Same day...

….another blog

Today started out with blueberry pancakes followed by a dive in the hills – along with millions of other people.  We parked to do a short hike and ended up talking to a NF Ranger for some time.  He was very helpful and friendly.  We started a short hike to Franconia Falls that turned in to a little over a 6 miler.  We hadn’t taken water with us because we weren’t planning on a 6 miler.  They trail itself was a easy one, an old railroad bed with a very gradual elevation.  It was good.  The rain held off until the end so we only got a little wet.

We had lunch in the car which was dried than having lunch at a picnic table out in the rain.  Tonight we are warm and dry in a motel room. Considering that they are predicting over an inch of rain tonight the room is the right place for us to be.

Tomorrow – Laundromat in the morning and then…we’re really not sure.  Monday we’re hoping to meet up with a guy that Jerry hiked with during his spring hike on the beginning of the AT.  Gray Ghost has flipped flopped and will be near us in Gorham on Monday. 

If we get some sun soon we hope to get to the top of Mt Washington but the forecast isn’t too promising.  At this point it looks like mostly rain during the coming week. 

No bear or moose sightings yet.  Hopes are still high.

There is music coming fro the sky....

…….and from the shore line of Lake Champlain.  The flocks over head are headed from north to south, noisy and interesting to watch as they fly in and out of formation.  The birds in the water have been congregating near our tent site.  The sun, finally the sun, is slowly sinking in the west.  Let me catch up with the last few days.

On Sunday, still at Genesis we made a morning grocery run. On the way back we decided to make a side trip to Mohican Camp just a little ways from Blairstown.  The A.T. passes through the camp.  We did a little walking.  There what been a wedding there the day before ant the guest were just emerging from the cabins.  From the looks of things the celebration was a good one.  We made one more stop before going back to tackle our packing up tasks.  For two weeks Judy had been talking about Hot Dog Johnny’s.  She tried her best to find time to get us there but it hadn’t happened just yet so we typed in Hot Dog Johnny’s NJ into our phone and then right before us were directions.  We were lucky to find the place and to find out that the lines were not too long.  Just a hot dog stand that sold only hot dogs, fires and drinks.  On Judy’s suggestion we ordered a Birch Beer Float.  We decided to share it.  It was good.  The hotdog and fries were okay.  Apparently this place has a reputation that has spread far and wide and now we’re a part of it.

We had dinner with Judy and Len Sunday evening.  Then said goodbye.  Headed back to Genesis to finish packing.  Monday morning found us on the road by 8:00.  A final goodbye to Judy and the apprentices. A stop at a coffee shop and then back to the farm to pick up something that we forgot.  Another final goodbye.

On the road we headed to VT. By way of NY.  The day was very overcast and rainy now and then.  We ended up in Bennington VT.

We spent two nights in the Greenwood Campground neat Bennington VT.  A nice place.  The lodge had a hostel, private rooms, tent sites and RV sites.  The couple that ran the place was very nice.  We seemed to hit it off and we spent the evenings sitting in the lodge talking with them, staying out of the chill and rain until it was time for bed (8:00).  I slept in the van one night and it worked rather nicely-listening to the rain of the roof rather than the rain fly.  We visited a few places in Bennington including the AT&T store.  I’ve been having some trouble with my phone-very frustrating.  But so far I haven’t had to find an Apple store – keeping my fingers crossed on that one.  The first night there was a wonderful surprise.  Just about 15 minutes before sunset the sun popped out so we could watch it set.  There is color in the leaves and when the sun is out they are brilliant! 

On Wednesday we headed north in VT.  We stopped at the Chocolate Barn, alas, the Barn was not made out of Chocolate but only sold chocolate, it was delicious though.  A little down the road we stopped at a nursery.  There seems to be a thing with scarecrows up here.  They are everywhere and this nursery was just a little over the top in that area.  It was enjoyable even though the rain continues throughout the day.  Thank goodness for rain jackets. 

We stopped for lunch on Wednesday in Rutland and ate at the place where I did work for stay back in 2010.  Nice walk down memory lane.

