Where the Black Water Rolls

The first 2 views on the page were taken with a new toy I am playing with.  It is basically a low cost neutral density filter. I got the idea from Richard Bernabe.  He does some fantastic work and his blog has some great tips and information.

The insects were fussy today.  I just could not get them in focus.  The blue guy had 2 buddies but they were so fast I basically just popped it in sports mode and hoped automatic fire could catch them.

 

This is the song that kept coming to mind as I walked on the path surrounded by black water. Warning-Bluegrass sound.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Floating Spider

Last Friday I had the chance to start down a trail that I have never been down before.  Shortly before I turned around, I looked up to inspect the sky that had begun to grumble.  This aerial acrobat was suspended about 30 feet overhead.

It reminded me of this little guy that I caught closer to eye level a few years back.  

Hmmmm, at least cousins.

 

 

 

 

Weekend Dress Rehearsal

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– When all else fails, buy a lotto ticket and go home –

I had a plan.

I am not sure why, but for the past month or so I have had a lot more energy and a lot less brain fog.  I have been gradually increasing activity to try to avoid any sort of crash.  Last weekend, the box with the crossbars for my car was finally opened and they were installed.  Last night, the SUP carrier was attached.  I decided to wait until the morning to inflate the board.  The board was purchased last year because it was lighter than my previous board and because it was bigger and so easier to balance on – allowing for a less strenuous ride.  Before the end of the night, I had found my waterproof camera and started charging the battery. All systems go for morning launch.

This morning I woke feeling a little off but still good. I got a cup of coffee and started to inflate the board.  The point of inflating it at home instead of at the lake was because the loud motor seems so disruptive when the water is still glass and the boats are still on shore.  Apparently, it also seems disruptive at 8am in my neighborhood.  I brought the board into the garage and closed the door, hoping to muffle the sound at least a little.  Eventually, I caught on that I had hooked the air compressor up wrong and was not getting any air into the board.  That fixed, the hose then popped loose halfway through and the board lost a good bit of the air.  So, started again but this time holding it on to make sure it stayed attached.  

The board was loaded but I was dripping with sweat (it gets hot/humid early) and my legs felt shot.  The last few SUP outings I tried prior to being diagnosed with Lyme, taught me that  pushing through the feeling I was having would pretty much lead to a short and disappointing outing.  

Trying to roll with it, I decided that if my legs were going to be wobbly today, I would try out the kayak seat attachment.  I took it out of the bag to make sure I knew how to use it and made adjustments to my paddle.  I also decided to pick a closer lake and then went inside for some cold water and a rest break.

Time to roll out.  I headed down the road and was a good bit away from the house when I realized that I forgot my fanny pack life vest (picture with link).  No problem I thought, I have my leash and a regular vest in the car so I will be legal.  I started planning out how to adjust the leash from the regular attachment to a kayak conversion position.  My brain then fired off a Red Alert.  I forgot the center fin.  The detachable fin was still sitting on top of the garbage can.  I hit the next turn lane and headed back to the house.  I pulled into a gas station to take a minute to plan and, well, to get gas.  

State Park After Dark

I was gifted an annual state park pass this year and have been trying to put it to good use.  One thing that I learned from the friendly, and amazing, park employees, is that you can request a special pass to be able to stay a little after dark or to come in early.

I have just started to play with the photos but wanted to share a few.  I recruited a volunteer to come on the adventure with me and I think it was a pretty good initial outing.  It was certainly a fun way to spend a Saturday night.

The park was busy enough to close to new admissions during the day, but at night…Us, the raccoons, the glowing eyes from the forest, and some campers.

I recommend getting to know your parks.  I lived in Florida a long time before I realized how many there are and some closer to home than you may realize.  City, county, state, federal…enjoy!! And, maybe take some bug spray 🙂