Science! Psuedo-science! Nature! Art! Nonsense!
July 31, 2026
animals, dogs, nature, river antti, kayak, maybelline, moonshine, river, romey, shenandoah river Leave a comment
It’s fun to pay a friend back. Several years ago (in 2011), Antti took me sea kayaking outside of Helsinki. Now that he is visiting Virginia again, it is time for a Shenandoah payback run.
It was a stunning day and a very nice run.
Later, the dogs had to assess Antti.
Maybe asked Romey if that was fine.
That was fine.
Now I think Antti owes me a cocktail.
April 27, 2026
nature, river catfish, ghost catfish, path, shenandoah river, walking, white fish Leave a comment
Is it Walter? Maybe. Back from the dead and downstream. We spotted this from the path by the river.
Probably 4 feet long.
March 2, 2026
photography, river, travel, who knows amsterdam, canal, okura, seven bridges, tourism, travel 1 Comment
Romey and I hired a boat for a canal tour. We also hired a bottle of champagne. The boat ride was excellent.
We started from the pier at the Okura just after dark.
The boat itself was built of teak and glass in 1903.
The lights are a sight to see.
Seven bridges
January 25, 2025
animals, hiking, nature, river falling throuigh the ice, ice emergency, maybelline, river 1 Comment
Posted to Mastadon 1/20 4:47pm
About a mile from home. Maybelline went about 50 feet out on the Shenandoah river ice after some geese and fell through.
She was floundering and unable to get up on the ice. So I called Romey and alerted her and then went out after maybe.
About 20 feet in, flat on my tummy I broke all the way through into four feet of water. I kind of expected it, but it was cold and I was all the way under. I pushed to maybe, breaking the ice out toward her. When I reached her she swam back in my wake.
I lifted her up on the thick ice then climbed out of the water myself. Then began the extremely tough jog home soaking wet in 17 degrees. All is well thanks to romey who came out and met me on the trail. I am now dry and sitting by the fire after warning my extremities in cold water. Maybe is here with me.
The river water was not that cold. (In fact it is 41.72 https://freshwatertemps.com/sites/shenandoah-river-at-millville-wv/). I was wearing layers including my ski pants over nylon/silk sweats, a sweatshirt over a nylon tee and my oilskin Australian hunting coat which is insulated. Only my fingers which were in modern tech gloves got way too cold. I also had on wool socks and hiking boots.
The water soaked through all my layers but once I was out they kept my core warm.
All that said, my jog/slog back was real work and very challenging. I would not do it on purpose. I have WSI training too for water emergencies, so I knew what I was in for.
The next day, I revisited the “scene of the crime” in the Shenandoah river. The area is completely iced over already, but you can see where the ice shelf broke and how far away from the other edge of the resulting big hole is exactly. Wild!
https://infosec.exchange/@noplasticshower/113868648816427913
The dog seems glad to be alive.
November 20, 2024
animals, dogs, farm, flowers, hiking, river, who knows flowers, iulianna, iulie, JC, maybe, moonshine, odessa, tree, walking Leave a comment
Iulie has grown, and so have her zinias. Last time we checked, they were about two inches tall.
The tree has grown too.
Of course we walked. Twice, in fact.
The dogs were hosed off and toweled “dry.”
Bubbie had some fun things to do.
There were fresh eggs (and lots of them). 18!
And, as always, there was the rope for swinging.
Up high.
Here they come.
Mama!
Maybe always wants in on the action.
October 31, 2024
animals, dogs, hiking, river dogs, maybeline, moonshine, river, shenadoah river, shenandoah, walk Leave a comment
With the animals.
August 28, 2024
river bald eagles, eagles, eli, josie, kayak, progeny, river, shenadoah river Leave a comment
How did you know that we brought champagne on the river instead of beer?
Lots of eagles and other big birds on this float. Ah, summer.
Sure is nice to have all of the progeny home at once.
May 14, 2024
birds, nature, river bald eagle, becky, champagne, eagle's nest, gem, river, river run, romey, shenadoah river, shenandoah, snapper, snapping turtle, tim tam Leave a comment
It’s so nice to be out on the river in May…on a Monday…with friends…and champagne!
The Dame’s Rocket is still going on the banks.
Snapper!
Eagle’s nest on Island one. We missed finding one from last year. Must be gone.
Lunch on a rock featuring Tim Tams and Veuve Cliquot.
All champagne models are over 18.
April 12, 2024
cute, flowers, nature, river, trees bluebells, bubbie, easter, easter bunny, easter eggs, hiking, iulie, nature Leave a comment
The Easter bunny did make an appearance.
There were baskets to discover and eggs to find!
After the hunt, we enjoyed the beautiful weather outside and made chalk pictures of our own.
Don’t forget to count the loot!
Now who exactly is the Easter bunny again?!
We also dyed some eggies. The girls from the palace were happy to oblige.
Even the puppy was pooped!
But a good night’s sleep after several stories got us all rested up for pancakes in the morning.
The eggs became deviled.
While the angel checked on her tree. (Tiny tiny leaves.)
We also tiptoed through the bluebells. Well kinda.
Come again, little one.
March 25, 2024
animals, flowers, hiking, river bluebells, dogs, gem, maybeline, moonshine, river, romey Leave a comment
This year, the bluebells first started leafing up out of the ground on March 1st. And on the 24th the peak was beginning. Early early.
Good thing global warming is not real.
This is Maybeline’s first bluebell season.