Wednesday night we found ourselves at Button Bay State Park in VT.  A very pleasant place on Lake Champlain.  This morning after high and low for the fuel canisters in order to heat up water for Jerry’s coffee.  We found ourselves in town at a hardware store and then at Subway for a breakfast sandwich.  We decided to take a ride up the road and found ourselves on a ferry to NY.  Took in a back road through the Adirondack Mountains.  In a field, off the road less traveled we saw what I believed to be a wolf.  It was hunting and kept a watchful eye on us as we watched it.  We took in a museum and walked a fort site from the 1700’s.  By the time we got back in from our fuel for breakfast run it was 2:00.  Jerry took out a kayak out on the Lake.  He stopped at 2 little islands and, no surprised to those who know him, he picked up garbage. 

It is evening now.  The sun has been out all afternoon.  The air is chilly.  Tomorrow (Friday) we are headed to Lincoln NH and to a motel that we stayed at 4 years ago when Jerry was doing the A.T.

Let the adventure continue….  

Tour de Farm

Sept 27

Today was an interesting Saturday.  There is this event that Genesis Farm is a part of called Tour de Farm.  Basically it is a cycling event with three different categories – the Family Friendly Ride is a 5 mile ride that stops at petting farms but as one woman put it ‘who ever decided all those hills were family friendly.’  This part of NJ is very hilly.  The next category is The Weekend Warrior – a 27 mile ride that stops at farms along the route for a food tasting.  The last category is called The Extreme which consists of 78 miles.  

Genesis Farm fell within the second ride.  So around 9:00 this morning about 150-200 cyclists converged on the farm.  We fed them farm food – biscotti made with bread made from wheat from the farm and a tomato relish made with tomatoes, onion, garlic and herbs from the farm.  There was also 3 verities watermelon and Asian pears.  There were many positive comments about the food.  I was able to work in the kitchen with Charlie, the almost chef.  Interesting guy who I loved being around. (He reminded me of Neal.)  There were also fresh farm veggies for sale.  The people could but the veggies and then have them delivered to another farm where the ride finished.  We sold over $600. worth of food.  More important than that was that the word spread about the good food available from the CSG – Community Supported Garden.

The afternoon ended with another event, a dinner served under a huge tent at yet another farm down the road.  Genesis had been given 2 tickets to attend this $100/plate dinner.  Judy and Smadar tried to talk Jerry and I into going but we really didn’t feel that we should not being members of the farm, etc.  As it turns out Judy and Smadar were able to attend because of their connection to the farm and Jerry and I also ended up going along.  Never been to anything like it before and probable never will again.  They served a 10 course meal prepared by local chefs.  I should have taken a picture of the menu but I didn’t.  It is enough to say that there was soooo much food and wine and chocolates……  No supper for us tonight, maybe no breakfast tomorrow either.  We are grateful to have had such an opportunity.

Our plan is to move on Monday.  The trees are changing and the hills are calling.  We’ll probably head north in to VT and NH.  I’ll keep you posted as things progress.

Thanks for reading.

There is Magic on the Farm....

There is Magic on the Farm…

…magic isn’t quite the right word.  It is something stronger that that.  It is everywhere but this week I discovered it in the smallest of things.  Seeds.  Tiny, tiny seeds.  Do you know how small a poppy seed is, think smaller than that.  And of course, think larger than that. 

While Jerry is out in the field doing the heavy harvest I’m sitting in the Garden house harvesting seeds.  Tiny, tiny seeds.  Judy has been saving seeds for some time now.  There is even a kale seed that is named Judy’s seed.  You can buy it through Johnny’s Seeds.  Trying to separate the shaft from the seed is a trick in and of itself.  I know there is a scripture quote here but it is not coming to me at the moment but believe me I’ve spent hours trying to do this successfully.  Good eyesight comes in handy.  A little blowing helps now and then.  You can use the wind if the wind is just at the proper speed.  Pouring the seed and shaft from one bowl to another when the wind is just right causes the shaft to blow away while the heavier seed falls in to the lower bowl.  Swishing the seed and shaft in a large bowl in a circular motion causes the seed to fall somewhat to the bottom and the shaft remains on top – well sort of.  All being said and done it isn’t a quick and easy job.

Of course neither is harvesting sweet potatoes.  Jerry has spent hours in digging in the dirt finding the sweet potatoes treasures.  (He certainly is dirtier that I am at the end of the day).  Today being a harvest day they also picked beans, green peppers, red peppers, Asian pears, greens of all sorts.  I’m sure I’m not remembering everything.  I spent the morning cleaning cone head cabbage.  Just pealing back the leaves of 103 heads of cone head cabbage until they looked good enough to eat.  It was unwrapping a present or like trying to peel back the layers of a person you just don’t see eye to eye with until you finally find the good hidden inside.  Today’s pickup is for 84 people.  Lots and lots of good food.

