WHY OH WHY, OHIO ?

We were off early on October 10th to Ohio. Why? you ask. For a family gathering at Tina and Justin's new home. This was mostly a relaxing and helping with chores trip. They are now the proud owners of a three bedroom house with two barns, a downstairs apartment, and 20 acres of land.

A VIEW FROM THE FRONT DOOR

Our flight was delayed due to a medical emergency on board, resulting in it being diverted to Las Vegas to attend to the matter. We were not asked to de-board and were back in the air about an hour later. I had messaged Tina, so she was aware and not waiting for us at the Detroit Airport. Once we landed and got our luggage Tina drove up and we were off to West Unity. The drive to the house went smoothly though we did have a couple of slowdowns due to the commute hour.

We were welcomed by the animals, Klara, and Justin. Klara had arrived yesterday via Amtrak from Montana. She brought along some bison and elk meat which Justin cooked to perfection for our dinner. Tina and Justin's new home is a work in progress, but they have already done a great job of furnishing it, and doing lots of work on the two barns, and fields. We enjoyed relaxing and catching up after dinner in the sunroom as the sunset.

FRIDAY, Oct. 11th:

We enjoyed a leisurely day around the property, and got a feel for the vastness of their 20 acres, and the job they have done in fencing sections of it. There were off and on light rain showers today. Klara had been busy with baking chores, and tomorrow we will have fresh croissants! Outside work was done by Justin and their neighbor, JR moving and grading earth behind the barn. This is to correct a drainage issue.  The area directly behind the barn will soon be a coral used for riding and training the mules. They have had little to no riding since May. Justin cooked up some grilled chicken thighs stuffed with a cheese mixture for dinner served with hominy, a dish I have not had before. It was quite good.

VIEW FROM THE HOUSE

IMA IN NEED OF A GOOD BRUSHING, ETC.

VIEW FROM THE PERIMETER

SATURDAY, Oct.12th:

This morning it was cold by San Diego Standards, 35˚F. On my morning walk about I carried my camera and took couple of pictures. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast of chocolate and raspberry croissants, along with an omelet.

Around mid-day we went off to explore Harrison Lake State Park. We enjoyed a three mile hike around the lake. There were  pockets of fall color, and a great blue heron, and a couple of cormorants
on the lake. Regrettably they were quite a distance so no good pictures.

TRAIL ART

In the late afternoon, Tina's friend Stephanie came with her two sons for a visit and dinner. Stephanie's oldest son, Ryan, actually has a couple of my polar bear pictures in his room. We chatted about photographing the bears, and that experience. 

SUNDAY, Oct. 13th:

We had clear skies this morning so no sunrise photography though I was up in time. After breakfast there was work to be done in the various garden plots and more grading which Justin took care of with the bobcat and other farm equipment.

I again wandered around with camera and iPhone. The iPhone was mostly used to identify different plants.

PURPLE CONEFLOWER

With the wonders of the internet, I was able to submit photos for PhotoNaturalist Camera Club's monthly competition. (They were both accepted by the Judge for Authenticated Wildlife.) Sunset was very nice, and I almost missed the best part of it.

MONDAY, Oct. 14th:

This morning I captured the full moon setting to the West, and a cloudy and moody morning to the East.

We visited the Amish town of Shipshewana, Indiana. We enjoyed playing tourist, browsing and shopping. Tina showed us the new bedroom furniture that they have on order. Klara fell in love with a lovely rocking chair but then decided against it because the shipping was a bit too high. We bought a couple of dish towels with appropriate messages, and placemats and napkins. The Amish carriages were running up and down the main street at a very good clip.

COULD NOT RESIST THIS ON THE BACK OF A CAR

Back at the ranch, we were treated to a sundog in the Western sky. We also had some nice sunset light and color. I then captured the moonrise through the trees. I was happy with a couple of the moon pictures.

SUN DOG

MOODY MOON RISE

TUESDAY, Oct. 15th:

Up and dressed for sunrise this morning. I was rewarded for my effort. The small lake right outside the sunroom adds to the experience.

 Fall color here is late this year, a disappointment to us. It has been a mild fall, with few days of frost to date.

IMA LOOKING BETTER

Around mid-morning a sandhill crane was spotted in the far field. Tina and I got out our longer lenses and teleconverters; and spent time photographing it. There were only a few acceptable images at the end of the session. The crane stuck around for a good part of the day but kept his distance.

SANDHILL CRANE

SANDHILL CRANE

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 16th:

Took Klara to train in Waterloo, Indiana. It was running about two hours late. We had seen a revised schedule for the departure so we were not waiting at the train station that long. A bit of history was made here during WWII when a German committed suicide by lying down on the tracks and committing suicide by being run over by the train. He was beheaded!!

Things were much quieter this morning with a few people boarding the train bound for Chicago, and no drama.

We then headed back to Tina's with a stop at the nearest grocery store for a couple of items.

The afternoon was spent enjoying the country setting.

THURSDAY, Oct.17th:

Today we bid farewell to Ohio. It was a cool morning, and once again I was up for sunrise, and was duly rewarded.

We had a relaxing breakfast before heading for the Detroit Airport. The drive went smoothly and we arrived in good time. The check-in process also went smoothly. We had a direct flight to San Diego, and were home by 1830.

This was a good trip and fun to see how Tina and Justin are creating a new home and ranch. We look forward to probably visiting again in two years. In the meantime we will see them in San Diego for Christmas, and then rendezvous with them in Bishop for Mule Days 2020. There is also a planned family visit to the North Rim, Grand Canyon, in the Fall.

SPOKANE and the PALOUSE III

Sunday, Sept. 29:

Cold and raining at the Hotel as we packed up. As we drove to Manito Park the rain turned to snow. We stopped at the park for a short look around,

and then headed off to the Palouse area. The temperature hovered around the low 30’s all day with a good wind blowing. Thankfully Lin had many more layers than I, so I was able to borrow her insulated jacket. It was a life saver. I wore both pairs of my pants as well.

We enjoyed wandering around the area most of the day. Not very good light, but we got some good pictures along the way.

ONE OF MANY RED BARNS

STEPTOE BUTTE

SNOW LADEN PINE TREE

We finished atop Steptoe Butte:

 

We are staying at the Best Western in Colefax. Dinner was at the Grocery Store, and left a bit to be desired, but there were few choices.

Monday, Sept. 30th:

Very good breakfast at the Motel. Then off for a full day of photography chasing the light and looking for interesting old barns, etc. Spent a lot of time at a barn in Uniontown with the wheels fence, etc.

Found many dilapidated old barns, a covered bridge, various valleys, and small towns,

A TOUCH OF FALL

including the town of Palouse, a small farming community, where we got a sandwich for our dinner and enjoyed sitting and viewing the main street.

We then headed back to Cofax with another sunset stop at Steptoe Butte.