Full Moon

It may have, but I don't recall it happening.  But then I do forget some things and other things I just have never remembered in the first place! That's not old age, that's just the way it is! The full moon is what I am talking about. Most people who have a real love for the out of doors seem to also have a real interest in the moon. We watch it's waxing and it's waning knowing that the old man in the moon is watching our feeble attempts to enjoy his midnight light. The specialness of the full moon tonight is that it is on my birthday.

Doesn't look like it will be a clear sky, some clouds, no rain, kinda of a iffy night to go see the moon in all  of his glory. One of the few things I remember as a child living on the farm, is looking out the bedroom window down across the snow covered pasture and hay fields. Seeing the fields blazing with the full moon light! The windows would have frost on them and I would scratch a peek hole to see through. Always wore PJ's with feet and as I grew Ma would cut the feet off so my feet would stick out the bottoms. I don't remember if my two older brothers were still wearing footie PJ's at that time, but my younger brother and I were. We wore these all summer long and the knees and elbows would wear out. Looked like scarecrows by the summers end! Don't remember when we got new ones.

I may go to the lake tonight and I may not. The moon has special glow when he shines off of Lake Keowee. I have paddled more than once on that moonlit lake. Arrive at the lake about midnight and paddle until day break. Take a short break on a sand bar and eat a snack, drink some water, and just relax in the beauty of God's creation. One night Gracie and I were cruising along, when a beaver slapped the water with her tail, now Gracie had never heard that before and she got worried. Then I got worried, Gracie stood up in the bow and turned around, headed back toward me. She was walking on one side of the canoe and it was tipping in that direction. The water too cold, the night too quiet, and I too alone to want to go swimming. "Gracie, No, Stay there. It's OK!" She finally sat down and relaxed; then the other beaver slapped the water. This time she was cool with it. It's just a beaver, no big deal!  If I go tonight I will not canoe, haven't been canoeing since the surgery, will make the first canoe trip in the warm daylight.

As I look out the window I see a clear sky and a beautiful full moon hanging over Paris Mtn. It is easy to understand why people and animals act strange during this time. It has even been said that I act strange-full moon or not!

Have a nice out doors week planned for next week.  Will keep you posted.

Turtle

A Short Report

    It has been a good day! You say, must be he went hiking today and you are right. Bad Creek Trail Access is where I entered the Foothills Trail. It is a half mile hike to the trail, once there you cross the Whitewater
river on two bridges and enter the trail. A left turn will take you to the Upper Whitewater Falls, hike forward and go to the Thompson River or spur off the Foothills Trail and go to the Lower Whitewater Falls overlook. Having been to the overlook before I chose to go toward the Thompson River, a section of the Trail I had not yet hiked. A nice hike, not too rugged. Thankfully my knees are now strong enough to not only climb these trails, but also walk down them. It is a joy to hike pain free, thank God for these  newfangled knees! Not being sure of the time we turned around and headed back to the trail head. When we got back we saw that we had enough time to hike the trail to the Coon Branch Natural Area. Now this is a very nice hike, good for small children and other beginning hikers.

There were several other hikers on the trail, most had a dog or even dogs with them. Gracie was gracious and did not start any fights, just did the I'll sniff you and you sniff me thing. Aren't we glad people don't do that?

Tomorrow is a new day and the start of a new week, hopefully by the end of this week I will be back on normal work duties. That will be a good thing!

Later

Turtle

No snow here!

February 2,2011!    A large part of the country is once again in the cold tight grip of winter, but here in the Upstate of SC it is spring time!!!!!!!!   It may be winter again next week, but not today. I took advantage of it and went for a hike. Hike Paris Mt. State Park if you live near Greenville SC. This Park is near Greenville and has many nice trails, easy trails, moderate trails and a couple of difficult trails. Something for all levels of hiking ability.

I got to the Park about 10:30am and there was only one other car in the lot. There was a light breeze blowing and the sun was shining, just a beautiful day. Hiked down the Brissy Ridge Trail turned left onto the Pipsissewa Trail and then joined the North Lake Loop, looped around the lake and retraced my steps to the trail head and parking lot. I'm guessing it is about a 4.5 mile if my figuring is correct. The Park has put camping sites around the lake, get your backpack out and load your gear. Take a short backpacking trip and enjoy camping out close to home.

Sorry for those of you who live in cold part of the country, you could always move south and enjoy the warmth of SC. Here is the web address for Paris MT.St Park.

http://southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/722.aspx

Get out and hike!

Back Later,

Turtle