Topic: punta gorda
We're a bit concerned today about the storm in Florida. This is our sons first storm since moving there and we don't know if they will stay home and ride it out, or get out of there as the governor is requesting.

3:38p.m. Now we are really worried. I contacted them and they are going to ride it out and they have upped the storm to category 4 and they live in the Port Charlotte area, right in the path of the damn thing.

Mohican State Forest
Topic: Mohican State Forest
We took ourselves to Mohican State Forest for a little walking excursion. It was a beautiful day, warm with a little breeze on occasion. Our legs were tested now and then as the terrain is a lot of ups and downs. In some places on the lake side of the trail, if you were a little inebriated or just stupid, the fall could be a tad hurtful. In some places it is straight down almost to the water. On the other side of this rail fence was one of those places.

Below on the lake the boats were pulling things, people, or just going bat out of hades. Looked like fun.

Back near the lodge was this bridge that was begging for Hazel to pose on it, so I coaxed her and she reluctantly agreed. Isn't she cute. Just above here was the lodge where swimming, shuffle boarding, and wine drinking was going on. We think we may book a room next month and enjoy a few of what they offer.

County Fair
Topic: County Fair
Today Hazel, her sister Joyce, and I found our way to the County Fair. Expectations to see something new are not too high as it's the same year in and year out, but it is a quintessential American small town event. It should be taken in slowly with it's events and aroma's. Pure down home, farm celebrating moments that probably are the same now as they were fifty years ago. For us non-farm types, the aroma's sometimes are a little acute but that's all part of it. We looked in on the Senior Queen judging and it was a pleasure listening to the ladies reminiscing about a long life.

No event would be complete without the bingo game and the fair was no exception.

We chanced upon the Calliope player in between her musicales and she let Hazel take her picture. Her hat caught our eyes.

And last but not least we took in all the animals and a judging or two. As we were leaving Hazel took this horses pic and he seemed to be saying we shouldn't be butting our NOSES in their private time and stuck his nose out at us to illustrate his disdain.

It was fun.

On the Road(s)
Topic: On the Road
In the last week, Hazie my friend (also my wife) has had us on the road(s). We have had some setbacks in recent times which makes it harder for us to walk like we used to. But this year we have just scaled everything back, but are still able to get out and about. Hazel is becoming quite handy with her camera, which is good, but it is bad for me because she captures me mostly in my best position, sitting down.

On the Kokosing path they have this plant conservation area right off it and a little pond and some nice chairs in the sun. Could you resist?

On our Lake Erie outing she snapped me sitting down again on a less comfortable rock, but look at that ship behind me, doesn't it look curved?




Our last 'walk' was at Malabar farm when the weather was great. You can notice the path a little in this picture.




Well that ends the travelogue for the moment. Happy trails to all. (sorry about that)

Topic: Kokosing Gap Trail
Today the energy returned and we made it to the Kokosing Gap Trail or some such name, whatever it is a beautiful walking or biking path. We shared it with some bikers, not the motorized kind and a female deer who peeked out of the woods twice and then took off. The wife was snapping pics like crazy, 60 some she said. Thank God for digitals, nothing to get developed. After we got our exercise we drove to the deli on the Kenyon campus and had them build us a couple good sandwiches and ate lunch on a bench with birds begging for snacks. After returning home, I had a little energy left so I revved up the lawn mower and did my homeowner duties. Tomorrow I will be tired again I think, but today was good. I'll check the wifes pics and if there is a good one, I will post it here

lazy day
Mood:  lazy
Topic: This and That
We put off our walking trip until tomorrow because we got going too late and frankly all excess energy seemed to have got up and went away. I considered for a while mowing the lawn, but I don't seem motivated to do that either. I have been sitting on the back porch in a rocker with my feet on the porch railing letting the cool, less humid, breezes almost put me to sleep. Perhaps I'll consider doing it later today, or maybe not. But tomorrow for sure we will go 'walking' on the trail.

Topic: This and That
The temperature here has been very hot in recent days, but tomorrow the heat and humidity abate and it is supposed to be in the high sixties and low humidity. That is excellent weather for taking a walk at my favorite bike/walking trail. For portions of the trail it follows a small river, has woods on the other side and sometimes rock formations. It also has old railway trestles and benches here and there when we tire out. My wife and I used to be great walkers, sometimes walking fifteen or more miles at a time. Alas those days are gone with hip replacement for me and arthritis for the good woman. But we can walk some if we go slowly and we can still enjoy the scenery and inhale the freshness of the outdoors.

Topic: This and That
I have had a computer now, I think, for about seven years plus, two computers to be exact, outgrew the first. I find more to do on it all the time. I find I love to play games against the computer and against live opponents, especially my bud in Seattle Keith. Keith and I must have played 500 games I think; chess, halma, some sort of checker game, and now Jamble, an offshoot of Scrabble. I also have, compliments of Keith and my sister-in-law Marie, Hoyles board games and card games. I have learned to play many games from hoyle. I'm not sure if these games keep old minds any more agile or not, but if not it's fun anyway.

Lake Erie
Topic: Lake Erie
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Aug.2, 2004. My mate and I went to Lake Erie today to see what we've missed in recent years. Not much I think. It is definitely cleaner. In pictures we took, it is actually blue. Had no intentions to test the waters though. My main impression of the excursion was it was HOT, really hot. I saw a water snake in the rocks that I estimate was three feet long. I researched Google and the closest I can come is that it is called plainly a Northern water snake, not venomous, but has a nasty bite that will cause a lot of bleeding as it injects some type of venom that thins your blood. I had no intention of getting that close and personal to introduce myself.

Checked out a lighthouse at Marblehead, ate a little seafood, unnoteworthy, and ate a humongously big ice cream cone.