Rich on the Road

Lot of driving today.  No moose.  But, we did see an incredible display of fall color along a stretch of highway called "Moose Alley" -- Highway 201 from Moscow to Jackman. 

Northern Maine borders Quebec, Canada -- which makes for an interesting language mix - one I'm not sure you find anywhere else in the US.  Historic markers are in both English and French.  In a gas station rest room I spied a handwritten sign asking customers to turn off the light after using -- in English, French and Spanish! 

This covered bridge was another interesting (and unexpected) surprise.  The picture really doesn't do it justice.  It spanned a gorgeous stream lined with trees in a brilliant hues.  But, I just couldn't get the right vantage point to cover it all.  And, there's a funny spot of something in the shadow of the bridge.   Might be haunted.  Probably just a smudge on my camera lens.  Never know.

The photo above also doesn't do the Three Pines B&B in Hancock, Maine justice.  We stayed there Thursday and Friday nights while touring Acadia National Park.  To highlight it best we should have taken the shot in the afternoon with the sun behind us but we were out enjoying the park until after dark both days.  Anyway, consider this a shoutout to Karen and Three Pines.  Great view of the bay, great breakfasts.  Two thumbs up.

We've decided to spend our final two nights on this New England adventure in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  We're hiked out, moosed out and we thought we would do some colonial history and Portsmouth Harbor cruising stuff, instead.  As always, we'll keep you posted.

Rich

Baxter State Park, Maine

When a friend of mine called this afternoon and heard the story of where we were and what we'd been up to today (searching the north woods of Maine for moose) he told me, "Just like Sarah Palin, huh?"

"Except we didn't shoot and gut the moose," was my snappy reply.

As you can see from the picture, the Rays did indeed get their moose.  A big cow moose feeding in a bog just off a gravel road in Maine's Baxter State Park.  We drove and hiked most of the day and were close to giving up when we stumbled on her.  For the first ten minutes that we watched her about all we saw was her rather amble moose butt.  But, finally she turned and sniffed the air and looked back at the creatures staring at her.  I got several good shots, even with my crappy, little digital (I'm talking myself into buying a new one) while Catherine rolled with the video camera.

The wonderful thing about Baxter is that, even if you don't see a moose or a bear or a fox, you can have a great outdoors day.  This state park is dedicated to the hiker and camper.  No pets allowed.  All primitive camping.  Great mountain views and miles and miles of trails.  Really wild stuff.   It's where the Appalachian Trail begins, running from here all the way down to Dixie.  We walked a portion of the Appalachian today.  Made us want to walk more of it. 

Most of the day was sunny but rain moved in early afternoon and we got pretty wet on the way to see a couple of waterfalls -- the one in this picture is called Big Niagara Falls.

Hiking in the north woods is really a pleasure.  Biologists might argue that there is more bio-diversity in the forests down south but most of that bio-diversity will bite or sting or suck your blood.  And, the undergrowth is a tangled mess that rips and tears.  In the north woods the undergrowth is absent, the big trees block the light so that the little stuff can't overrun the paths.  Fallen leaves and pine needles carpet the spongy earth and make it perfect for walking.  Not that the odd stick or protruding stone won't ambush you and twist an ankle -- they will.  But, for the most part hiking here is what hiking should be.

I'm not sure where we're going from here.  We'll stay one more night in Millinocket and then maybe head for Bethel in western Maine where the White Mountains start and where moose are also abundant.  As in most good things, one is not enough.  It just makes me want to see more.

And, Catherine tolerates that character flaw in me.

Rich  

Millinocket, Maine

Today our Maine adventure took to the ocean waters and, much to our pleasant surprise, was led by the same National Park Ranger who directed last night's successful hunt for the elusive beaver -- Anne Warner, a native of Louisiana, grandmother, knowledgeable and witty.  It was dubbed a "Islesford Historical Cruise" but also delivered on the wildlife.  On the way to Little Cranberry Island, one of 15 islands off the coast of Maine still inhabited year around, (most lobster fishermen), we saw seals, bald eagles, black guillemots, loons, etc.  We also got a good look at Mount Desert Island, home of Acadia National Park and the dozens of seaside mansions that line its rocky shores.    

We were blessed with near perfect weather; light winds and temperatures in the high 50s.  Islesford is a fascinating little community with a museum that chronicles its history back to the 1700s.  We had time to walk the town a bit.  Sort of a time capsule. 

