Hike – Eskildoodle Photos and Feelings

Over the Hill

Over 60 years ago I climbed Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park with my dad. We drove from Nebraska to Colorado and spent several days hiking and camping in the mountains to acclimate to the altitude. On the day of ascent we arose at 4 AM, had pancakes for breakfast, and then we startedContinue reading “Over the Hill”

Long Peek

The rising sun illuminated not only mountains, but also memories as I looked long and longingly at this magnificent mountain. Longs Peak, in its morning glory looked similarly to this when my dad and I emerged from the forest to the boulder field in 1963 when we climbed it together. It was very important toContinue reading “Long Peek”

100 Down, 900 to Go

Yesterday, during our morning walk, we crossed the 100 mile mark for this year. That means we have 900 left go go for the 2024. That may sound like a lot of walking, but for us it is a lot of happy wandering. PS–Happy Groundhog Day! #hike #walk #woods #100miles

Through Showers and Sunbeams

Sabers of sunlight thrust intermittently through cracks in a grey, veiled sky as I walked along the forest trail. Light rain drops occasionally rattled the tree canopy and a few did make it through to moisten scattered areas of my sweatshirt. I had hoped to walk out 2.5 miles and return, but started to haveContinue reading “Through Showers and Sunbeams”

999

As of this morning, we have walked 999 miles this year; tomorrow we will reach our annual goal of 1000 miles and then some. It is good exercise but more importantly, it is great fun. Besides, it is really nice knowing that when my wife tells me to “go take a hike,” she usually wantsContinue reading “999”

Wilder-berries

While on a walk along the Cross Florida Greenway that runs near our house, I chanced across scattered patches of blackberries. I wondered if I should be wary since bears are occasionally seen in the area and might be attracted to this food source. However, the berry patches showed no signs of any feeding bearsContinue reading “Wilder-berries”

Barr Hammock

Between Gainesville and sleepy little Micanopy, a one by two mile lowland alternates between swamp and shallow lake and is called a hammock. Known as Barr Hammock Preserve, it is mostly swamp with a few ponds this time of year. Along its margins leafless cypress and maples sport beards of Spanish moss thought grass andContinue reading “Barr Hammock”

Tree Fingers

Our hike along the nearby greenway takes us past this tree that was laid low by strong winds years ago. Now it rests on its side, its once towering branches reaching out like fingers, neither threatening nor inviting, merely resting.