass up the chance of a good ride. The trail from Wabash Trailhead to the Trail Center was in pretty good shape. A couple short sections with some snow still on the trail. There is the section under Hyw 92 - that was a mess with mud. Finally, wish they would do something at the access to the crosswalk switch S 24th at Penny's.
Hope I can get in a ride tomorrow before the cold front comes through.

Spring's A Comin'

This is what I saw this morning looking out my dining room window. The apple and pear trees are in full bloom. I LOVE springtime in Georgia.
I love how the fog is in layers below the treetops. I can always count on foggy mornings when the temps get high in the day and stay cool at night. Then I get to take my favorite kind of photos in fog and mist.

New Orleans, LA

THE BIG EASY

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Sneaky Moose on the Pigeon River

This morning I had the good fortune to spend about 45 minutes in the company of this very curious Moose on the Pigeon River at Grand Portage State Park. We watched each other for a while from a distance, then I decided to head back to the park visitor center. As I made my way back to the trail, she followed me cautiously from a distance. At one point I turned around to see her peeking around this corner of the river, which made for a terrific shot.

Native Clematis

This is a California native clematis, Clematis lasiantha.

Rock Chick!

Aunt Lillian

Aged ninety-one and one third.

Meet Aunt Lillian - this photograph was taken yesterday morning.Unfortunately, her enjoyment of the Stones concert at Glastonbury has already faded,sunk under the surface, and is now less easy to access.

She barely remembered watching them. Such a shame.



I shall have to try playing some of their music next week,see whether it stimulates her memory.

If nothing else it will help me to whizz around the place

as I do her housework.

borrowed from allthingsroyal blogspot

When I left her she was happily pondering over what food would be served

on Thursday, when she will be taken out for a luncheon

with Age UK.

Her outfit is already hanging on the wardrobe door

and we have selected a colourful necklace

to go with it.

It is the highlight of her week.

She doesn't mind how long the journey takes,

in fact she loves being the first person on the mini-bus

because then she gets to enjoy seeing where

everyone else lives.

I wonder what would happen if the volunteer mini-bus driver

played some 'golden oldies' music..

x

Healey Nab, Chorley

Led by Mike. With Eddie, Gordon, Barry, Maureen and me. Excellent afternoon walk. Fine weather actually!5.4 miles. Around 580 feet of climbing.
We set off from Froom Street and cross the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. I've never seen it so far west before, but greet it like a long-lost friend all the same. A very quiet stretch of water this afternoon.




We have to cross the M61 - not quite so quiet. After a bit of road near new housing estates we turn off to our left coming close to a couple of ponds and then head gently uphill through Healey Wood.

When we get to the top, Eddie's a tad disappointed to find that the quarry he remembers is so overgrown that it's invisible. All the same he adds a ritual stone to the summit cairn.

I may be wrong, but Mike could be explaining where we're walking tomorrow! Or it could be Blackpool Tower!

View over Chorley, with Blackpool Tower in far distance - see below.

The cairn

We make our way down, across Heapey Fold Lane and east to meet Moor Road, past the end of Anglezarke Reservoir, which looks a bit low just here.

Just past the reservoir, we turn onto a track by Joan Meadow Wood, which takes us north then west to wards White Coppice.

Down from the heights - I nearly forgot - this is the magical cricket ground?

Froglet? Toadling?

White Coppice village

We skirt a village and outlying domestic animals - geese and goats.

Noisy critters

Not long until we reach the car and head back, hungry and ready to hit the local Wetherspoons for a meal along with Mike and Jan.



- ignore the long straight line at the end!