I thought I'd include a shot of Anne, holding forth aboard the Sea Prince.

Also from last night, Anne holding a beaver skull.  Quite the set of teeth.  We got good looks at the beavers but my camera doesn't have a long enough lens or low light capabilities that would have been required for a good photo.

One last shot of the beaver pond as the sun set.  You can see the beaver house right of center. 

Before we got off the boat today we told Anne we had four more days to explore and asked her advice on where we should go.  She recommended a state park about three hours north -- Baxter State Park.  That's where we'll be in the morning, hoping for moose and other wildlife encounters.  We've already seen moose.  Three of them crossing the highway about a half mile ahead of us on the way up.  I hope to have pictures in the next post.

Rich

Acadia National Park

I grew up in Minnesota, I've widely traveled these vast United States, seen dozens of beaver dams and beaver houses but, until this day, have never actually seen a beaver in the wild.  This day, Catherine and I saw two.  In the fading light, through binoculars but good looks -- four or five good looks during a Park Ranger led program at a pond near Eagle Lake.  Beavers feeding, cruising the water and diving.  It was, indeed, the closing act on a spectacular day in the wild, in a spectacular national park called Acadia.

Let me begin with the agonizing last night.  I (as Catherine will tell you) always do my research before these kind of vacation adventures.  I want to be thoroughly prepared to pick and choose the top five or six of seven things we need to do.  Catherine calls me "Mr. Know-it-All."  Well, let me tell you, being a Know-it-All is hard work.  Takes a lot of research.  The problem is, Acadia had me stumped.  There's a thousand things to do - but none of them jumped out at me.  I just couldn't narrow it down to a handfull of must-see things.  It was frustrating.

So, when in doubt, go to the Visitors Center and ask the Ranger.  That's what we did and it worked out great.  Nice young lady advised taking the loop trail drive and gave us a list of the must-see stops.

Which, I will illustrate with pictures.

This is Catherine on Cadillac Summit, highest mountain on the east coast, overlooking Bar Harbor.  The little white do behind her is a huge cruise ship docked in the harbor.  Nice sunny day but very windy on top of the island.

Catherine at Schooner Point.  Acadia is the third largest island on the east coast and its shoreline is largely pink granite.  There is only one sand beach on the whole island.  Great mansion in the background.  In the early 20th century it was the summer playground for the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and other moguls of the period.

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. loved the place so much that he built a whole series of carriage roads (more than 57 miles with 17 bridges like the one above) that, to this day, remain off limits to motor cars.   You can hike them or bike them or take a carriage ride.  Rockefeller and others donated the land that enabled the government to make this the first national park east of the Mississippi in 1916

All of which combines to make this a terrific place to hike.  And, we love to hike.  Perfect marriage.

More adventure tomorrow in less traveled parts of the park and aboard a boat that takes us to outlying islands and the only natural fjiord in the lower 48.

We'll keep you posted.

Rich

Hancock, Maine

We are indeed up North and "Down East" which is the term the folks in Maine use for the far east corner of their coast - even though you have to go quite a ways to the north to get there. 

Catherine and I spent the day driving up Rte. 1, the coastal highway, winding through seaport villages and stopping here and there to walk about.   The picture I'm including is from a little town called Boothbay Harbor.  She is standing on a footbridge that runs across the bay, with fall foliage starting to turn in the background.  We have seen a range of fall color, from near spectacular to just beginning to change.

Tonight we'll be sleeping in a B&B in the town of Hancock and very near Acadia National Park where we plan to hike and hike and hike over the next two days.  The weather has been spectacular (highs about 60) and my allergies have all but cleared up.  I'm unwinding.  From a little too taut to just about right.

For dinner tonight I had lobster.  Lobster and corn on the cob for under $12!  It wasn't my first ever lobster (I can remember at least one other when I was in college on a spring break trip) but I had to ask the waitress for "a primer" on how to do it.  She brought out a pre-prepared instructional sheet.  Apparently, I'm not the only guy in the world who doesn't know where and how to start cracking. 

The B&B has a specatuclar view of Frenchman Bay but no TV.  So, we won't be watching the debate tonight.  You guys will have to tell me later how Joe and Sarah did.

Or, not.

