park | Change Is Hard

September 14, 2014
by dawnkinster 9 Comments

We now return to our regularly scheduled blog

Katie here.

Things have been kinda strange at our house. For one dad’s been missing in action. I guess he was just down South enjoying himself at the lake, but I wasn’t sure and it was a bit worrisome. Then my mama has been having my best, most favorite teacher in the whole world come and take me out at lunch time. I really like that but usually when that happens it’s cause my dad is missing, so it’s a mixed bag. When my dad comes home my teacher lady goes missing! It’s all just so hard for me to figure out.

And then, did I tell you, the most horrible thing of all happened right in the middle of all the crazy comings and going! I had to go to doggie camp! For 6 whole days! Rumor has it that my mama went down South too to hang out with my dad at the lake. I ask you, don’t you think I’d like to go to the lake once in awhile? OK, so I don’t like to get my feet wet. Whatever.

So when my mama picked me up from jail…um…camp…I was real excited to see her and then I made her feel really bad by sleeping up next to her all the time making sure part of me was touching part of her. All. The. Time. So when it finally got to be the weekend she took me to a different park and we did some exploring. I even pulled her way down this big hill.

I’m a mountain climbing doggy!

I didn’t make her go back up it though, we walked back to the car along the creek. We had fun, but it was only one adventure in a really really long time. And right after that we had a big storm, and all my barking didn’t make it go away fast enough and there was a big lightening bang and guess what? It fried the modem thingy, whatever that is, and the big TV! So mama didn’t have a computer or TV for more than a week! All she had was her phone and she wouldn’t let me write a blog on that!

I just knew all my peeps would be worried, so when dad fixed the computer tonight I got right on line. I wanted all of you to be able to sleep tonight. I know it’s a big weight off of my shoulders, so I think I’ll just go to bed now myself.

Happy almost Monday to you all! Mama doesn’t seem happy that it’s Monday tomorrow. But I am, cause I’ll have my dad all to myself!

Night night!

August 25, 2014
by dawnkinster 10 Comments

Another weekend, another park

Isn’t this a cool place?

Katie here. You know how I got my Mama to promise to take me on an adventure every weekend? Well this past weekend it was getting to be Sunday afternoon and still no adventure! I stomped my perfect little feet and tossed my beautiful curly locks but all she did was put me outside in my pen.

WELL!

I was having none of that! An afternoon in my pen is not an adventure! I made myself a general pest and eventually Mama said “OK little one, let’s go walk in the woods.” It was about time! But she picked one of my favorite activities so I forgave her for being so tardy.

Which way should we go?

We went to the Holly Recreation Area and walked on a path through the woods that we’ve never explored before. It was awesome. We need to take Peep exploring on that path sometime soon! We did have to go up a big hill.

You sure you want to go way up there Mama?

But I didn’t have any problem with that.

Well let’s get going then!

Mama was very patient and waited for me to check stuff out.

What’s in here?

Some of the path was through the woods with big trees. The mosquitoes weren’t too bad and Mama was wishing she’d come earlier in the day, because we had to turn around before I wanted to since it was getting dark.

Fun times!

We’re definitely going back. And I hope it’s soon!

But I’m still not getting my feet wet.

August 16, 2014
by dawnkinster 18 Comments

Adventures! And more adventures!

Katie here. Hey! Did you know I got to go camping with my mama? A lot? I bet you saw it on Facebook. I swear, she needs to get me my own page, she’s always letting the cat out of the bag on that thing. And I hate cats! All cats should stay in the bag, I’m sure there’s a law about that somewhere.

Another of my favorite parks!

So anyway, today I got her to take me to a park, because daddy said she owed me cause she went to work this morning and Saturday’s are supposed to be about me! I used to go to school and everything and now she says I’m ‘retired’ whatever that means so I don’t get to do anything! You believe me, right? That I’m a poor abused ignored dog? They never feed me and I have to stay at home all the time. You should probably send help.

Oh. You don’t believe that? Well it was worth a shot.

Soaking up a little shade on my walk today.

So today I made my mama feel guilty and she took me to a big park nearby. We walked down the bike path and I was very good, didn’t bark at any bikes or cars or anything. OK. One car that was hauling a noisy trailer…but really who could resist barking at that!

