Very short walk on a cold day...........................

It was a lovely day today but freezing cold. Laura and I went grocery shopping and felt like stretching our legs after. We ate lunch at "The Pub" in the mall so felt the need of a bit of a walk. We decided upon the small trail behind some stores. Years ago before they built Kohl's and Michaels stores there was a big field of buffalo belonging to the Oleson farms. Now it has been sold off, the stores built on one side and at the back of the property the new YMCA is built. In one portion though, where Kids Creek cuts through, they have made some trails.

The sky was so blue. Unfortunately no green just yet. One part of the trail leads to the small fishing pond. The old hut lost it's roof this winter, sort of a shame.
No ducks on the pond today. It was windy and cold

Kid's Creek meanders through the property and hosts some nice fish. We usually see ducks on the pond. There were a lot of birds chirping but no one offered us a picture. Back on the trail it passes through what the buffalo once enjoyed. Several acres back in the day.

Later on we often see baby snakes and Red Winged Blackbirds, finches and other birds. Today was too cold. The birds stayed in the brush and if the snakes had any sense they were in their dens. Not a creature was stirring. The Pussy Willow was popping though and pretty against the blue sky. Very small buds


We had to be content in appreciating the beauty of the bare trees against the blue sky, some unusual shapes.


The ground was sort of soggy off the trail, and deeply rich. We wanted to get some buckets full for the garden haha.

It was quite warm under the trees but cold again once in the open. Tomorrow (Saturday and Sunday) is supposed to be warm. We have work to do in the garden and it should be a nice weekend for it. I am looking forwards to that.

Oh to be in England now that Aprils there...................................

Robert Browning (1812–89)


I
OH, to be in England now that April ’s there
And whoever wakes in England sees, some morning, unaware,
That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf
Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,
While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough
In England—now!

II
And after April, when May follows
And the white-throat builds, and all the swallows!
Hark, where my blossom’d pear-tree in the hedge
Leans to the field and scatters on the clover
Blossoms and dewdrops—at the bent spray’s edge—
That ’s the wise thrush: he sings each song twice over
Lest you should think he never could re-capture
The first fine careless rapture!
And, though the fields look rough with hoary dew,
All will be gay when noontide wakes anew
The buttercups, the little children’s dower,
Far brighter than this gaudy melon-flower!



It's finally here. Official Spring time. Lets slow down now. Take time to enjoy every single day. Spring does not last long in Michigan, nor is it as pretty as in England.
Still, the mild weather, the rain showers that gets everything green again. The scent of clean air. It's a wonderful thing. Before the sun becomes so intense again that I don't enjoy it. I love mild weather, I like warm but not hot. I can see things grow every day. The tips of the Daffodils popping up and the Tulips testing the air. The leaves are thinking of popping and after todays warm rain that will happen quickly.

My Mother was born April 3. A Spring baby. How sweet. Her name was Irene violet. Her Mothers name was Violet Irene. Violets are one of the first Spring flowers. Mine have not showed up yet. The beginnings of the leaves just popping through. I love Spring flowers.

Once things start it goes so quickly. The Lilac blooms, buds of leaves are showing already. Then the heady smell of lilac, it is so strong I can't have it in the house. Gives me a headache but I love the smell in the garden or when walking through the neighbourhood.
I have written so much about Springtime in England, the very best time of year for me. New beginnings. Everything new and it all seems to happen at once.
Here in Michigan everything is drab, wet muddy. There is still snow in spots in the woods and roadsides. Dirty snow. Mostly gone thank goodness. The old leaves still carpet the floors in the woods making it slippery now that it has rained. However Laura was out for a walk the other day and saw some Garter snakes enjoying Springtime pleasures. (if it is indeed pleasing to snakes)

Everyone seems to be off in pairs at the moment. We noticed when we were at the Dunes the other day. Animals two by two. Although miss garter snake had two companions.
Guess she wanted to be sure of getting the job done.
The Sand Hill Cranes were lovey dovey

Alas no flowers just yet. Except some lonely Snowdrops in my garden.


It somehow just does not compare to English Springtime. Sigh...........soon though. Very soon. Like May. May is the time for the flowers in Michigan. I do not want to rush it though. So much yet to do outside when it stops raining. I did see a bee on the Snowdrops yesterday so I hope the Dandelions will soon emerge. Have some raking to finish before they pop up. I love to see them. for now I must be content with pictures my friends post of England in the Spring, they are waiting for the Bluebells.

