Cold here but no snow!!

We had our first fire Saturday night, spent Saturday picking the garden as we knew we would loose a lot of produce that night.  We had lots of tomatoes, peppers, and beans still on the plants.  This morning we woke to a chilly 31.6 degrees and tonight is projected to be colder.  The leaves are starting to turn and I saw my first wooly worm today. 

Panda is spending the next 4 days with us as Reeder is in Las Vegas with his friends, while we are getting ready to go to the Virginia Horse Center with our engraving booth for the next 2 weekends.  Baxter does not understand why Panda is here, and Woody say’s don’t worry it happens all the time and she goes home when her owner returns.  Both Baxter and Woody will go with us to the Horse Center and stay with us in Escape Too on the show grounds.

Worked on an area today to seed with orchard grass tomorrow, as Dance (Edna’s pony) is in foal and can’t be on the fescue grass we have here. 

Fall Days are here

We have enjoyed two great fall days with days in mid 70’s and nights in high 40’s.  Saturday was a great day for the CCR Picnic and I had a good time and enjoyed the location.  Think some were disappointed they could not go to the river because the gate was locked.  Park said for liability reasons; thank all trial lawyers of America for that.

Next Saturday I am one of two photographers for the American Heart Association Heart Walk in Richmond and looking forward to the day.    

I found a nice pattern in a piece of drift wood.

Thuesday 10-13 A day of Sadness

Today we lost a very close companion.  Alvin was a great dog and personally, and until he was gone I never realized how much a part of our lives he was.  Edna summed it up very well she said “I fell like I have lost a job in life”.  Alvin had just come back from a week camping trip with us from SC and towards the end of the week we noticed he was having control problems and just not he old self.  By Wednesday of this week we knew his quality of life was gone, but he remained alert and still loved his bone at bed time.  

Alvin will be missed by both us and the Carters.  He now is with Bobby Sox and Polly.

Alvin, Woody and Dave on the beach in SC

The beach has been great!

Thursday Oct. 6

56 this morning, as we walked around the campground with the dogs, the smell of bacon cooking over the fire filled the air.  After our coffee we packed the bikes and we were off to photograph and bird. 



Our campsite is full of butterflies along with a lone rabbit.  None seem to care we about us or the dogs being around. Also lots of spider webs on the trails.

The wood storks are gorgeous when flying view from a distance, but up close they are as attractive as a buzzard.   After a late walk on the beach, home for some snacks

Friday Oct. 7

Up early as we had to dump our tanks, and then Edna made pancakes.  We went for a long bike ride to both the causeway and far ponds and then a walk on the beach (lots of jellyfish on beach). Having a campfire tonight, with hot dogs, can of beans over the fire with somemores for desert.  Tomorrow it's go home time, this has been way to short of a break!

         Above view of far pond

Sun, Sea and Birds

Temperatures was 56 this morning and with a high of 76 mid day.  Walked the dogs and off to our Bird Walk.  The group leader was very knowledgeable and personable.  We saw numerous birds and Edna added a bird to her list an immature yellow crowned night heron.  

I watched an ibis catch a crab and the eat it.  After walk back to the camper for a shrimp roll-up, our invention for lunch, they were great!

Found a magnolia tree with the seeds still in the seed pod which I had never seen before. 

On our walk we saw numerous bushes loaded with “beautiful berry”, which we are told will be eaten by some birds.

This evening we sat on the beach had some cheese and crackers with a few brews as we watch the moon rise over the water and enjoyed the sound of the surf.  

Horse Show and on to the beach

Sunday Oct. 2

Edna convinced me to go to the CHSA Classic and take pictures, as she said it would only be about an hour.  Arrived at 11:30 and left at 3:45, I previously mentioned “some” down time at horse shows.  Abby was 2011 CHSA Pony Classic Champion, so the time was worth it, and I was able to take some nice pictures.

After show we needed to do some last moment grocery shopping for the trip and then to finish packing for our “beach fix”.

                                                                                  

Monday Oct. 3

We got a late start after the barn was work was finished.  Upon arrival we stopped at our favorite seafood market and loaded up on fresh seafood for the week.  We got 5 pounds of shrimp, some clams, scallops, and a fish we hade never had (Mase). When I asked what it was the market owner said it was a local fish that tasted like flounder and was the favorite of the residents.   All the seafood was local except to scallops.  Then on to register for our camping site and after set up went for an evening walk on the beach with the dogs and then Edna cooked several pounds of peal and eat shrimp to have with our beer.  I am sure that this would not be considered a balanced meal.

Tuesday Oct. 4

A relaxing morning, took the dogs for a long walk and then returned them to Escape To and walked over to the Education Center and the Marsh Board Walk.  It was mid day so not good for photography, but did see a man casting a net for bait fish to use in the surf.  He said had fished for two days and had caught nothing yet.  Then walked the Causeway and saw a few birds and two small alligators sunning.  I plan to return this evening and see if I can get a few pictures in the right light.

Spent time on Causeway in the evening and then went back for our Al Roker’s seafood dinner.  In aluminum foil we placed clams, shrimp scallops, fish with celery, parsley, garlic, and wine.  Sealed foil and let cook on the BBQ grill for 30 minuets.  With the rest of the wine it was great!  Took dogs for lone walk and called it an evening.  Up early tomorrow as we are going on a Causeway Birding program.   

                                                                       Casting for bait fish  

                                    

                                                                         Wood Stork

                                                   Spoon Bill 1st time qwe have seen this bird here

First fall day

This has been a fall day. Very cool this AM 46 with a high of 62 this afternoon.  I spent most of the day getting ready for our beach trip.  Needed replacement bulbs for lights in Escape To and shopped for a few pieces of fishing tackle I wanted to take with me in case the fish are running when we are there.  I hope to try new artificial bait (Gulp Alive), Will and I have tried the freshwater minnow with very good success.  I purchased the shrimp for saltwater.  The bait looks feels and tastes alive”.  The latter I cannot attest to, but when finished with the bait you return it to container and solution and it “recharges”.

Edna has two days of horse shows, so we will leave Monday.  She left for the show at 6AM and still not home at 8:00PM.  Horse shows seem to have some time you just stand around and wait.  Some being relative but the same I guess could be said for fishing as you spend some time waiting for a bite.