The Creeps

 Spiders and the Creature of the Black Lagoon.

Those are among the few things that give Jim the creeps. In writing, the things you don't want to show up often do. In everyday life, the things you fear often come around so you can face them and/or overcome them.

Or become them.

Power washing makes me think of teeth cleaning. I used to think I was afraid of dentists. Now I go to one every three months without nausea or palpitations. Medication by meditation.

Look how much better the cleaned surface looks!

Sometimes facing one's fears doesn't leave one unscathed.

 The Bunny Killer of the Black Lagoon

Finished the 48

 Completed the last of the 48 Peaks over 4000, Mt. Carrigain, 4700 ft.

Met up with two brothers-in-law of French descent. One was hard of hearing and the other lectured about edible mushrooms. They made the hike a little easier. Sometimes company does that.

The surrounding summits were in and out of the clouds. Everything changed on this hike. Socks, food, hairdo. Not even half way through, I had used all my emergency supplies of caffeine and bandaids.

 "What now?" one of the men asked at the summit firetower deck.

 I thought, "I need to get down and to the car."

I said aloud, "All those mountains in Maine."

Of the 48, my favorite trail was a toss up between the Ammonusuc to Mt. Washington and the Blueberry Ledges to Whiteface. Those trails were steep, with scary ledges, some exposure and dicey. The ones I probably won't return to are Owls Head and Isolation, long slogs for little-to-no views. The most difficult for me was Wildcat. Book time on Wildcat was 2 hours and it took me 5.5 hrs. My favorite summit was Lafayette because of the beauty of Franconia Ridge.

And now, on to the next adventure.

Dance to the Music

Celebrate early, celebrate often.

Yesterday I had a 90 minute massage at Heaven and Earth Spa. And then was useless for most of the afternoon. The massage was scheduled because of a mountain hike originally planned for the day before, on Tuesday, but it rained.

Looking forward (yeah, right) to a 14 mile hike today to Mt. Carrigain, 4700 ft, last of the 48 peaks in NH over 4000 ft, fueled by fruits and vegetables, without coffee or gatorade. Emergency supplies include bandaids, a water filter, some potassium, and one caffeinated firecracker energy drink, just in case.

Wild Blue Yonder

Thinking about steep turns of 45 degrees, slow flight and stalls.

Every two years a pilot is required to undergo a flight review with an instructor in order to maintain certification. Some instructors are more exacting than others. My instructor is 76 years old, a retired Captain with US Air (which he calls US Scare) and loves to fly, especially with women.

The review should not be a problem.

Tough On the Equipment.

I am practicing for a flight review this month and flew up for fuel at the seaplane base, my first time at the controls in a long time. I practiced three take-offs and landings. One of the float compartment covers was missing when we returned, even though the landings were soft in my estimation. Jim complained about his glasses being askew. The systems expert taped over the hole with packaging tape until we get another cover.

Then he took the front seat and we flew around the usual haunts.

Labor Day

Pieces and parts of a Labor Day Holiday. 

Glass sculpture in Phoenix by Dale Chihuly.

A cormorant takes the day off from fishing to dry its wings.

Last big sales before black Friday.

The dryer stops spinning.

Every day's a holiday.

W is for Wussie

W. Man turned the heat on last night. He's cold. Sitting next to him, listening to his slow and steady heartbeat, and feeling the warmth radiating off him, it's difficult to believe. But I must admit it felt good to stand next to the heating duct this morning.

Rabbit Rabbit

 Rabbit Rabbit from the two watch bunnies.

Jim has been playing with his new pressure washer. The deck looks nearly brand new where he's washed it!

I wish that could be done with my hair, those distinguished bands of gray at the temples growing upwards, just washed away. Don't try that at home.

The Blue Red Moon came up behind clouds last night. It was a balmy night with a light breeze, crickets singing on the hill, a few fireworks lighting up the sky.

Lying

Dashing around buying power washers and groceries, I drove by the field across from Lake Doll. Last week these three donkeys were all lying in a pile next to the fence. This week it is warm again and they were nicely lined up for a photo. They looked so sleek and well-groomed, and unfailingly elicit the same response, "Aww, aren't they cute?"

Circling

In response to Apple's victory regarding its patented rectangle, Jim thinks we should patent the circle.

Circular things of beauty this morning:

A new beaded mala bag adorned by feathers,

And sweets for the car guys.

White Anglo Saxon Protestant

Wasp 1: Julie 0

Medically this picture could be confused for a nummular dermatitis if it were not for the history of intense focal fire and a wasp flying away. Wasps think the power mower is a really big wasp invading their territory.  I don't like wasps. They're mean-tempered and petty.

I have been called a W.A.S.P. before. I didn't like it either. Now I'm going to pout and drink coffee and plot my revenge. Mean tempered and petty. I'll show them.

Galehead, Number 47

Uh oh. Leaves turning in the mountains.

The Appalacian Trail is its usual ankle-turning rocky green tunnel.

 

Lifting mine eyes unto the hills.

Galehead Mountain from the hut porch.

A look back at the Hut.

And the summit reached under three hours.

Then there was one.

The last peak over 4000 to climb in the NH White Mountains is Mt. Carrigain. I am waiting for the gate to open so I can drive in to the trailhead. That knocks off 4 miles of a 14 mile walk. The road was being repaired after tropical storm Irene last year and still has not opened. Rumor has it that it will open sometime in September.

Sunday Drivers

Today is a hike to Galehead, with several stream crossings, a hut visit and summit to a leafy flat top. Yesterday Jim climbed back into the airplane after his long road trip.

He buzzed the Rogers' place, and after that, nearly circled the whole lake. All the Sunday people were out on the lake enjoying the last hurrah. Boat wakes make for bumpy landings.

Good hiking to all this week.

Rosebud

 To the Virgins, To Make Much of Time

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today,
Tomorrow will be dying.
  -Robert Herrick

Our neighbors at the lake named their camp Rosebud. In this painting there is no Rosebud next door. I painted her out. An artist can do that and still be telling the truth. Here lies Loretta, the brash and gaudy neighbor.

Wish I were there.

Number 46

Success on the trek to and from the summit!

Lower parts of the path made of tree roots and dirt.

Three stream crossings.

Upper parts made of rocks.

The breakout view at 4.9 miles was tremendous.

The base of the old fire tower made a level surface for the summit shot.

Lovely day on Garfield.