A week from Tuesday is Facebook’s Giving Tuesday. I’ll be putting up a fundraiser for the Truck Safety Coalition like I have for the past few years.
This year feels different than past years where I’ve promoted an upcoming Giving Tuesday off an on for a few weeks. This year there are other things going on in my life and Giving Tuesday has kind of snuck up on me.
Heck the whole holiday season has snuck up on me.
Regardless, I know many of you will support my effort to raise some funds for the Truck Safety Coalition. (If you didn’t read this post about our latest fundraiser, please give it a look.) You’re so good that way, supportive of an issue most people can’t imagine ever touching their own family.
That’s how we felt too, until it did.
I feel like a broken record when I say over and over that truck crashes are indiscriminate. They happen to people in all parts of the country, in every community, every religion, every political viewpoint. Young people, old people, people with kids. People’s kids. Nobody is immune.
So, next week, on Giving Tuesday, please take a moment and think about all of us in the Truck Safety family, a family we never wanted to join, but a family we’re all so very grateful to have found.
Sadly there have been new families joining us this year, people we need to comfort and support. Your dollars do that.
Thank you for supporting my mission to help those families, and to work on changing the way things are on our roads.
And thank you for supporting me, even when I’m on my soapbox.
Spreading the word.
Note: images in today’s post are from my last walk at Shiawasee Nature Preserve. I haven’t had time to share them with you, and I thought you’d like the distraction from such a serious topic.
Thank you all for sharing your Walktobers with us! It’s been an honor to be the keeper of your walks this season. I loved every one of them and I know you will too!
I thought we should start with Robin from Breezes at Dawn since she’s been the host for our wonderful Walktobers for so many years. She and her husband traveled through Pennsylvania and stopped to get a little hiking in. Her pictures are, as always, just stunning.
Then we had Elisa visit from her blog Elisa’s Spot who shared lovely images from one of her walks, both in color and in black and white. She made me stop and think because I’ve never thought about doing black and white images in the fall. But it worked so well on her post, I think it’s something I should try.
And here’s Penny, my young sheltie, from my own Change is Hard with her over zealous Walktober where she shares three walks she went on in one week! She was only 10 months old when she did her Walktober, and she managed to go further than I did at 6 decades plus! She’s going to be a handful, this one, when she grows up!
Next we have Monkey, another sheltie, writing on his mom Debbie’s blog Musings. He did his walk with his mom and took us to the Douglas-Hart Nature Center on a beautiful day. They had quite a lot of fun exploring the trails with Halloween decorations and pretty flowers enhancing the fall foliage there.
And Frank shares a post on his blog, Beach Walk Reflections, about his walk on the beach and into the woods, with stunning photos of both.
Shelly, from Quaint Revival, took us on walk down memory lane as she shared images from her past. Check it out, there’s surely something in there that will make you smile.
Debbie, from Musings of a ND Domer’s Mom, went for a walk without her Monkey and took us to Whiteside Garden in Charleston, Illinois. There she saw many beautiful things, including sculptures and blooming flowers along with wonderful fall color.
Next up is Linda, from Walkin’ Writin’, Wit & Whimsy, who loved the concept of Walktober and decided to share photos from one of her favorite places, Council Point Park, where she introduces us to some of her favorite squirrels!
Then Barbara, from In the Woods, takes us on a walk at the Carolina North Forest trail system, in North Carolina. There she found light even in the deepest woods and she shares it with us all.
Frank, from Beach Walk Reflections, takes us on another walk on the beach. He likes to ponder as he walks, and this time he was pondering the color brown, which he thought was an odd color to be thinking about on a beach walk, but he has some stunning photos to help us all appreciate the color.
Then Penny, being the overly controlling dog that she is, reminded us not to forget, and just to put us all to shame, she did another Walktober!
Jo posts in her blog, Still Restless Jo, about her exploration of Castelnaudary in rural France. She and her husband walked the canal path and saw beautiful boats navigating through the locks there. If you read the post following her Walktober post you’ll see even more about Castelnaudary.
