It is a great day.

I should amend that last post. I will not comment on other people’s blogs and I will not more than blog some of my daily life on my own blog. There is no need, I think everyone knows the score regardless of what they do with the knowledge. This blog is, after all, for my use and I already know what I think and why. I am now thinking boring is good.

I made it out to a path today. I had only meant to see where it started, but the wind was soothing, the sun was flirting with the clouds and so tame yet warm. My feet just did their thing. I only spent about 25 minutes strolling the hilly path, half up and half back of course. I had no water and was already becoming thirsty at the halfway point. I was wearing heavy clothes and a heavy jacket and they really did bind and bog me down. At least I know where one of the trailheads is and it is close.

After that, I drove around to several wooded hilly public properties. I am not sure if they are county, state, or federal. I found indications of a few trails but no specific trail head in a few cases, and a few actual trail heads in other spots. One indicated hunting would be allowed, so I’m thinking I have one sure place for squirrel season. Plus, if I walk the area enough beforehand I’ll feel more comfortable taking a shot. It was a great day, I will have to remember to give thanks that I can and did get out and enjoy it.

The Q.O.D. has plans for tomorrow. She is looking for the perfect canoeing gear. She is looking for a* inflating PDF, paddling gloves, and another item or two. She would prefer a self-inflating vest with the option of switching that to manual inflation. I like the idea, and I’ve been searching for this, but with only modest luck. I found a few that seem to fit the description though I have some doubts. I am thinking the optional part can not be set to intercede the automatic part. In other words, I think the user could set the thing off while dry, but as soon as it’s wet (how wet I don’t know), it will go off no matter what the user wants. I’ll keep digging on that.

(* A question to those English types, a or an is used for nouns according to what the first letter of the noun (generally, though I still us an historic for example). When using inflating as a description for PDF, I write a _____ PDF rather than an inflating (etc.) PDF, right? Just curious. I’m not even sure how to look that up, or where.)

Her plans are to meet at farmers market, slip over to breakfast (her treat), deliver the produce (if they have strawberries, I’ll be sure to buy), then spin around Iowa a bit. I used to despise back roads, but with the Xterra, it’s all I take if I can figure them out and have the time. We are finally in accord on this, though we differ on when time is critical. It saves on gas and offers a much better view of the country. There are lots more trees, farms that seem more like the farms of my youth, curves hills and dips, small towns with some fairly amazing restraints very occasionally. And, the pace is slower. I might spring for lunch assuming she is planning on paying for gas. That assumption is not an option, the trip is hers and for her want not need, the use of my vehicle would just be to save a few miles on her older and tired truck. Though I might X something off her Christmas list and help or just buy a PDF if she sees one she really likes but can’t quite do it. Everyone needs a Santa, even one as her and a Santa so sorry as myself. Uhm, she might also be looking for a truck rack for her water craft.

I won’t be able to climb next Monday! I am heading up to my mother’s place Sunday and won’t be back until Thursday. Dang, Q.O.D. wants something Thursday too. Hmm, I’ll see how my Mom is doing. If ok, I might have to head back Wednesday night. Mom’s health gets priority though. I have a nearly completely open schedule, but as soon as I try to do something the gang seems to show up all at once. Bah, I enjoy it. Don’t let me fool you.

I can not wait until some of the gear I ordered gets here, well, actually I can. It really is nicer to have the right gear, whether it be for hiking, climbing, camping, or what. I can see where I might spend hours out there. Oh, one thing I was thinking while out and about… There might be trees far enough off some of the paths to climb, maybe even camp in if I am very quick, quiet, and blend in a bit. I don’t have that gear either yet, but it would be good to explore a bit further and find out for sure.