Not worried about that bike in back of me.

But I bet what you really want to hear about is the camping my mama and I did a couple of weeks ago! We went to a real park and I got to sleep in my tent for two nights! There were lots of kids there and mostly I sat in our camp site and watched them go around and around and around the campground on their bikes and scooters. And I did not bark at any of them! Not even once!

Watching the kids go by.

The best part of our camping trip was when my friend Peep came to visit and we went on a long walk through the woods. Actually Peep and I don’t care particularly if the other one is there, we just like that when our mamas get together we get to go on long walks!

Peep and me.

Sometimes one or the other of us finds a particularly good smell and then the other one of us will go check it out, but mostly we walk our own walk. We’re very good together because we pretty much ignore each other. Mostly Peep went ahead and I brought up the rear. I like to take really long sniffs of stuff you know. Plus I have this big heavy coat to drag around.

Anyway, mama and I had a really good time. She read a bunch of books over the weekend and I got to go on a bunch of walks. Sometimes we walked on trails in the woods and sometimes we walked around the campground. Lots of people said I was pretty. And cute. And really good. Cause I am.

We went on lots of trails.

The mosquitoes weren’t as bad as our last big adventure, but there were still enough that sometimes we retreated to the tent. That was OK, just meant another nap. Naps are a very important part of camping. I take my napping responsibilities very seriously.

zzzzzzz

The weekend was perfect!

Then last weekend mama and I camped out three nights in a row in the backyard! The moon was full and she didn’t put the rain fly up and we got to sleep under it and stars. It was wonderful! I only barked once when that mama deer snorted at us. It was her fault for waking us up anyway. A dog has to to what a dog has to do. Right?

What’s out there?!

So all in all I guess my mama really does love me. And yes my daddy loves me too, he feeds me right on schedule and sometimes early if I make my sad dog eyes at him. And I get to go on adventures almost every weekend. So I guess my life’s not so bad, but don’t tell them I said so, OK? I like to keep them feeling guilty.

I get more treats that way.

Love,

Katie (The Adventuring Sheltie-girl)

This is our little secret!

August 10, 2014
by dawnkinster 11 Comments

Loostrife

I enjoy reading Judy’s blog – she’s a full time RVer and a volunteer this summer at Tamarac Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota. This week she and another volunteer are assigned driving the back roads of the refuge looking for purple loosestrife. It’s an invasive plant that spreads quickly and chokes out the native plants in low lying, swampy areas.

If you live around here you’ve seen a lot of it. Judy says she and her volunteer partner didn’t see any this time, and I told her we had it everywhere over here in Michigan. So when Katie and I went for a walk yesterday afternoon and we saw all the loosestrife we thought of Judy. We decided you need to see this too.

Wetlands being taken over.

The first glimpse we had was from the overlook. Down near the water you can see the purple sheen in the late afternoon sun. Looks pretty doesn’t it. And it is pretty, that’s probably part of the problem. When I drive home from work and the sun hits that purple I can’t help but smile.

Closer view.

Then I remember that what is beautiful is also deadly to everything native that used to live there.

Katie and I found more of it, up close this time near the pond where people fish.

Spreading.

Spreading across the hillside above the water.

Pretty, isn’t it?

The park people have planted other wildflowers there that are just as pretty and not invasive.

Also pretty.

Katie and I spent a long time in the lingering sun photographing the beauty.

Makes you smile, doesn’t it!

In hindsight I should have pulled up that loosestrife along the pond after I was finished photographing it.

Dangerous

July 27, 2014
by dawnkinster 11 Comments

Reward! Even though I wasn’t very good this weekend…

Katie here!

You were all RIGHT! My mama finally took me to my park! I haven’t been there in a really really long time. Maybe 100 years in dog time. We couldn’t go in my car because it’s at ‘the shop’ whatever that means. So when we left the house I went and stood behind the other car, but mama said, ‘No baby, we’re going to take Daddy’s truck!

Driving to the park in style.

