Reflections and reunions, November 2018

As I sit here looking out my wide dining room window at my favorite Pacific Dogwood, its autumn leaves now fading to dull pink from flaming red, above, I'm thinking of the folks who've lost everything in the Camp Fire conflagration.  This horrific fire is burning about 50 miles northwest of our house in Nevada City, as the crow flies.  The latest stats are:

• Location: Butte County
• 135,000 acres burned
• 35 percent contained
• 51 fatalities confirmed, 3 firefighters injured
• 8,817 structures destroyed, 7,600 of them homes

With 7,600 homes destroyed, that's a lot of displaced people.  Like most everyone with TV and Internet, I've seen the videos and photos of harrowing escapes.  The burned-out devastation is heartbreaking to see.  So many fatalities.  And the tragedy goes on.  Many of us around the state (which has other hellish wildfires to fight at the same time) are pitching in to do what we can, rounding up supplies and gift cards to distribute to those in need.  Anyone in the world can give -- there are plenty of organizations that are collecting for people who suddenly have nothing but the clothes they were wearing as they fled the flames.

And then, I have to count my blessings.  November is America's Thanksgiving month.  Jimmy and I realize we have much to be thankful for in our lives.  We have a comfortable home, food to eat and clothes to warm us, families who love us, and friends who care.  We have our health, though we're not young by any stretch of the imagination, and we can travel.  We are grateful.

Randy and Sharon

Speaking of travel, most of our international trips have been with Road Scholar, a tour company that combines learning with adventure.  We've never been disappointed with/by them.  Aside from the obvious benefit of seeing new places and faces and cultures, one of the best perks of traveling is making new friends.  In that, we've also been blessed.  This fall, three separate Road Scholar trip friends have visited us.  Last May, Randy and Sharon (from Georgia) were in our awesome Macchu Pichu/Galapagos trip.  In September, they traveled to NorCal and asked to meet up and maybe go hiking.  With pleasure!

On Sept 29th, we met at the Sagehen trailhead.  Jimmy and me, Randy and Sharon, and their friend, Robert, from Montana, enjoyed a beautiful afternoon on the trail, followed by early dinner (or late lunch) at Moody's in Truckee.  It was a lovely day and we all had a great time.  Thanks for coming to California!

Fantastic tree color and wonderfully clear that day in the high country.

On October 18th, we got together with Garrett at Awful Annie's in Auburn for an early lunch.  We three were in the same amazing Australia/New Zealand trip back in Nov/Dec 2016.  Garrett lives in Washington and flew to NorCal to visit a relative.  We appreciated that he wanted to pay us a visit.  Nice playing catch-up, and thanks for lunch, Garrett!

Today, Denise who lives in Massachusetts, came to our place with her sister, Heidi (who lives locally).  We'd planned on going to Lefty's for lunch, but it was much too smoky to go out.  So, we made the best of a last minute lunch of sandwiches and chips and condiments, and mandarin oranges from Newcastle (yummy, thanks, Denise).  Plus, I'd made an apple crisp the night before and a lemon icebox pie this morning for Jimmy's birthday.  You can see we did all right!

A year ago, we "did" a three-week Road Scholar trip to India with Denise and formed a fast friendship.  She is a fun person to be around, with a neat sense of humor.  Who knows why we were laughing, above, but we had a happy day.  We'll stay in touch ....  Meeting Heidi was a plus.  As a group we sang Happy Birthday to Jimmy, then he blew out four candles placed in the meringue on the lemon icebox pie.  Four seemed like a nice round number, never mind how many should really be atop his dessert.  

As I said earlier, we are grateful.

On ye olde trail, Thursday, 10/19/17

Neither Jimmy nor I like pedaling a bicycle on a roadside, unless the road is almost devoid of traffic.  We know too many people who have been hit and hurt, some fatally, by cars.  We much prefer riding rails-to-trails or other off-the-beaten-track paths, especially if scenery and/or wildlife is thrown into it.  Our bikes are 29'ers, not light road bikes at all, not fast nor easy to haul around, but we like hopping on 'em and "flying" over the ground!  Exploring a new trail is especially fun, 'cause you never know what's around the corner.

Our ride began near the Orange Beach water tower.