Rich  

Manchester, New Hampshire

Each year, I save vacation time for October.  Two things drive me out of North Texas: ragweed pollen and playoff Baseball.  My allergies peak about now and as much as I love the cooler weather that October brings I can't stand the itchy eyes, stuffed nose and aching sinuses.  I also hate waiting around for baseball games to end, so we can do a late newscast.  Batters stepping out and going through choreographed gyrations between every pitch.  Unstrapping and strapping their batting glover, adjusting their jock, wiping their bat.  Then the pitcher spends some more time sratching himself and shaking off their catcher -- only to throw another ball low and in the dirt.  Managers making multiple trips to the mound to calm their guy down or bring in another to scratch and shake his head at the catcher.  Drives me nuts. 

Our October is also a time to celebrate surviving another North Texas summer.  No 100 degree days for at least nine months.  We hope. 

So.  Now is a time to travel.  Which, with the rising cost of airline tickets, is getting too darned expensive.  But, I found a really cheap deal on United a couple of months ago.   To Manchester, New Hampshire.  We have an airport hotel for the night.  Tomorrow we pick up a rental car and head for Maine.  Fall foliage.  Moose in rut.  Acadia National Park.  Autumn in New England. 

I'm pumped.  Internet sites tell us that northern Maine has peak fall color right now and southern Maine is approaching peak.  Sunny weather is forecast where we're headed with a high of about 60 and lows in the low 50s. 

As always.  We will keep you posted.  And, we'll try to ignore what's happening in Washington.  Maybe they can get that little financial crash thing fixed by the time we get home.

Rich

Catherine and I just returned from two and a half days of knocking around Rocky Mountain National Park and I wanted to share some random thoughts for anyone who might be looking for an autumn getaway.  This would be a great one.

Catherine and Elk

The elk herds are everywhere and the rutting season is just getting started -- the big males are bugling (wierd sounding stuff) and sniffing around the females.  We didn't see any horn clashing fights but we did witness younger males testing each other with some strutting and pushing and chasing.  We went out at dusk on two nights and just a couple miles inside the Highway 34 entrance witnessed a large herd right up next to the road.  In fact, at one point park rangers were clearing a path of autos so the herd could cross from one side to the other.

Marmots at Rocky Mountain National Park

Lots of other varmints out as well.  We saw coyotes, mule deer, picas, marmots and lots of great birds.  Our life list grew by three -- Clark's nutcracker, pine siskin and rough-legged hawk.  The park also has several types of squirrels and chipmunks that are fun to watch.   Bighorn sheep are also plentiful, although they managed to elude us this trip.  We did locate a couple of beaver houses (one in town) but no beavers.  That's not surprising because they are nocturnal but the beaver dams and houses are fun to see.

Rich Making Friends with Clark's Nutcracker

September and October are great months to go because the big crowds have cleared out and the weather is still relatively good.  But, elk rutting season is a highlight and that is just about to get started.

There are lots of great places to stay in Estes Park (nothing in the National Park) and some are really inexpensive.  We got a room at rustic little inn on Fall River.  Balcony over-looking babbling brook, fireplace, kitchen -- all for just over $100/night.

Park rangers were really helpful at the visitor centers.  This trip gets a couple of thumbs up from the Rays.  Two or three days is enough but you may want more.

Rich   

Aguascalientes, Peru

As I write this on Friday night, Catherine and I are preparing to get the first full night's sleep we've had in days!  Praise the Lord, for a wonderful day of sightseeing and a wonderful bunch of Brothers and Sisters in Christ to share it with.  We were all up early for the bus ride from Cuzco to Ollantaytambo (which we've not done before) and, then, to board a train from Ollanta to Aguascalientes (which we have once previously).  Good road and fascinating slice of rural Andean life on the bus ride.  The train trip was just as dramatic as we remembered -- through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and along the mighty, boulder-strewn white water of the Urubamba River.  Aguascalientes is the end of the railroad line and the jumping off point for a twenty-minute, zig-zag bus ride up to Machu Picchu, Wonder of the World and the treasure trove of the ancient Inca - an archeological wonder I wrote about a couple of weeks ago.  I am too tired to dazzle you with the details now.  Trust me it's cool.  Very cool.  As you can see in the pictures that follow.

In fact, the prose in today's post will be barely enough to keep the pictures from bumping together.

Here's our new friends and beloved Sisters in Christ -- the dynamic quartet of Kristen, Heather, Jenny and Amanda.

