Goodbyes, Good-to-see-yous, and a good day for fungus.

A bit of sadness came my family’s way last week, on the morning of September 9th my grandmother passed away. The ache that comes with losing her is tempered by the happy thought that she’s finally back her much-loved husband and all of her siblings.

My mother decided "I'll Fly Away" was well suited to

Grandma's passing, and I wholeheartedly agree.

I won’t go into the details of the past week as grief and mourning are rather private affairs, but I will say I’m very grateful I was able to come home for as long as I did and spend it with those I love the most. In sadness, we found happiness and laughter remembering the woman that was the centerpiece of our family for so long. She, and the others gone before her, will be missed.

After nearly a week in Kansas, it was time to head back to the north country.  I broke up the drive back to WI by staying in Des Moines for the night and then drove into PdC early Friday afternoon…just in time for work! Emails and projects that needed catching up, filling everyone in on the past week, all those are important things…but let’s be honest, the MOST important thing was to get on the trails and see what had happened in the woods and prairies while I was away!!


And something HAD happened.

                               Something had happened all over the place.

                                                                                                  Something big.

Puffballs!!

Recreated discovery of two of the dozens of puffballs currently
in existence in Pikes Peak.

GIANT puffballs!

Yes, that's me, sans makeup and fresh off of a two-day drive holding
two giant puffballs taken from the park. 

I don’t have pictures from the hawk migrations, but that’s been happening, too!

Fall has most definitely arrived in the Driftless. All that’s left for this girl to do is to visit the apple orchards, think of a killer Halloween costume, roast some squash, and kick back and watch the leaves turn color.

Take your time November, take your time.

Section of the old white pine plantation in the park.  Creepy at first, then
very very peaceful.