Skydive!

This photo was taken after our skydive. What an incredible experience!

Unbelievably, my former neighbor called to say he and his visiting kids were going white water rafting today, and invited us to go along. So we hiked up a mountain yesterday, jumped out of a plane this morning, and went white water rafting this afternoon. I think I will be hard pressed tomorrow to find a body part that is not sore!

Crowder Mountain--Saturday

My son is here for the weekend, so Saturday we went out to hike at Crowder Mountain. We decided to take Rocktop Trail up to the peak, which I had never done before (I've only come down it). The photo below is actually the trail; it goes right up those rocks (see Jonathan on top?). Once on top, you have to step from rock to rock, and although I'd probably have been fine if I hadn't stopped to catch my breath, I had to sort of regroup up there to be able to make it on across.

Jonathan was very patient with me. It was extremely hot and humid, so I was not as perky as I'd have liked to have been. Uphill is always more difficult for me anyway.

Good news from drought land

Some might see this as a miserable day, but it's relief we definitely needed!

Weekend Hike

After kayaking for the first time Saturday (no photos--I was afraid I'd drop the camera!) I was a bit stiff, so thought I'd take a hike Sunday to loosen up. This was a "recommended hike" at one of the local nature preserves. I did see some lovely flowers...

...and some very happy flowers

...but much of this hike was in the blazing sun and on a road covered with large gravel, making walking a bit of a chore--not to mention the trails were not well marked and I spent most of the time not sure where I was.

Green on green...can you see the little critter?

The hike was supposed to be four miles, rated easy to moderate. Right. By the time I got back to my car, I was thirsty (even though I'd taken bottled water and drank the worse-than-tepid stuff), soaked with sweat, beet red, and tired. Not to mention perturbed. I'd taken their word for it and planned a nice 1.5 - 2 hour walk. I walked almost 3.5 hours (5.7 miles) without being sure where I was most of the time.

Tuesday's walk

This guy was lumbering across the path.

I don't know; this just struck me as interesting.

Then and Now

Last week I took a picture of the view from this swing in a park where I sometimes walk.

Here's the view from the same swing this morning...

I love this shot.

Happy Birthday, Jonathan

What did you get for your 21st birthday, Jonathan? Oh, my mom got me a new tire!