Make That 100, Please!

  Last night, Marie and I made a list of all the hiking we've done in our time together this summer. It added up to at least 92.4 miles. We couldn't NOT do eight more miles to make 100. And it turned out that if we did all the remaining trails in the park, we would make that total. We'd previously done the Black and Green loops, and the ADA trail. The orange-blazed Bristol Branch also goes through the park, which we did first. Today we did the Yellow, Brown, Purple, and Red trails. None was as challenging as the Black trail, although there was still a decent amount of elevation change on the Brown and Red trails.

We found a couple of really nice painted rocks. Some people consider this a violation of the Leave No Trace ethic. But this is a heavily used place, not a backcountry area, and it made us smile. Loved this old oak, even though it's mostly dead. This is actually one of a long line of oaks that grew up in the open (spreading branches). They were probably a fencerow lining a farm lane at one time.

We were more than glad to have cold drinks when we finished. Selfies are goofy, but we wanted a picture of us together. And we got our 100 miles for this trip. There's no rule about this, but we usually have done something near 100, and both of us just wanted to make it. Went to Wegmans for the final errands before parting. We took a short walk along Canandaigua Lake, which is one of the large Finger Lakes. It was a perfect day for water sports, and the kayakers, paddle boarders, boaters, etc were out in profusion. Best part as far as I'm concerned was this female common merganser. Then Marie had to head toward home. I've moved with the trailer to friend Irene's yard. Pretty tired, and missing Marie already. See you tomorrow. 

See Ontario County Park

NCTA Celebration - Friday

 
The second full day of the Celebration. We went on a short hike in the morning. Total about 5 miles, but only 1.5 counted on the NCT because we started from AuSauble Institute and went up a side trail past Eagle Lake to the NCT.



I just liked the ripples with the hemlock branches.



Then the trail went past McNeil Pond, a lovely tiny lake.



There are two active beaver lodges on that pond. We didn't see a beaver though.



Can you believe this? They had coffee and hot chocolate waiting for us at the end of the hike!



There were workshops all afternoon that people could choose from. Four of us who have hiked all the trail led a question and answer session for people who have dreams of being long-distance hikers.

Driving around later, we saw this male common merganser sitting on a log.



In the evening were the North Country Trail Awards. Way too many to list, but this is the Rising Star Award which goes to someone between the ages of 8 and 25 who shows outstanding potential for continuing to work for the NCT. Linus, age 14, is receiving his award from Andrea Ketchmark, Executive Director.



We are going on a longer hike tomorrow and have to get up early, so I have to finish this up and go to sleep!


Hike 100 Challenge: 20 miles

North Country Trail from AuSable Institute side trail to McNeal Pond

	See Celebration- Thursday
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Female Common Mergansers

 
They were quite a distance away, so the camera had trouble focusing, but I saw some female common mergansers yesterday. I've showed you pictures of them before (a while back). But I'm a little excited about these because they were right here where I live.



There were four of them swimming on the Middle Branch of the Pere Marquette River.



Follow the links below for some better shots, but they were taken in the U.P., and in Minnesota.

	See The Coffee Clatch, er, Quack, Part I See Mama Merganser
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Mama Merganser

 



Here's another family scene. I really like this one. It's a female merganser and a whole passel of babies, swimming on the Tahquamenon River. I especially like that I caught one of the babies riding on mama's back. And mama's crest is just raised so high that it looks like a really moussed punk haircut!

The Coffee Clatch, er... Qoffee Quack, Part 2

 

~~ ... continued ~~
>

"That was altogether too common of an experience for me. See that rougher spot where the water rushes over those rocks? Let's swim there!"
"Patty! You can't be serious."
"Oh, but I am, Claire. And you know Adelle will tag along"
"Let's do it!"



"Exhilarating!"
"Just frightening enough!"
"Quack!"
"Adelle! Watch your language!"



~~ Again ~~


~~ and again, and again, and... ~~




"I could do this all morning. It's such a rush!"
"Let's go again!"
"Adelle, you silly goose, you're so dizzy you can't even stand up."




See The Coffee Clatch, er... Qoffee Quack, Part 1

The Coffee Clatch, er... Qoffee Quack, Part I

 
~~ The Setting ~~
The Split Rock River (Minnesota) on a lovely late summer day.

~~ The Ladies ~~

Three Common Mergansers, so called because they can be found pretty much all over the northern US. Nevertheless, I don't see them that often, so I'm always tickled to find some. They are clearly out to take a stroll and smell the flowers, right?

~~ The Program ~~

"What's on the program today, Claire?"
"Just a little swimming, Patty."
"Oh, goody, girls, I do love a nice refreshing dip!"
"Adelle, you are such a follower."



~~ Success ~~

"Bless my tailfeathers! We made it!"
"Adelle!"
"Adelle, get those sorry tailfeathers up on this rock! What shall we do next, girls?"

Finish the story at The Coffee Clatch, er... Qoffee Quack, Part II

~~ ...to be continued... ~~
See Fluffy Treats on an Urban Trail for other swimmers