It is late March in Northern New Jersey, and dirty piles of leftover snow have just about melted away. Along back trails of the Ramapo Mountains, streams are flowing again creating interesting shapes and patterns in their melting ice. Sandy, our faithful hiking companion back then, was exhausted after this particular late March day ….in 2006.
Thanks for Viewing. Comments are always welcome, and zooooooom in for a closer look! M 🙂
There is a wonderful five mile one-way roadway just east of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in the foothills of Mount LeConte, the third highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, at 6,923 (2010 m.) The auto turn-outs allow access to old growth forests, streams, waterfalls, wildlife and more. Recently, Sandy Paws and I found unexpected tranquility, and almost complete silence, among the resurgence of forest life, ten months after devastating fires sorched the region.
A short walk from one of the turn-outs, leads to a small summit, elevation 2,900 feet (884 m) as shown photographically in the last picture above, and located on the topo renditions here.
Special thanks to Crow Canyon Journey and Jessica for zoom-in attributes, and Le Conte spelling respectively! M 🙂
As usual, click on the image for a closer look, and thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome. M 🙂
A few previously unpublished images from the archives – or – what to publish when you are a.) too busy, or b.) at wit’s end (end of wits?) to create anything else!
Sandy Paws guarding the remote – Northern N.J. 5/4/15Tyler guarding the goal, N.J. – 4/25/15Gull scrounging for food, Seaside Heights boardwalk, NJ – 5/23/15Grazing around at the Senior Equine Retirement Farm, near ATCO, NJ – 5/23/15Home for the birds and the buzzin’ bees, Jersey Shore – 5/19/15Clouds blowing by the moon on a windy night, Jersey Shore – 2/23/15West side of Hudson River, Tompkins Cove, NY – 5/29/15Optimism by the Hudson River, Tompkins Cove, N.Y. – 5/29/15
Thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome. M 🙂
After a couple of long days on the road, we delighted in the warm, wonderful sunshine of South Florida, relishing in outdoor waterside eateries, and soft sandy beaches. Sandy Paws enjoyed exploring new grounds and meeting ODD friends.
Carefully sniffing the fauna on Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island
In a small rental boat, we explored backwater mangrove islands,
Colorful waters and condos,
new types of friends,
pristine beaches,
and across “New Channel,” sighted a special beach, … for DOGS!!! (Whoo Hooo!)
Sandy Paws was a little intimidated at first by the BIG dogs playing…
but quickly fell in love with a cute canine friend – a back beach romance.
Unfortunately, it was soon time to go,
stopping first at the doggie shower
and saying goodbye as the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico.
Thanks for visiting. Click on any image for full resolution, and as usual, Likes and Comments are always welcomed.
Dedicated in memory of Shep, Sandy Paw’s best friend…
It seems every two days, another “event” has tested our resolve, romanticists included. After the icy images of Part One, the expression on this forlorn squirrel, above – “weathering” a lull at about 8 deg. F (-15 deg. C,) only hints at what was about to come. And he already shows the scars of this winter’s relentless play.
Below: Some 22 hours later, heavy snow is falling on top of existing layers of snow – ice – snow – ice, distributing dangerous weight,
…and continuing into the night.
The icicle reveals some heating loss from our house…
And Sandy Paws (remember her?) navigates the frozen turf, as the brilliant sun spotlights natures latest work.