Here is a good reason to take your walk early in the morning, while it's still foggy.  

 

We were approaching the top of Five Forks Drive, the last big climb on our loop walk, when we saw this.  Love it!!!  Got our picture, took a breather, and continued on.  Home by 9 o'clock.  

 

What a beautiful way to start the day.  

 

HAPPY HIKING!!!

 

We went for a hike up Blood Mountain on Thursday.  It was a gorgeous day:  70-something degrees, a bit overcast, nice breeze.  

 

This picture shows the beginning of the trail.  7/10 of a mile later, we connect to the Appalachian Trail.  This section is about 30 miles from the terminus at Springer Mountain, in Georgia.  So, we see lots of through hikers in March, but mostly day hikers this time of year.  It's always interesting to stop and chat a bit.  "Where are you from?" elicits many, many answers.  We've met people from all over the world on this trail!!

 

We've done this hike lots of times, and it's always fun.  We do a 4.4 mile round trip, up and back;  that's about 13,000 steps, if you're interested in that sort of thing. It usually takes us about 2 hours, but this time, it took us over 3 hours!!!  There were so many wildflowers in bloom, I couldn't keep up the pace.  I had to stop and explore each one.  Some, I had to use my Seek app to identify.  Others, I just had to take pictures.  It made this walk one of the most special for both of us.   

 

I'll be sharing wildflower pix the next few days, cause I know you'll love seeing some of the things we saw.

 

HAPPY HIKING!!!

 

 

 

Have you seen the new pavilion at Meeks Park?  It was built last year, and I understand it is available for reservations.  When we were there last Tuesday, we noticed this new artwork.  We were walking on the trail, and saw it attached to the building.  So we walked up to get a better look.  

 

It is a group of painted metal sculptures, created and signed by the artist, Al Garnto, and dated 7-27-20.  Each sunflower is about 6 feet tall, and 2 feet wide.    

 

It is SO cheerful!!!!  Go see it, for a smile.  
 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

During happy hour one day last week, we saw this rainbow.  No rain, but a beautiful rainbow.  Love it!!!!

 

LIFE IS GOOD!

 

I love seeing these fireworks and Uncle Sam's hat.  Lots of American flags on the hillside too.  
 

Just so you know, Patty Tegtman and I created these things last year.  She's not afraid of a table saw, and I'm not scared of glitter!!!  We had fun making them, and  they live in her garage the rest of the year.  Bill's a good sport to share his garage with glitter.  
 

 

 

 

Oh my goodness!!!  When I looked at the Angelcam on Wednesday, I saw this!!!  Then a few minutes later I saw this!!!

 

 

Here's the link:  https://wildbirds-1.click2stream.com/

 

There is a real-time camera inside a bluebird box.  Go there and check it out;  it is fascinating to watch the process.  Looks like we're going to see some baby birds soon.  Thanks, Linda, for sharing.

 

HAPPY CRITTER SITING!!!
 

 

Eighteen members volunteered, Monday June 29th, to spread crush & run along newly-paved portions of Bella Vista and Beacon Hill. Rip-Rap dams were also built aside Laurencove. Thanks to everyone who turned out for this important event.

 

        

 

I love this picture of a dad and daughter out collecting crabs from their traps on Linkhorn Bay in Virginia Beach.  It was Father's Day, 2018.  It was early morning, and I watched them for a while.  They didn't talk much, but I could see that they worked well together.  Probably been doing it for a long time.  See the lookout?  
 

I have happy memories of my dad; (very old memories,) he died in 1975.  I don't send him cards anymore, but I always celebrate Father's Day with happy thoughts.  
 

The Father's Day cards I send now are from Ranger, our cat.  Not sure he'd like the boat, but he'd probably love crabbing with Jon, his dad.  

 

To all the great dads, and granddads:  Happy Father's Day!!!  
 

 

 

 

 

This year the Summer Solstice is on June 20th.  It marks the beginning of summer.  
 

The summer solstice occurs when one of the Earth's poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun.  This creates the longest day of the year.  
 

I added the picture of STONEHENGE, because over the centuries there have been festivals, ceremonies, and rituals associated with the summer solstice.  Lots of interesting lore.  You can find out more at:  

 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

 

                                                    American flag and Juneteenth flag

 

As I was putting in today's date, I realized that today is Juneteenth.  My blog today isn't about gardening, it's about history.  

 

I have heard of Juneteenth, but didn't really know much about it, so I looked up, and learned some good stuff.  Here's my internet source:  

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneteenth?wprov=sfti1  
 

I don't need to copy and paste the whole article, but it is very interesting, definitely worth the look-see.  I made it easy for you;  all you have to do is click on the link, and go read for yourself.  It's good to be informed.  
 

Thanks to Patty and Bill for putting up the Independence Day decorations in time to include the Juneteenth Independence.

 

It's important to celebrate our nation's holidays.  

 

HAPPY JUNETEENTH!!!