3 December 2017 Russell Uplands

Russell Uplands is close to home but not on our usual travel routes. We stopped today to search for a trio of geocaches hidden in the park. As soon as we were out of the vehicle, we were greeted by a nearby tufted titmouse.

We were long past hearing or seeing frogs on the pond, but we thought there might be a couple ducks on the water. The pond was quiet, but still quite scenic.

We made our way around the pond and enjoyed the woods trail.

I hadn't remembered osage oranges here, but the brain-like fruits were plentiful.

Someone appeared to be using this old structure to store black walnuts for the winter foods.

2 December 2017 Lake Erie Bluffs

In less than 24 hours I had moved from caching in a hoodie in North Carolina to visiting the cold windy southern shore of Lake Erie. The weather was much colder, but the day was no less inviting as it was a rare bright,blue day on the lake.

We used the long stairway to access the shore and visit the calm lake.

Some day we will actually visit without the dogs and will climb the observation tower. Today we needed to walk to the first level to gather information for a multi cache.

I would have enjoyed seeing this distant passing vessel from a different angle. It appeared to have an unusual boom stored deckside on the port.

Other than the large vessels, there are usually few visitors on Lake Erie in the cold December waters.

We didn't need the observation deck to spot the mergansers on the water.

The volunteer who manages the Lake Metroparks program also works to make certain there are fresh hides in the parks including a decent supply of the rare mulitcache. Today's walk gave us a treat of two multis and a lot of steps. By the time we were winding down the day with only only stage of the second multi remaining, the sun was setting beyond the trail.

It was an odd moon rising as we found and signed the last log of the day.

1 December 2017 Hornet's Nest Council Trail

I still had a long drive home, but wanted to walk a trail before the North Carolina sun was in my rearview mirror. Ali gave me directions to a series of caches along the Girl Scout's Hornet's Nest Council Trail. The plants along the way were ready for winter so the sights were limited, but the trail was pleasant and the sky was blue.

That looks like a geopile...

and there's the cache. They weren't all as easy as this opening find.

I never reached the South Yadkin River, but I did cross a very muddy feeder. Eventually I ran out of time and left a few unfound caches for a future visit.

30 November 2017 Sunshine Cafe

Sunshine Cafe is one of my favorite places for Thai food. Ali found this little restaurant in Kannapolis in 2013 when she joined me for a trip. The town has since attracted a minor league baseball team and the building where the Sunshine Cafe was located was removed for the new stadium. A colleague also counts this restaurant among his favorites and was happy to give me directions for a visit to the new location. This location is much larger, but it is the same bright and happy decor as the old restaurant with the same great Thai food. It's nice to have a little continuity in life.

26 November 2017 Snake Plant

We have a snake plant that has hung around since before we were first together. It's been so long I don't remember if this was in my apartment or Ali's. It has survived months with no water, freezing temperatures, and untold neglect. Today Ali noticed it was blooming. It is a first for the plant. I'm glad it stuck around for us to see it bloom.

24 November 2017 Hiking the NCT

The modest snow of the day prior had all but melted. We had the afternoon for playing in the woods and decided on a long overdue visit to the North Country Trail. It was a perfect day for walking a very lightly visited section of the trail. Besides finding a few caches we visited a very large rock formation. The side of the trail was lined with a field of very large rocks. I thought we had visited each section of the ANF near us, but this site would not have been forgotten.

The sunlight and shadows made for a memorable day on the trail.

Phineas

and Lizzie

appeared to enjoy the day too.

23 November 2017 Hearts Content

We spent the holiday afternoon with a quiet walk in the Hearts Content Scenic Area. We enjoyed a long walk on the Tom's Run Trail. It was an easy walk. The trail was mostly dry with small areas of light snow.

22 November 2017 Ithaca

I was headed back home to Pennsylvania and winter weather was predicted. I still wanted to get a little trail time and find a few caches so I chose Ithaca. My afternoon started with a dnf at a unique octagonal school house. I enjoyed the unique building although I'm not sure it was a great design for a schoolhouse.

My next stop was at the Cornell Plantations. I enjoyed a short walk along a trail which eventually led me to the arboretum area and an overlook point.

Once the trail moved away from the road traffic, this was a very peaceful walk.

The formal garden area at the edge of the arboretum offered a good view of the lower gardens. There is not much to see in December, but this must be a great view from spring through fall colors.

The cold was made worse with a stiff wind, but I was determined to cache until the weather made the last turn to snow. I moved the vehicle to the main parking area and hit the trial. I didn't last liong. After two more caches, I decided I was done for the day.

I saw enough to want to return on my next visit to the area.

14 November 2017 Another Find in Aurora

Last year I was at my office and spotted the first praying mantis I had seen in years. This afternoon, I spotted another one. I'm happy for a second chance to see these and wonder why they seem to be visible at the office.

12 November 2017 Another Walk in North Chagrin

When we visited the park a few weeks prior to hunt a multi, we stopped to visit one of our caches on the way back. It had gone missing so we brought a replacement container today. The fall colors of a few weeks ago were now muted while the temperatures had dropped and were near freezing.

We stopped on the boardwalk to watch a large gathering of mallards.

The water nearer the boardwalk showed a different story of the changing weather with ice crystals forming.

We enjoyed watching the cardinals in the brush off trail.

We stopped along the river on the way back to give the dogs a chance to splash in the Chagrin.