Woo Boy! I get to go in the truck! I like to do that (I used to be afraid of the truck, but I like it now. I’m a brave girl.) I get to stick my nose right in the air conditioning vent! Not like when I’m stuck in the back and no good air even gets back to me! When we got to the park I noticed it was the Farmer’s Market! I get lots of attention at the market so I thought maybe we were going there.

Farmer’s Market!

But my mama said, “No baby, we’re going to walk in your park, and you can sniff wherever you want, no rush!” Hot dog! Let’s get going mama! But you know what? My mama ended up saying “hurry up sweetie” to me a lot. She said it was because a storm was coming. But I think she’s just an impatient sort of mama, you know?

Storm clouds! (Dramatic setting on camera!)

I mean, what’s a little rain? Right? Unless you’re the Wicked Witch of the West. Hmmmm. Now that I think about it, she’s been acting a lot like that witch all weekend, so maybe she had a point. Anyway, we did get rained on a little, but we still stopped and got a picture together at the overlook. Mama was very proud she figured out how to do the timer thing. I was very proud that we could both look at the camera at the same time.

Me and my mama!

We had a good time and by the time we got back to the truck the sun was back out and it was hot. So I’m sleeping on my air conditioning vent at home. Mama says we have a bigger adventure coming up next weekend.

I’m going to dream about it now. I can’t wait!

That was FUN mama!

July 8, 2014
by dawnkinster 24 Comments

Oh my Acadia!

Sandy Beach. Literally.

Acadia National Park is a splendid example of all that is right about America. It’s natural beauty defies description; the ocean, the craggy coastline, the mountains, even the people visiting there, are unique and interesting and special. We were only there one day, so we couldn’t hike all the trails or bike the carriage roads or even stop for lunch, but I saw enough to show you around.

First stop was one of my favorites – Sandy Beach. This is a must for all of you that want to dip your toes in the cold Maine Atlantic. Or even if you don’t. It’s a great place to people watch or simply veg out.

It’s best to keep your toes in the water.

I, of course, was happiest strolling in the waves. There was a little stream flowing into the ocean that had the most beautiful patterns as the light hit the ripples.

Pretty.

It was warmer than the ocean so it made a good place for kids and adults to play. Or talk. Or just be.

Relaxing.

I could have stayed on the beach for hours but we knew we had more park to explore. So off we went.

So much fun!

Next stop was Thunder Hole; a rectangular split in the granite where waves thunder and spray. Or not, depending on the tide. For us it was more a gurgle and thud. But still it was cool to see.

Boom! Or not. Depends on the tide.

On to Littler Hunters Beach. At low tide it was a treasure trove of sea remnants.

Cool!

And rocks covered in colorful stuff.

Interesting!

We tried to stop for lunch at Jordan’s Pond which has a restaurant, but there was nowhere to park, even in the ancillary parking lot. I guess that’s just the way it is at National Parks in the summer season. But that was OK, we were on to Cadillac Mountain!

A short drive up the winding road, with plenty of stops to enjoy the view and you will soon arrive at this:

On top of the world.

The granite covered mountain reminded me so much of the mountain my family climbed in New Hampshire when we were kids. Lots of huge flat rocks with bits of green low lying foliage in between. And views that went on forever.

I think that’s Canada over there.

It was fun to watch all the families and think back over the years. I have to say I have a new appreciation for all the trips my folks took us on. How they managed four of us is beyond me. I watch and listen to families now and can see how much work it is to keep all the kids entertained and safe all day.

Up on a rock.

We ended our day at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, down at the tip of a peninsula. It is actually inhabited with a family, so you can’t go inside and you take care not to intrude. We hiked a bit up the coast and climbed out on some crazy beautiful rocks for this shot:

Would love to live here. Minus the tourists.

And here’s another view from the top of the driveway:

Feels like home.

We had a wonderful day at Acadia. You just have to come and see for yourself. There’s so much more. I don’t want to spoil it for you!

…sigh…

July 7, 2014
by dawnkinster 15 Comments

It was a Maine weekend

I’ve been in a motel with no internet for the past two nights. But of course we haven’t spent much time in the hotel, we’ve been out exploring, so there’s a lot to show you. I’ll try to squish Saturday and Sunday into this post. We spent those two days driving through small fishing communities and along the rocky coast. But first, on Saturday we went out to the tip off Acadia National Park’s Schoodic Peninsula to see the wave action from Hurricane Arthur. Though by the time we got out there the hurricane was more a scattered storm, there were still some big waves. (Click on the photos to make them larger, you’ll see lots more detail!)

