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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Sunshine on My Shoulders......

For the last week we've woken to 20-24˚F (-6.6 to -4.4˚C) temperatures and had highs in the mid to high 40's.  We've had brilliant sunshine everyday except for yesterday - it clouded over mid-day.

On Sunday we woke to another frosty morning, but by 11:30 it had warmed enough to venture forth for a walk.  Troubadour and I headed out through the neighborhood, cut through the tree farm at the end of the block and into the swanky neighborhood above us.  It is our short cut to the Bald Hill trail system.

While walking through the neighborhood we pass a fenced in slew of sorts and standing there waiting to catch a frog was a Great Blue Heron.  With the wetlands around here we see them quite often.




A little further into the neighborhood and just before the path over the railroad tracks to Bald Hill we met Tank.  He has a habit of roaming the neighborhood around his house and greeting everyone wanting some love.  Brad stopped to pet him and he followed us to the path where we stopped for a photo.


We continued down the path, cut across Reservoir Road and into Bald Hill.  Instead of staying on the paved multi-use path we opted to hike to the top.



The gravel and trails start just before the barn.  We climbed the back side around the hill and up the switchbacks to the top where we were rewarded with a view of the valley below.

(Looking West toward the coast, Mary's Peak in the center of the mountain range)
(Troubadour found a park bench)
(I joined him, but it was too bright to keep my eyes open without the shades on)
We checked the map of the trail system and found we'd walked about 3 miles from our house to get to the top.


A few yards up the hill we reached another park bench facing a more southerly direction.

(Looking southeast you can see the neighborhood we walked through)

(Troubadour soaking up the sun)
While relaxing on the bench, Troubadour spotted mistletoe in the tree above.

(Couldn't let that go to waste now could we?)
We decided to take a shortcut trail down the hill.  It was shorter, steeper, and a little overgrown. It's hard to tell from these pics how steep it was, but believe me the first part was a little slow going and you can't see the thawing mud under the leaves.



We made it back down to the paved path and continued home.  There was still ice and frost in the shaded areas, but that just made the sun feel warmer.  

Yesterday morning, as I was checking to see if the patio door was locked before I walked to the bus stop, I noticed a red glow in the eastern sky.  The sunrise was in full swing.  I quickly grabbed the camera, but I didn't do the brilliance justice.  I was surprised by how vivid the colors were as we don't see them like that very often.  This picture was taken at 7 am yesterday morning.


I managed to get a picture of Basil yesterday morning as well, since I already had the camera out for the sunrise.  It was still fairly dark in the house so the flash came on.  He likes sitting by the oil heater we have by the garage door.  It is drafty in that corner and the oil heater set on low keeps the chill at bay when the weather is cooler and the pellet stove doesn't come on near as often.


We are heading into a four-day holiday weekend here, so hopefully we'll have some time on the bikes.  I don't think it is supposed to get as cold at night so we'll see.

- Au Revoir

"  Keep your face always towards the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you." - Walt Whitman
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27 comments:

  1. Trobairitz:

    that barn at the top of the hill looks a bit familiar, and it's not because I have hiked there. but you have to show me where that mistletoe was . . .

    Nice red sky, I find that you have to "underexpose" a bit to get the deeper colour. That's what I do when I shoot sunsets and sunrises. Set EC to around minus -1

    glad you didn't slip going down that slippery slope

    I wished we had a 4 day weekend up here. We need it

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast

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    1. It was quite a climb to the mistletoe, but remember, Brad was the one waiting under it. :-)

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  2. I would have loved to join you on your walk. Right about now temperatures are the same here in the Black Forest. I had hoped for warmer weather but riding is currently out of the question. Too slippery.
    I like the picture towards Mary's Peak the most. What a crisp view you had.

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    1. We'd love to go walking with you two. From your pictures of your hikes it looks like you have wonderful areas for walking in the woods too.

      We're inverted today. The inversion set in and the low clouds haven't lifted. We have an air stagnation warning that should be lifted by Sunday - fingers crossed.

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  3. Your mention and picture of the great blue heron reminded me of 'The Sand-hill Crane' poem by Mary Austin, A pleasant memory! :)

    It looks like you had a very nice walk!

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    1. That poem is pretty neat. I hadn't heard it before so I Googled it.

