A metaphor for my day
July 29, 2019
Month: July 2019
July 28, 2019
This is how I sleep, Deb is short and has space between her feet and the end of the bed, the dog instead chooses to sleep at my feet, so I have no space!
Morning run.
Saying goodbye!
Some numbers:
Nights Camping – 6
Miles Driven – 700+
Hikes – 7
Movies Watched in camp – 1.5
Quentin Tarantino premiere’s watch in a theater – 1
Homemade Lemon Pies by Elizabeth – 2
Bears seen – 2
Runs on trails – 3
Trucks stuck and recovered – 1
Hiking boots thrown in anger at and hitting Jay’s face – 1
July 27, 2019
The Great Channels in SW Virginia. I hiked here a couple of years ago in the cold and snow, today was much warmer.
It’s fun to explore the cracks and crevices.
and a daughter to show scale
these are the main “slots” – we explored trying to find more remote ones, but only got tangled in vines and bushes.
Another fire tower I can’t climb (Middle Knob) and since I was here last, the care taker’s cabin is gone.
Elizabeth recorded our track through the Channels
One last sunset
July 26, 2019
Today was spent closer to camp, we started by hiking the Lakeside Trail around High Knob Lake.
Kodak was happy to go in and out of the water
Then we visited the High Flag Recreation Area overlooking Norton, VA for a picnic lunch
Norton is a Bigfoot Sanctuary city, locals call it a Woodbooger
and explored a bit
we spent the next couple of hours driving forest service and dirt roads looking for hidden camp spots or whatever else we could find… this trail dead-ended and required a 10 point turn around
The woods are full of these flowers, maybe an upside-down Cheetah Lily
Next up – going to see Once Upon A Time in Hollywood
July 25, 2019
Today started with a hike to Devils Bathtub. This hike requires at least 11 creek crossings and had been on my to do list for years.
Most pictures of Devils Bathtub show this turquoise pool, but it is a great swimming hole just 100 yards from the actual “bathtub”
The “bathtub” is a 3 foot wide by 9+ feet deep pool at the base of a small waterfall.
I tried to touch the bottom… it’s deep!
The next stop, Stony Creek Waterfall
This one is awesome, you can swim behind the falls!
My cooking success tonight – I melted Hersey Miniatures in a double boiler and poured over cheesecake and strawberries!
July 24, 2019
Another day in the Jefferson National Forest and the Falls of Dismal
We had the place to ourselves, we hiked up the creek, explored the rocks and I swam around to see if I could jump from the top (I couldn’t) This is a great spot on a warm day to swim and picnic!
The afternoon was spent packing up camp to move further west, getting stuck behind an accident and waiting for Lifeflight (which circled and left) setting up a new camp, and visiting High Knob Lookout Tower for the sunset.
Love
I always tell my students, when photographing a sunrise or sunset, turn around and photograph what is being illuminated by the light!
July 23, 2019
Good morning from Jefferson National Forest, a rainy and foggy morning!
The whole site! 2 Tacomas, a tear drop, Flippac and Sam’s tent.
A cool log on the way to Cascades Falls.
Fungi
Cascades Falls
the 4 wheel drive trail to Butt Mountain
The fire tower was on top Butt Mountain, but you couldn’t climb to the cab.
On the way down, we took a different trail and James slid into a hole,
on Butt Mountain : )
luckily Maxtrax worked again… no damage! (other than a mud flap)
Keto Taco Tuesday. Chicken on bell peppers, cheese and sour cream.
July 22, 2019
Rally driver mode activated. Jefferson National Forest searching for camp spot.
July 21, 2019
July 20, 2019
2019 graduation recognition, after my students finished their final 2 classes this summer, they feel like they graduated!
The whole class
Photo a Day by Jay Capers 