Deb at The Widow Badass and her little Bowser take us on a beautiful walk through their woods. They saw all sorts of color. It’s always fun to have a little four-footed adventurer along for the walk.
Diana, from My Life and Horse Stories, shared her birthday with us. The cake looked great! She and her daughter explored Solvang and visited some of their favorite places there.
Helen, from Helen’s Home World, and her dogs, Liam and Teddy went on a walk with a lot of other shelties. Sheltie meet-ups are so much fun! Having many of the shelties in Halloween costumes made this walk even more special.
Dale, from A Delectable Life is up next. She did a couple walks and combined them into her post. Note that at the beginning there was still a lot of green in the trees, but by the end things had pretty much turned to glorious fall colors!
And here comes Linda From The Task at Hand, with her walk in two different areas of Texas. She shares some amazing images of beautiful late summer/fall plants in bloom! What a nice change from all the cold and dropping leaves up here in Michigan!
And lastly, I got my walk in just under the wire, posting about it at Change is Hard. I went down to Hidden Lake Gardens near the Michigan/Ohio state line. I had a wonderful time exploring the garden and my memories of being there as a young child many years ago.
I hope you enjoyed all these walks! I find it fascinating to see different parts of the world, and how we each approach a project like this. We all live in such wonderful places, it’s fun to share them with each other.
I thank you again for taking the time to walk (or run or skip or boat or bike…) and photograph and write about your times in the special places you visited. And thank you for supporting Walktober! It’s a very special tradition that I hope will continue for many years to come! Thank you also to Robin for sharing the concept with us all in the first place!
Images in this post were taken in my yard the day before our Halloween freeze and snowfall. The yard is brown now, but I have these memories to keep me warm.
When I was a little girl, probably from about 3 to age 10 we lived in a little town named Adrian, located down near the Michigan/Ohio border.
My Walktober adventure started out on roads right near home that promised a colorful day!
And a bit south of there was a garden, run by Michigan State University and called Hidden Lake Gardens, which showcased different plants and trees.
Still in my own county, the color kept getting better and better. This was going to be good!
I remember dad driving on the narrow one way road through the woods, up and down hills and around a pond where there were often swans. Sometimes we’d get out of the car at the pond.
Color at the rest stop on my way to my adventure. I was getting excited!
Recently I read somewhere that the garden had installed a “Skywalk,” a walkway up in the tree canopy, and I knew right away visiting there would be a perfect Walktober. I drove down to the garden on a beautiful, sunny, blue sky Tuesday just last week.
I’m here! Let’s get this Walktober started!
I immediately recognized the big rolling fields…
They’ve been mowing this field since I was a little kid.
….and the pond where we watched the swans.
The lake looked bigger than I remember.
But I was on a mission to see the Skywalk so I followed the signs for Skywalk parking. I was surprised when I got to the parking lot because it appeared full. On a Tuesday? Luckily someone was leaving as I was arriving and I squeezed into the last spot.
I wasn’t paying attention to signage and had no idea how far away the Skywalk was.
The Skywalk itself was a good 1/3 mile (.48 km) away from the parking lot, most of it uphill, along a gravel path. But I didn’t mind, the forest on both sides was glowing in the sunlight.
The light through the trees was beautiful.
I stopped often, trying to catch the magic of light in golden maples and sassafras leaves.
I’ve always loved the shape of these leaves.
While I was busy pointing my camera up a family of six passed me. Four kids, just like we were back so many years ago. I’m sure if there had been such a thing as a Skywalk back then we’d have trekked back to explore it too.
Two on their backs, and 2 walking.
Finally I got a glimpse of the elevated walkway leading to the Skywalk in the trees. It looked interesting, but I’ve been to another tree canopy walkway, up in Midland, and I couldn’t see that this one was any different.
First glimpse.
That is until I got to the top and realized this walkway was actually a swing bridge. Ten people allowed at a time.
Ten seems like a lot. Just saying.
The docent at the beginning of the bridge explained how the bridge would move beneath our feet. Cool.
There were only about 5 of us on the span when I crossed the first one of two.
The forest floor was far below.