And, here are the Llama Mamas at Machu Picchu -- Rosaline, Stephanie, Kathy, Catherine and Lori --  with a real live llama!  I love this picture.

It's not supposed to rain this time of year in Cuzco.  But, in the days before we got here it had been and rain was predicted for Machu Picchu Saturday.  Instead, we had absolutely gorgeous weather.

Everybody seems to be in pretty good health.  A few have started to come down with at least a mild case of home-sickness.  But, we have a couple more days of world-class sightseeing (and, for several, some serious shopping) before the plane leaves for Texas.  I'll try to keep you posted.

Rich

Let me get right to the "chilling" stuff.  Predicted highs in Lima, Peru over the next two weeks  -- in the 60s!  Lord, I cannot wait.  Predicted lows -- the low 60s!  Even better.  For those of you reading this anywhere but North Texas, we have a streak of 100 degree plus weather going here and it shows no sign of ending anytime soon.  Eighteen of us leave very early Thursday for South America and I think everybody on the mission team from Prince of Peace Lutheran is looking forward to jacket weather.

The "fun stuf" includes some pictures from last summer's mission trip to Peru.  The trip is structured differently this year.  We won't be going to the northern city of Chimbote.  We will be going to Cuzco, Machu Picchu and other destinations in the central highlands -- where temperatures at night will dip near freezing!  Winter in August -- gotta love it.

Mission Director Beth Daugherty in Chimbote, Peru

But, as always we will be spending a lot of time at an orphanage on the outskirts of Lima -- a little construction work, VBS, street evangelism, lot of huggin' on kids.

One of the Original "Llama Mamas" Rosaline Hyslop in Las Delicias, Peru

Rich, Tim Meyer and Matt Marshall lifting and lugging at the orphanage

Watcing Mimes at the orphanage in Huaycan

And, I have to add one final picture -- one of my all time favorites.  Peru has a lot of labor trouble and the occasional clash between strikers and police.  On our first visit (the purely vacational one in 2004) we experienced a rail strike that left us stranded for a day in Cuzco, a mass march by striking workers that led to some rock-throwing and car burning outside our hotel.  It was actually kind of fun because after the rally and riot the whole city engaged in what amounted to an outdoor picnic.  When we got back to Lima there were riot police all over the historic district.  But, no one seemed too worried about an actual riot occuring and so, when I asked if I could take a picture, the police officers were more than willing to oblige.  What resulted is the photograph below -- Catherine and the cops, hamming it up.

Catherine and Lima's Finest

I'm hoping to get to bed early tonight.  We have a long day of travel ahead of us tomorrow.  I will blog again from our layover in Miami.  By then, I should have a suitable picture of the 2008 team as it embarks on its own Christian adventure.

Dios se bendice!

Rich

Carrollton, TX

I've been promising more pictures and copy on Machu Picchu -- a stop our mission team from Prince of Peace Lutheran in Carrollton is hoping to make in about two weeks -- the rest and relaxation payoff after what we hope is fruitful work in and around an orphanage outside Lima, Peru.

Most of our team members have been to Peru -- but not to its most famous tourist destination.  There are a handful of sites in the world that every traveler has on his or her must-see list.  I cannot imagine that Machu Picchu is not on yours – the awesome Incan city that the Spaniards never found and never looted, the hidden enclave high in the Andes and deep in the jungle, surrounded by jagged peaks and plunging valleys.

Machu Picchu

Until very recently, if was thought that the visually stunning ruins were not discovered by the outside world until 1911, when Hiram Bingham, an archeologist and explorer from Yale stumbled on it.

Steep Drop From Machu Picchu to the Urubamba

Thirty years ago it was an arduous trek that only a select few had the time, the money or the physical endurance to make.  Today Machu Picchu is more accessible to average tourists, some think too accessible.  The last leg of the journey is by bus and train from Cuzco, the ancient capitol of the Incas.  Our train ride in 2004 began with a series of switchbacks, the train going forward and backward and forward as it zigzags up the mountain side.  Train rides often bare the soul of a city and this one certainly does with Cuzco, past urban trash, adobe homes clinging to the steep slope in layers, past real Peruvians living 21st century lives.  Once outside Cuzco, neat rural farms, terraced fields, and small villages rolled past - corn, sweet potatoes, sheep, cows and a mule “mowing” the grass on a soccer field.

