Where has the time gone?

I just don't know where the time has gone since my last post. Well, actually I do.  I have been getting ready for my trip both mentally and physically! I did get away from Holland for a couple of days with my friend Kristi. We took the 'bingo bus' to Petoskey and Manistee to do a little Casino Time! Across the road from Turtle Creek Casino there were fields of beautiful sunflowers.  We took a little break after lunch and walked over and of course I had to take a picture with my new smart-phone to post on FB. Not only were the sunflowers beautiful, the sky and clouds were incredibly beautiful.

This 'n that!

Had another good hike with Maggie!  Was very humid though! I always feel so self-righteous after a good workout especially a tough one.

Very disappointed in my art class.  The instructor is actually doing a 7 week infomercial with the class. So far she has only had us do activities using materials that only she sells..The people in the class are great though. It is so much fun talking to people around the world. I remember my first time on 'live' chat back in 1995. Was talking to a woman in Alice Springs, Australia.  Got a new smart phone today..htc Droid Incredible 2. Love it! I love technology. I am so plugged in!

Hiking Buddies

We hiked North Ottawa Dunes today for 3 hours. It was very humid but we have to get in shape. Actually we are in pretty good shape but the Alps are much higher. Today we were only  at 700 ft. In the Alps we will start at 3,000 ft and ascend about 13,000 feet over the course of the 11 day, 105 mile adventure.

Me

 

Maggie



Shipshewana, IN

Road trip to Shipshewana and Amish Acres IN Wed and Thurs. Very interesting but could have done without the heat. (107 heat index actual temp 99)  B. Bear was a little concerned as his fur coat made it even hotter.  He chose to stay in the Hotel room with the AC most of the day but did come out for dinner.  Not my kind of food or Bear's either.  Too many fried foods and way over the top butter and cheese, no fresh vegetables. I would check it off of my bucket list if I had put it on the list. I'll post a couple of sketches that I did for my class.

New Art Class

I began an on-line art class today.  It is a Trip Journaling class, I hope it will help me keep a sketching journal while I travel to Europe.  There are students in the class from all over the US as well as well as Sweden, the UK and Mexico. Some are basic beginners and others seem to be professional visual artists. I think it will be fun. I've  taught several on-line classes for Ferris State University but have never been the student. I like being the student better.

This is our first assignment. It will be the opening page in the journal that I will be taking with me.  (I did correct the spelling error)

Found these two U tube videos of a guy actually videoing the hike that we will be doing.

TMB Part 1

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcjwbWqGBu0

TMB Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP7WsAjQ7cE&feature=related

This is a great slide presentation also.  Be sure to check out Alice's blog for other ventures that she has done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoSgBOYIRU8&feature=related

Great Hiking Day

Had a great day working out.  Did an hour of fartleks and three hours of hiking with loaded backpack.  The weather was just beautiful...old timey Michigan summer day.  Today is supposed to be another good one but the heat and humidity will return for the weekend and into next week. Predicting heat index of 100.  Guess I will be working out in the pool...hummm...how to I swim with a backpack.

Another sketch book fihished

Haven't posted lately as I've been pretty busy with lots of stuff.  Have gotten a few sketches done but mostly have been working on getting myself ready for the trip. I did finish my third sketch book a few days ago and am pretty happy with the last couple of pages. These are the last three of four sketches.  Need to put some color on the last one and will post later. 

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.

Bear is traveling with a sketch book

Since Bear's Blog was 'banned' while traveling in China, we have been busy traveling and pursuing other interests. I am beginning to keep an art Journal. It has turned out to be a fun project for me and I have found a niche for my drawing practice.  I have joined a group called Sketchbook Challenge.  (Click on the button for more information) Each month there is a new challenge for sketching in my journal.  This picture is of plum blossoms which I can "resist" drawing.  The Challenge for May was 'draw something that you just can't resist".  I enjoy trying to create Chinese type art. I hope this will keep me motivated and inspired.