Kay and I traveled to Mt. Magazine Saturday for a long hike. It was in the mid-60s with partly sunny skies. However, at the top of the mountain it was 44°, overcast, with moderate winds. Thus, no hiking or photography: we went to the restaurant for lunch instead. While this Columbine was photographed at the Visitors Center, the unknown flower did pose for photos on the way down the mountain.

After our hiking attempt at Mt. Magazine was thwarted by dense fog, cold temps, wind, etc., Kay and I drove east to Ouachita National Forest to hike the 4+ mile Lake Sylvia trail. It was windy and significantly overcast. The trail was in need of maintenance, but provided a good hiking experience

Today, Friday, Kay had a neighborhood ladys’ luncheon in Hot Springs. It’s a great time to catch up on all the neighborhood and Village gossip! Middle Fork Barrens Natural Area beckoned and the morning walk was in an area I had never investigated before. There were few new wildflowers.

And, only a couple of butterflies were observed.

Thank the Lord for Wednesday; it was a relatively quiet day. Kay played golf and Jim Morris and I resumed our weekly breakfast after over a year’s absence because of COVID19. All is well.

On Thursday, I received word that my photographic image had been posted to the Photographic Society of America Digital Dialog Member’s Showcase home page. Being selected to post an image of choice to this showcase was a big deal, and honor, for me. The image is below, and you can click this link to get to the Showcase to see other images: http://psadigital.org/

After yesterday’s grueling day, Kay and I switched roles Tuesday; she was grossly overbooked and I had it pretty easy. Her day began with contacting a jeweler in Tulsa to find a duplicate of the diamond stud earring she lost a few months ago. They were very helpful in her discussion with them, and asked that she send them the remaining stud so it could be exactly duplicated. Next, she had her annual mammogram—a not too pleasant experience us guys don’t fully understand. And then, she participated in a long difficult Duffer’s board meeting. The Duffer’s is a huge women’s 9-hole golf group here in Hot Springs Village. That pretty much wiped her out for the rest of the day, though she never complains.

Dan Olson and I tripped to Middle Fork Barrens Natural Area for a short walk and some photo ops. It always provides a sense of serenity to an otherwise chaotic world. Here are a few photographs from the walk.  

Even a few butterflies made an appearance.

As John Denver used to sing, “Some days are diamonds, some days are stones.” Monday was the beginning of a “not-so-good” week for me. I was overbooked in that just about every hour of the day was scheduled (is this retirement?). Early morning hours were spent preparing items for warranty work and consequent returns. These included a pair of Smith Optics sunglasses purchased some 20+ years ago. It is the second pair (of three pairs) that had delamination of the lens coating. Though the glasses cost lots of $s, they are warranted for life. Filling out the warranty information was a necessary nuisance.

The Induro tripod I use for photography has two center posts; the short one will not fit as its diameter seems too large. This is no big deal, except that when used in lieu of the long post will help lighten the weight of the tripod. This is important when it is carried on one’s shoulder for miles and miles! I have successfully dealt with parent company, the MAC Group, previously. By the way, these tripods are not cheap.

The last warranty item dealt with this Monday morning was a pair of 10X42 Eagle Optics binoculars. These are really good binoculars and I use them for both bird watching and butterfly watching. They will focus rather closely to allow for identifying butterflies that are only a few feet away, an important asset for me. The problem is that over the last few months, the focus adjustment doesn’t work. Eagle Optics was absorbed by VORTEX, but they still honor the lifetime warranty—good company! The warranty forms were completed and emailed.

Then, the wheels began coming off. First, was a Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church Board of Trustees meeting. I thought it began at 10 AM, and was on time; however, it began at 9 AM and the closing prayer was just beginning when I arrived. At least I’ll be forgiven. Next, was an afternoon filled with golf, and double bogeys; and of course, the resulting score was not good—I bought the beer. Finally, a silver lining in the day’s cloud: the initial travel planning session with Kay in the evening for planning our summer trip to the Pacific Northwest in the July/August timeframe.

Kay had a great day, as usual; she always has great days, and it’s one of the many reasons I love her. She always has a great attitude. She used part of the day packing for a girls trip to Biloxi, Mississippi, in a few days.

Kay met Aker’s mom at Bryant so that Aker could return home. She had a great weekend at KK’s and DD’s, her first time to overnight alone with us. As with the other grandkids, she is growing up entirely too fast, or perhaps we’re growing old entirely to fast!