The weather has changed. The nights are almost cold now.  The trees are beginning to show their colors.  We’re due to stay at the farm until next Monday then we’ll head up north, hoping the colors are still in their prime. 

(We are grateful to have a house sitter through all of this.  And woo hoo to Christy for today was street cleaning day and she moved our corolla (a stick shift), without any problems.)

So perhaps M on the farm is for Magic and Mystery and Miracle.  There sure is a lot of that going on!

Full Circle

  

 9/18/14
We’re back on the farm again.  Genesis Farm once again called our name and we here appreciating the full wonders of nature.
Two days on the farm, so far I’ve – washed many, many seed pots and trays, cleaned leeks, helped with the cooking, washed dishes – put in about 7 hour days.  Jerry on the other hand has helped – harvest over 1,000 butternut squash loaded and unloaded them for storage (these are the squash that I seeded back in June – full circle), harvested leeks, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and lots and lots, and lots of weeds.  He puts in about 10-11 hours a day.  He is convinced that he needs to keep up with the young interns.Once again our living quarters are great, guess it pays to be related to Judy.  We are in a two bedroom wing of a farm house.  A very nice farm house. We have a shower and compost toilet all to ourselves.  There is even a washer that we’ve been using in the evenings for Jerry’s very muddy clothing.  Woo Hoo!      

It All Began At Genesis

It all began at Genesis.  Actually it began on the 10 hour trip to Genesis on June 2 '14.  What began?  Just another crazy  adventure.

It was brought to our attention that the staff at Genesis Garden house was short of workers and that things were a little stressful there.  Since our June and July were fairly quiet we decided to spice them up a little and head north to NJ and back to the Garden.

We arrived about 5:00 p.m. on Monday 6/2.   Met everyone and Judy took us to where we’d be staying.  There is a little cottage up by Bread and Roses that will be our dwelling place for the next few weeks.  We decided that we have three weeks at the max but we also realized that we may drop before then.

Judy fixed us supper the first evening.  We ate at the garden house.  It was good to get caught up with her.  It was good to be back on the farm.

Tuesday, being distribution day, we were up bright and early and reported for work at 6:00 a.m.  You kind of hit the ground running on distribution day.  Normal working day is 8:00-6:00.  On Tuesdays and Fridays it is 6:00-6:00.  Fact is that most of the time things run past 6:00.

It is hard to remember just what one does during the day.  The chores kind of run in to one another.  My first job was to harvest and wash the chard.  Then most of us harvested spinach.  I worked pulling radishes.  Other jobs this week included but are not limited to – helping to put up a pea fence, weeding dandelions, not pulling them out but weeding around them.  Seems that some people like to eat there fresh dandelion.  I’ve washed planting pots, gathered eggs, learned how to feed the chickens and put them to bed, planted squash, about 7 different varieties, in the planting pots, soaked the planting pots and put them to bed in the green house.  I’ve become the su chef for the cook of the day, they take turns.  Lunch is quite a production, all fresh greens, beets, onions, etc.  There are anywhere from 7 to 14 people eating on any given day.  I also have volunteered to do dishes while we are here.  That one thing I feel that I know how to do.

During the afternoon if I still have any energy left I pull the old lady act and usually land an inside job.  Jerry on the other hand is the energizer bunny, keeping up with the young interns.  Not only does he show his muscle he also shares his brain.  After 3 days of no hot water in the intern’s house, they decided that he was their hero after finding and fixing the problem.

The evenings are spent sitting in our little cottage, usually hunting down stink bugs.  We try to stay awake in order to but the chickens to bed about 9:00.  Jerry being more of a night person than I am has graciously offered to do that.  Usually the interns have that job.  Someone however thought it would be fun for us to do while we were here.  So at 6:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 we have a chicken encounter.

