August 6-25, 2024 Most Recent Posts:
Moose River Campground Parker Pond, Pie & Littleton, N.H.
St. Johnsbury Vermont Last Days Before the Second Flood
Apparently 2 floods aren’t enough for this summer in northern Vermont. But before I got to the additional not fun part, I was having a great time.
LAKE HARVEY
On Tuesday August 6 I paddled on Lake Harvey with lovely reflections, water lilies and loons.
Ohmmmmmmmmmmm
This was my favorite of the private home docks. I know you can guess why.
Now that’s a BIG LOON.
Is it fantastic or what?? I want one! And a lake to use it on.
This would be my choice of home on Lake Harvey. It seems to be the only one not right next door to someone else.
AND it would be particularly wonderful if these were the sounds around me. Take a listen with this link.
Later in the morning I managed to get these shots of the whole loon family.
Definitely a loon chick threat.
RELAXING AT MOOSE RIVER
I spent my “off days” enjoying the Moose River and its little falls from my hammock. Great spot for reading. You can see the flood damage in all of these shots.
MARTIN’S POND
On Thursday August 8th, I spent the morning at Martin’s Pond with their loon family.
The adolescent.
I watched the Loon Family doing their thing for quite a while. If you’d like to see how loons spend their time, take a look in this short video.
Imagine you own this sweet spot and you can sit out on the water and read to your heart’s content.
I thought a totem pole was pretty unusually for this lake side spot.
Adolescent resting. I love this picture.
GROTON STATE FOREST
On Sunday August 11th, I was hoping the trails had dried up enough that I could go hiking without slogging through the mud so I went over to Groton State Forest mostly around Osmore Pond. Osmore has no easy access for kayaking unless you have a partner to help you portage your kayak or canoe. It does have a really nice trail around it too.
After the rains the fungi were out and it felt like fairy land.
The forest floor was littered with orange and yellow mushrooms. Look closely to see how many.
Glad for the boardwalk as things got muddier.
There were window views of the lake all the way around.
And then it got muddier still with not much help.
The very next day, after this lovely hike, during which I had felt wonderful and hiked over 6 miles, I had a fever of 101 and was totally exhausted. For the first time in 4 years. I had COVID.
Turns out I was not the only one in the campground who had it.
My symptoms only lasted 4 days but it was 12 days before I finally had a negative test.
Next post will finish out my time in Vermont and take me back to Virginia. Thanks for sharing my days with me.
Love us some shrooms! Love the colors and the variety! Great pics Sherry! You’ve had a summer to remember! 🍄💜🍄
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely a summer to remember with 2 floods and Covid. BUT it wasn't hot. LOL!
DeleteWhat a summer you have had!!! Some very good and some…….Vermont certainly is lovely I was in Michigan for two months and am going for three next year I’m back in Florida and temps are still in the 90’s so don’t head this way yet!!! Thanks for the lovely pictures , I certainly enjoy them
ReplyDeleteI'd love to know where you were in Michigan for the summer and where you plan to go next year. I'm thinking of going there. Oh my 90's. I guess I'll wait a while before heading south. Thanks for your comment Jacque.
DeleteOh, Sherry, I am so sorry that you were sick. Several of my family members had Covid last month and they were very sick - quite unlike the time I had it. I am glad that you are better now. I do love these pictures and video of the loons. They are so beautiful and iconic. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the video Pam. I'm back in Virginia at this point and would love to meet you for lunch if you have time. I really appreciate your comments.
DeleteThe Water Lilly pic is awesome. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThey were quite beautiful and plentiful Tom. Good to hear from you.
DeleteLotsa great pics! That huge Loon is great!
ReplyDeleteThe reading spot on the lake seems about as perfect as it gets...I also loved your hammock and where you had it placed. So sorry you've been sick and about the rain, truly you did get some great shots despite the rough times...
I really like my hammock too and normally only use it when I have a "water front" site. Hope you two are well and haven't had covid. It was a bit of a rough summer this time but I'm amazed at how much I did despite it all.
DeleteSo very sorry you got the evil bug. I managed three years without it, but caught it on my cruise last year with Deborah to Europe. Was sick for a month in spite of all the vaccinations I had. Glad I didn't get any long covid issues at least and it sounds as though your bout with it was short and not too sweet, but short. Thank goodness. I saw that Laurel got a nasty bug that wasn't even covid but still pretty awful. Glad you are doing well enough to be writing again. Such a lush, green, and wet world you have back there. I would love it for a bit, but after awhile would need my western skies again. I guess we all have our best places and at least we can travel and experience all the beauty that is our there, including mushrooms, trees, water, and great trails and kayaks. Thanks for keeping up, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteThanks for always being there Sue. It was really frustrating to feel well but not be able to be around anyone because I was still testing positive. Luckily kayaking and hiking are solo activities for me so I could do them while I waited.
DeleteHow did you get Covid on a hike? Was it because all those mushrooms you got close to to take their pictures weren't wearing masks? :cD
ReplyDeleteHA Paul. No covid on hikes I'm pretty sure but I was at the community band concert the night before it began so who knows. Not sure symptoms show up within 24 hours though.
DeleteUgh, Covid. I luckily have 'yet' to get it, George had it once. Those mushrooms are fascinating. So many colors and varieties.
ReplyDeleteI am just fascinated with all the fungi Laurie. Sorry to hear George had Covid but glad you didn't. I stupidly didn't realize that I needed to get vaccinated every year so my last one was in 2022 when they were still making a big deal about it. I won't make that mistake again. Guess I'm lucky I got 4 years without getting it.
DeleteLovely paddling, and your hike around the lake was gorgeous! We saw some white frilly mushrooms yesterday while hiking just like the yellow ones you photographed...I'm going to look them up and see what they are. I'm so sorry you got Covid. You definitely escaped it for a long time! We had it last December and I hope to not repeat the experience. We always get the boosters and still got it. I hope you're enjoying some fall weather at home!
ReplyDeleteSo good to hear from you Laurel. I really do love mushrooms. I keep telling myself I need to learn more about them but there are SO MANY. I read your most recent post with interest and have sent you an email. Would be good to reconnect.
DeleteLoved the loon videos, especially the calls. That huge loon is great and the pictures in flight were neat too. Also, very cool mushrooms!! Covid be gone! I’ve heard of a number of folks getting it. It’s the season again it seems :(
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you got Covid. With down time, you could study mushrooms as some of those looked edible. ~Gaelyn
ReplyDeleteAlmost missed this one!! What a beautiful place to see and enjoy the summer - even with the floods :-( Those Loons are so special - I've only heard them in the distance so seeing them is still on me list.
ReplyDelete