Changing energy levels:

Max, Ivory and Mackey at the trailhead on Friday evening, before we headed down. To see where this picture was taken, click on this link. Raring to go:

Same dogs, Saturday morning, preparing for the return trip. To see where this picture was taken, click on this link. Their enthusiasm appears to be slightly diluted:

Appalachian Trail fauna

Ran into this little guy (perhaps gal) on the hike down on Friday and again on the hike out today - multiple times. They're not at all rare. Click on it to make it much larger. It's the Eastern Newt, Notophthalmus viridescens. If you'd like to learn more about it, this is the wikipedia entry: Eastern Newt:

Dog Party on the Appalachian Trail!

After spending Friday night (June 5, 2009) at the Paul C. Wolfe Memorial Shelter we (Ivory, Mackey, Max and I) were hiking back out on Saturday morning. The shelter is next to Mill Creek, a couple miles north of Humpback Rocks. We were parked at Humpback and I guess we were halfway back when we ran into four more delightful dogs! Unbelievable. I wish I'd caught all their names. And the people's. But I do recall that Hobbit (she was from Illinois) was the one taking the pictures. Her dog is in the foreground, with the red backpack on, the only one who was really working for a living. I think her name was Madison or Matty or Maddy but that may have been another dog. There were a lot of "M" names. She's a Border Collie but she was shaved to keep ticks down. She was ~3.5 years old and extremely well mannered.

By the way, click on that picture if you want to see a larger version.

I think the guy's name (on my right) was Dennis, but I may have misunderstood. If either of you email me correct information, I'll fix this post. He had three dogs; you can only see all three of them in the bottom picture, but of course Ivory's looking away. I only remember one of his dog's names - it was "Little." Look at the picture and try to guess which one was "Little." Here's a hint: the name is not descriptive.

Anyway, fun to see everybody, I hope you have a great hike. Take it easy,

Jay

Ivory at MCV - 2002

Ivory's first TV appearance (in 1999!)

This is the first time Ivory was on television, way back in September of 1999. It was on Channel 8 in Richmond. It shows a few seconds of Ivory visiting kids at MCV:

Spring things I've not yet mentioned

Actually it's more flowers. More to the point, more smells. Of course they look beautiful too but in May in Richmond the smell is everywhere. I meant to put pictures of honeysuckle - the main smell source - in my last post. But here it is:

Honeysuckle
Lonicera Caprifolium

It almost looks garish when it's that close. But what a joy. If you think it's pretty to look at, you should try sticking your nose in a bunch.

Pony Pasture - and elsewhere - in May

Lots of trips down there this month; it's been stunning every trip. There are new flowers in bloom each time we go. Earlier this month - maybe even late April - the redbuds were blooming. Always a lovely early reminder that Spring is arriving. But now the honeysuckle is out in force and it smells so good you don't even want to stop long enough to exhale.

The above is of course not honeysuckle but it looks beautiful and smells heavenly. If you know what it is, drop me a line. Maybe it's some kind of wild blackberry or something. More later.

Skye's BFF's

Skye left this morning; unbelievable. Here are a pair of pictures of him with his BFF's:

April in Richmond - there's no improving it

How much is that kitty in the window?

Roux at the River

Table for two, please - Bottom's Up
Friday, April 24, 2009

A couple more pictures from the Maple Festival:

Click on the pictures to see larger versions:

Arrival in Monterey:


Watching sap being boiled for syrup (and holding stuffed huskies):

Getting ready to go home (still holding stuffed huskies):

Catching up on sleep (still holding stuffed husky and another unidentified stuffed animal):