The ground is waaaaayyy down there.
The woman behind me didn’t like heights and I wondered why she was there, but I admired her for pushing past her fear.
He’s pointing something out to her.
The man with her was pointing to something out in the woods. What could it be?
Hmmmmm, a Bigfoot lumberjack!
When I got to the end I walked around and got a shot of the swing bridge from the ground. It wasn’t easy to photograph, they hadn’t cleared much when they built the structure. Which, after all, is the point.
It’s hidden back in the trees.
I decided to hike a little bit of a trail that started there, up and down the hills I walked, taking pictures of light in trees as I went.
Pretty!
Of course I hadn’t brought the map with me, nor had I paid any attention to the signs at the parking lot that told the length of trails. I didn’t even know what trail I was on.
Wonder where this goes?
So after awhile I stopped taking pictures and stopped and listened. I couldn’t hear people on the bridge anymore. I didn’t know where this trail was going. Or how long it was. Maybe I should just turn around.
So I did.
Mostly I was looking up, but there was cool stuff if I looked down, too.
Once back at the bridge I took the original gravel walkway back toward the car.
Inviting, but there was no time to sit!
I had band rehearsal that night and I couldn’t spend all day in the woods, much as I might have liked to do just that. I needed to stop taking pictures and get moving.
Well, I HAD to stop for this shot!
Right.
First there was the long, narrow road to enjoy as it wandered through the woods. This was how I remembered Hidden Lake Gardens, lots of trees and a winding road.
This garden just begs you to drive slowly while you savor the color.
There were places to pull off and take short hikes or just enjoy the day.
Just amazingly beautiful.
One of those was near a grove of brilliant yellow maple trees. So many people couldn’t resist stopping to take pictures of those. I couldn’t resist either.
So many happy people out enjoying the day.
Eventually I got the infamous Rare Conifer Overlook. I remember these broad hills so well, covered in low growing bushes. I don’t think we ever stopped there to walk, we just saw this part of the garden as we drove by.
Just like I remembered it.
But on my visit this week I parked and walked down the wide hill. What a beautiful garden. It was worth the walk down, the time spent, and the climb back up to the parking area.
The view from the bottom looking back up toward the road and parking.
But it was past time to head home, so I followed signs to the exit, past the visitor center and greenhouse…
Maybe next time I’ll go inside.
…past the wide expanses of lawn…
This car might have been cruising through this park when I was a kid.
…and back out to the main road, intending to start the almost two hour trip home. But of course I was in farm country.
Oh wait! A barn!
So I had to stop and take just a few pictures of some barns.
And another cool barn!
Certainly I didn’t stop for every beautiful barn I saw. Just those that had a safe and easy place to stop. Pumpkins were pretty too.
So cute I turned around and went back for this shot.
I think it took me three hours to get home that day. I made it back just in time to go to band.
Saw this barn on my way out and actually remembered to look for it on my way home.
So there you have it. My Walktober which consisted of a drive and a walk and a hike.
The River Raisin, which flowed only a block from where I lived in town.
Perfect.
I hope you enjoyed my long and winding Walktober. I sure did. And thank you to all that read this post and all those that posted their own Walktobers. I’ll get that wrap-up done later next week.
So if you have a Walktober burning in your soul, there’s still time! Link to the Official Walktober kickoff post, or to this one and I’ll include you!
I’m playing with our local community band again this season and we’re coming up on our first concert. This is not the first time we’ve played Danzon #2, nor the first time we woodwinds have been told to pretend we’re plucking a stringed instrument.
You know, that gentle, short little ping sound the strings make when they put the bow aside and pluck the strings with a finger tip.
All that quiet plunking at the beginning.
As I practice, trying to make that light sound on my clarinet, the reed and my tongue feeling heavy, I wonder. When was the last time a string player was asked to pretend to be a clarinet?
Aha. Didn’t think so.
Less plunking, more crazy fast stuff on page 2. With key signature stuff too.
