IN COOLER AIR WE WERE ON THE TRAIL EARLY TO BEAT THE HEAT, HUMIDITY, AND MOSQUITOS

With a warm night's breeze gently moving a high thin cloud cover around Pheebs and I drove a short distance east out into the countryside Tuesday night.  I had checked to see what time the full Moon would make its appearance in our area so we were in place on a quiet gravel road shortly before 9 when it made itself present rising slowly through a tree line to the east.  Due to the soft layer of clouds I knew the Moon would not show much detail and it didn't.  Took a few photos anyway and simply enjoyed being outside on a tranquil summerlike evening in late May.  Made a note to myself, I must try harder to do this more often....................

OUT ON A COUNTRY ROAD WAITING FOR THE MOONRISE…..PHEEBS IS FACING EAST

AND HERE IT COMES

OH-OH LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE HAS BASHED IN THE TOP OF THE MOON WITH A HAMMER

With another unhealthy sweltering day predicted Pheebs and were out the door earlier than usual this morning taking advantage of the overnight's lingering cooler air.  With a nice breeze blowing I figured mosquitos might not be a problem in the forest.  I was partly right as we made our way along the Maitland Line to a local trail head leading down to the Maitland River.  We had walked a section of this trail north of Holmesville about 3 years ago and remembered it being scenic as it closely followed along the east side of the River.  Fifteen minutes after leaving the house we were on the trail heading through tall Maple trees and thick growths of Cedars.

THE TRAIL STARTS OFF AND HEADS DOWNHILL THROUGH HARDWOOD TREES

A RESTING BENCH BEFORE DESCENDING THROUGH A CEDAR FOREST

DOWN AND DOWN WE GO HEADING FOR THE RIVER BELOW

HEY DAD I JUST FOUND A PANCAKE TREE

Only sounds we heard in the forest were those of many songbirds high up in the forests canopy.  A steep but well worn grade leads to the Maitland River below and it wasn't long before we could hear the river's flowing water making it's way to Lake Huron about ten miles further west.

WE CAME DOWN THE TRAIL ON THE LEFT AND WENT BACK UP THAT WAY AS WELL WHEN WE LEFT

I had remembered a nice area alongside the river and sure enough it was still there.  Noticed a couple plaques I had not remembered seeing before plus a couple picnic tables.  A campfire still smoldered from a very recent fire.

I PARTICULARLY LIKED AND FULLY AGREED WITH THE SAYING AT THE BOTTOM

Followed the trail which actually was more of a narrow road north along the river for a quarter mile then turned east on a side trail which doubled back to the serene picnic area and from there ascended the slow grade which we had just come down twenty minutes before.  By this time temperatures were rapidly climbing and the humidity was again upon us.  Miserable mosquitos were beginning to make themselves known.  By the time we reached the Jeep my shirt was uncomfortably sticking to me.  Into the Jeep we jumped, cranked up the A/C, and made a bee-line for home.  There was no point in going anywhere else feeling like a big sticky blob of glue.

FOLLOWING THE TRAIL NORTH ALONG THE RIVER

WATER FROM FIELDS HIGHER UP MADE IT’S WAY IN NARROW CREEKS DOWN TO THE RIVER

EVEN AN INUKSHUK ALONG THE WAY

A GROOVED STRETCH OF HARDENED CLAY ALONG THE RIVERBANK

WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE SWARMS OF MOSQUITOS BOTHERING US

 

Home before 10 I didn't waste any time getting into the cool comfortable confines of the house.  As far as doing anything else outside the day was over.  I was sure glad I had finished the Motorhome's wax job when I did because there is no way whatsoever I could have finished it this week in this miserable heat.  Checking the 10 day weather forecast I was happy to see we have much cooler weather headed our way beginning on a rainy Thursday and by Friday we should be back to seasonably comfortable temps in the mid to high 60's.  Bonus days:)))))

SOMETHING WAS MOVING OUT THERE IN THE FERNS

OH IT WAS JUST THE PHEEBS

IT WAS ABOUT HERE WE PICKED UP A SIDE TRAIL AND BEGAN OUR RETURN JOURNEY

 

A FEW LITTLE THINGS ALONG THE WAY

PHEEBS ALWAYS LIKES TO BE OUT FRONT LEADING THE WAY

We had to slip Pheebs over to the Zurich Vets this afternoon for her second part of a two part ear treatment.  She seems to be prone to ear infections and especially this time of year.  She is always so good at the Vets and never makes a fuss about going or being there.  For Pheebs it's just happy day every day no matter where she is.  Loves everything and everybody.  I sure wish I was more like my dog…………….

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A senior citizen was clearing out his attic when he came upon an old painting and a violin. Thinking they might be valuable, he took them to the auction house to be valued.  After studying them, the appraiser said, "Mr Cooper, I have good news and I have bad news."
"What's the good news?" the senior asked.  "The good news is that you have a Stradivarius and a Picasso," replied the appraiser.  "Fantastic! What's the bad news?"  "Well sir, the bad news is that Stradivarius was a very bad painter and Picasso was no good with violins."
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Son: "Dad, did you go to Church when you were little?"  Dad: "Yes son, every single Sunday." Son: "I thought so. Bet it won't do me any good either."

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Actual exchanges between pilots and control towers

Tower: "Eastern 702, cleared for takeoff, contact Departure on frequency 124.7"

Eastern 702: "Tower, Eastern 702 switching to Departure. By the way, after we lifted off we saw some kind of dead animal on the far end of the runway."

Tower: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff behind Eastern 702, contact Departure on frequency 124.7. Did you copy that report from Eastern 702?"

BR Continental 635: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff, roger; and yes, we copied Eastern... we've already notified our caterers."

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