Catherine in Cuzco

For much of the way you follow the Urubamba River; it starts small and then suddenly the valley deepens and the train begins another series of switchbacks, this time zigzagging down into the valley and across the river.  More isolated settlements appeared but the towering granite spires are too steep for even the Peruvians to terrace and farm.  The valley widened and plains appeared before we entered the largest village on the route, Ollantaytambo.  Not far from here the Inca trail begins, an arduous four-day hike (there are shorter variations to take including a one-day walk) that trekkers revere.  As we pulled out of the station oxen teams could be seen pulling plows, single blades of iron on wooden frames.  More cows and chickens and whole families working in the fields together.  But there were modern-looking houses and a rock quarry with big trucks, too. 

     The valley disappeared and the terrain changed.  We were moving from the Andes to the jungle.  Green mountain tops piled high, one behind the other, soaring into the clouds, sometimes so high that their peaks were lost in the clouds.  Waterfalls cascaded in ribbons down the steep slopes and the roar of the Urubamba grew loud enough to be heard over the noise of the train.  The Urubamba and all the streams that feed it are headed for the Amazon basin.  It quickly became a raging monster, with huge boulders and foaming, muddy water.  The trees grew larger and, on the slopes outside our window, cactus plants were replaced by ferns.  By the time we reached Aguas Calientes, the end of the line, we found ourselves in a full-fledged tropical forest. It was a wondrous four-hour journey.

     Aguas Calientes is now also referred to as Machu Picchu Village but don’t be confused.  It’s the same place.  The village is at the bottom of the valley.  Machu Picchu is almost straight up the hillside.  Again, a lot of zigzagging back and forth to get there.  This may be the most dramatic terrain you will ever encounter.  The road really does cling to the mountainside.  Beyond the Urubamba valley there were soaring peaks shaped like arrowheads or shark teeth – a whole mountain range full of teeth, sharp but covered all the way to their points by vegetation.

Once out of the bus, and through the park gates, Machu Picchu opened in front of us.  We concluded that all the pictures we’d seen beforehand do Machu Picchu justice, but just barely.  On second thought – you have to see the place to believe it.

Anyway, that's some of what I remember.  I'm looking forward to the return trip.  And, to our work in Lima.

Rich 

Photographer Rick Smith and I were Lone Star Adventuring today with scores of school children -- hawks, an owl, turtles and fish.  The wildlife combination (actually, the children were remarkably well behaved) all came together at the still evolving Blackland Prairie Raptor Center.

Photos courtesy of BPRC and Dianne Earley

A little history is in order.  For more than 30 years, Brockdale Park (an absolute jewel of public land on the banks of Lake Lavon near Lucas, Texas) has been largely closed to visitors.  It has rare blackland prairie habitat (thus the name of the new center) and a picturesque little pond that is well stocked with fish.  But, only the occasional Boy Scout troop or school group was allowed in to use it.  Then in 2007 the Army Corps of Engineers leased it to the non-profit BPRC.  And, the Raptor Center has great plans for it.

For several years state and federal wildlife agencies have used Brockdale Park once or twice a summer to put on outdoor programs and that's what Rick and I came to see today.  The Richardson YMCA provided the children -- who rotated through a series of stations where they could get up close with birds of prey (courtesy of the BPRC), learn how to bait a hook, cast a line and often catch their first fish.  Other stations were opportunities to get hands-on experience with turtles and all sorts of critters. 

BPRC hopes to make events like today's commonplace.  Their first order of business is to get a bird re-hab hospital up and running (maybe by the end of the year) but the plans don't end there.  They want to restore the blackland prairie and make Brockdale Park a premier destination for school groups and outdoor lovers.

We will run the story we shot today the Sunday after next in the 9pm news.  But if you want to learn more now you can check out the BPRC at www.bpraptorcenter.org.

Rich

Thursday night in Addision -- at the Kaboom Town celebration -- instantly makes my Top Ten 4th of July (even though it was, technically, on the 3rd of July) Memories -- probably Top Three.  More on why in a moment but, first, let me recap the contenders.

1986.  Grand celebration for the re-furbished Statue of Liberty in New York.  KDFW-TV (then a CBS affiliate) sent Clarice Tinsley and I and a crew of 4-5 others to cover it.  We had a blast doing stories in the days leading up to the 4th.  I sailed into New York harbor on a foggy morning aboard the historic tall ship Elissa from Galveston.  I featured Texas rockers at a famous New York nightclub.  But, it was all topped off by watching fireworks over Lady Liberty from a park in New Jersey on the night of the 4th.  Exploding lights framing the Statue of Liberty with the Manhattan skyline in the background and all reflecting off the water.  What a memory!

