Description
I own no land, instead I have wheelestate. I’ve been a full time RVer since 1997. Working summers as a Park Ranger takes me to many beautiful places and playing during the winter takes me to many more. This blog is simply the story of my life's adventures.
Moved
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Three Rondavels Mpumalanga South Africa
Friday, September 3, 2010
Hiking the Transept trail
Thursday, September 2, 2010
SWF – Sunset from the Grand Lodge
One more time,
Rangers get paid in sunsets.
To view more skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Touring in style
This 1939 Rolls Royce Phantom III parked in the visitor parking lot caused a time warp for many.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
MWT - Mycology
Lobster mushroom - Eagles Cliff, Washington - November 1998
I am not a mycologist. I am a generalologist. Yet when I lived in the Pacific Northwest I learned to confidently gather about 14 species of wild edible mushrooms. And let me tell you, they are delish. I enjoy learning about all the plants wherever I am, but especially the edibles. You just never know.
Dehydrating at Oregon Caves
In between seasons leading cave tours at Oregon Caves National Monument I volunteered one winter and helped with their mycology inventory. It’s a job I’d never been hired to do, but then you can volunteer to do a lot of things you’re not qualified for.
(all following images taken along the Widforss trail Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim)
I’d walk trails hunting mushrooms, take photos on site, give each one a number, carefully pop it out of the ground and take more photos, then gently pack it in a box and go on to another mushroom.
I built a lab in an abandoned building for the next step which included filling out a form with as much description as possible, photographing again, whole and cut in half, then put them in the dehydrator.
Once dry, I’d package them in plastic bags and put them in the freezer to await shipping to the real mycologist in Portland. When I found choice edibles I was allowed to gather enough to eat, plus some for my supervisor.
When Mike and I discovered such a variety of mushrooms hiking the Widforss Trail, including a choice Oyster, I emailed our Science division and asked about their mycology inventory.
After about six people that couldn’t tell me a thing I was finally sent a list of the North Rim inventory, taken back in the 1950s. And by the looks of it, whoever found the mushrooms around our Administration offices didn’t know any more about mushrooms than I do.
I was invited to help out. I mentioned the need for a dehydrator so samples could be added to the Park’s herbarium. Maybe next year I was told.
Two weeks later I returned to the Widforss trail to look for mushrooms, taking more photos with identification in mind.
Barely 100 yards (91 m) from the trailhead I spotted a variety of species so sat down with my notebook, camera and knife.
After eight species my pen ran out of ink.
So I continued my hike just taking more photos and looking for the Oyster choice edibles but they were past their prime.
That’s the day I came home and Mike showed me the choice Shaggy Manes.
So, I’ll just keep on looking at mushrooms in the meantime and hoping for some more choice edibles.
To see what’s happening around the world go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Scenic Sunday – Light & Shadows Grand Canyon
Saturday morning I saw the canyon in yet another mood.
Even though heavy clouds hung over the horizon morning sunlight found its way to light up the canyon walls and temples.
The air was crisp and clearer than I’ve seen in quite a while. Feels like Fall is coming on.
A shaft of light highlighted the tip of Angels Gate.
To view more of the beauty found around the world, or to share some of your own, go to Scenic Sunday by clicking here.