We have also had a duck and doorbell encounter on Thursday.  While Jerry was putting the chickens to bed I heard a duck outside our bedroom window.  Wrong time of day for a duck and certainly not the right place.  When I decided to investigate I realized that it was the alarm on my phone going off, reminding us to feed the chickens.  Then about 10:00 Jerry sat up straight in bed and asked me if I had heard the doorbell.  I hadn’t, it didn’t go off in my dream land.  He said that it happened before and he got up and looked out the door.  Mind you we are in the middle of pretty much nowhere.  Not only was there no one at the door, there wasn’t even a door bell.  Spooky!  After a few minutes of trying to figure things out I checked my phone only to realize that someone who shall remain nameless sent us a text at 10:00.  Really, Maria just because we’re in another state doesn’t mean that we’ve changed our sleeping habits.   We’re still the same old mom and dad.

Today (Friday) was another distribution day.  Hit the ground running but before we reported for work at 6:00 a.m. we had to let the chickens out of the coop and feed and water them.  The coop is about ½ mile away from the cottage we are stay in.  Nothing like a walk in the wet morning grass carrying 2 jugs of water to get you excited about the day.

More harvesting, chard, turnips, radishes were my lot.  It is all good, I’m not complaining.

We lunched with Judy at the Runway Café, one of my most favorite places in the world.  Not that the food is anything special but it is right next to a runway where, if you are lucky, you can watch gliders and their lead planes take off.

This afternoon I rested.  My body is complaining.  In a little while I’ll join Jerry again at the farm for our 6:00 p.m. chicken duties and then wash the eggs we collected and carton them.  It’s all good.

The weather has been good although the farmers would appreciate a little more rain it think.  There has been a delightful breeze blowing which makes the sun’s rays a little easier to handle.  Evenings are rather cool.  Definitely long sleeve temps.

Saturday brought with it an early morning trip to the Laundromat.  Although it opens at 5:00 I got there a little before 6:00.  Except for one other person for a load of wash it was just the way I like it, all to myself.  I hit the A&P on the way home for some odds and ends and then back to the cottage.  Jerry put in a 9:00-2:00 day with the rest of the crew.  I just didn’t have the energy so I just hung around at ‘home’.  After a quick bite to eat we headed over to the river walk to put in a little over 2 miles.  It was all good.  In the evening we drove over to Judy’s and then visited Rita’s for a gelato.  Nice down time.  Home just before dark and early to bed once again, after Jerry tucked the chickens in for the night.. 

Sunday we did a walking tour of the farm.  Got a little lost in the woods but nothing serious.  We visited the Cherry Valley Winery where Len was playing in the afternoon and then back to Judy’s for dinner with Len and Justin.  Very nice evening.  Again we were home just before dark and in time to turn in at the respectable hour of 9:00.  After Jerry put the chickens to bed.  Good day.

Today, being Monday, started with laying in bed listening to the rain fall.  A gentle refreshing sound.  Jerry once again graciously took care of the chickens at 6:00 a.m. letting them out in to their fenced in yard, looking forward to a day of pecking in the dirt and at each other

. 

Monday’s around the farm start with a walk through the fields.  Since it was raining and my work in the fields was becoming more limited due to – shall we say old age (we could say leg cramps and pain, achy back, the reoccurrence of what seems to be carpel tunnel syndrome and headaches that are occurring more frequently) I decided to forgo  the walk in the rain.  I reported for work at the leisurely hour of 9:00 a.m.  I put in time coaching the cucumbers back in to place, planting brussel sprouts and corn in pots for the green house. 

I’m not sure if it was the rain or the fact that it is Monday or just what but today seem to be slower paced and a little quieter.  We ate lunch at the cottage, Judy joined us.  The rest of the afternoon was spent weeding beets.  I however, took the afternoon off and stayed at the cottage waiting for it to rain today.

At lunch Jerry figured out that last week even with starting work on Tuesday he put in a 44 hour work week.  My time was probably about half of his.

Odds and Ends – Have I mentioned the stink bugs yet?  They seem to be just about everywhere.  But I suppose it could be worst.  The garden house certainly has its share.  Our cottage..Jerry removes about a half to a full dozen each day.  We now have a resident mouse (hopefully just one) but when you live in the woods I think that is to be expected.

Jerry is talking about making a beer run tonight.  We’ll see what his energy level is like after he feeds the chickens at 6:00.