Ooooohh, aaahhhhh!

The wind was fierce but there were lots of people out there; you could hear they oooh and ahhh and squeal whenever a particularly big wave splashed high.

After that we ventured inland and wandered through many towns where lobster traps were piled high in yards and on wharfs. It seemed that many homes had a big boat in drydock in the yard and piles and piles of traps nearby. I wondered why the boat wasn’t in the water, and how people were making a living.

Piles of lobster traps.

We also walked along a community wharf used by locals where the piles of lobster traps made a colorful collage. And where we ran into this guy:

Lobsterman. Kind of Paul Bunyan in a rain slicker.

Of course we also found a lighthouse too. This one was on Prospect Harbor, just across the way from Mr. Lobsterman.

Classic.

But mostly on Saturday we were driving through communities looking for interesting things to photograph. There were so many I wish I could should you more, but here’s one quintessential Maine shot:

Ready to go.

Sunday found us on the road again, in the search for more lighthouses. We found this beauty in Luboc. It’s the West Quoddy Head Light Station.

Pretty!

It sits high on a rocky bluff. We hiked a ways up the coast on the advice of an employee and saw wonderful views of the ocean and the waves crashing on the rocks below.

Stunning!

Much of our path was muddy because they’ve had so much rain, but it was worth it to climb so high. We ended up near the top of that mountain you see in the photo above, way out at the end, at a place called Green Point. Where we saw views like this:

Worth the climb.

On the way back we climbed down a stair to the beach and I got to get my feet wet in the Atlantic!

ohhhh…ahhhh!

Yes. It was cold!

It was getting late, so we drove through a few more fishing communities and then headed back to the hotel.

From days gone by.

We didn’t even have time to stop and see what ship was in the harbor, but it sure was huge!

Big ship, big fisherman!

To see everything you’re just going to have come on over to Maine yourself There’s lots of houses for sale, or if you just want to rent for awhile, this place is open:

For rent.

Today we were at Acadia. That deserves it’s own post. I’ll try to get it together soon.

Window on the sea.

June 22, 2014
by dawnkinster 24 Comments

WordPress Photo Challenge: Between

Finding Shakespeare between these hills.

During a recent warm summer evening, as dusk settled among the hills and along the Huron River, Shakespeare walked. And I was lucky enough to witness it all. The University of Michigan presented “Shakespeare in the Arb 2014, As You Like It,” an outdoor interpretation where characters run through meadows and down hillsides sorting out their love and angst in front of a few hundred enthralled peasants — us.

The audience moves between scenes.

Rather than changing the set on stage between each scene the whole production, along with the audience, moved to beautiful new locations within the Arboretum.

Contemplating his next move.

And, as the audience moved through the woods or across expanses of meadow carrying their chairs and blankets we often came across characters from the play or were entertained by magical music that floated across the tops of the trees.

Discussing strategy.

I hope you enjoy these photos of the action between scenes.

Musical joy between scenes.

For more entries to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge: Between, click on the link above, or check out a few of my favorites, here, here , here and here. Or here.

I hope you enjoyed my evening with Shakespeare. I know I did!

Onward.

May 26, 2014
by dawnkinster 22 Comments

Weeding? Really Mama?

Katie here. Did you know my mama had 3 days off work? I expected a GRAND ADVENTURE because of course it’s all about me. I am entirely disappointed.

Friday night mama put up the tent and said we were going camping. I love camping, but it was darn cold out. A princess does not like to be cold, so after we got all settled in the tent I told mama I wasn’t staying out there and I barked and barked and finally she got smart and we went inside to sleep. Mama should pay better attention to the weather. I ask you; does a Princess wear plaid? I think not!

A little chilly

And do you know what she and dad did on Saturday? They weeded! I don’t know what that was all about. They just pulled up some green plants, but they left other green plants. If they wanted them gone, why didn’t they get rid of all of them? I think they are fickle. I tried to supervise them but it got to be so boring that I went inside and took a nap.

