SHE ALWAYS LOOKS BACK TO SEE IF OLD SLOW POKE ME IS STILL COMING

 SUNSHINE IN THE BANNOCKBURN CONSERVATION AREA

Pheebs and I ventured out under mostly cloudy skies this morning slowly wending our way East along Bayfield River Road to Parr Line.  A right turn took us to Varna and we turned left once again heading East.  The first crossroad we reached was the Bannockburn Line and we turned left there and slowly headed north through a forested area.

 A FEW MILES EAST OF OUR PARK THESE POWER LINES CROSS BAYFIELD RIVER ROAD

A ROLLING FIELD OF WINTER WHEAT

 I'VE ALWAYS LIKED THE LOOK OF THIS COUNTRY PROPERTY

 AND IT EVEN HAS A HIDDEN AWAY SUGAR SHACK IN THE BUSH

Reaching the Bannockburn Conservation Area we decided to pull in and take a walk along the boardwalk sheltered from the morning's cool wind by stands of pine and cedar trees.  The usual passive creek running through there was a fast-flowing torrent after recent rains.  The sound of rushing water dominated the quiet forest setting.  In my opinion, this is one of the nicest Conservation areas in the area.  The first third of the Area is easy walking along a boardwalk that leads into a hardwood forest of hills and dales.  

 FROM THE PARKING LOT, PHEEBS  EAGERLY HEADS INTO THE CONSERVATION AREA

 THE BOARDWALK IS ALWAY WELL MAINTAINED

 BANNOCKBURN RIVER

 NORMALLY, THIS IS A PASSIVE LITTLE NARROW WALK ACROSS CREEK

 HMMMM, DO YOU SUPPOSE WE ARE UNKNOWINGLY STANDING AT THE FOOT OF A VERY LARGE GREEN DINOSAUR??

 FROM THE FLAT SWAMPY LANDSCAPE THAT BOARDWALK UPPER RIGHT LEADS TO THE HILLY HARDWOOD BUSH

 WHERE THE BOARDWALK ENDS AT THE TREE LINE AN OLD SET OF WOODEN STEPS LEAD UP INTO THE UPPER FOREST

It's been a few years since I last walked the long forested looping Bannockburn trail.  This morning it was the first third of the trail we did before returning to the Jeep.  From there, we headed on back home for our usual hot dog breakfast.

 HEADING BACK TO THE JEEP IT WAS GREAT TO SEE CLEARING BLUE SKIES

 IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY YOU CAN SEE PHEEBS CROSSING THE IRON BRIDGE

 PHEEBS ALWAYS STOPS TO LOOK BACK TO SEE IF OLD SLOW POKE ME IS STILL COMING

Wanting to take advantage of the feeling-good overhead sunshine and above-seasonable temperatures I was once again on the end of my leaf rake.  The thunder and lightning and wind-driven rain storm that went through here a couple nights ago had brought even more leaves and pine needles down, especially in our backyard.  I guess I must like raking up stuff because if I didn't I wouldn't be doing it.        

 HEADING HOME WE SAW A FEW SHEEP

 NOW HOW DID THAT LITTLE BROWN GUY GET IN THERE WITH ALL THOSE BIG BLACK GUYS??

Al's Music Box:)) Hit The Road Jack is a song written by the rhythm and blues singer Percy Mayfield and recorded by Ray Charles in 1961.  It was a U.S. number 1 hit and won a Grammy Award for best rhythm and blues recording.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Two girls were having coffee when one noticed that the other girl seemed troubled and asked her, "Is something bugging you? You look anxious."  "Well, my boyfriend just lost all his money and life savings in the stock market," she explained.  "Oh, that's too bad," the other girl sympathized. "I'm sure you're feeling sorry for him."  "Yeah, I am," she said. "He'll really miss me."

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Q: What did the baby seal say when it was late?

A: "I would have been here sooner, but my iceberg hit a ship."

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Why did the taxi driver give up his job?

Because people kept talking behind his back.

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If you are in Alabama and you come upon a person driving 15 mph down the middle of the road, remember that most folks here learn to drive on a tractor and that this is the proper speed and position for that vehicle.

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