Sunday, June 16, 2024, Minister's Island, New Brunswick, Canada

On Sunday, Earthfest was held on Minister's Island, New Brunswick, Canada. I think it was roughly equivalent to Earthday in the US but held later in the year so it would be warmer.

Minister's Island is only accessible during low tide. The road to the island is 16 feet underwater at high tide. While we waited for the tide to go out, Joani chatted rocks with others in line.

When the water receded the road was rough but not the least bit soft. We never felt like we might get stuck in the sand.

The island was where Sir William Van Horne (Canadian railway magnate) built his summer home. On the road to his house, we passed the no longer operational creamery. Obviously, a huge number of cattle were here at one time to support such a large operation. Now there were only a few cattle milling about in the field. 

As we parked we saw what must have been the pump house to supply fresh water to the estate. I don't believe I have ever seen a building quite like it.

We selected a nature walk from a list of activities taking place on the island and were directed to the bathhouse. This was where guests would change into swimwear before entering the saltwater pool along the shoreline. The pool was long gone but the bathhouse exited on the rocky beach below. Joani found a unique chunk of driftwood next to some moss that made a nice foreground for the bathhouse below.

The driftwood certainly would have looked nice in a landscape outside someone's home. I don't think I could have lugged it back to the car even if the folks at Earthfest didn't object.

Our nature walk took us along a wooded path where our very nice (and knowledgeable) naturalist guides showed us how to use an application on our phones (inaturalist.com) that would help us identify plants by taking a photo of anything in question. Another app could identify birds by their song. Our hike ended at the estate's carriage house and we returned to the main house.

We loved the leaded glass windows in the main house. The house is normally open for touring but it was closed for this free event. We will need to return and pay the $16 apiece to explore the interior of the house beyond the main sitting room. Maybe another time.

I snapped a picture of the attendees listening to some kids singing about something "earthy".

We were not rushed for time but still, you had to be sure to leave the island before the tide came back in or you would be stuck for another 12 hours or so.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013, Elk, Sea Lions and Redwoods, Klamath and Crescent City, CA

Still exploring the Klamath, CA, area, we started our day with a stop at Elk Meadow. We were all by ourselves when we drove in. We looked around the picnic area for a few minutes and, seeing nothing, we headed back out. Strangely, the road was now filled with cars, so we stopped to see what was going on. Roosevelt Elk, that's what was going on - a whole herd of them. We counted nearly twenty. Of course, there was only one male, so he was busy.

This is zoomed as much as my camera will zoom. I could not see all of the elk lying down at the time.

As they arose, one by one, it was apparent that this was a very large herd.

We got to the National Park Visitor's Center which, strangely enough, was on the beach. Stranger still, they didn't have any lights on. We found out Pacific Gas & Electric had scheduled a rolling blackout. California apparently doesn't have enough electricity for everyone at the same time! At least I got my official Passport stamp and some good park information.

Next, we went to Lady Bird Johnson Memorial Grove in the National Park. We only walked about halfway around the trail before it started raining. We tried to ignore it at first, but it persisted. We got soaked and ran back to the car.  What we did see was pretty amazing.

This tree is fascinating.  It has seen many fires (the heartwood is gone), but the tree is still alive.

Apparently, the outside growing layer is all that is needed for a Redwood to survive.

The Redwood lacks the volatile resins found in pines, firs, and spruce, and its sap is largely water.

Since the rain seemed like it was going to continue, we headed to Crescent City, CA, with a few stops along the coast for some wave watching.  

We stopped in at the City Visitor's Center for maps and recommendations. The very helpful lady there recommended the Chart Room for a nice lunch where we would have a view of the harbor

We had a view of the Battery Point Lighthouse and we were treated to a sea lion show on the dock.

Behind the restaurant, the dock was lined with 12 -14 California Sea Lions.

I'm not sure if he appreciates his neighbors hind flipper on his head.

(check out the nails found only on a sea lions hind flippers.)

I was able to watch this big guy jump up on the deck.

.  I am about 30 feet back and they are used to gawkers.

He didn't stay long.  Posed for a few pictures and then took off.

Our Visitor Center host also told us we should drive out Howland Hill Road to Stout Grove. It was fantastic! The very narrow, unpaved road wound through the giant trees and gave us a different perspective on the forest (notice our car parked next to one of the redwood trees).

Hollowed out, but alive. I expected to see a gnome peek out.

I expected this tree to start talking to me. Come on!

A ray of sun made its way through the canopy to shine on David.

As we returned to our coach, it started raining, but the sun was still shining strongly from low in the west creating a beautiful double rainbow. We could actually see the rainbow in front of the trees! People were stopped along the side of the road taking pictures. Fortunately for us, we were close to the coach and the rainbow was still visible when we got home.

This was a first for me. The rainbow was so close it was in front of the distant trees, but just behind the close tree.

Saturday, August 24, 2013, Spruce Trail Again, Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park, Forks, WA

Call us crazy, but we went back to the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park, WA, again - we think it is that nice. This time the Spruce Trail walk was led by Ranger Robert. We heard from several of the younger Rangers that Robert was the best, so we tagged along. His talk was different and we learned a lot more. He spent his whole career in the forestry industry cutting down trees. After retiring, he joined the National Park Service and became a Ranger.  

We learned that Sitka Spruce is valued because it is strong and lightweight. Howard Hughes chose it to build the Spruce Goose. It is highly valued for guitars and other stringed instruments. Steinway pianos use Sitka spruce for their soundboards. Not all Sitka spruce are tonewood quality.  It takes an expert to know the difference.

David is dwarfed by this colonnade that got its start on a nurse log many hundreds of years ago.

Bigleaf Maple and Selaginella (spikemoss)

Sitka Spruce's lower branches attract a variety of mosses.

The blue hue of the river is amazing. Ranger Robert told us it is caused by "glacial flour" from blue glacier atop Mount Olympus. We asked if it was good to drink. He said it is so mineral rich that if you try to filter it, it will instantly clog your filter.

We were back from the Hoh early enough to have some dinner and then head out to Rialto Beach for a nice sunset. We made it with only a few minutes to spare. Sunset on the beach was popular - it seemed like everyone there had a camera pointed west. The sunset was gorgeous but, sadly, fleeting.

Sam was happy that we included him for a change. He just doesn't understand it is not our choice to keep him from the trails - Rialto Beach is one of the few places in the park where dogs are allowed. As the evening mist rolled in, it got chilly in a hurry, so we headed home.