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. 

Bouy on the side of a crab shack

This was a 10 minute painting I did after looking at a picture that I had taken while traveling in Prince Edward Island NS. 

Inspiration

What a wonderful day for my psyche....got almost all of the yard ready for spring...need to work on the herb garden tomorrow...had a very relaxing evening listening to the 'story' on NPR...ironically one story was about a woman who quit her job...sold her house in Monterey CA to volunteer for a year working in Monet's  garden in France and another was about a painter who met Andrew Wythe which influenced his painting....

My version of "Yellow Boat" by Jonathan Green...Daniel Island SC

Discovered this artist a few months ago. I really like his work. This is a painting I did in watercolour after seeing his original work "Yellow Boat". I like the idea of looking out to sea. Why is the boat empty? What is the man looking at? Love the thought provoking questions in this picture. He is incredibly talented. I'd like to visit his studio some day. Have seen some of his works in the Greenville SC museum. I'll never be able to purchase any of his works but they sure are wonderful to look at. Check out his site to see his other works.

http://www.jonathangreenstudios.com/Jonathan-Green

Catching up ...again

Amazing how times gets away from one. I've been consumed with therapy for my broken arm and painting. Did travel to the Keys for a few days in early March but not much else happening.

Catching up

I keep trying to do something with this blog but just can't seem to get going. I missed a prime opportunity when Bear and I were traveling in China but had technical difficulties. As Bear travels more, I'll keep trying.
In the meantime, life in Holland MI is cold and gray!  I have a broken shoulder and have pretty much been unable to do much. I began therapy on the 11th of Jan and that is going very well, but it's going to be a long road to regain complete use of my shoulder again.

Bear took a short weekend trip to WI to see the grandkids.  We had a really good time.  Kelsey is on a swim team and we got to go to her first swim meet!  Great fun. She is doing very well.

San Juan

Bear will shortly be traveling to San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is very excited about another trip and is glad that he will finally get to have a say in what the trip is all about. He won't have to have all the 'stuff' that he needed in China and the weather shouldn't be as warm. Soft gentle breeze in the Caribbean. Hope no hurricanes blow in. He may stay at the hotel with Kristi and friend as Clare hikes and snorkels about the country side.

Bear's traveling adventures