Our friend, Tommy, told us about a new trail near the FL/AL line from Orange Beach to Gulf Shores.  It wasn't close to Daphne, maybe 60 miles, but we were up for it, the day being fine.  Parts of the trail were new, but the rest of it had been reworked or rerouted, so it may as well have been new.  It was new to us!  We found out from a fellow cyclist that the improvements -- enhancements -- were compliments of BP oil money (from the massive BP Deep Water Horizon oil spill in 2010).  At least some good came out of a terrible tragedy.  The project continues, with additional trails and amenities coming soon.

Covered swings and wooden benches were among the amenities.

Lots of both.

We pedaled through Gulf State Park, where we saw a controlled burn taking place.  Coming from California, seeing fire (especially NOW) is alarming.  The rangers, etc., had it under control, but I still gave it the stink eye.  We pedaled on to the museum in the park.

If you're not familiar with Gulf St Pk, it's a mile-and-a-half from white sand beaches, and offers a whopping 496 improved FHU campsites with paved pads, plus 11 primitive sites.  Tents are welcome on all sites.

And there we encountered "The Doctor," a lady Great Horned Owl, I think the girl at the desk said.  Tethered on a perch, we visited with her (I called her Fluffy) for a bit, before continuing on to eat our sandwiches at a picnic area near Middle Lake.

Walking and eating at Middle Lake.

Jimmy and I and my sis, Nannie, ran, walked, and biked around here more often than we can recall when we were training for road races -- 10k's, etc.  Round and round Lake Shelby we went, six miles. The annual Shrimp Festival run is held here, and we three ran it a couple of times, and won little trophies in our divisions.  I think I still have mine.  The blue water tower is an icon for us.

Miles of new boardwalks kept us off the busy highway.  Double thumbs up.

Along the way, we came across a stately Tricolored Heron (above) and a cute li'l American Kestrel (below).  The Kestrel didn't want it's pic taken, but I tried.

Good to see kayaks for rent.  But not today for us.

We rode through a really diverse gulf habitat, from wetlands to woodlands to beaches.

Gulf Oak Ridge was my favorite part of the entire 20.5 ride.

When we weren't on a boardwalk, the path was wide, paved, and level.  Easy for walkers, runners, and bikers.  Much of it accessible.  It was lightly trafficked midday today, but I imagine weekends and mornings would have more activity.

Other than pretty Firecracker flowers, we didn't see much color.

Not many people know where it is or have even heard of it, but we parked our RV at a Harvest Hosts winery in Bad Axe once, and enjoyed it.  Cool to see the name here, so I took its picture.

Snowbirds love to flock to this area when the weather up north turns icy.  They form clubs down here; e.g., The Missouri Club or the Ohioans, or whatever.  Again, good has come to the trail via the benches.  All of them are inscribed -- some by individuals, but many clubs sponsor a bench.  We applaud.

Thoroughly liked riding today.  If we have time before we leave, we'll do it again.  Recommend!

It's quiet enough now ... Tuesday, 10/17/17

This is what southern people long for, yearning for months on end -- being able to pull a light sweater from mothballs or a lower drawer, put it on and not instantly break into sweat.  Cool weather.  Low humidity.  Lots of sunshine, clear, blue sky, nothing opaque about the atmosphere.  Maybe a light breeze.  In short:  October.  Southerners pay their dues for the bulk of the year; October is their reward.  At least I feel that way.

Jimmy and I didn't don jackets, but we did dig out long-sleeved shirts and jeans from deep recesses in Tergel's closets.  In a 24-hour period, morning lows dropped from the 70's to the 50's, skipping the middle road (60's) altogether.  Mind you, this won't last, but it we'll revel in it as long as it's here!

It was way too nice to be indoors.  But, where to go on a fine day like this?  The closest place for us to hike was Historic Blakeley State Park.  With over twenty miles of paths, we figured we'd find a trail we hadn't yet explored.

Blakeley has more than 2,000 acres of some of the most biodiverse habitat in North America, from river bottom to hardwood forest.  It also contains sites of Alabama's largest Civil War battle, the important early Alabama town of Blakeley, and Native American settlements dating back thousands of years.  The first thing Jimmy and I came across was a trio of plain ol' deer crossing in front of Smartie.  Blakeley was the site of one of the last battles of the Civil War.

