The Photo Blog (probably the first of many)

Ah, life is good.

I thought I would be super bummed when the hot days of summer began to fade, but instead I find myself anxious for autumn in the Driftless. While I’m not a fan of the shorter days, I love seeing the first leaves begin to turn (cottonwoods and silver maples are just beginning to go yellow, but the real show won’t begin until late September). I’ve start reminiscing about cold, clear mornings at the park with a hot mug of coffee in hand walking out to the peak to watch for broad-winged hawks migrating down the river. Raptors, fall leaves, and apple orchards are just hard to beat.

But all that is still a ways off, so I’ll have to continue to wait before getting my pretty leaves/apple cider/apple donut/cranberry wine fix. Things have been rather quiet around here and I haven’t gone on too many adventures this month. However, that is no excuse for neglecting “the blog.” Since I don’t really have any epic stories to share, this post will read more like a scrapbook. With lots and lots of pretty pictures :)

First up, a few of the reasons why I love foggy mornings at the park!

The lower overlook at Pikes Peak

Along the boardwalk trail to Bridal Veil Falls

The top of the Falls looking down

Joyful exuberance

So I lied, I DID go on a few mini-advenures, like a trip to Yellow River State Forest. 

It's very pretty (and rugged!) there, too!

Larkin's Overlook

Tiger Swallowtail and Bull Thistle

I think they should put a '?' on there, because what if you
don't want to ever leave?

And last, but not least, I went camping!  All by myself!

My cozy little tent.  This particular campsite comes complete with
private access to the Deer Ridge Trail.

My tasty vegetarian dinner of vegan tacos and "zesty" bean and cheese dip (not pictured).  Also
not pictured is the ethnography on the Kaatan Indians of the Andes I've been reading. 
Once an anthropologist,
always an anthropologist.



Sunset

This is amazing to wake up to.

Not bad.  Not bad at all.