The Moving Rocks
October 7, 2026
art, dogs, farm, river dog, dogs, migrating rocks, moonshine, river, shenandoah Leave a comment
One day they just showed up. Brother John suggested that they migrated there, “just like those rocks in Arizona.” Faster, for sure.
The dog did not care.
Antti on the Shenandoah
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.
Fall Wildflowers by the River
October 15, 2025
animals, dogs, flowers, nature flowers, moonshine, river, shenandoah, wildflowers Leave a comment
The trail has flowers.
Moonshine has a river.
A Wild Adventure
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.
An Autumn Walk by the Shenandoah
October 31, 2024
animals, dogs, hiking, river dogs, maybeline, moonshine, river, shenadoah river, shenandoah, walk Leave a comment
With the animals.
Summer on the River
August 28, 2024
photography, plants, trees fungus, garden, mushrooms, river, shenandoah, shenandoah river, trees, trees down Leave a comment
During the time of the dog days, this is what we see.
Lots of trees down this summer due to chaotic weather (weeks of drought followed by an intense several day tropical storm).
Kids in the House, er, on the River
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.
Snek on Trail
June 21, 2024
dogs, farm, hiking dog, golden, moonshine, river, shenandoah river, snake, trail Leave a comment
What dat?!
Baby Oak, Baby Oak, Baby Oak, Baby Oak
May 14, 2024
nature burr oak, oak, oaks, red oak, river, shenandoah, trees, white oak Leave a comment