After early church, I drove to Lake Sylvia in Ouachita National Forest to hike the Lake Sylvia Trail. It was the first time to visit the US Forest Service (USFS) Lake Sylvia Recreation Area. It was obvious that COVID19 had taken its toll on maintenance. The picnic and day use area was closed, the camping area was open but prohibited hikers from parking. However, there was a parking area further up the road. Information on the internet indicated that the trailhead was difficult to find, and with that mind preset, I didn’t look very long. There was another trailhead at the parking area, and I began hiking/strolling that trail. Immediately, there were a few Fire Pink blooms adjacent to the trail. 

And then I heard a buzzing sound, and a hummingbird darted into the viewfinder screen; it was so fast that I could hardly change focus. Luckily, I was able to make these two photographs. This proved to be the highlight of the week.

The trail was short, and only a few additional wildflowers were observed.

After many wonderful trips, Kay and I have decided to part ways with our beloved motorhome. It’s for sale! It has been kept in enclosed storage when not being used (less than 30,000 miles), and waxed each year. My back no longer tolerates sitting in the driver’s seat for the long trips we like to make, and I’m not disciplined enough to stop for the day after a hundred miles or so. Every single trip made in the motorhome is captured in this blog, beginning with our intent to buy in the summer of 2011 and driving it home November 2011 after having it custom built. PLEASE, pass this information on to those you think may be interested.

It’s a 2012 Adventurer 35J, consistently maintained and in near immaculate condition, driven by a non-smoking, no pets couples; it has been kept in enclosed storage.  REASON FOR SELLING: Medical (back issues while driving); WEIGHTS/MEASURES: Length 35’6″, Ext Height 12’8″, Ext Width 8’5.5″, Int Height 7′, Int Width 8′.5″, Ext Storage 107.6 cuft; Fresh Wat 85gal, Wat Heater 10gal, Gray Wat 60gal, Black Wat 43gal, Propane 28gal, LP 28gal, Fuel 80gal, Wheelbase 228″, Power Awning 17’, GCWR 30,000lbs; CHASSIS: Ford F53 24,000-lb, 362-hp V10 SEFI Triton engine; Full-body paint; 5-sp auto trans w/tow haul; 22.5″ Aluminum wheels, Michelin tires (low miles, 2 years old), hydraulic auto leveling jacks; Hydro-Max brakes w/ABS; 175-amp alternator; CAB CONVENIENCES: Upgraded Jensen System, Touch color screen; Blu-Ray home theater sound system; Rear and side view color cameras w/color touch screen; Cruise control; Power chrome side mirrors/heated; Fog lamps; TriMark KeyOne lock system; Digital HDTV Amplified TV antenna system; Solid wood cabinets; Corian countertops; Microwave/convection oven; Filtration System; 3-burner gas range; Refrigerator/freezer with ice maker/4 door; OnePlace System control center; Resteasy dual control Ultraleather (power queen) couch; Swivel adjustable cab seats, passenger w/footrests; Vinyl floors (except in MBR); MCD solar/blackout roller shades; LED lighting; Dash desk/workstation; Tinted Dual-glazed/thermo-insulated windows; Two powered roof fans; Safe–Integrated; TRC Surge Guard–Integrated. BEDROOM: Queen bed, Bedside night stands, Ceiling Fan; HEAT & COOL: 40,000 BTU low-profile furnace; TrueAir (2) 13,500 BTU AC w/heat pumps; ELECTRICAL: 55-amp converter/charger; PowerLine Energy Management System; 5,500-watt Cummins Onan Auto Generator Start System; 1,000-watt inverter; Battery Disconnect System; Automatic dual battery charge control; PLUMBING: Exterior Service Center; TrueLevel holding tank monitoring system; Permanent mount LP tank w/gauge; On-demand water pump;10-gallon water heater w/instant-on

Condition: Used
Year: 2012
Make: Winnebago
Model: ADVENTURER 35P
Class: Class A
Location: Hot Springs Village, AR
Mileage: Less than 30,000
Fuel Type: GAS
Gross Vehicle Weight: 24,000
VIN Number: Supplied upon request
Engine Type: V10
Sleeping Capacity: 5
Sleep Options: MBR Queen; Rest Easy Queen; Dinette
Air Conditioners: 2, heat pumps
Awnings: yes
Slide Outs: 3, including full wall slide, all with covers
Length: 35
Engine Manufacture: Ford
Fresh Water Capacity: 85
Leveling Jacks: yes
Exterior Color: Brown, Beige, Tan
Interior Color: Beige
Price: To Be Negotiated (similar units selling for approximately $75,000; we’ll sell for less but don’t want to be taken advantage of)

Thursday was April Fools’ Day, but the only, but the only joke was a Facepost post by a 70+ year old Arizona friend who said that his 70+ year old wife was pregnant; you’re the man, Rod. Kay continued with dental work, something she started a couple of years ago. Pretty soon she’ll have all new and/or repaired teeth. 