2004.  County Fairgrounds just outside Yosemite National Park in Mariposa, California.  Old-fashioned fireworks with Catherine and the Nugents (sister, brother-in-law, beloved nieces) on a perfect summer evening. 

Sometime in the 90's.  Catherine, daughter Kristina and me in the back of my pickup at Vista Ridge Mall in Lewisville with the fireworks exploding right overhead.  The oohs and aahs of a pre-teenaged child on a night to savor.

2008.  Might be the best ever.  Catherine, oldest son Nick (wife Simone, unfortunately, had to work) and I were invited by Kevin Raulie and the folks at the great Cavanaugh Flight Museum to a hangar at Addison Airport and one of the best 4th of July celebrations ever.  The Cavanaugh provides most of the vintage War Planes for the Kaboom Town celebration every year and we had the best seat in the house to watch them warming up, flying overhead and then returning to the hangar.

We got to meet an American hero -- Dana Bowman -- after his sky diving feats.  Dana is a former special forces soldier and member of the U.S. Army's elite parachute team, The Golden Knights.  He lost parts of both legs in a 1994 accident but went on to earn "worldwide recognition as a motivational speaker and skydive demonstrator."  Dana and his family live near Weatherford and I hope to do something with him someday on Fox 4 News.

But, the topper to the night was, of course, Kaboom Town fireworks.  Again, we had a ringside seat. 

And, when it was over, we beat most of the traffic out of Addison. 

A 4th of July to remember -- even if it was on the 3rd..

Rich

I've been doing the Lone Star Adventure series now for more than a decade and, yet, I've never done a golfing story - until tonight.  But, this is a special golf course that we're featuring -- maybe the "greenest" in Texas. 

Tierra Verde Golf Club is a municipal Arlington course that has won a host of awards (state, national and international) for its environmentally friendly design and maintenance schedule.

 Rich Swinging Away on Driving Range

Texas Parks & Wildlife just gave Tierra Verde its prestigious Lone Star Steward award and has this to say about it:

Tierra Verde Golf Club in Arlington was uniquely designed to maximize the natural areas of the facility while accommodating golfers of all skill levels. Corridors of native vegetation throughout the property provide habitat for a variety of birds and other wildlife.

A minimum 20-foot buffer area of native plants, established around water bodies, reduces runoff and provides wildlife cover. Carefully constructed brush piles provide additional cover and dead trees are maintained for cavity nesters.

Nest boxes for wood ducks, purple martins, and bluebirds have been erected throughout the property and basking logs are placed in the ponds for turtles. The irrigation system monitors weather and plant condition to determine daily water requirements. Areas of native grass are mowed to a height of 12 inches every 3 years to simulate grazing.

Turf grasses are maintained with organic fertilizers, and both ground and surface water quality are monitored. The facility conducts environmental tours throughout the year for local schools interested in sustainable development.

 Groundskeeping Naturally

Above all, it's a great course.  Country club quality turf.  Excellent layout.  Check out the story tonight at 9pm (it will be on the web earlier than that) and try out the course if you get  chance.

Rich

More adventures in hiking on Thursday.  Once again, the trail system fooled us.  This time we spent 30 minutes trekking down an increasingly boulder strewn path that finally ended in a dead end of rocks and tangled undergrowth.  We were trying to get to Tenaja Falls, what the trail map claimed was a fairly easy .7 mile hike.  The only problem was that we didn't realize you had to ford a small stream to get to the actual path.  After re-tracing our steps we finally figured it out.  Got a great picture of the ladies carrying the girls across the little stream -

The rest of the hike was mostly straight and straight up through some beautiful Southern California high country.  The falls itself was almost dry.  Just a trickle could be seen.  But, clearly when it's running it would be impressive.

Let me share a little bit about Bob & Darla and the girls and how much they mean to us.  They are a Brother and Sisters in Christ -- as well as relatives.  Our times together are joyous -- though we share our difficult times as well and in those we comfort each other.  We've traveled together a lot.  Even went on a mission trip as a group to Mexico once -- building a house for a poor family through Amor Ministries.  Our time together is always filled with fellowship.  And, with Jesus Christ.  The Nugents have been a tremendous blessing to us.  As, I trust, we have been to them.

