MUDDY MORNING WALK AT NAFTEL’S CREEK CONSERVATION AREA

TOOK THIS PHOTO ON THE WAY HOME TODAY ALONG KITCHIGAMI ROAD….SOMETHING ABOUT IT REMINDED ME OF OLD AMERICAN CIVIL WAR PHOTOS I HAVE SEEN

Had been awhile since Pheebs and I were out walking along any forest trails so despite much cooler 34F temperatures this morning we did just that.

HEADING IN TO NAFTEL’S CREEK CONSERVATION AREA

 

TRAIL WAS VERY WET IN SPOTS

 

I LOVE THESE MYSTERIOUSY QUIET FOREST PATHS

THERE’S A PHEEBS IN THIS PHOTO

A FEW WEEKS AGO PEOPLE WERE PROBABLY CROSS COUNTRY SKIING THROUGH HERE

Of course before our walk we had done our Goderich rounds complete with a McDonalds coffee to go and half a dozen Graham Wafer crackers I had stashed under my seat.  Since giving up carrot muffins a year ago I’ve kinda slid into a wafer habit now.  Three days ago I had to haul my shop vac out and spend some time getting all the wafer crumbs out of the Jeep.  It was either that or there was no room left in the Jeep for Pheebs and I to even get in.

I LIKE  HOW THESE DARK CEDAR FORESTS CONJURE UP THOUGHTS OF FAIRIES AND GNOMES AND ELVES FOR ME….MY CHILDHOOD REVISITED EVERY TIME I WALK IN THE ENCANTED FOREST

I THINK PHEEBS JUST SAW SOME PIXIES

 

‘LOOKS’ LIKE THE TRAIL’S GETTING MUDDIER UP AHEAD DAD’

‘OKAY PHEEBS COME ON BACK AND WE’LL GO THE OTHER WAY

 

South of Goderich on highway 21 is Naftel's Creek Conservation Area where we have walked before and with all the snow gone I figured it would be Okay for a stroll.  Well it was, except for the muddy trails that is.  We went as far as we could before having to turn back because of water and mud in the low spots.  We did try another section of trail but ran into the same difficulties  A few tiny snow flakes briefly fluttered down but no matter, it was not a worry.  Very few sounds in the sleeping forest and we didn’t see or hear any little animals scurrying or scratching about.  With no wind making it’s way through the thick cedar stands I didn’t even need gloves on.  Pheebs loves these walks and was racing around all over the place like a Crazy-O.  Sure had a lot of muddy paw prints in the Jeep when we got back.

WE TRIED ANOTHER SECTION OF TRAIL BUT LOTS OF OOZY MUD THERE TOO

We are very fortunate in this area to have so many conservation areas with hiking trails and I think the reason for that is the various conservation organizations and many good hearted volunteers who devote their time and energy into forming and maintaining the trails, markers, and sign posts.  I’ve often thought of joining one of those groups and there was a time I would have, and did.  But that was another era and I’m quite content now to spend my time outdoors with my best pal Pheebs.

THERE ARE STRANGE CREATURES HERE IN THESE DARK WOODS

AND I THINK THERE MAY EVEN BE HEADHUNTERS LURKING BY THE LOOKS OF THIS GRUESOME ALIEN SKULL TACKED TO A TREE

‘BETTER BE CAREFUL DAD’

‘OH-OH’

Not much happening for the rest of the day.  Cold and damp so stayed inside.  It’s a real easy time of year for people to become sick in this type of damp cold weather.  Colds, flu, aches and pains.  Not nice and not healthy.

 

IT WAS THE YELLOW TRAIL WE HAD HOPED TO WALK AROUND THIS MORNING BUT ONLY MADE IT A QUARTER WAY DUE TO WATER AND MUD

We always found it was much healthier to be in America’s Southwestern States for the winter as opposed to being in southwestern Ontario Canada’s ice and snow.  Sunny skies, dryer air and warmer temperatures allow one to be outside and involved in far more physical activities.  We always enjoyed hiking desert and mountain trails, tracking down hard to find western ghost towns, walking through old tumble down cemeteries, ranch sitting looking after half a dozen chickens, two horses, 3 donkeys plus two dogs and a cat.  When we had our Congress house I enjoyed being outside working around the yard and cactus beds.  In addition to that we always had lots of rough and tumble Jeep rides through desert cactus as well as the thrill of twisting mountain roads.  So much more to do and so much healthier both mentally and physically.  Sure beats November, December, January, February, and March here just sitting around staring out the window.  Maybe we can’t go for as long a period as we once did but even if we can get down there for at least a couple months it will do us both a world of good.

SURE DOESN’T LOOK LIKE DECEMBER BUT IT SURE FELT LIKE IT TODAY

GROANER'S CORNER:(( When young Jose, newly arrived in the United States, made his first trip to Yankee Stadium, there were no tickets left for sale. Touched by his disappointment, a friendly ticket salesman found him a perch near the American flag. Later, Jose wrote home enthusiastically about his experience. "And the Americans, they are so friendly!" he concluded. "Before the game started, they all stood up and looked at me and sang,  'Jose, can you see?'"

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“Since I changed the color of my favorite monastic robes they have been stiff and uncomfortable. I guess old habits dye hard.”

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Christmas Carols for the Psychiatrically Challenged::

Schizophrenia --- Do You Hear What I Hear?

Multiple Personality Disorder --- We Three Queens Disoriented Are

Dementia --- I Think I'll be Home for Christmas

Narcissistic --- Hark the Herald Angles Sing About Me

Manic --- Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Busses and Trucks and trees and Fire Hydrants and......

Paranoid --- Santa Claus is Coming to Get me

Borderline Personality Disorder --- Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire

Personality Disorder --- You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll tell You Why

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ---Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells...

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