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  4. I had forgotten about Mary's Peak! What a great landscape.

    I still say that's a good choice of hairstyle for you. Even with a squint.

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    1. Normally Mary's Peak is mentioned when we are on two wheels as there is a twisty road to the top. Great views and hiking up there too.

      Thanks for the compliment. I am still debating whether I like the short hair or not. Yes, it is easier to take care of, but at times I miss the long hair. Isn't that always the way?

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  5. Beautiful day for a walk and snapping some nice pics. The sky is so blue in some of them. Nice!
    Bald Hill is a great hiking area. Lucky to have it so close!

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    1. It was a beautiful day. We are hoping once it thaws today will be the same.

      And we are very lucky to have Bald Hill in walking distance.

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  6. Nice photos of the blue heron. Being able to get to that trail so easily from your home is nice.

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    1. It is nice to have the trails close. I am sure you've been through there before. Has your sister ever taken you to the top? If not, we'll need to hike it next time you're in town.

      Basil was slightly possessed by the flash. He looks like he is plotting my demise.

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  7. Nice photos of the heron! I didn't realize it got that cold in the Northwest but a nice long trail hike can warm things up...as can a little bit of mistletoe. ;-)

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    1. Believe it or not it has even snowed at the coast. I think you have to be in southern California before it doesn't get freezing.

      We woke to 25 and freezing fog this morning, brrrr. Glad the pellet stove is just heating away, kitty snuggled on the sofa sleeping.

      We rode yesterday afternoon and it was in the low 40's. An okay ride, but not that comfy with all the layers and cold feet and hands.

      And yes the hiking and mistletoe are always good for a warm up.

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    2. Glad to know the sunrises there.

      I never get tired of photos of blue herons. We have them here and I love them.

      Heather gets her hair cut and immediately wishes it longer. She says she doesn't feel "girly". I certainly wouldn't mistake her for any other gender. Her rule is she must be able to pull it back for when she works out. If she can't then it is totally too short.

      We take those shortcuts sometime and find they weren't paths but rain run offs. And, yes, often slippery.
      ~k

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    3. Well, I can still pull my hair back so I guess it isn't too short. Thanks to Heather for that tip!!

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  8. Great photo of the sunrise. Where are the photo's from the mistltoe bit. I guess you had no spare hands to use the camera?

    Bit cold for riding in your area at the moment.

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    1. Sorry, no pics of the mistletoe experience, wouldn't want it going viral, bahahaha.

      Yes it is chilly riding. We went out yesterday for the afternoon and it was in the low 40's( 5-6˚C) We were cold when we got home just before dark. Managed to get the two covered bridges we missed last Thanksgiving. Blog posts will follow.

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  9. I can smell the freshness from your photos! Cold walks are the best and the clarity of the air is at its best. Beautiful day you had!

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    1. I agree. Something about a walk in the chilly air that is refreshing.

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  10. Beautiful walk and fabulous photos! The best was the photo of the two of you!! I love your kitty photo too. :) I'm a fan of kitties, but I don't have one anymore. Highway is allergic, so chances are I won't have one again. I would rather have him than a kitty!

    I love your sunset photo. For some reason a sunset photo is always a nice way to bring the end of a post to a close, huh?

    Get on those bikes! (OK too chilly for me. That's why I'm in San Diego now!)

    Smooches,
    Sash
    www.SashMouth.com

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    1. Thansk Tina. Bummer Highway is allergic to kitties. You need a Maine Coon if you settle down again - they are hypo-allergenic.

      Got on the bikes Thursday, brrr it was chilly.

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  11. Oh that Great Blue Heron! I just love to see them eye and then snatch up a fish and then launch off into the sky so effortlessly!

    So cool to be able to walk to all of that right out your door!

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    1. I like to see them fly as well. They look like mini pterodactyls to me. We are lucky to live in close proximity to the hiking trails.

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  12. You sure have some lovely coutryside to wander and ride around. I'll have to put more photos of my native Yorkshire on the blog [ adentedmindandaharleydavidson.blogspot.com ] for you to look at as it's lovely too.

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    1. Thanks Nigel. I would love to see some pics from around Yorkshire. I've never been to England so I enjoy seeing all photos from in and around the UK.

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