Walktober update: So far we have 11 posts collected, with a few more in the works, including mine. Let’s see if we can get them all in by Monday November 6th. Let me know if you need more time than that! 🙂
PS: Enjoy the Danzon Piece, played by an orchestra with strings as it was probably meant to be. At 3:21 you’ll see an example of string plucking. But watch it all, it’s guaranteed to make you smile.
I know, I know. I’m monopolizing mom’s blog. But she’s kinda slacking off and I think it’s important to remind you to get your Walktober linked up to mom’s official Walktober post so she can do a wrap-up and include everybody’s adventures.
This is the Huron River last Sunday. Isn’t it beautiful?
I think she said she wouldn’t be doing that until sometime in early November, so you have some extra time! I’ll try to get her to put a new end date out there so you know, but in the meantime, don’t wait for her, get outside while the getting is good!
Sometimes mom takes pictures that aren’t me. I think this one is stunning.
I had such a good time on my official Walktober (where I got to go on three walks!!!) that I decided to go on another one! I think it’s a fine plan to go on more than one Walktober, especially since we’ve had such beautiful weather!
I hope you are having beautiful weather too.
We had such a beautiful day.
Last Sunday mom and I went down to Ann Arbor and met a friend and her sheltie, Finn. Finn’s mom was Queen Abby’s mom and my sister Katie and my mom and Queen Abby and her mom used to go on walks together.
Meeting Finn for the first time.
I had never met Finn before but we hit it off right away. He’s 2 years old and a real gentleman. Also he’s very handsome, don’t you agree?
Handsome Mr. Finn.
We walked around Island Park, in the Huron River. It sure was pretty! The trees were just beautiful. Of course that meant the moms wanted pictures of us in front of all of them. Sigh.
We were focused on Finn’s mom who had treats!
Finn and I aren’t experts at this posing yet. It was a challenge, my mom says, to get us both to sit next to each other and at the same time.
She thinks we’re just young.
“OK, here’s the deal. When they get us all set up for a picture, you get up. Then the next time I’ll get up.”
In reality Finn and I discussed it and decided we weren’t going to cooperate entirely, after all the moms shouldn’t get what they want without paying up.
Right? Right!!
“Or….we can just make sure we’re not both looking at them at the same time.”
Luckily for us Finn’s mom brought yummy treats and he shared them with me. I admit I am something of a treat hog. I actually stole quite a few treats that were meant for him.
I think Finn really wanted this treat, but I’m pretty sure I ended up with it.
It was 42 degrees and windy while we were there. Finn and I thought that was just about perfect, but the moms were cold. Not our fault, moms, that you didn’t plan very well. Next time you should wear a heavier coat, like us.
A little wind in our fur felt good.
After we walked around the island a few times, dragging the moms over bridges and through the woods, the moms decided they were cold and tired and we had to go. Finn and I weren’t cold or tired at all.
“Let’s go see what’s on the other side of the river!”
I protested at leaving, so mom said we’d stop at another park on our way home. Turns out we stopped at her favorite park (go figure) and she took me to a part of the park she always took my sister to in the fall.
“So…my sister Katie always sat here for you?”
But it was Sunday and the park was busy and there were too many dogs there, so she took me to a new spot she’d never explored before. It was beautiful!
“This is pretty cool, mom!”
She said she was very very pleased by how good I was, posing for her and coming when I was called. She said as long as no other dogs were around she’d trust me to sit further away from her. I told her not to worry, I was laser focused on her. And her treat bag.
The light was especially nice in the woods.
When we finally got home I crashed for a long nap. I sure had fun with Finn and I hope the moms can find a fenced in place so we can play together. We’re about the same size and we really wanted to play off leash.
It’s exhausting being a sheltie at my house.
Anyway, that’s my second Walktober post, I really was just supposed to remind you to get out and do your walks before it gets winter cold! But I couldn’t resist sharing this walk with you.
Some trees at mom’s favorite park on Sunday. Cause this is a Walktober after all.
The trees were beautiful and I wanted you all to enjoy the wonderful day Finn and I had together!
“Hey Penn, want to go grab lunch later?”
Talk later.
Your Walktober-girl,
Penny.
