Got another hike in today

Hiked Saugatuck Dunes State Park again today. Only 6 miles (2hrs) but with a 20 pound backpack.  I then drove over to Sanctuary Wood to do the stairs there.  Did them 3 times.  Took a walk out to Big Red with my friend and we did the steps once again.  Felt pretty good to get so much exercise in but still have a lot of work to do before I will be ready to Mt. Blanc.

Bear gets a postcard from Germany

I am so excited.  I got a post card from my friend Kristi.  She is visiting my homeland, Germany. I can't wait to see her and hear all about her trip. 
This post card says, 'Kisses from Barli'.  I think that's the bear's, name.  He is an ancestor as he is also a Steiff. Thank you Kristi for thinking of me. BB

Sanctuary Wood and Big Red

Walked out to Big Red this morning with friends. That's the lighthouse in the background.  (My cute friend is Woody who loves to ride on the boat.) Also did the stairs to Sanctuary Wood twice.  This video shows a quick look at the number and steepness of the steps. Very nice walk. After we do the 'stairs' we walk out to Big Red which is on the south side of the channel going out Lake Michigan.  My friend and I always say..."now this is why we deal with Holland and winters in Michigan".

Felt Mansion

Hiked to the Felt Mansion near Saugatuck, MI a few days ago.  Took a break and did a sketch.

New Hiking Boots

Got my hiking boots for the TMB trip yesterday.  Pretty cool! They are Vasque. Was planning on 'breaking' them in today but it is raining again.  While they are waterproof, I just don't want to get them too wet just yet. Bear has his back pack but no boots yet.  Still looking.

New Travel Journal

Found this lovely journal on the sale rack...couldn't pass it up.  I'll use it for my narrative journal for the TMB. I had hoped that it would work for a few WCs as well but the paper is too thin...perhaps a few sketches w/ ink will work.  I will also carry my Moleskine WC journal for the serious stuff.  Note: new hiking boots.

The Critter that didn't get away!

Finally got this little critter.  We took him on a road trip and he now has a new home in the woods. Buh-Bye little possum...actually he was quite large.

Got in my first 'official' hike today with Maggie.  We hiked from Ferry'sburg to Hofmaster park via North Ottawa Dunes.

Loved Letters

Had a horrific thunderstorm Wed. night. Not much damage at our house but was some around us. Weather has cooled down a bit...hoping to turn off the air for a few days.

Loved these letters that Karen used in her 'I am an artist' blog so I thought I'd give it a try through the whole alphabet.

WorldWideDrawingDay

Finally got my drawing finished.  As usual I already see things that need to be fixed.  An art teacher said, 'Don't fiddle'.  That's hard not to do sometimes.

World Wide Drawing Day 2011

Today is World Wide Drawing Day. It will be fun to see what people around the world are doing.

I have spent way too many hours trying to fix this blog so it will look 'pretty'...I think I am going to quit for now and do some sketching...Maybe the gremlins will leave or they will fix my problems.

Another month has slipped by

Where has the month gone? I have been very busy doing things that need to be done but nothing that seems very important. I did take an overnight trip with a friend to the casinos and won enough money to buy a new back pack and boots for my hiking trip in Sept. We will be backpacking  for 10 days, staying in mountain huts while traveling around Mt. Blanc through Switzerland, Italy and France. I will also be taking a side trip at the end of the journey to spend a few days in Munich/Black Forest area of Germany.  Bear went along as usual and was very happy about the winnings.  He is also looking forward to the trip back to his land of birth.