Solo Hike

Did a quiet solo hike today at Menomin Park.  Only saw one person out there on the trails.  Quiet was good..... 

Observations

No rain today, even though it was forecasted to rain.  Took my hike through the woods in afternoon.....55 degrees, wow!  Look at this perfectly round bird hole.

There is always something new to look for in the woods.  The lichens I found today were brown, but mostly I see are white lichens. 

Every couple days I find something new in the woods.  It just proves to me that wildlife is alive and well.  Visitors are coming and going....some survive and some don't.  Found some turkey feathers down by the water.  Of course I had to take them home for my big cat Aiden.  Aiden loves big bird feathers, in fact, he even knows the word "feather."!!!  I guess I have to admit my cats get REAL cat toys!

Spent some time this afternoon picking up trash along our road.  There is lots of trash!  Two other neighbor couples picked up trash as well, so we have a nice collaborative thing going on here.

Ironically, I found someone's social security card and their medical insurance card along the roadside....weird!

Discovering What Nature Gives Us

Last year I took a class concerning herbs and making teas and that's when I learned about Chaga.  Chaga is a mushroom that grows exclusively on birch trees.  While hiking today in the woods, I took a picture of a Chaga mushroom.  Despite the weird look, Chaga is rich in antioxidants and nutritional benefits.  Supposedly, Chaga has medicinal qualities to fight cancer and cancerous tumors!   

In this photo, you can see the Chaga's are growing up the entire birch tree.  From what I learned, you can finely grind the mushroom and make a medicinal tea.  Will I try making this tea?  Yes, I'm considering doing this.  The Chaga's are plentiful in the woods I hike, so why not try this natural tea.  I will get back to you about my experiment!

I found another deer carcass in the woods today.  I suspect this deer was taken by a coyote during the fall or winter months.  Kind of weird though that I did not find any other deer body parts or the head!  The other carcass I found in January did contain the head and rack (antlers).  Just an interesting observation today. 

It stayed cool and cloudy today, but my woodland hike was much appreciated.    Thanks for checking in with me today. 

Calling of the Woods

I can't help but feel blessed everyday when I can get out in the woods to snowshoe or hike.  I just can't even find the right words to express my joy for taking in the beauty of being outdoors.  You see, the last fifteen years I was confined to a 100-year old stone building that didn't breath and left me feeling so unhealthy, so tired and so unhappy.  Everyday I thought about the lousy air quality in my workplace and I always suffered with chronic sinus problems.   And then there were the incidents with being exposed to asbestos.....all kept hush hush of course and administration never wanted to address the issue.  That's when I said enough is enough, and I will never look back. 

2016 is my rebirth to a new healthy lifestyle.  In a sense, I am taking control of my overall health and happiness.  

So you see, if you hear about this crazy little woman from Tainter Lake that spends all her time outdoors, now you know why....I am finally free. 

Lastly, I have to give a shoutout to my friend Caryn, who lets me hike her woods as often as I wish.  Caryn is also coming with me on the hikes and it's so fun to have a buddy that enjoys the birds, plants and animals like I do.    

Top Ten Day

Apparently, spring is arriving early here in Wisconsin.  You can see the Hay River to the north is opening up?  The channel under the bridge is also open.  I stopped to take this photo on my morning run.  I was surprised to see how quickly the ice has been melting this week.

Joined Bike man, his older son Mike and friend Todd, for a little ice fishing today out in the bay near our house.  Don't worry, we still have about a foot of solid ice.  With this sudden early spring, the perch are biting and the water birds are moving too.  I'm still waiting for the arrival of the Sandhill cranes.  They are close....in central Wisconsin since I've been monitoring my birding Facebook page.  Once I hear the Sandies it truly will be spring.

Since the sunshine and temperature felt so good, I decided to abort ice fishing and head over to the Enchanted forest for a solo hike.  I'm sad to report I did not use my snowshoes today, but chose to walk in my regular winter boots.  I'm sad, but also happy for spring.  I couldn't help but think about that in 2 1/2 months from now, we will be looking for morels in these same woods!  That made me feel excited.....no more snow, just hunting for morel mushrooms.

I've been watching this one tree for two months now.  I'm just amazed at how productive this woodpecker has been on this tree.  Wish I knew what kind of woodpecker is making these holes....Pileated? Red-bellied?  Hairy?

Now you can see why I choose to ditch my snowshoes.  My hike took me about an hour this afternoon.  Just happy to be outdoors enjoying the fresh air.