PS: Thank you to everyone that has already posted their Walktober, human and dogs as well. I delegated keeping track of them all to mom. I hope she’s up for the task. And speaking of mom…when the heck is she going to do her Walktober?! I better get to bugging her!
PPS: I got spayed today, so I’m a little sleepy. I’ll bug her about her Walktober tomorrow.
Me just before our walk. I think they do bonfires at this park sometimes.
Mom was talking about Walktober this week, and I wanted to know what it was, cause I’m only 10 months old and I’m curious about everything! When Mom explained it to me I just knew I had to get right on it!
This is me “getting ON it” on a log. Get it?I’m so funny
After all, I’m a sheltie and shelties love to go for walks!
Right away I knew I should tell you all about the three great walks I’ve already had this week! And it’s only Friday!
I love how the fall leaves compliment my coloring.
First off, last Sunday, I got to go on a walk with mom and her friend and her friend’s dog Whisky! Whisky is an 11 month old cocker spaniel and he was very excited to see me!
This is as close to each other as we wanted to sit on this walk.
We walked in a beautiful little park, Dinosaur Hill, that I understand was one of my sister Angel Katie’s favorites. It had a river that ran right through the middle of it and I sat on the bridge with all that fast moving water under me without freaking out!
A bridge is no big deal, mom!
Mom was very happy with my “behavior” as she calls it.
Then a couple days ago mom took me to a park in town. She thought she’d photograph me around the playground stuff.
Mom’s always telling me not to sniff other dog’s private areas. Especially if they’re bigger than me!
But there were moms and kids playing there, so we pretty much stayed around the perimeter at first. Mom found this cool musical instrument.
Mom played a bunch of music on this. I was not entertained.
Mostly we walked around and read the dedications on the benches and under trees that were planted in memory of people. One tree in particular was very sad. It is for Madisyn who was one of the 4 victims at a school shooting that happened just up the road from us a couple years ago next month.
We’re so very sorry, Madisyn.
Then mom got a chance to photograph me with some playground stuff, but while we were there a big group of high school students arrived to take pictures.
See all those students showing up behind me? That’s why my ears went flat.
But we met a new friend! Meet Lulu! Her dad was walking her in the park and stopped by to talk. Lulu is a 5 year old mini Australian Shepherd.
I play bowed, but Lulu wasn’t in a playful mood.
Lulu wasn’t that into me, though we did exchange pleasantries. She and her dad wandered away and mom took me over a bridge to the park pavilion for my final portrait of the day.
I think I have this posing thing down!
What do you think? I’m thinking I’m growing into quite the regal young lady.
My last walk (so far) was yesterday. It was rainy outside and mom said we needed to keep training, so she took me for a walk at the Home Depot! Wow, that was a different kind of walk!
On the road in my chariot.
First we stayed outside and I checked out the pumpkins. Mom wouldn’t let me buy one, but they still smelled good.
I thought this one smelled perfect.
We went inside and I barked at a man getting a cart! Mom said no bark, but geeze, that cart place was super noisy!
Hmmmm, I could store my special toys in this.
We heeled around the aisles a whole bunch. I was a little squirrely at first, but eventually I settled down. We did sits and stays too. Everybody smiled at me but no one asked to pet me. I guess they knew I was working.
Sitting still is not my favorite thing to do, mom.
Then on our way out mom introduced me to some tall dude in a red suit. I was not at all sure about him, no siree!
Gotta keep an eye on anybody wearing fuzzy red clothing.
Mom said I did really good at the busy store. I slept all the way home. And now she says I am going on an epic walk this Sunday!
So many parks, so much walking to do!
Well gee, mom, I’m not sure the nice people want to hear about another walk of mine. You better be at the top of your game if you want me to share that one with them too!
Will pose for treats.
Anyway, I need a snack and then a nap. In that order. I can’t wait to see where you all go on your Walktobers! Mom says she has no idea where she’s going to do her walk because she’s so busy taking me places! As it should be.
Oh! I almost forgot, here’s some beautiful color for you from our local park!
Change Is Hard 