I figured I’d need to catch up on my sleep cause that darn tent was still up and I knew my mama would want to camp again. But you know what happened? She went to work after dark! With a pillow and a blanket! I’ve never seen anything like it, but she said ‘bye bye baby’ just like she does every day when she goes to work and she went out the front door. Huh. I waited by the door a long time but I finally just went to sleep with my dad. Mama didn’t come back from work till the morning, and she came home through the back door. She said she slept great, but I don’t know how she did that at work. I’m smelling a scam. Yes I am.

Well I figured we’d do something exciting Sunday. But no way! They were still pulling green stuff up. I was disgusted and spent most of the day inside napping. And it was definitely not fair when they went out that evening and got ice cream and left me behind.

Much better. No plaid.

But I did get to camp with my mama Sunday night. It was a lot warmer and I did pretty good, I only barked a little bit. And I got my mama up at 5:00 a.m. so she could fully enjoy her Monday off from work.

Monday mama said she was too sore to weed anymore and we spent some quality time out on the deck. Plus I helped her put away the camping stuff. Well mostly I just watched, but I’m sure she couldn’t have put it all away so fast without me.

And then this evening mama took me to my park!!! That was the best part of the entire weekend!

My field of yellow flowers..ummm…

So all in all I guess I got to do some fun stuff. But my folks need to focus on me more don’t you think? Three whole days and all I got was one and a half nights of camping and a walk through fluff?

I think you will all agree that I deserve more.

Pay attention mama!

May 22, 2014
by dawnkinster 15 Comments

Unrelated musings

Do you see the mama?

It’s been a long and stressful week. I think, of my regular readers, only Carol will truly understand. She has successfully retired from my industry and people outside it don’t grasp the level of stress during our busy season. Especially the busy season in conjunction with the end of a month.

This is a really really big nursery.

I’m behind on things I wanted to show you from my visit to my favorite park almost two weeks ago. So how about I just intersperse park photos among the random musings that have been rolling around in my head trying to avoid the stress headache lurking there. Click on any photo to make it bigger and see more details.

Waiting for the shot.

“Reaching out.” I suppose this blog is my way of reaching out to you. But I’d like to think it’s not because I really detest that saying. I don’t know when people started using it, but it’s everywhere now. Do people use it because it’s more hip than saying calling…or emailing? “I’m reaching out to you in the hopes that you will…” When I read that in an email, or hear it on the phone I immediately put my defenses up. Because no one ever reaches out to me unless they want something. Can’t they just say what they’re really doing…they’re emailing me. They’re calling me. They want something. It doesn’t sound any more friendly or less threatening because they were reaching out. Makes. Me. Nuts.

He was curious about me.

And while we’re on the topic of phrases what’s with “drilling down?” What exactly does that mean? That we’re going to get more detailed, maybe explore something further. I think. Why can’t we just say that? It doesn’t make me as nuts as “reaching out” but still who is fooling who? Does anyone really know what we’re “drilling down’ to? And how will we know when we get there? Exactly.

Does anyone know what this bird is?

A running friend, a year younger then me, is retiring in two weeks. She’s doing it for all the right reasons, her job is stressful, too much travel, and her parents who live near are getting older and need more assistance. I’m happy for her. She says she might have to reenter the work force sometime in the future but I sincerely hope she doesn’t have to do that, I hope she gets to enjoy a long happy time with her folks and that they thrive under her attention.

Hungry!

Katie and I are going camping at a real campground far to the north of us in a couple of weeks. It’s been cold here…really cold for this time of year. I’m starting to worry about sleeping in a tent for two nights further north. How many blankets can I pack, how many layers of clothes can I sleep in. And last time I tried to camp when it was this cold Katie wouldn’t settle down. I’ve seen doggie sleeping bags but I’m pretty sure she’s not going to sleep in one. I think I need a backup plan. I should have booked a weekend in August!

Mr. Rose Breasted.

So that has pretty much emptied my mind. I hope you could follow. Or not. Totally up to you. Me? I’m going to try to get through another day in the business at the end of the month.

Taking a walk.

The weekend can’t come soon enough.

See you later!

Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

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