It is Tuesday – I think.  Being a pick up day we clock in at 6:00.  Chickens first.  I hit the chard.  Picked 46#s worth today.  The the pea patch.  Nice stand up job.  We picked mostly yellow peas today and some green.  Busy, busy, busy.  Produce has to be ready for pick up by noon.  Luckily there were some work/share people joining us for the peas and turnips. No scheduled lunch today, too busy.  My day ended about 2:00.  Jerry ate lunch and carried on.  I joined him to help with washing the eggs and I also managed to get some computer work done.

Sad news.  Yesterday I found out by way of facebook that Julie Williams died.  I still have a hard time wrapping my head around it.  Wish I knew of something to do or someone to contact.  So sad.

It is now Friday (the 13^th)

The week was a long one yet it went fast.  Heavy on my mind is the death of Julie.  The children, Matthew all wanting a place in my mind as if somehow that could change things.  Julie is at peace but it is hard to imagine how the family will move on gracefully for this.  Yet I know they will.  Their faith is deep and lifegiving.  I feel disconnected.  I do not know any of her friends or family.  I was just out there alone on the receiving end of her occasional phone call.  Listening to her cheery voice and her positive attitude.

Farm life continues on.  Planting seed.  Waiting with hope. Working in the rain and sun. Harvesting that which someone else planted many, many days ago.

Jerry continues to keep up with the young ones.  10 hours days Monday, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 12 hour days Tuesdays and Fridays and on Saturdays, 4 hours.  Then there are the chickens.  Feeding at 6:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m..  Putting them to bed, closing the coop door at 9:00.

Found a second tick on me yesterday and saw a snake in the green house today.  Ah, farm life.  All is well.

Still I stand in admiration of the young people who work these long hours.  Who are learning the language of growing things.  Who are the hope for the future of life with meaning.

So it is now 5:30 p.m., still Friday.  According to my weather app we received 2.51 inches of rain this morning.  About an hour ago the sky darkened and the thunder rolled across the mountains.  Decided to grab a cup of tea and sit on our tiny porch to watch things develop.  It was that or vacuum the floors.  The porch is so tiny I could not sit there long so I moved to the living room, opened all the curtains and watched things blow up.  My phone gave me a severe thunderstorm warning.  (I didn’t know that it could do that.)   Things got darker and the thunder, lightning and wind were continuous.  Nice storm.  No damage done around the cottage.  But I was sitting on that fine edge between fascination and fear.  There are flash flood warnings out now and we’re suppose to get another wave of rain yet this evening.  It will be interesting to hear the total rainfall for today.  The garden house has a rain gauge but apparently it had a hole in it.

My bet is this is the weather maker that will change things to hot and humid in the coming days.

Saturday – and Jerry is working over at the intern house with some members of the Genesis Farm board.  They are fixing and repairing.  The interns and Judy are working in the fields or in the garden house.  I was up about 5:00 and headed for the Laundromat by 5:30ish.  A short stop at the A&P and I was home by 8:30.  Jerry left at 9:00.  I straightened things up a little, out the laundry away, called Aunt Joy and then just took it easy.  Hot shower followed by blow drying my hair, i.e. a walk down the lane with the breeze blowing.  Walked a path by the cottage which lead to two benches sat in a clearing.  The supports for the benches were shaped like snakes.  Intriguing. The weather is on the bubble.  Bight and sunny one minute and then looking like it might pour down the next.  Someone is cutting the grass invading my quite.   They seem to do this quite often.  Second time in the time that we’ve been here.

Last evening was a little slower.  Jerry was up from the farm by 6:00.  Supper was before the usual 7:00.  It seemed good.  We’ve had no TV, no radio.  I should admit that I have listened a little to my iphone music, but not much.  For the most part it has been just quiet.  Good!

Just had the idea that perhaps Jerry and I should try to find a cabin somewhere once a year or so just to be quiet.  Camping is fine but it is work and there are usually campers around and if there are not sometimes I’m a little uncomfortable.  But a place with just the necessities.  Where we are now there is one pot, a small skillet, two knives, one fork, (two plastic forks if they count), and three spoons.  There is a tea pot and a coffee maker, two plates, a few glasses and a saucer.  There is a TV, dvd player and vcr.  We have listened to a Wendell Berry CD that Judy left with us, his poetry set to music.  Or at least I have.  It has been good.  We’ve been tried and tired of farm work and tired of chickens.  But the beat goes on and it has been/is good.

