Wordless Wednesday

Early December Camping

The first weekend in December was unseasonably warm. We packed the truck and headed up to Crystal Lake to cut firewood and transplant pine trees. I love camping when the moon is full. Nature's nightlight.
We got all of our work done and came home tired and content.

Wordless Wednesday

Crystal Lake Never Looked So Good

We finally made it up to Crystal Lake this past weekend. We hadn't been up since May. Between our schedules and the HEAT this past summer, we were unable to travel up the mountain.
This is what a man made lake or pond looks like when someone (the previous owner) lets trees grow on the dam. The roots caused the dam to leak. In the winter, the water covers the rock, which is to the right of the picture. The dam is in the background. Basically, the entire picture should be water. One day it will be.
We found a dam man that will fix the leak. It will take a lot of destruction and replanting, but hopefully we can get Crystal Lake back to it's glory.

It's really difficult for me to come back down. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we'll be able to go up more this fall and winter.
Oh, the bottom photo is a sandstone rock.
Until next time.....

A Sudden Warm Up.....

and we headed up to Crystal Lake. It was fabulous. Warm during the day. Comfortable at night; especially with the campfire. We cut and stacked firewood from some trees that we downed last fall.
It's so nice to camp this time of year. NO BUGS!
But alas, we're back. I love it up there. Every time we leave, I leave a piece of my heart behind. See the heart in the woodpile?

I've a busy week ahead. Broccoli and cabbage seeds need to be started. I have orders to fill in my Etsy shop. Better get a move on.
Until next time.....

Hello Darkness, My Old Friend

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence
~Paul Simon



We spent the weekend on top of the mountain at Crystal Lake. Camping out under the stars. Cool weather. Wind blowing through the trees. But this time the wind was different. It was an Autumn wind. Chestnut oak acorns fell from the trees. Believe me, you don't want to get hit with one of those! They are about 2" long.
I sat out at night, staring at the stars. The Milky Way swept across the sky above us. I didn't want to come back down. Never do. It clears the cobwebs of my mind. I love it up there. Being surrounded by trees. And darkness. Like going home to old friends.
Until next time.....

Dreaming of Autumn

We've been wanting to head up to Crystal Lake, but it is just too hot! This weekend they're predicting high 90's. Even with our two battery powered fans, it would be miserable trying to sleep in the tent.

I really don't like rushing summer, but part of me is ready for fall. Camping in the cool, crisp air. Campfires. Brightly colored leaves.

But alas, we have yet to meet the dog days of summer.

Until next time.....

Shadow Shot Sunday

New, upcycled camping table! In the shadows of Crystal Lake.

Until next time.....

The Perfect Morning

This is where I was this weekend. We went up to our place atop Monteagle Mountain. The weather was perfect, although we were surprised to see snow on the ground in some places. Down here in rim world, we didn't have much snow. Up on the mountain, seems like they did.

It was the perfect morning. 39 degrees, a warm campfire. The sun about to come up over the lake. Hot coffee perked on the camp stove.

We dropped a few trees. Planted a few trees. Cleared some of the area where the house will go. Lounged around like beached whales. Ate. Drank. Walked to the bluff to watch the sunset.

Mr and Mrs B came by to check out their bluebird house. By the sound of their chatter, I think they approved and are ready to start building a nest.

I want to be back up on the mountain. I could easily go up there and never come down.

Until next time.....

Crystal Lake in November

We just got back from a quick 3 day trip up to Crystal Lake. I love camping in Autumn. And I really love camping when the moon is just about full. It seems like the night critters come out in full force then. We heard one of the owls, but never heard the other one call back. We heard coyotes, lots of coyotes. One of the packs sounded like it was real close. And we also heard, what I thought was probably a bobcat.

We got a lot of work done up there and came back tired, sore and happy.

See the butterfly in the collage? It showed up in the middle of the woods when we were cutting wood. No flowers or anything with color in sight; except for our weed eater string. I hope it found something to eat along the way.

Until next time.....

Wish I Was There

It's been raining every weekend for a month now, so we've been unable to go up to Crystal Lake. I'm homesick! I know that the wild blueberries are in full bloom. So are the mountain laurels. One good thing does come out of all this rain. The lake is full to the brim. Our fish and frogs and snakes are happy. And for that, I'm happy. Now if we could all be Happy Together~

Until next time.....

DIY ~ Make Your Own Ice ~

OK, so Spring is here. Time to think about Spring activities; like camping, hiking, picnics, outdoor concerts. Many of those activities include a cooler. At least it does for us. Store bought ice seems to melt so fast and the thought of buying enough bags to cover the food and drinks in our 100+ quart cooler that we take up to Crystal Lake........no thanks! I'm a DIY girl.

Several years ago, I started to make our own ice. Here's the method to my madness:

Start filling up ice cube trays days before you're going on your trip/event. Dump the cubes in a bag and store in freezer. Fill quart size yogurt containers or freezer containers with water. Make sure you leave room for the water to expand when it freezes; about an inch from the top.

When you're ready to go, run those under water, pop them out and use whole or 'ice pick' to the desired size.

You'll be surprised how long the ice lasts. Plus you can use the cubes for drinks and know where your water came from.

Happy trails~

Until next time.....