No one else was Out and About at this large park-like preserve.  We strolled alone, not thinking of battles or wars or killing ... simply enjoying the peacefulness of our surroundings.

At some points, we climbed rickety steps.  Up was easier than down.

We turned around rather than fight our way through the swampy area.

Not all those who wander are lost.
We have to consult trail maps, though.

Long boardwalks kept our shoes clean and dry in boggy areas.
We put a lot of miles on the fitbit today.

We saw a number of Big Leaf Magnolia trees.  Seeing the fallen leaves on the ground elicited a "wow" response, they're so unexpectedly large.  My foot is tiny (inset) next to a leaf.

Blakeley sits at the Tensaw River.  The quarter-mile Wilson Boardwalk had been repaired from Hurricane Nate and was open.  Jimmy, eyeing the distance with binocs, stands at one of the observation/fishing decks off the boardwalk.  A lone Cyprus tree is festooned with Spanish Moss that dances in the fresh breeze.  No snakes or alligators ... nothing else appeared.

Did a selfie.  Didn't let the camera fall in the water.

The Hiding Tree is still standing.  Above, Jimmy stands to the left of its base.

This massive Oak with a hollowed base is reputed to have served as a hiding place for Confederates after the fall of Fort Blakeley.  I find it hard to believe that 150 years ago the tree was big enough to hide anyone, but it makes a good story.

Shifting Gears ... Fri-Mon, 10/13-10/15, 2017

Friday morning we said goodbye to Rus and Anne (left) and Nannie and Bubba (right).  Everyone went away, leaving us to ... you thought I was going to say "rest and relax?"  Nope, we started the laundry and grocery shopping!  At the Hampton Inn, we asked the lady behind the counter to take a final picture of us with the word "happy," (below).  She was only too, uh, happy to oblige.  Thanks you guys, our reunion was a blast!

I saw this at Five Rivers on the Causeway and liked it.

It is true, from one end of the world to the other.

Thunderstorms were forecast for Sunday in advance of a front moving through.  Regardless, we wanted to drive out to Wilmer to see Jimmy's grandson, AJ, and daughter-in-law, Michele.  From now on, I believe I'll just say "our" grandson.  As I mentioned previously, being with family is why we're spending so much time in the Deep South.  We ducked out of Tergel's door seconds before the sky opened up, but drove out of it.  Hooray, no rain in Wilmer.  We spent a wonderful afternoon with AJ and Michele, chatting and drinking coffee (well, no coffee for AJ).

AJ is sixteen already and in high school and it seems like he was born only yesterday.  We know how time flies.  He is a sweet, polite and fun guy to be around.  We'll see them again before we light out of here.  Jimmy and AJ were clowning around when I asked them to smile for the camera.  These two ... you can tell they had a good time!

Around 4ish, we heard thunder again.  Walking outside and looking up, we decided it was time to hit the road.  One more photo before we skedaddled.  Michele, AJ, and Jimmy ... thanks for a terrific visit, you guys! 

The deluge began shortly after we left Wilmer and we got caught in three separate cloudbursts on our return to Daphne!  That lake-sized puddle you see above is just beyond Tergel's door.  Man, it can rain here!  While NorCal burns, the south drowns -- doesn't seem fair or right, does it?  So much water fell here Sunday that when I went for a walk Monday afternoon, the mushroom cup (above, left) was full of water and a tiny piece of floating grass, while a fallen Magnolia leaf looked like a miniature stranded canoe. 

Blue Mistflower is all a-bloom in these parts this time of year.

Is it any wonder that fungi flourish in this wet environment?  I discovered all kinds and sizes of 'shrooms during my brief afternoon walk.  The three whitish guys on the bottom, left, remind me of Orion's Belt, which I call three-in-a-row.

The Japanese Magnolia, above, is confused; thinks it's spring!

Finally, today:  Monday the 16th, the hot, humid weather broke.  After an overcast morning, the sun shone upon us without the horrid heat that leaves us drained.  What a relief.  Maybe in the upcoming week we can enjoy some outdoor time before we pack our suitcases, and hop on a plane to Newark.  From there, we'll board an Emirates jet bound for Dubai, far across the pond.  That's just the first step in our next overseas adventure.  Dubai, fer cryin' out loud, whoever would guess we'd be going to Dubai?!  

