Three views from the corner.

Trio one

Trio two

Trio three
The walk.

Mogli blends

Shenandoah
Light

Tree fire
Science! Psuedo-science! Nature! Art! Nonsense!
January 2, 2020
dogs, farm, hiking, mountain, photography blue ridge, dogs, gem, hiking, nature, photography, river, shenandoah, shenandoah river Leave a comment
Three views from the corner.
Trio one
Trio two
Trio three
The walk.
Mogli blends
Shenandoah
Light
Tree fire
September 16, 2019
hiking, photography australia, blue mountains, gem, hiking, katoomba, nature, photography, stairs, video, wentworth falls 2 Comments
As it turns out, getting from Katoomba to Wentworth Falls in a taxi (all of 4 miles) costs more than a roundtrip train ride to Sydney. Brian and I had quite the adventure because when we arrived at the train station there were no luggage lockers. Ultimately a very nice hairdresser near the station said she would watch our bags while we did a quick morning hike.
So it was off on a 1 hour and 50 minute walk of around 3.5 miles with a 1000 foot elevation delta. Yes, we did some stairs, but not all of them this time. Once again, the weather was perfect.
We made the Sydney train with only 1 minute to wait before departure. Excellent “plan.”
Wentworth falls trail is cut directly into the cliff
Wentworth falls in the early morning
Upper pool
September 15, 2019
hiking, mountain, travel australia, blue mountains, dardanelles pass, federal pass, furber steps, gem, giant stairway, hiking, katoomba, lilianfels, photography, three sisters, travel, video 2 Comments
In about three hours, Brian and I hiked 6.3 miles covering an elevation delta of 1600 feet. We started at Lilianfells,took the Prince Henry trail over to the Furber Steps, went down the steps (with some great views of Katoomba Falls), hiked Federal pass to Honeymoon Lookout, doubled back through the Dardanelles Pass and then climbed up the 900 steps of the Giant Stairway to the Three Sisters. Finishing with the climb up the steps was interesting.
Katoomba
Katoomba falls
Brian takes a picture
Picture in picture
Katoomba
Overlook Mt Solitary
Katoomba Falls
Spring Fiddleheads (Australia September)
Rain forest Katoomba
Turning point
View from Dardenelles
Heading up the Gianty Stairway
Only 1/2 way up. Exhausting climb.
Three sisters. Alone.
All in all, an incredible hike on a gorgeous day. Better ending up than down.
March 18, 2019
hiking, nature, trees armstrong redwoods, armstrong redwoods state natural reserve, california, california coast, gem, giant redwoods, guerneville, hiking, nature, photography, redwood, trees, video 1 Comment
Whatever you do, make sure you visit the amphitheater (though this time of year it might have better been called the “amphibian-theater”). Also visit a winery and catch a buzz before you park the car.
The posse
Amy dwarfed by a giant redwood
The band at the crest
Crown
More crown
March 18, 2019
hiking, nature, ocean, photography, trees california, california coast, David Joseph State Park, hiking, nature, pacific ocean, photography, Russian River, shell beach, sonoma, travel, video 1 Comment
On a beautiful Spring day (one of the first for months) we went to the edge of the continent with Uncle Jim and Chloe. Just south of the Russian river is Shell Beach and across Highway 1 from that is a nice set of trails traversing the coastal hills.
All told, we may have hiked 3.5 or 4 miles.
From the Pacific
Vernal mud on the trail
Spring mushrooms were everywhere (irises too)
To the fern forest
Then it was back down to the ocean.
December 1, 2018
flowers, hiking, mountain, nature, photography, plants australia, blue mountains, day trip, gem, hiking, katoomba, nature, photography, sydney, train, video 2 Comments
A two hour train ride outside of Sydney, you can find the tourist hamlet of Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. Tourists have been coming here since the turn of the century (1900). Katoomba itself reminds me of West Virginia in its old coal town turned bust turned tourist vibe. You can now find hipsters and artists in residence.
We took the train out in the morning and spent several hours walking from the train station to a trailhead, down the cliff face, and back up again.
Highlights on the mountain visit include the three sisters, the giant stairway (976 steps!), waterfalls, and the steepest railroad in Australia.
The two hour train ride is a little long. The tourist center by the train station is well worth a visit. That is where we finalized our plan.
We walked from the station to Echo point (2.3 km).
This is where we first caught sight of the famed three sisters. Which we saw many times throughout the day.
Here’s what happened in between. After honeycomb cave, we entered the giant stairway. Lots of stairs down (976 in fact). Amy did not do them all.
Eventually, we entered the rain forrest at the bottom of the cliff.
After the falls, we were back in what passes as civilization. Scenic world was first contemplated by coal miners. Just take the train thingy up.
And, why not? Try the cable car too.
We walked back from scenic world (another 2.5km). All told we may have hiked around 5 miles. We deserved a beer.
The 2 hour train ride back to Sydney was slightly too long.
November 28, 2017
hiking, nature, photography, plants, trees, who knows appalachain trail, environment, fern, hiking, humor, moss, photobomb, sunset Leave a comment
Large tree PHOTOBOMBS!!
finished at sunset. yep.
November 25, 2017
hiking, nature, photography appalachain trail, ashby gap, chris and esther, hiking, nature, photography, roller coaster Leave a comment
Ten days ago we did 7 of the 13.3 miles between Ashby Gap and Snickers Gap on the Appalachain Trail. Turns out we did the hard part first. Yesterday, we finished off the segment, starting on Jen’s road and heading down to Route 50. Esther and Chris joined us.
The hike is in our back yard. If you know where you’re looking from Bear’s Den, you can see the monastery.
What was most striking was the difference that 10 days make in the woods. Though our hike was much warmer, there were not many leaves left!
We saw some lichen. Or was that moss?
We took the yellow car back to the truck.
November 12, 2017
hiking, nature, photography, plants, trees, who knows appalachian trail, bear's den, environment, fall leaves, gem, hiking, nature, photography, quilt 1 Comment
A Square of Paw Paws
A Square of Oaks
Crazy, Mixed-up Square
The Tester
The Quilters
A masterpiece!
November 11, 2017
hiking, nature, photography, trees appalachain trail, AT, back yard, bear's den, blue ridge, gem, hiking, jen, nature, photography, roller coaster, snickersville gap, video 1 Comment
Start 4.5 miles from home (less than a mile from Jen’s house). Hike seven miles. Is it a roller coaster? Yes it is.
Here is the story in pictures.
Up to this point, we saw 7 people (one walked by while we were eating lunch…going our way). 6 Were going the other way.
We were passed by an old man with a stick. He was on his way up and then back down.
The roller coaster ends at Bear’s Den. Shew!