nature photography

Quinault National Recreation Trail System

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

Traveling in the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State provides an awesome chance to view up close and personal the famed scenery of the Pacific Northwest. The huge Olympic National Forest is home to millions of acres of Natures’ wonders.

Trail map

Typical vegetation of the rain forest

The Quinault National Recreation Trail System on the shore of Lake Quinault is an opportunity to easily explore the magnificent rain forests. We stopped at one of the parking lots for the trail, and were easily able to walk several hundred yards into the forest on a well defined and clear trail.

Nature’s delicate beauty

Easy walking trail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Massive tree base

Being in the actual rain forest was an eye opening adventure that brought us close to, and for a short time, part of this slice of the Pacific Northwest. The plants covering the forest floor were a deep green and covered in delicate leaves. Moss covered previously fallen branches added to the degree of total vegetation that filled the scene. This was a chance to really engage with the rain forest.

Renaissance Faire in Central Indiana

/ Roadtirementvintage / 5 Comments

This weekend was the first of two weekends when several acres of the Johnson County Park, Nineveh, Indiana transformed into a setting right out of Renaissance Europe. Scores of tents, wagons and other structures have sprung up on the grassy fields.

Some of the vendor tents

The Indiana Renaissance Faire is one of several similar events during the year. With the same basic theme, vendors and entertainers from all over come to peddle their wares and entertain the crowds of all ages that enjoy these Faires.

Vendor “wagon” plus tent

Watch out for the pirates (but buy their mead)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anything and everything you would need to dress in period costume is available at the vendor displays in the tents. Musical instruments, belts, bags, tunics, even correct footware.

Every faire needs a dragon

Yes that is a real sword shop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And speaking of costumes, it seemed like more than half of the people in attendance were is some kind of costuming. We saw elves, wizards, fairies, warlocks, pirates, knights, tradesmen and many others.

Knight at the ready

Lance ready for the joust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment was everywhere. We got there in time to catch the 12 noon Jousting demonstration. Two knights in armor on horse back showed their skill in the use of the long joust. Foot soldiers in support of the knights demonstrated small arm weaponry.

Holding RedTail Hawk

Two birds waiting their turn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another unique and fascinating offering presentation was by a chap who brought hawks and falcons to show and explain. A most fascinating  demonstration.

The Renaissance Faire will be open next weekend, June 20 – 21st for two more days of revelry, music, food and fun. Huzzah!

 

Duke Energy takes a huge Mulberry tree from our yard

/ Roadtirementvintage / 12 Comments

Over the years our local electric utility has twice in the past stopped and announced they were going to remove a very large Mulberry tree from our yard. It’s growth was a hazard to multiple powerlines. Finally third time is the charm, as Duke Energy worked the past two days to remove this massive tree.

Large trunks flaring out from the base heading in all directions

Bucket truck reached in from overhead

First day started using a bucket truck for higher branches. This tree cluster had five large trunks that grew out from a center area. The crew had two men on large chain saws supported by six or seven ground workers moving the branches and waste up the steep bank to a road that runs on top of the flood control levee.

Hauling branches to the chipper

Lots of wood for hauling off the levee road

Lots of stump left to cut up

The large trunks were carefully felled to the ground. Once downed, the saw operators cut the branches for removal to the road above for processing in the chipper machine. It took great effort for the crew to haul all the branches and trunk wood to the road on top of the levee.

Lots of space opened up!

The finished product. Seems like we just gained 1/4 acre!

 

 

The common garter snake is a friend in your backyard

/ Roadtirementvintage / 12 Comments

We had a surprise today as we were enjoying our backyard swing. Our son had just moved a tarp from the mat that our swing sits on. There exposed was a snake, the first one we have ever seen in our 12 years living in this property. We’re glad to see this guy in our yard.

Surprise, I was hiding under that tarp

This retile is a common garter snake. (Thamnophis sirtalis) It is fine to have around, it is perfectly harmless to humans. They are carnivorous and thrive  on small live prey like insects, earthworms, slugs, snails and small fish, among other backyard pests.

Portrait of our new found backyard resident

Garter snakes are diurnal, meaning they are primarily active during daylight hours. In the summer heat they come out early morning and late evening. Spring and fall are the seasons when they like coming out during mid day. You may see them sunbathing during the day.

Hummingbirds in our backyard

/ Roadtirementvintage / 7 Comments

Captured one feeding with the phone

This is one of five hummingbird feeders that we have installed in our backyard. We put these out the first week of April. No hummingbirds showed up until the first week of May and we were glad because we  were thinking we might not see any this year. On a podcast we saw a report suggested these feeders for $1.50 at Dollar Tree.

Glad to report that as we enjoy sitting in our yard swing hummingbirds come to all five of our feeders. This is backyard birding at its best.

 

Our sequence of the snow

/ Roadtirementvintage / 12 Comments
We made it through the snowstorm without any calamities. Central Indiana had tons of snow but avoided any freezing rain or sleet.

5 PM on Friday the 23 rd: Calm before the storm

Noon on Saturday: some flakes are starting to fall

4PM Saturday Snow beginning to really come do0wn

5 PM Saturday afternoon, Starting to accumulate.

7 PM Saturday, starting to add up quickly

1 AM Sunday the 25th, Cold snowy night!

7:30 AM Sunday Morning, still snowing fast and furious

11:30 Sunday morning.

Sunday 2 PM, Snow fall continuous, very fine small flakes


4 PM Snow rate slowing down, the end is in sight

The snow finally stopped, now we are looking forward to 7 days without any snow, but with single digit and sub-zero temperatures. The snow is over for now, but winter is still affecting Indiana.

Baker Park in New Castle Indiana

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

Baker Park in New Castle, Indiana started with 10 acres. Shortly thereafter a 40 acre grove of land  was acquired.  This beautiful plot was the  last remaining natural woodlands within the city limits. Another 30 acres was given to the city by the Chrysler Corporation.

The Main Entrance to Baker Park

Park 50 Year Dedication

Mayors love their names on Plaques

 

 

 

 

 

The formal dedication of Baker Park was held on June 20, 1937 and was named in honor of Sidney E. Baker, mayor of New Castle for twelve years.  Mayor Baker is now recognized as the driving force behind the development of the park.

Large Skate Park

Lovely wooded park land

 

 

 

 

 

Current facilities at the park provide recreation opportunities for all residents and visitors to the Baker Park. Large and small shelters, restrooms and a stage is available. The swimming pool, kid’s fun park and Frisbee Golf add to the activities. There are also skate parks and horse shoe pits.

Ancient Hopewell village has remains next to New Castle Indiana High School

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

This was once one of the busiest communities in what is now east central Indiana. What has been named the Chrysler Enclosure is the remains of what was once a large Native American community.

Informational plaque at the site

New Castle HS in background

 

 

 

 

 

Video below is a panoramic view of the remains of the moat.

What remains visible is a portion of a moat that circled part of a ceremonial mound. This structure was designed as an astronomic feature that yearly lined perfectly with the Winter Solstice.