Throwback Thursday! Oct 12, 2017

I don't have any dated photos to show, as you might expect from the header title.  For the six of us, the day seemed to revolve around Memory Lane; as in, a throwback to our past.  I have to say that roaming around the Mobile Bay area has given me several emotional moments, remembering many of the things Jimmy and I and Rob did together -- kayaking, biking, running road races, even moving -- Rob is gone and we'll never share any of these activities with him again.  I've been caught unawares at times, with so many memories coursing thru my brain.  Well, and now it's time to move on.

When Jimmy and I pulled into the Hampton Inn to join in the breakfast camaraderie, the gang wasn't all there, so to speak.  While we waited for missing family members, I mentioned "going to see the alligator that lives in the nearby creek.  A boardwalk will take us to it."  After breakfast, that's what we did ... trooped down the Gator Alley Boardwalk to see the gator in D'Olive Creek (a muddy mess if I ever saw one).

You tell 'em, Nannie!

Everyone looked, and we saw nothing.  Brother Rus walked to the creek's far edge and there it was!  The gator was minding its own business, resting in the weeds.  Maybe Rus woke it up, 'cause it slithered on its tummy into the creek and waited, expectantly.  When no marshmallows or other tasty tidbits came its way, the photo op was over.  It retreated into the water weeds further upstream.  Pretty neat to be able to produce an alligator on demand, huh?

Beautiful Lotus flowers bloom in muddy D'Olive Creek.

When the show was finished, we made for the van, though a pit stop probably came first.  We were aiming for the other side of Mobile Bay, through the tunnel and into the City of Mobile.  Our first stop was Pine Crest Cemetery where our folks are buried.  Twenty years have passed since we placed our mother's ashes there.  Our dad died in 1977.  We paid our respects.

[Jimmy says, "It's not a van.  It's a six-person SUV."  Okay, but I'm calling it a van!"]

Rob lived not too far from the cemetery.  Rus and Anne had never seen his house and wanted to envision where he'd spent his last five years.  Even though his house had sold, Nannie said the new owners worked and we could do a drive-by.  (She was Rob's executrix)  We did more -- we parked the van and four of us walked straight into his backyard.  Rus and Anne examined the lift Rob used to raise and lower his kayaks into the Dog River canal ... he loved kayaking the river and the entire Mobile delta.  The yard looked well kept.  Pleased, we left.

Next up was a look-see at the homestead where our parents lived, having moved to Mobile in 1968.  This time we stayed in the van.  Mission accomplished, it was time to cross the bay and return to the Eastern Shore.  I bet it seems like all we do is eat (true!), and we were hungry again as we made our way toward Fairhope.  Nannie and I suggested Guido's in Daphne, where we'd eaten before.  We had a stellar lunch -- my plate was crab ravioli with spinach and mushrooms, and Italian green beans ... muy bien!  Oops, we lingered beyond their 2pm closing.  Good time!

Yup, it was windy at the end of the pier.

When in Rome, etc.  When in Fairhope, we always walk the 1/4 mile pier.

Even when it's HOT.  Anne and Jimmy, above.

Strolling around downtown Fairhope, peeking into shops, admiring architecture, we ended up at Page and Palette for coffee and, uh-huh, ice cream!  What the heck, it was almost dinnertime anyway. 

Standing guard at the pier. (it's real)

With one more destination in mind, we drove south to Point Clear and the Grand Hotel, hoping to walk around their lovely, landscaped grounds.  Alas, the waterfront was closed off due to water damage from Hurricane Nate.  We arrived at sunset and poked around as much as we could before it was too dark to see.

We watched this guy just off the walkway as he fished.  He looks different in the top left because we were on his right.  Moving to his left, we watched as he lunged, and came up with a tiny fish:  success! 

The day was long, we put lots of steps on our fitbits, but we did and saw what we wanted -- and you can't ask for any more.  We climbed in the van one last time and Jimmy drove us to Daphne and the Hampton Inn.  Nannie and Bubba, Rus and Anne bid us goodnight.  Tomorrow they leave, first Anne and Rus who will rent a car and drive to Memphis and Graceland, a place Anne has always wanted to visit.  Later, Nannie and Bubba will drive home to Baton Rouge.  The six of us are so fortunate, so blessed to spend this time together.  The saying, "Live, Love, Laugh?"  We did it all.