Bluebells should come in May and every year I intend to send for some for my garden but forget. Ah well. Maybe I will enjoy a cup of tea and go buy some Daffodils for the table

HAPPY SPRINGTIME EVERYONE Sharing with Make it Pretty Monday

March Sand Dunes.................

It has been so cold, so drab and grey. I think both Laura and me have been feeling blah and in much need of some exercise. We didn't feel much like doing anything but I called and asked to go to breakfast. Well it turned out more like lunch but anyway, as it's Spring break we had Reina with us. We went to the Flap Jack Shack and got breakfast anyway. I am not sure how it happened but we found ourselves heading out for a ride. As we drove along Cedar Run Rd we could see some blue sky ahead in the distance. We headed that way. As usual we headed towards Glen Arbor. First stop was Glen Haven. In summer they have a few things going on there but now its all locked up. This hotel was built in the 1800s and stands empty now. Pity. It would make a great cafe and gift shop

This is the old Canning company, it now houses boats on display in summer.

Glen Haven hosts a smithy and an old fashioned sweet shop. Maybe later they will do something with the other buildings. Anyway, we went to see how high the water was and boy was it windy and cold. We put on some sweaters and coats that Laura had in the car. It about blew us over. Well it was a quick glance and back to the car.


it was rather Brrrrrr

Just down the road is the lighthouse. My camera was not working well and I have missed a lot of the pictures, because a lot of them are missing. Ah well. So I took a couple of pictures of the lighthouse and then we decided to explore a trail we have not been on in donkey's years.

It was warmer in the trees. They have upgraded many of the trails around here from back in the olden days haha...........well it was well worth it and the wind was from a different direction and a bit sheltered until you got up on top of the Dunes.

Look at some of the sand sculptures

.....and the views.




Reina had fun going up and down the dunes. I had to be careful because I could not see very well. It was windy and I was afraid of getting blown off the bluffs haha.
Actually you do have to be careful because you can start a sand avalanche. Really. When the sand thaws and gets loose it can slide.
After we left we headed for Port Oneida. We began to see some wild life. The Sand Cranes are in pairs. Must be that time of year.

We love that area and drove up through the woods on the two tracks. Look at the bark on this tree

A few of the creatures we saw were Canada Geese and More Sand Hills napping in the reeds.


Then we saw Turkeys. There is a turkey talking to them AND THEY ARE LISTENING and talking back.


We went on leaving the young turkeys to their turkey business. When we got back down from the hills we remembered the road that was closed. I have wanted to go and see why it's closed. My guess was right, it was indeed flooded. For years there have been an active Beaver population there. So look what the little beasties have done to the road.
So cool that they have been left to do their thing. As I got closer I was sure that I saw something.

Sure enough, it was a beaver. A small one, very busy. It did not care one bit that we watched and took video. look at their work.



Here he is working his heart out, can you see him?


By this time my regular camera was out of commission battery dead and the phone almost dead as well. Still we got a few pictures but most of all we got to watch the little chap busy as a beaver. The whole area is changing due to the Beaver activity. You should read the account of "How the Wolves changed the course of the river" and we can see it here in our little environment. We could show Reina how they chewed the trees down, how they ate the grasses and shoots, How they took the twigs off of the felled trees and build their dams and homes.
I was able to show her how after time the trees decompose and enrich the soil, we could see the moss growing on the ground and if you looked careful it was on a dead tree. Many had fungi growing on them.

Saw this cute little nest.

The Woodpeckers help as well. As trees die they are still a part of the circle of life.


Laura and Reina saw two Blue Herons (everyone is in pairs, yup it's Spring folks)
My camera was out of juice so I missed that shot but it was awesome to see them.
As we left Port Oneida the view was like a watercolour painting

On the way home we stopped at the new walkway and had a look over the new lake. We walked around and saw some Muskrats they too were very busy. I am sure they too were building their homes and nesting. Can you spot the Muskrat?


There is a cute little log cabin there. I want to find out more about it.The trail passes the historic North Unity School (log cabin) and crosses the edge of Narada Lake on a boardwalk. So I will try to find out more about that for next time.

There was still ice on the lake. It was so pretty.

We are going to try to go back next week if there is some good weather. School will be in so we can set out early. We want to walk around the bike trail and find out more about the cabin. There is also a path we saw now the snow is gone that goes down to the lake. Excited to explore more.

Well we did a few more things as we were up in the hills but enough for one day. It was so good to feel the sun. Notice we had shed our coats as it warmed up. We got home around 6.30 and Reina napped on the way home. Think we tired her out. It was a good day.
Sharing with Make It Pretty Mondayat The Dedicated House