Saturday afternoon we walked down to the garden house to use the computer.  Judy was still there.  We sat and talked for a bit.  We were hoping to go out for supper but I wasn’t feeling 100% so we decided to make a beer run instead.  Rode down Main Street in B’town.  Got out and walked around a bit.  Marveled at the interesting buildings.  Walked up on to Blairstown Academy campus.  Apparently it is known worldwide and has an international enrollment.  Judy said that it creates future CEOs.   We did see a Great Blue Heron on campus along with a deer.  They looked quiet normal.

After buying the beer we stopped at the Foot Bridge Park.  Reminded me of a lot of city parks that we camped in last year.  Came home to sandwiches and a quiet, early evening.

Father’s Day – 6/15.   Up in time to do the chickens.  I went with Jerry and took a little video of the event.  I sent it out to the kids.  They seemed to enjoy it. 

We went to the Boat House in Swathburg for breakfast.  It was about a 20 minute ride.  Beautiful morning, nice ride.  The Boat House is situated on a lake.  Imagine that.  It was a wonderful setting.  Near a state park.  Food was good.  A great start to the day.

Came back to the cottage.  Rested a while.  Took the long way to Judy’s by way of Delaware Water Gap and skirting S’burg.  Supper consisted of clams which I think Jerry enjoyed along with the liquor.  We also had brats, chicken salad, greens, strawberries and ice cream and cookies.  Best part was the company.  It was good to spend down time with Len and Justin.  Home by 9:15.

Monday brought a nice sunrise along with the usual bird songs (and stink bugs).  Work was as usual.  Jerry spent the day out in the field.  I filled flats, dibbled and planted.  Lettuce seeds this time.  I appreciate Judy giving me work in the gardenhouse.  It does get a little lonely but out of the sun is good.

Judy usually stops up in the evening for ‘a half of a beer’.  It good time to be with her and talk a little although we’re all somewhat beet.

Tuesday = pick up day.  For me that means harvesting chard and pickin’ peas.  3 hours in the sun pickin’ pea did me in.  I just don’t have the stemma   or the blood pressure to keep this up.  Distribution day seemed to come together rather smoothly.   Judy came up and stayed for supper.  Time is short, we want to make the most of it.

Wednesday was clean up and pack up day for me.  Jerry hit the fields once again, weeding onions and such.  I went down for lunch but then topped off the tank and did one last beer run.  Cleaned a little but can’t put the finishing touches on until Jerry’s one last shower,

The cottage was been good for us.  We are certainly grateful.  Hoping to hit the long road home bright and early tomorrow.  Well, at least early.

Treasure Hunt

The sun was out today and it was above 32.  Nice day for a ride in the country.  But wait, we’d already had been to the gym and the book sale at the library.  I have cooking and baking that needs to be done.  But….the weather report says inches of snow by morning and more temps around 0.  The ride in the country was sounding better and better.

Lately Jerry and I have been hearing more and more about Wendell Berry, his writing, his poetry, his ideas about sustainability.  We actually heard him read some of his poetry last year in Louisville when he was on stage with Barbara Kingsolver.  Along with Berry I’ve also been intrigued by the life of Harlan Hubbard.  An artist, writer, wonderer who just happened to be born in Bellevue KY (that gives us something in common).  I’ve read a lot of what the Kenton County Library has to offer about Harlan including one by Wendell Berry.   

We had a general idea of just where Berry lives, outside of Port Royal on the KY River.  A quick phone call confirmed our belief and offered us some specifics.

So we began our treasure hunt.  What we found was –

-a little town off of I-71 that we’ve often saw the sign for but never ventures through – English, KY, which has a rather large cemetery for such a small town

-buffalo grazing on a ridge top

-beautiful and wide open bottom land

-a few clouds dancing with the sun

-a house with many solar panels, a dead give-a-way, had to be Wendell Berry’s place

-a ‘writer’s shack’ built up on columns in order to rise above any flood waters that may outgrow their banks with an outhouse that was not build up on columns but seemed to be out of the flood plain

-wood stacked neatly near the front door

-a General Store that sold ear tags for cattle and just about anything else you’d need including a place to sit and order breakfast or lunch

-a huge red tail hawk swooping down to bid good-bye to us as we headed back towards I-71

Our treasure hunt was a great success.  Yes, some people might call it stalking but there were so many treasures to be discovered along the way.