Friday was her day for continued beautification with pedicure and manicure/dip. And then, she and several of The Book Club members spent the afternoon at the horse races at Oaklawn. Photo buddy, Dan Olson, and drove us to Rick Evans Grandview Prairie near Hope, Arkansas, to check out the wildflowers, dragonflies, and butterflies, but we were somewhat disappointed as few dragonflies and butterflies were present, and those that were flitted about so furiously in the cool winds that making photographs was near impossible.

From there, he drove us to Terre Noir Natural Area near Arkadelphia, Arkansas, but similar conditions to those found earlier in the morning prevailed.

Saturday was home day for both Kay and me., but it was not without excitement. Kay and I were enjoying cocktails on the deck late this afternoon, relaxing with the sights and sounds of the lake and watching birds feeding at an overhead feeding station (about 4 feet from where we were sitting). A Red-bellied Woodpecker joined some small songbirds at the suet.

And then, all of of sudden out of nowhere, this dark shape flies screaming not more than a couple of feet over our heads. At the same time, we heard bird wings beating wildly as they attempted their successful escape. The hawk landed in a nearby tree and posed suspiciously for a couple of minutes for photographs. It sure helps being in the right place at the right time.

Easter Sunday, the end of Holy Week, is normally church day for Kay and me, but because of the expected crowd, I avoided attending. Instead, a long drive in Ouachita National Forest provided my worship for the day; Dan Olson accompanied me. We saw several wildflowers roadside, but most were covered by dust.

PHOTOS

At one stop, both wildflowers and butterflies were in abundance, but the butterflies didn’t stay put long enough for many photographs.

It was back to normal on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; I played golf and pickleball during this time, and made it to a couple of trails in the Village to make photos while Kay fulfilled many social obligations while still playing pickleball and golf. The False Garllic, Crested Iris, and Mayapple are among my favorites.

On Friday, Kay picked up Aker from school for a weekend stay at KK and DD’s. This will make the first two nights she has spent with us by herself. She is growing up way too fast!

Perhaps it was raking pine straw, just everyday life, or residual effects from the second COVID19 injection, but my back began aching again a couple of days ago. It’s tolerable, but very uncomfortable. Oh, to be young again.

For several years now, a camera accompanies me on just about every bicycle ride, short or long. A macro photographer on YouTube, Mike Moats, specializes in photo cycling, carrying his gear on a bicycle and riding trails until he finds something he wants to photograph. Dan Olson and I have watched his videos and believe it gives one an opportunity to cover more ground than covered on foot. Consequently, we planned to give it a try a couple of weekends ago on the Delta Heritage Trail near Helena, Arkansas, but weather prevented us from going. On Friday, we loaded up bicycles and photography gear, and drove to Two Rivers Park in Pulaski County just west of Little Rock. Loaded down with photography gear, we began our first photo ride.

It was a good time for wildflowers on both the north and south sides of the Arkansas River.

The trail through Burns Park offered even more photo opportunities, and a few butterflies were flittering about.

We road a total of 12.28 miles, with many stops. When time allows, we’ll do it again.

Saturday was a quiet day for us as the back ache worsened. We attended church on Palm Sunday, my first time in over a year and only Kay’s second. Fortunately, the church has taken safeguards to optimize social distancing, and it felt safe to be a congregant. 

Kay’s cut and color did not happen previously as I reported—an error on the calendar. However, she was able to get it the beautification procedure done on Monday. Though she is always pretty, she was extra special pretty after returning home from the stylist. She played pickleball Tuesday afternoon, and spent most of Wednesday morning working with the Duffer’s orientation. Also of note was returning her remaining diamond earring to its seller for a replacement match for the one lost when she was removing a “COVID” mask

With our “schedule” of activities, it appears that we’re back in the full swing of things here at home in Hot Springs Village. What with golf, pickleball, photography, church activities, neighborhood gatherings, medical appointments, etc., there is hardly time to do anything “fun”—just kidding—about all we do is have fun, despite the aches and pains of aging!

In addition to everything else, Kay was quite busy Wednesday with all her recreational and social activities. I escaped to Cedar Creek Trail in the Village to check out the wildflowers.

Thursday was pickleball day, and relatively quiet.

Check out these photos of yellow blooms from Cedar Creek Trail made on Wednesday.

These white blooms proved difficult to photograph, but are beautiful.

Blooms of other colors were almost breathtaking.

And even a few butterflies flitted about.