Normally dense fog shows up in the morning. This afternoon the local National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory starting at 3:00 PM, not the normal time of day for fog appearing.
Creepy winding foggy road
Darkness has fallen, fog thickens
The fog got thicker and denser as the evening went on. Glad we were not out on the road tonight!
The year 2022 was a very unique time for Roadtirement and, frankly, the entire country. The pandemic fears had greatly decreased and in lots of ways daily life seemed to be back to close to “normal”. We did have many enjoyable trips in 2022. Here is a quick snapshot of some of those adventures.
Mom says it is time to go
As we predicted last year in July, our travels were altered to include more trips closer to home, and of shorter durations. We did, however, truly enjoy these shorter jaunts and like many, we discovered many interesting attractions close to home.
Round barn built in 1910
This barn’s Mail Pouch paint job is fading fast.
Maj really got into visiting historic covered bridges. Indiana is known for the large number of these beautiful structures. There are several different types of bridge truss systems, and we found several different ones as we ventured around central and southern Indiana an Ohio. Some of the old iron bridges are also interesting pieces of history, and they are disappearing quickly.
Beautiful white reconstructed bridge
The Burr-Arch truss system
Closed to road traffic in 1996, it is now open only to foot traffic.
Howe truss system
Abandoned iron bridge
We also enjoyed going to cemeteries. The history represented in both large and small cemeteries can be very fascinating. Some are part of church properties, others are on land not part of any structure at all. We came across several interesting cemeteries as well as many many fascinating monuments and headstones.
White Bronze metal monument
View through a gate
December in Seattle area has begun with up to 6 inches of snow on the ground, surpassing the average total yearly snow fall in one event! Our grandson had a snow day, and we were able to explain to him what a “snow day” was.
About mid way through the 6 inch accumulation
Wonder how many kids in Seattle have seen rabbit tracks?
After 120 years of record-keeping, Seattle has witnessed just six white Christmases. The most recent White Christmas was in 2017. In that year 1.0 inches of snow fell at the city’s official reporting site at Sea-Tac Airport. Seattle’s winter weather is limited greatly by the Pacific Ocean, where temperatures stay fairly even throughout the year. Our daughter shared with us that snow removal equipment is few and far between out here, understandable as snow plows are rarely needed.
The other day I was in our daughter’s backyard (near Seattle) taking photos of some of the leather medicine bags that I have been making while Sher and I have been staying with her, her husband and our 8 year old grandson.
My personal medicine bag trimmed with the colors of the 4 directions, a silver feather and a gift from the sea.
While I was arranging another leather medicine bag for photos, I heard a loud “caw-caw” from somewhere up the street. Almost immediately a large black crow landed in a small tree about 15 yards away. Crow then began to “talk” to me with varying tones and volume. I responded to him, and thanked him for sharing his space with me.
Crow and I shared space and spirit together for several minutes. Sharing time with animals is so inspiring to me, and I consider them exceptional opportunities to relish the chance to be at one with animals, Nature and Earth. I asked him if I could take an image of him. Crow did not want his image taken, and he flew off as we said our farewells.
My gift of an apple
I cut some pieces from an apple for me, and then I took the rest of the apple and put it in the tree where Crow had been perched while we conversed. It is always a nice gesture to leave a gift whenever you have contact with Nature. When I have been gifted by Nature with stones, feathers, shells or even a leaf or flower I always leave a gift in thanks for the find.
Black Onyx Crow figure from Peru is 2 3/4 inches tall
A couple of days ago we all went to a wonderful gem and mineral store in Snohomish. I needed to get some sage for cleansing and smudging ceremonies. In this store I was immediately drawn to a display of beautiful carved crows made of black onyx that had been imported from Peru. I was strongly drawn to one and he went home with me. My conversation with Crow to me reinforced that the black onyx Peruvian crow was supposed to be. Yes, I believe Crow joining me for a bit was indeed an omen.
Alexander W. Livingston (1821-1898), a Reynoldsburg, Ohio seedsman, in 1870 developed the first commercially successful variety of tomato. Known as “The Father of the modern tomato” his lovely house still stands and is part of a delightful park on what used to be the outskirts of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
Built in 1865, now on the National Register of Historic Places
Entrance to the house, which is open for tours
Vintage furnishings in the house
Information sign
The other side
Nice park and trails on the grounds.
This park is no doubt quite lovely in spring when the trees and flowers open up. There are some great old fashioned tire swings and even a teeter-totter for the kids to enjoy, and of course lots of picnic tables. The City of Reynoldsburg has made a great area for recreation for its citizens.
Flowering on May 18th
Berries on October 21st
Honeysuckle has both good and bad features, depending on the type of honeysuckle you have. We’ll be trimming this one back as it has spread considerably this year. Honeysuckles are known to take over an area.
Here’s some squirrel action we observed on the tree in our backyard.
This nut tastes pretty good, glad I found it.
There must be something to eat around here
The squirrels were out in force this afternoon enjoying the sunlight, even though it was chilly and windy with a definite feel of fall in the air.
The fully changed trees are just stunning to see.
Fall is a most beautiful time of year in Indiana. My grandfather loved to travel and took trips several times a year. Granddaddy would never travel in October, thus would never miss the seasonal colors he loved so much.
Roadtirement 