We're heading home later today.  Back to work tomorrow.  We're dreading the heat and humidity a little (it's too hot too soon!) but it's always good to get home. 

I will see you on TV Saturday.  Or, more correctly, I hope you will drop by to see me. 

Rich

Murietta, CA

Hiked ten miles Wednesday (not entirely on purpose), just missed seeing a cougar as the sun set (after setting out purposefully to spy one) and thoroughly enjoyed our time in a place called Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve.  Here's what the Riverside Park website says about the place:

The Reserve consists of 8,300 acres and protects unique ecosystems like Engelmann oak woodlands, riparian wetlands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, bunchgrass prairie and vernal pools.  Visitors to the Reserve can enjoy the oldest standing structures in Riverside County that once served as bunkhouses for cowboys dating back to 1846. These two adobe structures remain shaded by a 400 year old tree and separated by a relaxing, one-of-a-kind, picnic area.

Darla, Catherine and I set out at midday, intending to walk 2.2 miles to the bunkhouse area (very picturesque place called The Adobes), and then to circle back past the vernal pools (unfortunately almost dry at this time of year) for a total of maybe five or six miles hiking.  Somehow we misread the trail map and nearly doubled the length of our intended stroll.  We basically got a grand tour of the entire trail system.  Worth it, though.  Amber waves of grain.  Purple mountain majesty.  America the Beautiful.

While at The Adobes (1880s bunkhouse area) we ran into a young man from California Fish & Game who told us the place was crawling with rattlesnakes and cougars.  Both of which I was keen on seeing.  The ladies, maybe a little less so.  The Fish & Game man also told us about a place further up Tenaja Road where cougars routinely are seen about dusk. 

So, we went back out with the whole gang when Bob got home from work.  It certainly looked like cougar country.  Lots of exposed boulders and clusters of brush and trees.  But, where we were told we might see cougars, instead, we saw two more Fish & Game men hovering over something 100 yards from the No Trespassing sign (we know this because their marked Cherokee was parked on our side of the fence).  We watched them for a good long time.  My guess is they had darted and were tagging something.  A cougar? The guy back at The Adobes had told us earlier that all the cougars in the area have collars, so it might have been.

But, Emily wasn't feeling well, it was getting dark and we moved along with the mystery unsolved.  We stopped at Trail Head, however, so Emily could use the bathroom and a couple guys there told us they'd just encountered a cougar!  Minutes before we got there.  They'd just set out on a trail, when they spotted the big cat.  And, wisely, re-traced their steps.  Here we'd been trying to see one and didn't.  They really would rather not have - and did.    Isn't that how it always works?

Dinner with the Nugents is always a wonderful social event.  Much laughing and teasing.  And, this night, brainstorming about S'Mores.   After a healthy meal of salad and fish (which Catherine doesn't eat so she got chicken) Brother Bob whipped out the "S'mores Stick Kit."  I'm serious.  All the fixin's for the campfire favorite sold in a handy plastic tube, complete with marshmallows, Graham crackers, chocolate, roasting sticks and a printed "History of S'Mores" -- which apparently date back to a 1927 recipe in a Girl Scout Handbook.  My, the things we learn when we come to Bob and Darla's!

The brainstorming for potential new S'Mores products began even before we retired to the backyard fireplace to melt the marshmallows.  Bob suggested inserting Hershey Kisses inside the marshmallow and selling them as "Kiss Me S'Mores."   Darby thinks a whole series of marshmallows on the stick could be "S'Mores K-Bob" (in honor of the old man whose wicked sense of humor she's obviously inherited).  Bob countered that all the concoctions could be sold at a S'Mores store called "Puff 'N Stuff."  There were soon all sorts of possibilities being floated from Catherine and Darla and all around. 

Amid all the verbal hijinks and flaming sweets, I took some grief for being inept at the burning of the marshmallow.  I failed to get the two I tried hot enough to melt the chocolate when smushed against the Graham cracker.  It was quite humbling.

But, I did prove adept at the eating of the S'mores.  So, there's that, at least.

It's a new and another glorious day in SoCal.  We love to hike and we'll probably do some more today.  There's a waterfall in the Santa Rosa Plateau area that Darla wants to see.  And, I'm still hoping for cougars and rattlers.  At a safe viewing distance, of course. 

Rich